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Florence, Oregon Siuslaw NewsWednesday, November 27, 2024

Number 48 • 133 years

Election reaching final count By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Work continues near the parking area off Highway 126. Tony Reed photos

Estuary trail work on schedule SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Contractors continue to work on the new Estuary Trail that traces the tree line along the Siuslaw River east of Quince Street. The trail path took shape weeks ago and Public Works Director Mike Miller said crews are bringing in the material needed to build the surface of the trail. The trail will be constructed of compressed gravel and parking area and trail head located at the southwest corner of the Spruce St. and Hwy. 126 intersection and with an access point on Quince Street. It will essentially follow the tree line from just south of Highway 126 near Munsel Creek to Quince Street about a half block south of the Florence Event Center. See TRAIL, Page A7

See ELECTION, Page A7

City annexes small property

The path is in place through the trees next to the river east of the events center.

Florence fares well in storm While much of the west coast sustained wind damage and power outages during a storm that arrived late Nov. 19, Florence appeared to come through essentially unscathed. Local winds gusted as high as 44 mph with sustained speeds of about 28 mph at about 10:35 p.m. By midnight, winds calmed and by 2:15 a.m., were back to pre-storm conditions and single-digit wind speeds. Heaviest rain amounts arrived by 10 p.m. and tapered off again. The following morning, Florence residents woke to clearing skies and temperatures in the high 40s and thunder, according to National Weather Service readings from the Florence Municipal Airport. The morning after, Florence Public Works Director Mike Miller said the storm caused very little damage inside the

City limits. “Everything was handled and went very well yesterday,” he said, noting that the city received more moisture during a brief rain and hail storm a few days before. Miller said that while meteorologists compared the size and pressure of the “bomb cyclone” to a 1962 storm that caused major damage and flooding on much of the west coast. “In 1962, the tracking came really close to the coastline, versus this one which was hundreds of miles offshore,” he said. “Brookings and Port Orford had some high winds but here at the weather station at Public Works, gusts were up to about 35 miles per hour.” Some branches came down around town and a tree reportedly fell in the dog park, but otherwise, no major damage was reported. A high surf advisory continued into the following day but was later lifted by NWS.

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

The large roof was entirely covered in old newspaper press plates before they were taken down and put to one side. Photo provided.

An interesting find By TONY REED Siuslaw News

A Florence homeowner got a “newsworthy” surprise while contractors were installing a new roof on his carport this

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Officials at the Lane County Elections office say the reason for the extended count is to make sure every vote is counted. “We had over 4,00 ballots that were being challenged for signature issues that are being cured daily,” said Dena Dawson, Lane County Clerk. “We are duplicating thousands of military and overseas ballots that were received via email that need to be printed out on paper and added to ballots that can be counted.” She said personnel are also adjudicating ballots and handling other issues. “There’s a lot of post-election work,” she said. “We are still processing ballots to make sure that every single person who was eligible to vote and cast a ballot has that ballot counted.” By 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, County ballots were 75.39 percent counted. Of 279,006 registered voters, 210,344 had been counted. Results have been mostly consistent with

month. Ross Kroenert said his house was constructed in the 50s and a previous owner installed a carport on the back. when the roof started to leak See FIND, Page A6

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

A property owner was granted permission to annex a small section of property into the city to build a small residential structure there. At the Nov. 18 City Council meeting, staff presented an application by Roger Center, to move 0.14 acres of contiguous property at 88366 4th Avenue into the city. “The properties to the east are currently annexed, as well as 4th Avenue, itself,” said Planning Manager Jacob Foutz, “therefore making this property eligible by touching the city limits. “The property includes construction for a new single-unit dwelling,” said staff reports. “The applicant has started the building permit process with the Lane County Building Department. The property has right of way access via 4th Avenue to the East. The abutting property and right-of-way to the east are within the City of Florence city limits.” County staff asked that a See ANNEXES, Page A6

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