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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, May 1, 2024 Florence, Oregon

PHOTOS BY TONY REED

Miss Oregon Teen Volunteer Hayley Cole tells her story of local volunteerism.

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Siuslaw News Number 18 • 133 years

Cougar spotted in Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News

FACC president Ken Gaylord speaks to the crowd of volunteers and guests at the Florence Events Center.

Florence Area Community Coalition thanks volunteers

Over 20 tables at the Florence Events Center were filled with an estimated 180 people on April 17 so the City and FACC could show appreciation for the volunteers who do so much for Florence and its residents. As keynote speaker, Mayor Rob Ward spoke of his life as a volunteer

starting as a Boy Scout and Eagle Scout, all the way to securing $2 million for the construction of the Florence Events Center. He noted that the center was a community dream come true and was designed to meet a variety of needs. A brick wall in the entryway recognizes about $1.3 million in local contributions while each plated chair represents a $2,500 donation and bricks outside the center mark $80,000, he said.

“Over the years, I have dedicated my time to serving both Florence and Dunes City as a city councilor and mayor, as well as a board member for Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue and the Port of Siuslaw, and as the first board president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Lane County,” he said, noting that he then changed cities. “Florence has been built and enhanced by the efforts of volunteers. We have volunteers serving our community in so many ways.

They volunteer with the hospital, fire department, police department, library, social service non-profits, schools, youth sports, the Boys and Girls Club, the airport, the events center, FACE theater and arts groups, our parks, service organizations, the humane society, public boards, commissions, and committees, and many more I am sure.” See THANKS, Page A3

Rhododendron Drive taking shape

Road widening work will continue, along with the installation of Work is moving along on a new sewer line and realignment of Rhododendron Drive and it’s becomNew Hope Lane. ing visibly obvious how the roadway “With the contractor beginning will be moved one lane to the east. to realign and reconstruct New Looking north along the river, one Hope Lane, access to the Oregon can see the amount of earth that’s Coast Humane Society and the been moved from the hillside to reloLane County Transfer Station cate the lanes. will be available, however, there “K&E Excavating completed the will be flaggers staged to connew water line installation along trol traffic,” according to Public Rhody Drive last week, as well Works.”Motorists can expect some as completed one of the retaining delay in entering and exiting New walls,” according to the Public Works website.”They were also hard Hope Lane.” Traffic is being detoured around at work installing the irrigation systhe project and residents’ access is tem for the landscape planter along controlled by a flagger. the Siuslaw River overlook area, The City of Florence opened installing stormwater infrastructure, bids on the project in December and installing new water services 2023. K&E Excavating, Inc. out and meters for when we transfer serof Salem, Oregon, was awarded vice to the new water main. Central the construction contract for the $7 Lincoln PUD crews have also been in the area setting the relocated util- million project. Project costs include $250,000 for engineering services ity poles.” Siuslaw News Staff

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Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B5-B6

While not uncommon on the Oregon Coast, mountain lions tend to generate fear and interest when they’re spotted in more urban areas. Reports that a mountain lion was spotted in areas of Florence April 22 were confirmed by Department of Fish and Wildlife personnel. According to ODFW Wildlife biologist Jason Kirchner in the Newport office, callers had reported seeing one in areas near the golf course in Florence. “Some folks were out having their morning coffee,” he said. “They saw it and it saw them and it took off running.” Kirchner said Florence features several wooded corridors between the forest and coast in which mountain lions can get close to the ocean unseen while looking for food. “Unfortunately, some people like to feed deer and other wildlife,” he said. “That’s what cougars eat, mostly deer and other wildlife, so that’s why they’re coming into town.” He said they’ve been known to go after small pets like cats and dogs, but added that coyotes are more likely to do that. “If you see one, definitely let us know,” he said. “We’re trying to develop a behavior pattern with cougars so we want to know what they’re doing.” He advised that should you see one, the first thing to do is hold your ground. “Don’t run, but make noise, raise your voice, yell, clap,” he said. “Pick up your kids if you have them, raise your arms… You can throw rocks or sticks at them and slowly back away to get into your car or your house.” Kirchner said that on the rare occasion that a cougar attacks, the person should fight back. “We try to encourage people not to feed wildlife because that draws them in,” he said. “Keep pets on a See COUGAR, Page A3

... Correction and $6,750,000 for the construction phase. Additionally, Lane County is contributing $338,000 to reconfigure the intersection to New Hope Lane and access to the Transfer Station, according to City reports in March.

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According to the City, the project will be paid for with street funding and other allocations and was approved in the 2023-2025 biennial budget. Completion is estimated for December 2025.

The headline in the April 24 story regarding Florence Inn and Wyndam Hotels is incorrect. Hoagland Properties, Inc. is now a franchisee of Wyndham and was not sold to it.

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