TSN611

Vikings clinch fifth state title

WILL LOHRE Country Media,

Inc.

It was practically a photo finish at the 3A OSAA Track and Field Championships, but when the dust settled, it was Siuslaw’s boys who had their nose across the line first, beating out Burns by just one point to secure their fifth championship. Head Coach Chris Johnson has been coaching at Siuslaw for a long time—30 years —and even after multiple state championships, the thrill of taking home another one can’t be beaten. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and it doesn’t get old. Certain ones are more exciting than other ones. This one, it’s really hard to explain it,” Johnson said. Although Siuslaw entered the championships May 29-30 as a favorite and confident in their ability to claim the title, Burns and Valley Catholic proved to be tough competition

Customers are provided a cart for recycling and a separate bin for glass. Carts and bins will be picked up on the curb on the same day as your garbage. Be sure to keep the carts at least 3 feet away from the mailbox and 3 feet away from each other. Cart wheels face away from the road. Customers are asked to “Keep it Clean” and only place items that are found on the recycling guide in the cart.

Changes

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Starting July 1, customers using County Transfer and Recycling (CTR) will see some changes regarding recyclable items and services in Florence and the surrounding area.

Some may recall that on Jan. 1, 2022 the Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act was approved, promising to update Oregon’s recycling system to create an innovative system that works for everyone.

While the law requires packaging producers to share in the responsibility of effective management of their products after use, it will also prompt residents to change some practices regarding how they prepare materials for recycling.

Brian Enochian, CTR Site Manager in Florence, and Britte Kirsch, EMAC (Environmental Management Advisory Committee) chair,

started a campaign in early June to educate the community of the upcoming changes, particularly those that will affect the average household.

Kirsch noted that a change was also made to the City Solid Waste Management code, to reflect the pending changes. Information will be sent out to residents by mail, as well as door tags, flyers and new decals that will be affixed to recycling carts.

NEW MATERIALS

Some previously-prohibited items will now be allowed in recycling bins, namely, black plastic planter pots. Containers that held items like butter, yogurt and cottage cheese are now allowed in the recycling bin, but their lids are not.

Enochian explained that the thin lids fall through machinery and are blown about by wind during transfer. Those lids should go in the garbage

instead.

Screw-on lids like bottle caps are allowed, as long as they are firmly screwed onto the container.

“If they cannot screw on where they cannot fall off, they have to go in the garbage,” Enochian said. “Any plastic jug or jar or bottle or bucket or tub that you buy that comes with a product inside… All of the product manufacturers are paying for this so we are accepting their materials for recycling.”

Kirsch noted that essentially any plastic smaller than 2 inches by 2 inches should go in the garbage.

“No prescription pill bottles or small things are allowed,” Kirsch added, “so the 2x2 measurement is important.”

Recyclable materials in bins should not be placed inside plastic bags for any reason,

By TONY REED Siuslaw News

After the Florence City Council voted to adopt a Public Safety Fee on June 2 to maintain and sustain staffing at Florence Police Department. Justification for the new fee is, by no means simple, and was the result of several meetings by the council, budget committee and city staff.

Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer said the city budget committee and council have held work sessions and meetings in April and May to

discuss how to fill the funding gap related to public safety. Messmer explained how property taxes work and the differences between Oregon and other states, saying property taxes have been severely restricted by measures 5 and 50 in Oregon.

“Passed in 1990, measure five sets limits on the amount of tax levy for 1000 of a property’s real market value,” she said. “Five dollars worth of every $1 000 worth of real estate market value goes to

OF FLORENCE

The Florence City Council voted to adopt the approved 2025-27 City of Florence Budget on Monday, June 2

The City’s budget for this biennium (July 2025 through June 2027) balanced and totals $77 118 300, and includes levying the City’s permanent tax rate of $2 8610 each fiscal year of the biennium. The Budget goes into effect on July 1 2025

City Staff presented the budget message on May 5 2025, and the City held two Budget Committee meetings on May 12th and May 14 These included public hearings and the chance for community member interaction.

The 2025-27 Biennial Budget was prepared to address the adopted City Council Goals consistent with the adopted 2025-27 Work Plan. Florence Mayor Rob Ward stated, “I was pleased that both the Budget Committee and the City Council all worked together through the budget process and voted to approve the budget that was adopted. With this budget, our City remains on a solid financial footing.”

City Manager Erin Reynolds stated, “You will find that the proposed budget enables the

POLICE LOG

The Florence police Department responded to the following calls from May 28 to June 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 28

At 1:23 a.m., officers responded to the 1700 block of 43rd St. for a report of a dispute occurring. Upon arrival officers found everything quiet and were unable to locate anyone having a dispute.

At 6:52 a.m., officers responded to the 1200 block of Bay Street for a report of a found dog. Doug is described as tiny, golden brown with no caller. Dog was taken to Oregon Coast Humane Society.

