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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, November 26, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 48 • 134 years

Public Safety fee to increase, as expected By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Stranded whale rescue proves impossible By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

s the tide came in Monday morning, Nov. 17, a crowd of about 60 people stood in quiet hope as they watched waves splash over a young Humpback whale on the beach north of Yachats. At the scene, Oregon State Parks Manager Brian Fowler said the See WHALE, Page A5

A woman watches the tide come in around the whale (top) as a crowd of people waited to see if the water would get deep enough to help it swim away. Tony Reed photos

At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Florence City Council approved the second step in a funding plan which will increase the current Public Safety Fee of $5 to $15, starting Jan. 1. The fee is designed to maintain and sustain public safety services, namely the Florence Police Department. In June, the council approved that the fee was to be paid by the responsible party for each developed property within the city and collection of the fee will be made by monthly charge starting in July. “The obligation to pay the public safety fee exists when a person uses or otherwise benefits from public safety services,” according to the June report. “It is presumed that the public safety services are used, and that a benefit arises See FEE, Page A6

Cannon gets five-year Exploding Whale Festival makes best of rain probation sentence By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

In Lane County Circuit Court Nov. 18, Geoffery Cannon was given a fiveyear probation sentence after pleading guilty to four counts of Sexual Abuse II. On June 29, Florence Police received a report of an inappropriate relationship between a 27-year-old male and a juvenile female. Florence Police initiated the investigation and had probable cause to believe evidence would be located at the Oregon Coast Military Museum where he worked. Evidence was located at two locations and seized, according to Florence Police Department. He was arrested and faced three counts of sexual abuse II before a fourth count was added. According to court records, Cannon

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

submitted a guilty plea on November 6. Three of the four counts were dropped in exchange for the plea. From the courtroom In a spoken statement to the court Nov. 18, the female victim said Cannon was her first boyfriend, and they had been seeing each other for about a year when their relationship was discovered. “I want to get back to having a normal childhood,” she said, alluding that it had been taken from her. “During our relationship, Geoffery and I talked about what we would do if we got caught and we decided that we would both take equal (unintelligible). Even though we made those plans together, I’m almost 17, carrying more responsibility than he is. I have owned up and face the consequences for See SENTENCE, Page A7

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

As in previous years, rain seemed to keep folks from coming out to attend the Exploding Whale Festival but those who were attending had a great time. Most talked, welcomed others and posed for photos with Flo and Rence, unofficial whale mascots. The festival was held to mark 55 years since the Oregon Highway Department failed to dispose of a dead whale using 20 cases of See FESTIVAL, Page A6

Tent covered booths at the 55th anniversary of the exploding whale celebration which concluded with a small fireworks display. Tony Reed photos

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