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Siuslaw News Wednesday, April 22, 2026 Florence, Oregon

Number 16 • 136 years

RV fire snuffed quickly SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Cari Earnhardt jumps as students give a loud blast of tubas.

SHS/SMS Music instructor Ed Restivo shows a student how to make a trumpet sound out.

Symphony musicians visit elementary school By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

tudents at Siuslaw Elementary school got a special visit on April 16 from professional musicians with the Eugene Symphony, along with the chance to make some musical noise. Called the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” the day allowed professional musicians to spend time with students, individually showing them instruments and how to make basic notes with them. Katy Vizdal, Education & Community Engagement Director with the Eugene Symphony Association explained that the project was originally developed in collaboration with the Siuslaw Middle & High School Band Director Ed Restivo, and with the

previous Siuslaw Elementary Music Teacher Amanda Sarles. “We’re partnering this school year to bring a series of engaging music education experiences and live performances to Siuslaw students, at a time when the elementary music teacher position is vacant, and the district faces tough budgeting decisions for next year,” she said. “This is the first time Eugene Symphony has come into Siuslaw schools to do an instrument petting zoo. The kids this year don’t have an elementary music teacher at the school. It’s a position See MUSICIANS, Page A7

John Pecorilla helps a student get a steady tone from a saxophone.

Another whale washes ashore near Yachats By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

While the whale that washed ashore near Yachats last weekend was the second in recent months, it’s one of several that have washed ashore on the west coast this migration season. Jim Rice, a researcher

at Hatfield Marine Science Center, who also heads the marine mammal stranding program, noted that even since the latest incident in Yachats, another gray whale had washed ashore dead near Seaside, Oregon, along with as many as nine gray whales on the Washington coast. Rice was one of several

researchers to examine the Yachats whale over a two-day period. “Yesterday, I was joined by folks from the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic lab, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine,” he said. “We did an internal exam and collected a number of tissues, and the

carcass was then buried by a contractor hired by State Parks.” Asked if the examination yielded any telling information about what caused its death, Rice said, “We don’t necessarily have a cause of death yet, but we took a lot of samples See WHALE, Page A7

Traffic on Highway 126 at Cushman was blocked for about an hour on April 15 while firefighters knocked down and mopped up an RV fire there. Deputy Chief Rob Chance said the fire was initially called in by Oregon State Police at 4:42 p.m. Traffic was stopped by Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriff’s Office to allow fire equipment access to the tight area next to the river. When fire personnel arrived, the fully-engulfed RV was creating a lot of smoke, making it difficult to see, he said, noting that propane tanks were starting to vent in the area. A pickup truck parked nearby was also starting to ignite, but firefighters were able to knock the fire down within six minutes of their arrival. Chance said the RV and surrounding area contained a lot of flammable materials, prompting personnel to remain on scene for over an hour to make sure all hotspots were extinguished. Officials determined that no one was in the RV at the time of the fire, but one person was believed to have been occupying it at the time. Sheriff’s Sgt. Tim Wallace said investigators are familiar with the subject but do not suspect foul play. “It doesn’t appear that it was arson, and there’s no damage to anyone else’s property,” he said, noting that the subject likely left before law enforcement arrived. “We don’t have any reason to look for him.” Firefighters were able to mop up the fire and return to the station in Florence at 5:51 p.m.

City begins Florence H2O on the go program FROM CITY OF FLORENCE

City of Florence Public Works Utility Worker Brett West shows the City’s two new WaterMonster units that are part of the H2O On The Go Program. Each 125-gallon water station can fill up to 1,000 16 oz. water bottles. (Photo by Britte Kirsch/City of Florence EMAC Chairperson)

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

The City of Florence Public Works Department has launched the new Florence H2O On The Go Program, an initiative designed to make staying hydrated at community events easier, more sustainable, and more affordable for everyone. As part of this program, the City has purchased two portable water bottle

filling stations, known as WaterMonsters, for use at major outdoor gatherings such as the annual Florence Community Block Party on July 17, Florence Police Department’s National Night Out on August 4, and other City-sponsored events. T his purchase was funded by a grant from The Roundhouse Foundation with support from the City of

Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee (EMAC). The City’s WaterMonsters are 125-gallon (equal to 1,000 16 oz. water bottles) water stations that will provide free, clean drinking water for event participants, encouraging the use of reusable bottles and reducing singleuse plastic waste. See H2O, Page A7

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