At 9:18 a.m., officers responded to the bathrooms at Miller Park for a report of vandalism. Case remains under investigation. At 11:49 a.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of Highway 101 for a report of illegal camping. Officers make contact with one subject who is

found to have a misdemeanor warrant. Subject was cited and released.

At 1:06 p.m.., officers responded to the area of Spruce Street 24th St. for a report of possible shots fired. Officers spoke to witnesses in the area who said they had not heard any shots.

At 1:06 p.m.., a subject turn themselves in at the police department for a municipal court warrant.

At 1:18 p.m.., officers responded to the 1100 block of Bay Street for a report of a dog left in the car. Vehicle was gone when officers arrived.

At 6:23 p.m.., officers responded to the 2000 block of Highway 101 for a reported overdose. Narcan was administered, and patient regained consciousness. Medical personnel transported subject to hospital.

At 6:59 p.m.., a caller reported a possible drunk driver heading northbound on Highway 101 Officers were unable to locate the vehicle.

THURSDAY, MAY 29

At 12:26 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of 15th St. and Nopal. After a field sobriety test was conducted, officers arrested Jordan Goldschmidt for DUII.

At 9:31 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block Nopal Street for a report of a dispute occurring. Officers found the dispute to be civil in nature and subjects were counseled.

At 10:33 a.m. officers responded to the 4000 block of Highway 101 for a report of theft. Upon arrival, officers determined the issue was not as it was reported.

1:02 p.m.., officers responded to the 3000 block of Highway 101 for a report of a dispute occurring between customer and employees at a business. Subjects were counseled and no further action was needed.

At 3:45 p.m.., and caller reported that a big rig truck was heading northbound toward Florence on Highway 101 which was unable to maintain its lane and losing trash from the back.

At 4:28 p.m.., officers responded to the 800 block of Highway 101 for a reported hit and run accident. Upon arrival officers found drivers of both involved vehicles exchanging information.

At 5:47 p.m.., officers responded to the 3200 block of Munsel Lake Road for a report of an intoxicated subject who had been banging on doors and broke a window. Subject was taken to Florence police detox cell and report was referred to the DAs office for possible charges.

At 6:17 p.m.., hey subject reported finding a handgun in a dumpster in the 1800 block of 37th St.. Officers examined the handgun, which was described as being small, rusty and loaded. Officers took possession of the handgun for destruction.

At 11:39 p.m.., officers responded to the 1300 block of Highway 101 for a report of an intoxicated subject. Officers found a situation occurring between a family and an intoxicated subject. Subject was taken to detox in case was referred

Marc Bosket

to deflection once the subject sobered up.

FRIDAY, MAY 30

At 11:30 a.m., officers responded to the 100 block of Highway 101 for a report of a domestic dispute. Officer spoke to female with visible injuries who said she fell and refused to give any further information.

At 12:11 p.m.., hey subject brought a debit card into the police department saying they had found it at a store. Officers were able to locate the owner and return the card.

At 12:11 p.m.., officers responded to the 200 block of Nopal Street for a report of fraudulent use of checks. Case remains under investigation.

At 2:25 p.m.., officers responded to the area of 10th St. in Kingwood for a report of a vehicle versus scooter accident. Officers arrived to find a juvenile on an electric scooter hit a stop the vehicle has sustained a cut on the head. After an investigation, the juvenile was cited.

At 3:37 p.m.., officers responded to the 700

April 19, 1945 – May 27, 2025

After a very short, fierce battle with cancer, Marc went to his heavenly home on May 27, 2025, with his family by his side.

The youngest of three children, Marc was born on April 19, 1945, to Foustino and Elizabeth Bosket in Hamilton, MT and graduated from Ronan (MT) High School. He was very proud of his service in the US Army as a photographer at Letterman Hospital in San Francisco and during his deployment in Vietnam.

He met Nancy, his wife of 55 years, in Hamilton, MT where they were married before moving to Coos Bay, OR. Marc’s career with McKay’s Market moved the family to Florence, OR in 1972. While in Florence, Marc held several different jobs before becoming the day custodian at Siuslaw High School in 1989. He retired from SHS in 2013. Marc loved the kids at the high school, but if they caused extra work for him, he always told them with a smile “I don’t get mad, I get

Corner of 10th & Maple

www.florencecrossroadag.org email: office@florencecrossroadag.org

block of Highway 101 for a report of two people in the store taking things, one subject was located in charge with theft.

At 3:58 p.m.., officers responded to the 1100 block of Hemlock Street for a reported dispute. Officers arrive to find subjects yelling at each other and separated them. No further action was taken.

SATURDAY, MAY 31

At 2 p.m.., a caller reported losing a wallet near the 700 block of Highway 101 containing the badge of a retired police officer.

At 7:26 p.m.., officers responded to the 2200 Block of 20th Street for a report of a 7-year-old juvenile found in the area. Juvenile was returned to parents.

