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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, May 8, 2024 Florence, Oregon

Number 19 • 133 years

PHOTO BY RENEE WALKER PHOTO.

Rhody royalty are, in no particular order, Jaime Taylor, Cate Waggoner, Adelaide Lake, Rosa Velasco Mendez, Madison Carnahan, Hunter Pimlott, Brayden Linton, Billie Massey, Cort Waggoner and Landon Severy. Junior Princesses are Aislynn Heady, Delia Quinn, Khloe Allen Smoldt, Preslee Wilkins and Elizabeth Mae Harvey.

117th Rhododendron Festival starts with coronation SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Florence Events Center is expected to fill again this year for the Rhododendron Court Coronation that will choose this year’s Queen Rhododendron and King of the Coast.

Organizer Wendy Krause explained that the King of the Coast competition was added sometime in the last decade, We have Matt Templetman from KEZI radio and Melanie heard from Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshops will

emcee the event and five judges will make the final choices. “Students are judged on talent, poise, impromptu questions, formal wear and things like that,” Krause said. “It will be a full house and it’s something that the community really loves to be a part of. We’ve sold out

over the past several years. It’s really heartwarming- you see the kids and you fall in love with them and their talents. It’s just a fun and exciting experience.” “It’s also a scholarship competition,” she said. “The King and Queen will get $1,700 each.”

Proposed homeless camping code unveiled By TONY REED Siuslaw News

The latest in a series of City Council meetings to gather public input on new proposed codes to regulate homeless camping (aka sheltering) seemed to aggravate some members of the audience who were expecting an open forum discussion. In the end, it was suggested that they return to comment during the next public hearing on the matter. The meeting, held at the Events Center, brought about 70 people on April 30 where City staff reviewed actions to date and shared a draft version of the proposed code that’s been developed through the process. Community Development Director Wendy Farley-Campbell noted that over the last year, there have been 10 public meetings on the subject. PHOTO BY TONY REED Farley-Campbell went over the Councilor Jo Beaudreau, right, takes notes as City staff goes over a map of area where proposed code by section, recalling homeless sheltering will not be allowed. decisions that were made at public meetings regarding camping in RVs, Regarding exclusion and bufin commercial or industrial areas and vehicles, within sight of public trails, fer areas on city property, Farley around public rights of way. See CODE, Page A6

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Krause noted that the scholarship amount was formerly $1,500 but has recently been increased. “We will have last year’s queen, Gillian Norton, there to crown this See ROYAL, Page A4

Accident takes out stoplight in Florence By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Florence motorists were delayed April 29 after an accident involving a trailer and a crosswalk switch sent the town’s busiest intersection into four-way-stop mode. At about 2:20 p.m., a vehicle took out a pole at Highway 126 and US 101 and left the area, leaving the stoplights at the intersection flashing red. Police and OSP were on scene and investigating. Police Chief John Pitcher said witnesses and area security video showed a large truck with a very long trailer failing to make the corner. The trailer knocked over the pole containing the crosswalk See ACCIDENT, Page A4

Celebrating Over 30 Years in Real Estate

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

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