TSN529 by C.M.I.

INSIDE

RHODODENDRON FESTIVAL 2024 Photos

Kale Jensen placed second in the long jump for the Vikings | PAGE B1

• Organic Cold Pressed Juice • Wellness Shots • Salads • Fresh • Organic • Healthy

1780 20th Street NOW ! N E P O www.silajuicery.com

Siuslaw News News & views that define our community

$1.25

thesiuslawnews.com

Siuslaw NewsWednesday, May 29, 2024 Florence, Oregon

Number 22 • 133 years

WHAT IT TAKES TO PUT ON

RHODODENDRON DAYS By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Rhododendron Days is Florence’s biggest yearly event and it doesn’t need to be said that it didn’t organize itself. From the parades to the carnival to the Rhody Run and more, many local officials and an army of volunteers came together to make it happen and that work started months ago..

Parade coordinator Dan Lofy said it’s his fifth year organizing it and while it’s getting easier, it still takes a lot of time, effort and people. He said his work starts after Mitzi Hathaway at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce collects and compiles all the entries. “I take them from there and organize them to where they need to go,” he said. “You have to remember that I can’t put

horses by any music or loud sounds, and I don’t want to have a band next to someone who’s playing music because they override each other…” He said this year, organizers asked each entrant to list the size of their entry, including people and tow vehicles. See RHODY, Page A7

Three Rivers Foundation gives over One dies in crash $720,000 in grants to 95 local nonprofits near tunnel Three Rivers Foundation, established by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians as the charitable arm of the Three Rivers Casino Resort, proudly announced the award of over $720,000 to support the missions of 95 nonprofit organizations, several of which are in the Florence area. Three Rivers Foundation distributed funds to a diverse range of nonprofits in sectors ranging from healthcare and

INSIDE

education to combating food insecurities and enriching the lives of children. “It makes my heart feel good. It’s just awesome that we can help these folks make an impact on their organizations and their communities,” said Chief Doug Barrett, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. “We got a $10,000 check for our Natural Resource program at Siuslaw High School for drones,” said

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Read all about it!

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B7-B8

Amy Tregoning, Siuslaw High School teacher. We are teaching kids how to use them because they are being used increasingly in the natural resource field—think wildfires and population densities. We hope to train our students and get them to take their pilot’s license before they leave high school so that they can start a career a bit further ahead of everyone else.” “It’s massive; the amount that Three Rivers Foundation can contribute to everyone

in the local community is immense. We couldn’t get nearly as much done as we have without these types of contributions,” said Stephen Beale, Florence Food Share Operations Manager. The Florence Food Share was granted $10,000. “One in two families can’t afford enough to keep their baby clean, dry, and healthy. There is no state or governmental assistance for diaper See GRANT, Page A2

State Police reported that a Springfield woman died in a single vehicle crash that detoured traffic on Highway 126 for about six hours on May 19. According to OSP, first responders were dispatched to an area near mile marker 21.5 at about 2:30 p.m. for a report of a singe-vehicle crash. “The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Honda CRV, operated by Joella Ann Ewing (83) of Eugene, left the highway for unknown reasons, struck a tree, and landed in an adjacent

creek,” according to OSP. “The operator of the Honda (Ewing) was injured as a result of the crash and transported to an area hospital. A passenger in the Honda, Ruth Anne Romoser (80) of Springfield, was declared deceased at the scene.” The cause of the crash was still under investigation as of May 22. OSP was assisted by the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Western Lane Medics and Fire, Lane Rural Fire, and ODOT.

Visit us at our new location just North of Fred Meyer Our new address is 4969 Highway 101, North #4. Located around the back of the building.

Same great service and friendly faces, just a new location!