Issuu

Siuslaw News Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 15 • 134 years

Woman jailed after arson attempt SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

or would do whales and they would have 50 to 60 people sign up for those programs.” Ward said all participants were seniors and retirees, and were excited to learn new things in the programs. Ward joked that Rust is essentially a Florence resident, as he lives nearby. Mulholland, whose family roots are in Florence, noted that in the college reduced its programming significantly during Covid, but the facility has been remodeled since to bring it up

A Texas woman is being held (as of April 3) in Lane County jail after an alleged arson attempt on a vehicle north of Florence. “On March 28th at about 12:40 p.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a reported arson on Sutton Outlet Road near Florence,” a Lane County Sheriff’s Office release stated. “A person running in the area returned to their vehicle and found a sock burning in the gas tank cap. He was able to extinguish it, and fire responded to ensure it was extinguished.” According to the report, the victim saw a female, later identified as Elizabeth Louise Jeffery, 33, of Texas, walking away from the area. “A US Forest Service employee was in the area, and Jeffery climbed on top of their vehicle,” the report said. “The deputy and an Oregon State Trooper were able to convince Jeffery to get down, and found she was in possession of a sock

See LCC, Page A8

See ARSON, Page A7

Jerry Rust, top center, held a town hall to talk about improving the Florence LCC Campus. Tony Reed photo

Ideas floated for LCC Florence campus By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Several ideas came to light during an April 3rd town hall meeting as to ways to expand and improve programs at the Florence campus. The meeting was hosted by the campaign to elect Jerry Rust to the Lane Community College Board. Rust is a candidate for the May 20 election. He is also a former county commissioner and is running for position 1 on the College Board of education. Rust was joined by board

member Austin Fölnagy, Lane Community College Board of Education Chair Zach Mulholland and departing director Denise Diamond. Diamond is the current director for Zone 1, representing the western end of Lane County, particularly the Florence campus. Rust and candidate Jeffrey Cooper will run for that open seat. ALL EARS Mayor Rob Ward said Lane Community College has been a good friend to Florence for a

long time. Noting that he was an advisory member for the College Board about 10 years ago, Ward said the campus has an important role to play. Rust opened the town hall by asking, “What do you want to see? I think we can generate some good ideas that will be useful in pursuing this conversation as we go along.” “One of the things they did back in the day that I’d love to see come back is that they used to run a great elder hostel program. They would have lighthouses on the Oregon coast

Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate Brokers Honored

Eight local real estate brokers at Coldwell Banker Coast Real Estate were recently honored for their 2024 production within the Coldwell Banker global network, according to company officials. Ofthe100,000+ Coldwell Banker

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Associates worldwide, local brokers Aric Sneddon, Missy Johnson, Randy Paredes, Alva Bracey, Sadie Ward, Justin Young, and John Barnett all received recognition for their production placing them among in the upper echelon of the brokers in the entire

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Coldwell Banker system. Aric Sneddon earned the International Sterling Society award placing him in the top 16 percent of all Coldwell Banker brokers internationally. Missy Johnson, Randy Paredes, Justin See HONORED, Page A7

Rhody Court visits Oregon House of Representatives The Rhododendron Festival is an annual tradition in Florence, Oregon. 2025 is the 118th year of the Rhodies Festival which is held every May as the beautiful Rhodies are blooming on the Oregon Coast. Rep. Boomer Wright was honored to have the 2025 Rhododendron Court visit with him this week in the House

of Representatives. The Princess and Princes are outstanding high school seniors. who represent the Festival and the Florence community. Princesses: Sophia Montoya; Claire Lindell; Ashly Hart; and Macali Lade (not present). Princes: Travis Clark; Storm Engel; Nayt Deleon; Joel Sissel; Charles Nelson.

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