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Siuslaw News Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Florence, Oregon

Number 23 • 136 years

Council updated on County treatment center project By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

five puppies died from the disease. “Parvo spreads quickly and can be devastating, especially for puppies and unvaccinated dogs,” said OCHS Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson. “Vaccination is the best protection, and early treatment is critical for survival.” Parvo is spread through direct contact with infected dogs, as well as contaminated feces, vomit, water bowls, bedding, leashes, and other surfaces. The virus is extremely hardy and can survive in soil for up to a year. Pet guardians are encouraged to avoid taking unvaccinated

County officials visited the regular meeting of the Florence City Council on June 1 to give an update on a Lane County Medication-Assisted Treatment Center, proposed for placement in the 000000 block of Highway 101. County Commissioner Ryan Ceniga introduced Carla Ayres and Sean Gorda, a case manager at Lane County’s Methadone Clinic in Eugene. Ayres, a licensed clinical social worker and certified drug and alcohol counselor, said the Lane County Treatment Center has served the community since 1974, helping people to stabilize their lives, recover from opioid addiction, and become productive members of the community. She said the Eugene area currently has seven medication-assisted treatment programs. She said that with a staff of 34 people, the center serves 280 to 350 patients annually. She said the center provides medication-assisted treatment using methadone, a carefully regulated medication that helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms so individuals can maintain employment, care for their families, recover, and avoid illicit and dangerous opioid use. She said patients become more present and available to their families, which has the community benefit of stronger family stability, better outcomes for children, and reduced generational trauma. She noted that the Florence building was purchased in early January, and county staff held a town hall event, where it became obvious that more community engagement was needed. At the town hall meeting, several residents were concerned that a Montessori school

See OCHS, Page A6

See CENTER, Page A6

Project partners from several agencies paused for a quick photo before breaking the levee to allow tidal waters back into an area that had been previously diked off to host a dairy farm. Photo by Elizabeth Goward

Levee breached to restore historic wetland SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

A project that started in the summer of 2023 came together on May 29 when Siuslaw River water was allowed to flow back into a historic estuarine intertidal aquatic bed between Highway 126 and the Siuslaw River east of Cushman.

The action restores about 180 acres of title wetland covering about 6 miles of feeding and rearing habitat for Oregon Coast Coho, Chinook Salmon, steelhead, and sea run coastal cutthroat trout, as well as other aquatic and avian species. According to a release from the MacKenzie River Trust

(MRT) before the project began, the central goal was to benefit local landowners and the community, both ecologically and economically. “The conservation benefits of the project include the enhancement of tidal wetlands, which filter water and buffer storms and floods,” MRT said at the

time. “Economic benefits of restoration include local multiyear construction and planting jobs for local contractors and stronger fisheries as a result of new nursery habitat for salmon and other fish.” Drivers on Highway 126 See WETLAND, Page A6

OCHS confirms cases of Parvovirus in Florence FROM OREGON COAST HUMANE SOCIETY’

This bulldog was a great patient at Dr. Guevara examined and vaccinated him.

Oregon Coast Humane Society’s Veterinary Clinic is urging local pet guardians to vaccinate their dogs and take precautions after multiple confirmed cases of canine parvovirus (parvo) were identified in the Florence area this week. On May 27, OCHS Veterinary Clinic treated a pregnant pit bull diagnosed with parvo, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that primarily affects dogs and puppies. Following community outreach efforts, OCHS learned of at least one additional confirmed case in Florence in which a mother dog and her

Dance Academy holds first performance at FEC SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

A lively crowd poured into the Events Center to see Florence Dance Academy’s premier performance on May 30. Entitled “We are one Beat,” the spring recital featured nearly 100 dancers. Florence Dance Academy founder Cara Richter started Tony Reed photos

See DANCE, Page A5

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

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