TSN129 by C.M.I.

Siuslaw NewsWednesday, December 10, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 49 • 135 years

Lightkeepers open the house for the holidays

A driftwood Christmas tree on the shore below the Lightkeeper’s house. Tony Reed photo A Christmas celebration as Old-Time as anything on the Oregon Coast happens again this year tat the Heceta Head Lightkeeper’s House, just below the lighthouse north of Florence off Highway 101.

This year’s Victorian Christmas will feature all the staples, from caroling to hot chocolate and cookies and one of the best views on the coast. See HOLIDAYS, Page A6

Artist leaves mark in sand This gigantic work of art appeared in the sand dunes across the Siuslaw River from the west end of Bay Street just after Thanksgiving. It’s uncertain if it’s a chicken, a Thanksgiving turkey or a three-toed woodpecker, but our hat is off to the artist, because it obviously took some time and effort to create. It’s also unsure if CAM is the artist or the person it was dedicated to. Tony Reed photo

County moving forward with Florence treatment center Public outreach to follow By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

In November, the Florence City Council approved an emergency overnight cold weather shelter in north Florence, amid a mix of concerns from residents, both positive and negative. Confusion occurred, as some residents thought the warming center was to be sited in the unused building (which has no number markings) about 200 feet north of the actual location. That building, formerly a Best Med Clinic and later, a Worker’s Compensation office, was purchased by Lane County Health and Human Services, with plans to use it as a medication assisted treatment facility for opioid addiction recovery.

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

In June, 2025, the Lane County Board of Commissioners voted to allow the County Administrator to approve the sale of the building, which recently went through. Jason Davis, Communications Director at Lane County Health and Human Services, said in June that that opening will not be immediate and several steps have to be taken first. “This first step precedes a long process of community engagement,” he said at the time. “First and foremost, we look at the immediate facility and any adjacencies and start communication with them,” he said. “Then we look at stakeholders, anyone who will be interfacing with the clinic in any way, shape or form, and start to reach out to them. Then, we do general community sessions and in the midst of all that we try to do as much

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

community education as possible.” Davis said Dec. 2 that public outreach will start immediately and meetings are being planned for this month and next. “Right now, we are in our due diligence, which means community engagement, probably through the end of January, that is going to really be aimed at giving folks a chance to learn about the project, but then also weigh in before we seek the waiver,” he said, explaining that the location is just across Highway 101 from a Montessori school. Once approved by the board of commissioners, architects and other specialists would be brought in to determine retrofitting options for the building, to take place as early as February or March. He said that process could take about 90 days, See CENTER, Page A7

This juvenile humpback whale was euthanized after two days onshore near Yachats. Tony Reed photo

Petition started after whale death SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

A group that identifies itself as watchdogs of stranded marine mammals is circulating an online petition, asking for a reform of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network, after the unsuccessful rescue attempt of a juvenile whale near Yachats last month. The group’s website, strandednomore.org said the death of the juvenile humpback whale wasn’t just a conservation

tragedy, but a stark symptom of an inefficient and fiscally irresponsible federal program. “The official response to this live stranding was plagued by delays, poor organization, false communication, and patronizing, even hostile attitudes towards the public and the locals. Yet, during this event, it was the locals who emerged as real heroes,” the website says. “Not only did they stay with Pickles/Hope during the first night

(November 15/16), cut the rope, poured water, and used towels to keep the whale wet, but they also made valiant efforts to refloat the whale twice, Saturday evening/ night and Sunday morning at the high tide. The local community donated heavy equipment, time, fuel, and personnel, but they were taken for granted and were barely acknowledged.” The website also says See WHALE, Page A7

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