At 9:13 p.m.., officers responded to the 1300 block of Nopal Street for a report of a dispute. Officers found a boyfriend and girlfriend and a verbal argument. Parties agreed to separate for the evening.

even” which usually meant sabotaging the kid’s locker. For many years, Marc volunteered as the videographer for SHS varsity football games and taught photography and film developing as an after-school activity.

Marc and Nancy raised two sons, Lyle and Len, both graduates of SHS. After 48 years in Florence, Marc and Nancy moved to Springfield, OR in 2020 to be closer to family. In his free time, Marc loved tinkering in the garage, attending to his beautiful gardens, camping with family and making friends with people he just met.

Marc is survived by his wife, Nancy, sister, Frances Kenaston, son Len, daughters-inlaw Jennifer and Micah, and four cherished grandchildren - Kendall, Holden, Kate and Olivia. He is predeceased by his parents, his son Lyle, and brother, Jim.

Interment will be at Willamette National Cemetery.

Nancy Elizabeth Kromer

October 5, 1941 - February 20, 2025

In Loving Memory of Nancy Elizabeth Kromer With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Nancy Elizabeth Kromer. She left this world peacefully on February 20, 2025, in Yachats, Oregon, with her sister Georgina at her side.

Born on October 5, 1941, in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to George Daskaluk and Lillie Young Browning Daskaluk, Nancy had a vibrant childhood filled with adventure.

Nancy spent four years living in Barrier, British Columbia, where she enjoyed the outdoors, exploring wildflowers and berries and fishing with her family. 1950, the family moved to the United States and settled in National City, California. Nancy loved walking with her two brothers, James and Gary, and her sister, Georgina. One of her favorite places to visit was Richardson’s Farm, where they raised horses.

At a young age, Nancy developed a passion for classical music. Her neighbor, Mrs. Trummer, provided piano lessons, which sparked her love for music. While attending Sweetwater High School, Nancy played the bass. She later fell in love with the sound of the cello, eventually buying one, and in 1974, at thirty-three, she purchased her first bass. Nancy participated in many concerts and plays in Southern California.

Nancy dedicated twenty years working in the pharmacy at Thrifty Drug store in El Cajon, California. She later moved to Oregon and became a devoted caretaker of her ranch in Yachats, where she loved her animals and embraced the beauty of nature. In August, she looked forward to the Yachats River Farm Tour, which was open to the public. Nancy took pride in her culinary skills and was an excellent cook. Her homemade bread was famous, and her jam, shortbread, butter tarts, and cookies

were all delicious. She often shared her musical talents playing her bass in the Yachats Big Band, the Recorder Society in Newport, and the Oregon Coast Chamber Orchestra.

Nancy was preceded in death by her husband, Jim Cromer; her sister, Diana Lieuallen; her brother, Benjamin Meek; and her parents, Lillie Meek and George Daskaluk. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Cromer; grandsons, Austin Cromer and Carl Cromer; and great-grandchildren, Avison Cromer and Cade Cromer. Her sisters, Georgina Kramer of Amboy, WA, Judy Weibe of Sahuarita, Arizona, and Judy Daskaluk Taylor of Hamilton, Ontario, and her brothers George Daskaluk of Smithville, Ontario, Canada, James Rosell and Gary Rosell of Williams Lake, BC, Canada, and William Meek of Vancouver, WA, as well as many nephews and nieces, also survive her.

We are grateful for the kindness and support from all who loved her, especially the compassionate care provided by Samaritan Evergreen Hospice. A celebration of Nancy’s life will take place in Yachats in June, where we will honor her beautiful spirit and the joy, she brought to many.

Celebration of Life for Nancy Elizabeth Kromer will be at the Yachats Commons building at 441 Hwy 101 North, Yachats, OR, on Saturday, June 21, 2025, from 1:00 – 4:00. Friends and family are welcome to share memories, stories, and pictures. Light appetizers and refreshments will be served. Come and enjoy a heartfelt afternoon of live music featuring friends and fellow musicians who shared unforgettable moments with Nancy while performing along the West Coast. Their performances will bring back cherished memories and honor the special bond they had with her.

At 10:24 p.m.., officers responded to the 1500 block of 12th St. for a report of a dispute. Officers investigated to find that an intoxicated subject had walked into the wrong apartment. No charges were filed and subject was taken to detox.

SUNDAY, JUNE 1

At 12:33 a.m., officers were called to the 1500 block of ninth Street for a subject who appeared intoxicated and drove away in a vehicle. Officers located the vehicle and arrested James Kramer for DUII.

At 12:52 a.m., hey subject from Eugene reported coming to the Florence area with another subject and losing contact with them. Officers were unable to locate the other subject and information was given to other officers on duty.

At 3:32 a.m., officers responded to the 2200 block of 12th St. for a report of a loud noise. Officers were told the noise sounded like loud thumping or chopping wood. Once in the area, officers could hear no such noise.

