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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, February 19, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 8 • 134 years

Ambulance donated to Swiss Home Swiss Home/ Deadwood Fire Chief Greg Hertzbach took possession of a “new” ambulance, donated by Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority. WLFEA Chief Michael Schick handed over the keys and the paperwork at the station in Florence Feb. 12. Hertzbach said the diesel-powered ambulance will be beneficial to his department, since their current ambulance runs on gasoline while the “new” one runs on diesel. He explained that his fire station has a large diesel tank that is refilled as needed. However, to fill up the former ambulance with gasoline, fire personnel had to drive an hour to Mapleton. Inside the ambulance were several yards of rolled hydraulic line and a hydraulic pump for use with most vehicle-cutting tools, along with a pile of medical bags and gear. The ambulance will be used for medical response but not transport of patients. WLFEA ambulance also

responds to such calls Swiss Home Deadwood, but if local personnel respond first, they can treat a patient and cancel the response from Florence. Hertzbach explained that it will save time and mileage for WLFEA, while also increasing

their response availability. Hertzbach said he hopes to have the ambulance in service soon, and personnel would switch the decals and radio frequencies beforehand. He said it’s likely that the old ambulance will be sold as surplus,

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

and any proceeds from the sale would be donated back to the department that donated it to them. Swiss Home Deadwood Fire Rural Protection District is staffed and maintained by 12 volunteer first responders.

Police Chief discusses ICE interaction protocols SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

In response to local inquiries following the appearance of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in some Oregon cities, Florence Police Department penned a release to the public explaining how it interacts with ICE agents. “The Florence Police Department does not enforce federal immigration laws and we will continue to follow State laws regarding immigration,” the release said. “Oregon Revised Statute 181A.820 states that ‘No law enforcement agency of the State of Oregon or of any political subdivision of the state shall use agency moneys, equipment or personnel for the purpose of detecting or apprehending

persons whose only violation of law is that they are persons of foreign citizenship present in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws.’” FPD’s Policy Manual has a policy in place that states “this department does not participate in routine immigration investigation and enforcement activities,” and “members shall treat all individuals equally and without regard to race, color or national origin in any way that would violate the United States or Oregon Constitutions.” WHAT IF Police Chief John Pitcher was asked later if ICE agents notify local police departments that they will be conducting operations in their city. He said ICE does not have to notify

FPD that they are working in Florence, but if an ICE operation prompts residents to call 911 or dispatch, his officers will respond to the location. “We’ve actually had that in the past, if ICE doesn’t let us know they’re here, but sometimes they will,” he said. “If we get that call, we will go over and investigate. They’re a law enforcement agency, so we don’t stop them or prevent them from performing their duties. If it’s just about immigration, we do not assist at all.” Asked if there would be any point where local officers might intervene, Pitcher said officers will not question the probable cause for ICE to be there. “If we were to see something, and I’m not saying the agency would do this, but if we

saw something like an unlawful use of force, we could get involved,” he said, noting that his department would not ask to see the ICE warrants or orders. Around the country, news agencies have reported “fake” ICE operations where impersonators claim to be agents and harass immigrants and others. When asked, Pitcher said arriving officers would confirm whether the ICE agents are legitimate. “They know our limitations,” he said, “and they understand that if we get a call where we need to make sure who they are, they will show us ID and we will be able to confirm it.” This year, no sightings or operations by ICE agents have been reported in the Florence area.

More than a Home and Garden show SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

While the two-day Home and Garden Show At Florence Events Center will feature products and services to improve your property, rebuild and replant and even instruct you how to do so within City and County codes, it has come to offer something truly unique- a sense of community. Show Director Jon Thompson said the yearly show has become a community event. “It’s about community and it’s almost like a reunion,” he said. “I see people at the event who I don’t see in town or the stores or anything like

INSIDE Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Head of charter school unveils master plan

that. People come from up the river, families come in, friends come in together, it’s more than just an opportunity to meet with vendors, it’s really a community event.” Thompson recalled speaking with a retiring couple who went out of business locally to go into a retirement home. “They loved the Home and Garden show so much, that even after they were in the home, they would go and buy products from their old wholesalers and would get a booth in the show,” he said. “I feel good about the type of event it is- as a family and community-type event. At the same time, I think we have a See H&G, Page A6

Siuslaw Valley Charter School’s Head of Schools Arturo Ruelas unveiled the master plan for opening the school, which outlined priorities for its setup, implementation, funding and yearly grade expansions. Ruelas’ presentation would likely be an eyeopener for anyone wondering what it would take to open a public charter school in Oregon. At the February 10th regular board meeting, Ruelas summarized what he called the more critical areas of the plan to open Whitmore Classical Academy. Beginning with the mission and vision, he said the major tasks will be to refine the district’s mission/ vision and emphasize classical education as its long-term goal. He said it will also be necessary to engage local leaders and stakeholders, build support and trust so that they will know how they can support the school. “It’s important that I’m constantly communicating this with them,” he said. He said executing a strategic plan using town hall surveys and partnerships to assess educational needs, develop communication materials and inform stakeholders about roles and projects. Regarding school government and leadership, Ruelas said it will be important to assemble a board with diverse expertise, including education, law, finance, operations, in order to guide and oversee the school. He said the development of bylaws and policies has kept him very busy. Ruelas said the school will need to clearly delineate rules and policies along with performance expectations. He said the school will need to conduct structured assessments of the board’s performance and implement corrective actions as needed. Ruelas explained that the charter proposal and agreement will need to be regularly reviewed in order to approve any necessary updates or changes. He said it will also be necessary to have legal counsel review documents for compliance with state and federal laws. FACILITIES AND SAFETY “This is a big one that you might have had questions about or read about recently,” he said, listing the tasks as to; secure a facility that will work for planned expansion, See SCHOOL, Page A6

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