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Siuslaw News Florence, Oregon Wednesday, March 06, 2024

Number 10 • 133 years

Mayor reflects on achievements STATE OF THE CITY

Siuslaw News Staff

The Florence Events Center buzzed with activity Monday, Feb. 26 for the State of the City and City Services Expo. Staff from many city departments, ranging from police, to public works, to finance to public facilities, water and wastewater, Human Resources, and more were unhand to discuss their department and what it does. City Manager Erin Reynolds thanked the council and city management team, along with the community, before introducing the Siuslaw River Coast. Guard Color Guard and the Siuslaw Elementary school choir who presented colors and performed the National Anthem. Florence Mayor Rob Ward opened by saying he wanted to reflect on the past year’s achievements, shed light on key initiatives, and encourage further community engagement. Ward remarked that the three main city services are “Drink, Drive and Flush,” or water, roads and wastewater. He thanked City Public Works Department crew members for their tireless work. “The Florence Police Department and our public safety partners work hard to keep Florence safe and a great place to live,” he said. “Patrol, dispatch, and corrections are on 24/7 so we can thrive as a community. We know you will be there when we call. Thank you to the Police Department for your consistent work.” Ward said the Municipal Court saw changes to staffing and our new employees quickly got up to speed to ensure the judicial process preserves both the integrity and rights of the defendant, as well as the citizens of the City of Florence and the Court. Ward noted that two long-range planning efforts were kicked off this year. “The first of these projects was the completion of the Transportation System Plan update,” he said. “Last completed in 2012, this 2023 Plan is a significant update that ensures

Siuslaw News Staff

Mayor Rob Ward addresses the crowd during his State of the City address efficient transportation infrastructure planning for the future.” Ward said the second major planning effort related to local housing. “We made strides in this effort through the Housing Implementation Project,” he said. “This was the next phase in our multi-year housing related projects that began in 2018.

The Housing Implementation Plan identified strategies and updates that will help to guide future housing development programs in the City.” He later said the City will continue to focus on our ongoing housing efforts to address the needs of our community.

Man arrested after break-in, robbery

PHOTO BY TONY REED

“We will work to have an impact through the housing implementation project and further code updates throughout the year. This work takes a lot of thoughtful policy decision

A transient subject from Sweet Home remained in jail as of Feb. 27, after being arrested for breaking into a Florence home and holding the female resident against her will to rob her. “On Feb. 20, about 10:07 p.m., the Florence Police Department received a report of a burglary and robbery at a residence in the 19th and Tamarack Street area,” a release stated. “Upon arrival, it was discovered that a male suspect had entered a residence by going through a window. Once in the residence, the suspect held the female resident down and then forced her to give him some of her property.”According to FPD reports, the suspect forced the victim into the garage where the victim was able to open the garage door, causing the lights to come on. The suspect ran out of the garage.“While officers were out at the residence investigating the incident, other officers were out searching for the suspect,” the release said. “Officers learned from video that the suspect had gone up to another residence in that area, and had approached the front door. the motion light was activated, apparently causing the suspect to turn and leave and then go to the victim’s residence.”Officers found a suspect matching the description, Phillip Thomas Swartz, 36, in the Safeway parking lot in Florence and arrested him without incident. He was charged with burglary 1, robbery 3, Criminal Trespass 1, menacing and harassment, Police Chief John Pitcher said that after consultation with the Detective and a review of reports, the District Attorney’s office added the charge of Kidnapping II. As of Feb 27, Swartz was still being held at Lane County Adult Corrections and bail had been set at $175,000.

Reported shooting under Siuslaw Valley Charter School answers questions investigation

thinking that the low education they were getting during Covid was just because of Covid and I think a lot of Siuslaw Valley Charter School the families came to the realization co-chairs Aric Sneddon and Kay that that was just the quality of eduKing agreed to an interview with cation that they had been receiving the Siuslaw News February 15th, for quite a while,” he said. “That’s amid controversy created regarding when parents across the country got a stated affiliation with Hillsdale College of Michigan. The charter has upset with the low standard, the lack since put out a press release saying it of actual development the lack of teaching kids the ability to become no longer plans to use the teaching learners, to form their own opinions services offered by Hillsdale, and and not be preached to. so, that’s will instead go with a basic claswhere the genesis really was.” sical education model and details He said that after several local appear in a separate story. school board meetings to discuss it, interest in the charter school Background and classical learning model have Sneddon said the effort to open a snowballed. local charter school started in 2022, Asked to describe the biggest diffollowing Covid. ferences between public school and a “I think the misunderstanding a lot of parents had early on was By TONY REED Siuslaw News

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B5-B6

classical education model, King said public schools “teach to the test.” “Everything is measured by the tests they give throughout the year,” she said. “Although now, anyone can graduate, they don’t have standards for graduation right now.” “They basically are trying to push the remaining kids from Covid through,” Sneddon said. “The state has suspended graduation requirements, districts are still allowed to implement them.” He said several districts have chosen to allow all students to graduate, even those who were not on track to graduate before the change. “That’s how ridiculous this is,” he said. “We have asked Siuslaw because it’s not clear if they’ve decided to do that… That expires in 2026, I believe, and that’s when

Friends of Florence Van Fans Fundraiser Will have

FUN & GAMES! Join us! $15.00 per person • March 20th , 2024 Florence Elks Lodge* (North Door – Follow Signs)

Doors Open at 11:30 A.M.

See CITY, page B3

graduation requirements will fall back into place.”

Classical model

“Classical education is an approach where everything builds on each other,” she said. “So, as you grasp concepts, they are used across the board, not just in math or others. You keep moving up in the chain until eventually, you get to more critical thinking. Critical thinking is huge, that’s how you learn to discern, with what you’re being taught, how to present your own materials so that as you move through the ladder within classical education… In public or modern education, they’ve really gone away from the See CHARTER, page A5

Sheriff’s Detectives could not release a great deal of information regarding a reported drive-by shooting Feb 26 near the North Jetty in Florence. At about 10:15 p.m., a male subject called 911 to say a vehicle drove by his RV and an occupant fired a shot, hitting him in the ribcage. It was determined that the subject had an injury to his chest which had not penetrated the skin. The subject was taken to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Deputies canvassed the area for a couple miles, according to Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Wallace, but found nothing suspicious. Deputies did not confirm whether the incident was as it was reported and the incident remains under investigation.

For more information or to RESERVE A TABLE

Please call: Toni Young 541-991-7212 Jodi Cole: 541-999-9974

By TONY REED Siuslaw News