At 10:46 a.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Highway 101 for a report of a bank card left in an ATM. Officers were able to find the owner of the card and return it.

At 3:45 p.m.., officers attempted to locate a reported possible DUI driver in the 2000 block of Highway 101. Officers were on able to locate the described vehicle.

At 7:22 p.m.., officers responded to the 2400 block of Oak Street for a report of loud music in the area. Caller was informed that no violation was occurring since it was before 10 p.m. At 11:59 p.m.., officers attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle took off, failing to yield. Officers terminated the pursuit for safety reasons, but were able to discern the vehicles license plate. Case remains under investigation.

MONDAY, JUNE 2

At 12:12 a.m., officers responded to the area of 12th and Spruce Street or a report of a dog at large in the area.

At 9:57 a.m., an officer

POLICE, Page

PEACE HEALTH ROCKS!

Having had several experiences recently at Peace Health both in the Emergency Dept. and the Surgical Unit, I would like to share how positive the experiences were. I have lived all over the country and been treated at many different facilities over the years, but Peace Health stands alone in being a top of the line hospital for the services it provides. In particular, the staff, whether administrative or

practitioner are invariably friendly, helpful, and kind. As a patient, these qualities are very much appreciated and help smooth the way for any procedure one may be having; from surgery, ER, Lab, or normal patient appointments. Today was no exception. I went early this morning for a colonoscopy and was greeted by a CNA named Li who was efficient and friendly. My nurse was named Cristene (spelling is correct!) and she

couldn’t have been more lovely and sweet. The surgical team was gentle and kind and I knew I was in good hands.

I know that my future no doubt holds more trips to Peace Health for one reason or another and it is a relief to know that gentle and caring professionals will be there to help.

Cris Reep Florence

Thank you Nan Harvey for having the courage to

point out that Netanyahu, not Isreal, is attempting to exterminate the Palestinian population and Trump, not America, continues to support him. Netanyahu has been rightly declared a “war criminal” for the atrocities he has inflicted on innocent people under the guise of seeking to destroy Hamas. He won’t quit until every Palestinian is dead.

Mark Riebau

Nashville, TN

Support the arts by sharing your thoughts

SUBMITTED by FRAA

Since its founding 12 years ago, the Florence Regional Arts Alliance ( FRAA) has become an integral part of the Florence community. By offering classes, workshops, art festivals and scholarships in addition to the Art Center on Maple Street, we are working toward achieving our mission of unifying and supporting all the arts

and contributing to the economic development of the region. Our 180 members, in addition to our dedicated volunteers, keep FRAA in the forefront of community activity. We recently sponsored the Florence Region’s participation in the national “Arts and Economic Prosperity” study, (AEP6) which detailed the dramatic financial impact that arts and culture have on our

community.

We are now working on developing a new strategic plan to guide us into the future and become an even more significant contributor to the Florence area. We are working with a consultant to help us develop this strategy and the key to the plan is community input. We have developed a very short survey to gather this input. Whether you’re an

artist or a non-artist, if you believe that art has the power to transform our community, we urge you to make your voice heard by participating in our short survey. You can participate now by typing this link into your browser: https://forms. gle/45t2RR6Qfau9BWP99

You can also find the survey on the FRAA webpage: www.fraaoregon.org. The deadline is June 20th.

Come join the Juneteenth Community Celebration!

by

SUBMITTED

Florence ORganizes

We will be sponsoring a community wide, family friendly event on Thursday, June 19th at Miller Park from 12-2pm. Enjoy a picnic with BBQ hamburgers, hot dogs, and veggie burgers. Sides and desserts from local restaurants and grocery stores will be provided.

Our program will feature guest speaker Linda Hamilton from Oregon Blacks for Youth and Families.She will be joined by our Mayor Rob Ward and student speakers. Local singer/ songwriter Sunny Sundstrom will provide uplifting music for the day. For the kiddos there will be face painting, and plenty of activities provided by Siuslaw Family

Police

in the area of Spruce Street and Highway 126 stopped to assist a motorist.

At 10:32 a.m., a caller reported returning to their home after a short time away to find a hole in the fence.

At 1:52 p.m.., officers responded to the area of Highway 101 and 21st St. for a vehicle broke down in traffic. Vehicle was moved to a safe location.

At 7:41 p.m.., officers responded to the 1300 block of Highway 101 for a report that a vehicle was parked in a strange way. Arriving officers found nothing suspicious.

Officers also responded to 10 illegal camping calls, made 10 welfare checks and conducted 46 traffic stops. From Jan. 1 to June 2, Florence Police Department has responded to 8 819 calls.

Connections.

We will also have local community organizations on hand with resources.

Please bring a non-perishable food item for Florence Food Share.

For more information contact forflorenceor@ gmail.com or Florence Organizes on Facebook.

