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Siuslaw News Wednesday, October 8, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 41 • 134 years

Who’s running for office in Oregon in 2026 elections? OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE STAFF

With a police escort and a star-spangled reception, local Veterans returned from the Honor Flight to the Florence Elks Club. Tony Reed photos

Honor Flight Veterans Receive Warm Welcome By CAL APPLEBEE

Several local area Veterans and their Guardians returned to Florence on Monday, Sept. 29, from their four-day Honor Flight excursion to Washington, D.C. and were greeted by several dozen Florence area residents. There was a total of six Veterans and Guardians, which included US Army Corps of Engineers Veteran Harold Johnson accompanied by Guardian Chris Johnson, his grandson, US Air Force Veteran

October 2 marked the official start of the 2026 election season in Oregon, as candidates for state and local offices were finally able to file for office. Next November, Oregon voters will elect a U.S. senator, six members of Congress, governor, labor commissioner, 15 state senators and 60 state representatives, as well as hundreds of local officeholders. The Capital Chronicle has covered candidates as they’ve announced campaigns and will update this live blog throughout the day Thursday and during the six months before the filing deadline of March 10, 2026. Links in the text below will take you to further coverage of the candidates. U.S. SENATE Incumbent Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat in the Senate since 2009, confirmed in July that he’ll run for another term, saying that he felt like he needed to continue to serve because of the “magnitude of the darkness

See VETERANS, Page A7

See OFFICE, Page A7

WLFEA delivers pizza and smoke detector inspections FROM NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION

The Siuslaw Vikings returned from a previous 0-57 loss against Cascade Christian by handing La Pine a 68-0 loss. After an early game touchdown, Vikings held one of many end zone celebrations. Tony Reed photos.

Vikings dominate La Pine after setback loss A pass intended for the Hawks’ #5 was intercepted by the Vikings’ #5 Will Johnson, who ran away with the ball.

WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Senior Will Johnson set the tone against La Pine early, busting out a 65-yard touchdown run on the first play of the game, and the Vikings didn’t let up. Siuslaw put See VIKINGS, Page A6

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

By today, Oct. 8, some residents may have noticed fire engines delivering pizzas to Florence homes. The deliveries are the result of a partnership between the National Fire Protection Association, Domino’s in Florence and Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority during Fire Safety week, which continues through Oct. 11. Starting Oct. 7, some customers who ordered a Domino’s pizza were randomly selected for a special delivery by WLFEA fire personnel, who checked and tested their homes’ fire alarms. “If the smoke alarms in their home are working, the pizza is free,” said a release prior to the campaign. “If the alarms See WLFEA, Page A7

1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR