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Siuslaw News Wednesday, January 28, 2026 Florence, Oregon

Number 4 • 136 years

Drug treatment center proposal gets criticism from residents By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

the funding for ICE could be redistributed into local law enforcement and community safety, Wyden said this was another discussion about whether or not to “fund the government.” “The Senate has no business funding ICE without new, strong guardrails against the lawlessness of the Trump administration,” he said to applause in the gym. “It’s all about accountability. It’s time to take the masks off the ICE Agents. Something I feel very strongly about is protecting the rights of communities like Newport to make sure that they are not going to have forced detention centers. I don’t want to have ‘Airport Alcatraz’ in Newport. I think it’s time to make sure the communities

A County plan to open a methdone drug treatment center in Florence, across Highway 101 from a Montessori school received praise from officials but criticism from residents and parents. Staff from Lane County Health and Human Services and the Lane County Medication Assisted Treatment program came to the Florence events Center Jan. 20 to introduce the treatment center and explain how it works. Mayor Rob Ward opened by saying he had seen one in action. “It must have been about four months ago that Kathy and I went over to Eugene to one of these medication assistance programs and we had all kinds of questions. When we walked out of there, we both came away totally supportive of what they are trying to do. It’s an incredible program, people need help, you would be surprised how many people in Florence take advantage of that program because they either were injured, they are sick, something happened, and they got hooked on opioids and as a result of that, they have to drive to Eugene everyday Where else if we are fortunate enough to get a medication assisted assistance program here in Florence, it will make a big difference to our community Lane County Commission Chair Ryan Ceniga said that about a year or so ago when the opportunity came up, he figured it would never work because it’s not the type of service Lane County provides. “As I sat back and reflected on it, I asked, what do I know about these medical treatment centers?” he said. “The truth was, not much.” He said he looked into it and at first assuming methadone was just another drug. He said that upon visiting the clinic in Eugene for a day, he discovered that most of the clients, by all appearance, are just regular folks. “It really got me thinking, okay, what could this do for Florence?” he said. “Since my first campaign four or five years ago, Florence needs more services, they want the county to be involved more. So I thought okay, maybe this is something Florence wants. You know what, I drive by one of those clinics twice a day. It

See WYDEN, Page A6

See CENTER, Page A7

Tony Reed photo

Building unity and peace Over 100 people took to the streets of Old Town Jan. 17 to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The parade was preceded by a rally gathering at Nopal and 1st streets, and concluded the following day with a showing of Selma at the City Lights Theater. Selma is a 2014 historical drama chronicling Dr King’s 1965 voting rights campaign in Selma , Alabama, focusing on the struggle for Black Suffrage, the historic marches to Montgomery, and the eventual signing of the Voting Rights Act. All were invited to recommit to the dream of peace, love and equity. See more photos at thesiuslawnews.com

City Council preps for Flock cameras decision SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

The Florence City Council held a shorter-than-usual work session Jan. 22 to formulate a final determination on its position regarding the use of Flock license plate reading cameras. The meeting began with a synopsis by City Attorney Ross Williamson, who reminded counselors that they are part of a representative government, wherein they represent the community in matters on See FLOCK, Page A7

A screenshot from the Jan. 22 City Council work session live feed.

Sen. Ron Wyden stands next to Florence Mayor Rob Ward during a town hall last week. Tony Reed photo.

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

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Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Sen. Wyden comes to Florence By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden hosted a town hall Jan. 21 at Siuslaw Middle School to hear and answer questions from about 300 people in attendance. Mayor Rob Ward noted that Wyden had already hosted 1,142 town halls in Oregon. Wyden answered a host of questions about state and national affairs, ranging from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Epstein files. One speaker opened by noting that he was appalled at the actions of immigration and customs enforcement around the country, particularly in Minneapolis, saying that the agency is the largest of its kind in the nation and possibly the world. When asked if any of

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