This is not just a celebration, it is a call to remember where we’ve been, honor who we are and move forward

ONLINE POLL

together.

We are also seeking volunteers for shopping, safety monitors, set-up and clean up, serving food. Also, if folks are part of a non profit organization, can they reach out and ask if the organization can send a representative. Any ideas to contribute to our unifying and fun event?

Please contact Nora Kent at 541 515 8191 We look forward to celebrating with you!!

Absolutely, it was the best decision I agree but think it should have involved more public input I don’t like it and think other options should have been considered Absolutely not Go to our main page at thesiuslawnews.com to vote and see poll

Siuslaw Pioneer Museum Launches Wall Reconstruction Project

Construction has officially begun on the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum’s long-anticipated west wall reconstruction initiative, a major capital project aimed at preserving the museum’s historic structure and the artifacts within.

The project addresses a growing dry rot issue which has affected the siding and structural framing of the museum’s west wall. Repair of the wall will ensure the preservation of the museum’s thousands of historical artifacts, which document more than 150 years of the lives of native peoples, pioneers, homesteaders and settlers of the area.

“The extent of the damage makes me thankful to my team who helped me prioritize this as an incoming board president,” said museum Board President Pamela Mann. “This project is a critical investment in the long-term health of our building and the preservation of our community’s shared story.”

Construction work began on May 19 with the removal of old siding and trim by Arcadia Environmental, followed by a structural assessment and dry rot repair led by local contractor Lofy Construction. The project, expected to continue through the summer, will ultimately see the full installation of new siding, windows and trim along the museum’s west-facing exterior.

The museum remains open during construction,

A snip from the Morning Register in Eugene marks the week the Florence School opened in Early October, 1904. The building still stands as the Siuslaw Pioneer Museum.

with portions of the building sectioned off to ensure visitor safety and artifact protection.

Built in 1905 as one of Florence’s original schools, the museum’s current home has long been a cornerstone of Old Town. The west wall project marks the museum’s second major restoration effort in recent years, following the successful south wall reconstruction completed in 2024

Though the project has already received support from the Autzen Foundation, Western Lane Community Foundation and numerous individual donors, museum leaders say continued community support will be essential to bringing the project across the finish line.

“We’ve had a strong start and built a lot of great momentum thanks to the community and our grant partners,” said Project Manager Damien Sherwood, “but there’s still plenty of work to be done.”

For more information about the museum, its

Luau Gala

Join first step Florence and making a meaningful impact in the community by supporting its mission to provide continued programming and more housing units for housing insecure families. The June 28 Luau GALA is your opportunity to contribute to this vital cause while enjoying an unforgettable evening. By purchasing your ticket, you’re not only securing a night of fun and celebration, but also helping to bring stability and hope to families in need. Together we can make a difference- one home at a time. Tickets are available at https://givebutter.com/OuNwnj. For more information call 541-590-2325

Ada Grange Presents Scholarships/Honors Members

The Long and Whacky Chain of Memory

Submitted by EVELYN LOVELACE

A review of “Who Was Uncle Lanny Anyways?: Mindful Modern Methods for Mitigating Mortality”

On May 28, I walked up to The Playhouse on Laurel Street with all manner of Big Smart Art Critic thoughts swirling around my head. What are you inspirations? How does your work fit into the broader context of your art? Are you in dialogue with any other works?

According to my own creative impulse I was expecting something intellectual and avant guard, lofty and ambitious.

I could not have been less prepared for Lanson Moles’ performance if I’d tried, for what I saw wasn’t a piece of high art. It was something much more important. What I walked into was a packed theater at the

head of which was a wellshaven man dressed in a baseball cap, a black shirt, and jeans (after the white suit and “crazy pants” came off). A man whose “take-home pay as a working artist was 60 cents an hour” and who as an infant “seemed to have a lot of mucus.” Not a theater of strangers, as it became clear, for Lanny referenced by name over a dozen members of the audience. A few stood up and became part of the performance, or threw commentary from the peanut gallery. Before long I began to wonder if I was the only stranger, if the entire crowd was the friends and family of the performer. No, not the performer. Lanny was more intimate than that, more frank, more sincere. He spoke with a comfort afforded to a beloved (or at least tolerated) uncle at a family reunion, gliding so

seamlessly through technical problems that I wondered if they were intentional. Behind the curtain his wife and “better half” Kamala handed him all manner of curios: a green glass sculpture from René Lalique, a wooden propeller with embedded clock, the head of a Godzilla costume, a ukulele. A marionette named Leeroy the Puppet. Another named Leeroy the Puppet. A tiger, also named Leeroy.

The star of the show was, of course, The Trunk: A sky-blue box with worn brass latches filled with family history. Most of its contents were M-disks, DvD equivalents purported to last a thousand years, on which were thousands of family photos. After his passing the chest would pass to his family, several of whom had come all the way from Nebraska to be in the audience.

