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Siuslaw News Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Florence, Oregon

Number 10 • 136 years

Two projects coming together in Florence First Citizen nominees announced

Luncheon will Celebrates Legacies

Construction at the the Elm Park Apartments has reached a point where one can visualize the footprint of the entire complex. Tony Reed photos. SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

If it’s been a while since you visited the police department or the Justice Center on Greenwood Street, you may be surprised to see how quickly the Elm Park Apartments are taking shape there. Construction started at the end of 2025 and multi story structures now occupy the two square blocks Northwest of the justice center. See PROJECTS, Page A6

The bottom floor of an 86-room Wyndham Microtel-branded hotel is rising from the ground across from the Florence Events Center.

Sheriff’s Deputies arrest several in Florence On March 4th at 7 a.m., deputies assigned to the Lane County Sheriff’s Special Response Team (SRT), detectives, the West Lane district deputy, Florence Police officers and an Oregon State Trooper served a search warrant at a residence in the 2200 block of 12th Street in Florence. The suspects were believed to be in involved in numerous burglaries and thefts in the west Lane County area. The West Lane district deputy authored the search warrant based on his investigation. SRT was used for the See ARREST, Page A6

Western Lane Crisis Response team goes above and beyond A recent call for help became a powerful reminder of what is possible when compassion, teamwork, and community leadership come together. When Western Lane Crisis Response (WLCR) received a request for assistance from a local senior struggling to live safely in her home, it marked the beginning of something extraordinary — not just a response, but a community rallying around one of its own. For years, Mrs. M had been living alone while quietly

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THE MARCH 31 EVENT. Tickets to the Florence First Citizen Legacy Luncheon are now on sale through The Good Deed Project, https://www.thegooddeedprojectflorence.com. The ticket price of $30 includes lunch and the Awards Ceremony. The event will recognize past First Citizens and honor the inspiring stories of this year’s nominees. Events sponsorships are still available by emailing thegoodddeeproject501c3@gmail.com. Additionally, full tables of 8 are available for $300, which includes sponsoring a meal of a First Citizen nominee. FIRST CITIZEN NOMINEE BIOS Dale Edwards Dale Edwards came to Florence to “fill in” until a lead

See CRISIS, Page A7

INSIDE

The community is invited to celebrate the past – and the future – at the Florence First Citizen & Future First Citizen Luncheon on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, 715 Quince St. Since 1967, the Florence First Citizen has recognized the achievements of Florence community members and Siuslaw High School students who have made Florence a safer, kinder, and more connected community. Their work has created and sustained entities such as the Siuslaw Public Library, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center, the Florence Events Center, Lane Community College Florence Center, the Power of Florence Day of Service, the Kiwanis Flag Program – as continuing the work of service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Soroptimists, Delta Gamma, P.E.O., Elks, and many others. This year’s Legacy of Leadership event honors five First Citizen nominees for their lasting impacts through 2025 as well as the Future First Citizen nominees from Siuslaw High School for 2025. The First Citizen Nominees are: • Dale Edwards • Gayle Sisson • Sally Wantz • Mike Webb • Greg Wood The Future First Citizen Nominees are: • Nyx Harklerode • Adylin Holbrook • Danin Lacouture • Camden Linton • Jacob Mann

See NOMINEES, Page A7

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

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