TSN514 by C.M.I.

Siuslaw News Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 20 • 134 years

Court kicks off Rhody Days when it was proclaimed by Mayor Rob Ward that May is Rhododendron Festival Month. Prince Nyte DeLeon said he plans to attend Oregon State University after high school to

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

The Florence City Council was introduced to the Rhododendron Court May 5

pursue a career in nursing first and pediatric medicine later. Princess Ashlyn Hart said that after graduating, she will also enroll at OSU to study biology and nutrition on a pre-med

path. She added that she was informed just before the meeting that she will also be on the OSU Beavers Cheer Team. Princess Macali Lade said she will attend Washington State

University to study nursing and become a certified nurse anesthetist, while also minoring in wildlife biology in hopes of See COURT, Page A4

OCHS highlights and thanks volunteers SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Oregon Coast Humane Society recognized its top volunteers of 2024 with a special event April 30. OCHS Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson said that in 2024, volunteers donated over 19,000 hours of service for the animals and people of Florence. “That equates to nine fulltime employees, so they almost doubled our workforce,” she said!. We are truly a volunteer-powered organization!” Thompson said the turnout for the celebration was great, adding, “Over 50 people came to the event and were treated to a slide show and movie style snacks. The event See OCHS, Page A4

Above left, Shelter Volunteer of the Year Cynthia Beck. Above right, Jon Marcotte, pictured with his husband Pat Kirkpatrick. Jon is the one holding the cookie jar. Right, Mother/daughter team Trudy and Krisi Maderos. Photos provided

High School counting down to graduation Candidates answer questions SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Principal Mike Harklerode, aka Mr. H., gave the Florence City Council an update on all things going on and coming up at Siuslaw High School. “This is a very, very busy time of year for our seniors,” Harklerode said. “Project Graduation is sneaking up on us and the 31st. It’s the all-night party for seniors so we keep them safe and sane and keep them all in one place and return them the

INSIDE

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

next day.” he said this is the first year that that are doing it during the school year. He said that soon, senior road signs will go up along Highway 101 before being brought back to the high school for students to pick up after graduation. “One of the most thrilling things for me is seeing the kids over the grand span that I have them. More than half of our graduates this year have gone though K-12 on Oak Street,” he said.

“So, 13 years in our school system is pretty cool.” Harklerode said most kids are making plans for after high school and several intend to enroll in colleges around the country. “Twelve different colleges, and eight different states from Hawaii to Boston and even in Paris are destinations for our students for next year,” he said. “Some are also headed to Army, Navy See GRADUATION, Page A4

before May 20 election COMPILED by TONY REED Siuslaw News

Six candidates are on the ballot for three Siuslaw School District Board seats in the May 20 election. Since the election was first noticed, this paper has been receiving formal and informal requests to query board candidates on a variety of issues, ranging from the recent removal of a book from the high school library

to concerns about the Trump administration’s proposed reductions and changes to education nationwide. Those questions and others were emailed to the candidates via the addresses they provided to the county elections office. Four candidates responded but no reply was received from King. In an email response, Barnett said he felt some questions were political and no further response

was received. Some candidates also attended local forums April 30 and May 8. Answers given by King and Barnett to similar questions included in the voter pamphlet were included where applicable. Why are you running for a school board seat and what are your qualifications for doing so? Pollut: I am running See ELECTION, Page A4

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