Except that its contents

weren’t about Lanny. Not exactly. Everywhere in his archival process, from the pictures he showed us to the items he kept, from the stories he told and the songs he and his wife Kamala sang (the latter more skillfully than the former) that much of what he sought to preserve were tales of other peoples’ lives.

He told the story of his father, a fighter and helicopter pilot who served in World War 2 and died in 1953 in a car crash. He carried with him a bowling shirt his mother wore, a symbol of a “night out with the girls” that lasted over half a century. He spoke of his grandfather, another pilot, who at 85 built and flew his own airplane and died at 98 And of course his grandmother, a diligent diarist and long-time participant in America’s various Civil Defense efforts, who a

few days after burying her husband was leading the people of Milford Nebraska into the tornado shelters, and a few days later still was picking up her late husband’s insurance agency to tend to her community. Not to mention that she was invited in 1955 to witness the detonation of an atomic bomb, and Lanny had the helmet to prove it.

As I watched the performance, saw Lanny’s people call out or come up to the stage to join him, I began to realize how social his life had been. Much of The Trunk consisted of artifacts from ancestors who couldn’t assemble their own. And even his own possessions were meaningful for the relationships they carried. One of the more prominent objects was the “Famous Blue Dress,” a modest garment he’d picked up on sale for 25 cents. He’d

photographed over two hundred people wearing it over the years, including his old high school teacher Gwenn, a well-loved and influential part of his life. It was even delivered to him on-stage worn by an older man who was absolutely serving. So who is Uncle Lanny anyways? I don’t know. But I do know that once he’s passed from this earth he will live on. Pieces of him live in every person he’s ever met, any person he’s ever loved or been loved by. His knack for the joyful and sentimental will spread slowly through the world, at each point becoming a smaller piece in a larger number of people, until eventually his memory melds into the American journey and becomes a part of the dreams of people who will never meet him. He will certainly carry forward in mine.

Cheers to Retirement!

Thank you for 22 years of great memories. Over the years I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from so many wonderful people in my career. I look back with fond memories of the fun and laughter we have had together, from every day work life to the many events we hosted or attended. My path has crossed with so many great people from coworkers , business owners to volunteers over the years. I consider myself lucky to have gotten to know so many amazing people because of my job at Siuslaw News.

I am ready now though, to close the door on this chapter and move on to the next. I look forward to learning the ins and outs of the family timber business. From the land the trees grow on to harvesting and replanting them and everything in between.

I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends, part time farm life, swimming more and taking care of our pack of four-legged family members and new adventures that await!

Thanks for the great memories!

Jeanna Petersen 22 years at Siuslaw News RETIRED!

Challenges and Opportunities Abound for Three Mile Prairie

Submitted by EVELYN LOVELACE

PART FIVE OF SIX

My interviews with Mike Allen in the home he shares with his wife, Pat, ranged across a number of topics, from the ecology to climate change to housing developments to nearby property disputes. But the “number-one issue” Allen posed about the park, and one he provided unprompted, was the unhoused persons living there.

By Mike’s reckoning, there are a lot of reasons for this. In an attempt to create secluded space for themselves, Allen said, people would often clear “small offshoots” from the main loop trail, a process that “basically kills the wetlands” and creates a twisted warren of unofficial paths that makes it difficult for new visitors to navigate.

Of course there’s the problem of littering. Allen told me a story of him and the then-chair of the Lane County Parks Advisory Committee taking a tour through Three Mile Prairie two years ago. While walking along the trail they found “a massive trash pile” that proved something of an ordeal to clean up. Casual walks through the park will usually turn up at least a few pieces of refuse, from discarded water bottles to moldering old tires.

Allen also claims the encampments pose a

safety risk, real or imagined. He told me some young women were “afraid to go out there for fear of being attacked” by the predominately male campers in the park.

As one of their intended duties, members of the Friends of Three Mile Prairie group are asked by Lane County to patrol the park about once a month and report back on changing conditions, from fallen logs to flooded trails to invasive flora. Anyone on such patrols is expected to report any signs of homeless activity in the park to the authorities, ostensibly so actions can be taken to remove them.

By Allen’s reckoning at least that seems to be the most important component of their work: reporting on encampments so that they and their occupants might be removed, a situation Allen described as a “Dilemma.”

Allen’s plan for addressing the encampment issue was understandably a bit vague. He said he wanted to “link homeless people to resources” they could use to get out of their current situation so their use of the park became unnecessary.

Wanting to know whether that plan was feasible, I reached out to Siuslaw Outreach Services, a group dedicated to “Supporting and transforming the lives of those in crisis through homelessness prevention, sexual assault, and

I was born and raised in Florence, and graduated from Siuslaw High School in 2010. I have been a Dental Hygienist for nine years, and am passionate about educating patients and tailoring each appointment to the patient’s specific needs. Outside of the office, I like to spend time with my husband, Tyson, and our two kids: Emmett and Harlee.

