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Siuslaw News Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 23 • 134 years

LCC Board Bridge Lane connects people meets in to local jobs and resources Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Students, parents, community members and job seekers had many options to consider April 16 at the Bridge Lane Florence Event in the Florence Events Center. Similar in layout to the resource fair held last year at Siuslaw High School, interested people could speak to employers, find education and training, ask questions about insurance and healthcare, get help searching for jobs, help with child care and/or senior care, and even find specialized resources for the veterans and military community. Communications and Event Manager Chelsea Irvine said Bridge Lane and Siuslaw School District teamed up to bring the resource fair that was in the high school gym last year with the Bridge Lane event. “Bridge Lane is an initiative that takes place quarterly, all See BRIDGE, Page A6

Eight running in LCC Board election COMPILED by Siuslaw News Staff

Four seats on the Lane Community College Board of Education will be available in the May 20 Special Election. The winners of each will serve four year terms beginning July 1, 2025. Three sitting board members announced they will not seek reelection, meaning

the board will have three new members in July. With it’s various zones in Lane County, the composition of the LCC Board can be hard to follow, but boils down to this: Zone 1: Represents western Lane County (Florence) currently held by Denise Diamond. Zone 3: Represents

Springfield, currently held by Julie Weismann. Zone 4: Represents eastern Lane County, currently held by Austin Fölnagy. The at-large, Position 7, is currently vacant.

JERRY RUST Zone 1: candidate Jerry Rust, in declaring to a gathering of supporters last month,

said he “believes in the power of education” and that he “can make a difference on the Lane Co. Community College, Board of Education.” A former Lane County commissioner, Rust has announced his candidacy last month. “I want to be part of a high functioning Board,” saying

INSPIRE Culinary Academy is moving into their new location on May 1. Their first class starts soon at 180 Laurel Street, formerly known as The Bodega. “We are very thankful for all the help the community has given us get the building ready to open and conduct our first class,” founder Graham Ross said. “Some of the community groups/persons include The Elks Lodge, Habitat for Humanity (volunteers painted the interior), Lofy Construction: Dan Lofy and his team who installed the flooring, Cross Road Assembly of God, Dana Rodet: Rebuilt and painted the front door among several other things, Kurt VanderBogart and Moses Cordero, Jr. for all the manual labor.” The next class starts May 5 and applications are still being accepted. Students must be age 18 to 24, and the academy offers scholarships

ENROLLMENT Dr. Tinkham gave overview of our enrollment for the academic year. “For non-credit courses, we’ve offered a total of 56 CE courses this academic year,serving hundreds of students. We had a total enrollment of 279 in our fall classes, 244 in winter, and 250 in spring. Our Florence campus leads the way in continuing education,” she said. “Examples of classes offered this year include: iPhone and Android Phone Basics, Healthy Thai Food, Beekeeping for Beginners; along with several Outward Ventures (day trips), including Salmon Celebration at the Thyme Garden in Alsea, and aWildflower Walk at Mt. Pisgah with lunch at the Renaissance Room. We also work with 1Collette Travel to offer national and international tours, such as the Amalfi Coast and Japan.” In regards to credit enrollment, Dr. Tinkham offered

See INSPIRE, Page A5

See LCC BOARD, Page A6

See ELECTION, Page A7

INSPIRE’s new location almost ready to go

Volunteers from Habitat for Humanity work to paint the interior of the INSPIRE’s new location.

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

During a rare meeting of the Lane Community College Board of Education at the Florence campus, directors and attending community members were given a full round-up of things happening there. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Shelley Tinkham said there is clear enthusiasm from students, employers, and community members for Lane to play a larger role in the Florence region. “We agree,” she said, “and this report reflects concrete steps we’re taking in response.” Dr. Tinkham said the Florence Campus hosts a wide range of activities, including an entrepreneurship boot camp led by Co-Starters, a 4-week hands-on workshop designed for small business entrepreneurs, which funnels participants into SBDC (Small Business Development Center) support. It also offers a hybrid WR 121 course, Wild Writing, a continuing education class, A CNA course, Yoga and NIA classes (a blend of dance, martial arts, and healing arts) and an intermediate ceramics class. She said Oregon State University is running a course in support of small farmers . “These offerings reflect the diverse interests and needs of the community—credit and non-credit, personal enrichment and workforce readiness- and just on Wednesday evening,” she said.

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