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Siuslaw News Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 18 • 134 years

Fleeing driver crashes, escapes on foot By TONY REED Siuslaw News

A high speed chase led State Police and Sheriff’s deputies through Deadwood and Mapleton Easter Sunday before the driver crashed in Florence and fled on foot. According to State Police, the driver of the Ford F-250 truck was seen driving recklessly before a pursuit began. Officers chased the subject through rural areas, with officers reporting speeds of up to 80 mph at times. Once through Deadwood and Mapleton, the pursuit headed west on Highway 126 just before 11 a.m.. Florence Police Chief John Pitcher said his department was notified after an unsuccessful attempt was made to deploy spike strips on Highway 36, See WANTED, Page A5

The occupants of this pickup fled on foot April 20 after it crashed on 8th Street, ending a pursuit that started north of Deadwood. (Tony Reed photo)

FACC thanks and recognizes community volunteers

Tony Reed photo

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Many tables filled with volunteer organizations April 23 so the Florence Area Community Coalition could show appreciation for them and the tireless work they do for the community. Brenda Gilmer opened the ceremony by noting that for local volunteer organizations, “Covid was hard, but look at us- We came back strong.” Gilmer said that while many organizations could not be present (or spare the volunteers to attend), the tasks of local volunteerism are often shared. See FACC, Page A6

Protests continue in Florence SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

OCHS Director Elizabeth Thompson addresses a room full of volunteers. (Tony Reed photo)

Protesters stood on all four corners of Highways 126 and 101 as hundreds of vehicles passed with waves and honking horns. While the response was mostly positive, some motorists and pedestrians expressed

opposition to the protest in a variety of ways. However, all remained peaceful throughout and dispersed without any incidents. Much like the previous protest two weeks before, See PROTESTS, Page A6

Killer whale swims into Florence JULIE CONWAY Oregon Coast Killer Whale Monitoring Program

At about 6:15pm, a lone bull killer whale was seen about two miles up the Siuslaw River. At 7:41pm he was spotted from the jetty, and then shortly after he was seen by the coast guard station. He ended up switching directions, and he headed back up the river. He was last spotted at 8:34pm, near the low point on Rhododendron, at which point it became too dark to see. We’re able to confirm, it

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

was T051! He’s back! T051 (born 1981) has been seen on several occasions in Oregon. Last spring he was seen traveling with T049A2 in Oregon for quite a while. In the fall of last year, T051 and T049A2 gained a lot of popularity after they spent 44 days in a lake in Alaska. It’s great to see him back in Oregon! A big thank you to everyone who helped track T051!

Editor’s note: On April 24, a pod of killer whales was spotted next to Sea Lion Caves, possibly heading south.

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Pictured here, T051 swims in the Siuslaw River near the jetties. (Jaklyn Larsen photo)

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Call or email Jeanna Petersen for more information: 541-902-3529 • jpetersen@countrymedia.net