I look forward to working alongside Dr. Clement, while providing a calm and welcoming dental environment to serve the Florence community!

domestic violence services.” I had the fortune of speaking with both Bob Teter, the executive director, and Kevin Furber, whom Teter described as the organization’s expert on homelessness.

INFURIATING IS A GOOD

WORD TO DESCRIBE IT

In some ways Florence is blessed in its ongoing struggles with homelessness. Originally founded in 1986 as a women and children’s shelter, SOS has become something quite rare: an integrated operation for providing a wide array of social services all under one roof. From rent and utility assistance to food and shower vouchers, from sexual violence advocacy to “rent education classes” to help high school seniors learn how to deal with the housing market, SOS is a critical organization for supporting people caught in all kinds of dire situations. And an extremely efficient one, at that. According to Teter, a community of this size would typically have a staff of twelve people providing these various services. SOS has five, and is being referred to state agencies to “consult on efficiency practices” so other organizations can learn from what they’ve managed. They also work closely with Mobile Crisis Response, a group working out of the fire station who operates in similar spaces, though more closely associated with law enforcement. Florence is in dire need of what they offer. According to Teter, about a quarter of the community makes use of its services every year. In 2023, over 1 000 unhoused individuals came through their doors, most wandering up and down Highway 101 in search of safety, but about 250 of which are permanent residents of Florence (de facto if not de jure) and perhaps 180 of which are camping in places like Three Mile Prairie. Half of those 250 have jobs yet still lack any place to live. By his reckoning, these numbers are to be expected. Lane County has the highest rate of homelessness per capita in the nation. And while both Teter and Furber talked extensively about the complex nature of housing instability, that a “multi-pronged, personal approach” was needed and there is no “one-size-fitsall” solution, there was one main issue that loomed over all others: the price of rent.

“Florence is a two-income city” Teter said, if not before then certainly now. Rents have gone up 75% in the last five years. Not only is the housing expensive, but there’s not nearly enough of it. The waitlist to get into new “low-cost” apartments in Florence is 2 to 3 years long. In 2000, the model for sustainable housing SOS used suggested that a person shouldn’t be spending more than a third of their income on housing, that above that level something’s going very wrong. Now they regularly see people spending 60 to 80% of their income on rent. For someone living on their own in a service job, even with full-time employment, the statewide failure for income to match the rising cost of living has made the mathematics of

making a life in Florence more and more difficult to manage. As a result the number of unhoused people has been rising fast. And the most vulnerable cohort is one Florence’s demographics lean heavily towards: seniors. In 2023 the number of seniors who

Recycling

From Page A1

since plastic film is not recyclable.

METALS

Pots and pans are now accepted as metal recyclables, and no mention was made regarding non-stick coatings.

Scrap metal up to 18 inches can be taken, but it must not be sharp, as to avoid damage or injury.

“It has to be less than 10 pounds, and less than 18 inches,” Enochian said, “so you can’t dispose of, say, a big metal post because it’s too long and sharp and can damage the truck.”

Kirsch noted that aerosol cans, aluminum foil, pie tins, canned food lids and any plastic film cannot be recycled.

Larger scrap iron can be taken to the transfer station at Lane County Waste Management at 2820 Rhododendron Drive. E-waste such as monitors, televisions, printers, etc, can be dropped of at the transfer station and should not be placed in curbside recycle bins.

London Recycling in Florence also accepts larger scrap metal but cannot accept any materials with refrigerant, such as coolers, AC units and refrigerators. Call 541968-8425 to schedule a dropoff.

PAPER

Enochian said only one change will be made to paper and cardboard recycling, which is that pizza boxes are allowed, as long as they don’t have food or heavy grease still stuck to them.

“The rule is that nothing that has a lot of food or grease should go in the recycle bin,” he said, noting that cardboard containers with a plastic coating inside are not allowed.

“If it’s a cardboard container that goes in the refrigerator or freezer, that should go in the garbage,” he said.

Shredded paper is not allowed, which may concern people wanting to dispose of certain documents or sensitive information.

Small items like Post-it notes, tiny grocery receipts and paper scraps not only fall through the machinery, but are often blown out of the truck, causing pollution around the area.

“I would say anything smaller than an envelope should be thrown away,” he said, “and I would recommend that people, instead of tearing things like junk mail, or things they feel they need to shred, just put it in the garbage.” He explained that bagged garbage will go directly to the landfill for disposal, but if trash is placed in recycle bins, it can blow out and essentially become loose in the environment for anyone to find. He

were unhoused grew by 33%. The fastest-growing population of unhoused folks is people over 60 living on fixed income that definitionally fails to match their skyrocketing rent.

That crisis for those on fixed income can affect people even if they own property. Teter told me a story of a person they met a number of years ago: a 70-year-old man who was living on land

said recyclable materials change hands and vehicles a few times, while big garbage goes directly to the landfill.

Local banks may offer shredding days where documents, bills, bank statements etc. can be shredded and trucked to a recycle facility that will accept it.

CARTONS

“Now we can take soup broth and milk cartons and juice cartons,” he said, noting that they should be rinsed before putting the screw cap back on.

Glass has to be separate, so if they don’t have one of our glass bins, they can call and request a glass bin at no charge,” Enochian said, “and we are asking people to go to a larger recycle cart, (wheels and yellow lid). A lot of people have the small ones and now, with the increased things they can put in there, they’re going to need a larger one. There’s no charge to request a larger recycle

that had been in his family for three generations. Unfortunately it had back taxes he couldn’t pay on a fixed income, so he lost it.

“By the time he was 74 years of age he was living in his Ford Ranger,” Teter said.

A HARD REBOUND

Once a person on fixed income loses housing, it becomes an even greater ordeal to get it back. As Teter told me, Social Security is very difficult

cart and they will want a 65 or 95 gallon cart.”

He also noted that with smaller cart, people sometimes pack so much material inside that it does not come out when turned over, so the larger carts won’t need to be packed down.

“the city code says they can’t be putting loose recyclables on the street anymore, people used to pile it up around the bins and the wind would blow it away,” he said. “Little prevention is a big goal of the city, so everything needs to be in a cart or a bin. Glass has to be in a bin, recycling has to be in a cart, with the lid closed. If it’s over full, the lid won’t close all the way, and the wind blows all that away.”

Materials inside the recycling bin must be loose, and not inside plastic bags. No food residue will be allowed inside the recycle bins, since it attracts raccoons and crows, which spread material everywhere.

Enochian noted that bungee cords cannot be

to access when you lack a permanent address, as that’s one of the ways in which the federal government identifies, classifies, and communicates with people. It’s entirely possible, Teter implied, that someone could lose their home and as a result lose access to their social security payments, putting them in an even more dire situation.

Things get even worse if you don’t currently have

used to secure lids, since drivers are not allowed to get out of the trucks to remove them. Those needing a secure lid may request one.

ROOM BETWEEN

Space is needed between bins and other things, such as fences, cars, mailboxes and utility poles. Three feet between is recommended, in order to minimize the risk of damage or spills.

“No batteries, no recyclable batteries, no hoses, cords or wires,” Kirsch added, “and no styrofoam or packaging.”

Should a resident fail to meet recycling requirements, the driver will note the address and staff will contact the resident. Should they fail to meet the requirements again, a “four-strike” rule will apply and the resident’s recycling bins will be removed.

Future installments will be published as more information comes out ahead of the July 1 rollout. Enochian said

employment. The same lack of a physical address that makes Social Security an ordeal makes getting a job a nightmare. Teter said that it’s “next to impossible” for an employer to hire someone without a permanent address for “Homeland Security reasons.” Not to mention the various documents one might need for things like proof of citizenship or right to work, which without a permanent address

residents should look for flyers and mailers soon, along with a sticker on the recycle cart explaining new requirements.

are extremely difficult to request. This can lead to a horrible Catch-22: An unhoused person wants a job and an employer wants to give it to them. But to make that legal the unhoused person needs to get a permanent address, which they can only get with the money from the job they need the permanent address to get. evelyn.lovelace.casson@ gmail.com

A recycle guide will come by mail from CTR. Information is also available on the CTR website, the City’s website, and at https://recycleon.org/ oregon/ Links: https://www. countytransferandrecycling.com/recycling-services, https://www. ci.florence.or.us/planning/ city-florence-recycling-resources, https://recycleon. org/oregon/

schools [and] $10 per $1,000 of value go to general government.

Measure 5 created a permanent tax rate for local government based on the tax levies at the time it passed in 1997, she explained.

“This has been problematic for many rural communities, cities and counties included, who were able to keep their tax rate relatively low at the time, due to receiving timber revenues,” she said. “As the timber revenues have reduced and are no longer available for operations, these

communities are now restricted to the low permanent tax rate without the major funding source that made that rate possible. In addition, Measure 50 also separated property taxes from real market value. As a result, properties in Oregon are no longer taxed at their actual market value. Instead, taxation is now based on the assessed value, which was established by reducing the real market value of the property in the 1995/96 year by 10% and limiting the assessed values growth to a maximum of 3% annually.”

Messmer explained that because of the new property tax limits, the property tax revenues grow less quickly than market

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values, and in many years, the rising cost of services.

FEE AUTHORITY

While cities and counties have the ability to pass Capital Improvement bond measures and operation levies, they must be voted on by the public and the additional rate gets included in the property tax limitation (schools or general government).

Mesmer explained that the City of Florence does not have any of these bonds or levees.

At $2 86 per $1 000 value, Florence’s rate is one of the lowest in Oregon.

“The City of Florence and the Florence Urban Renewal Area are

estimated to receive approximately 25% of the total taxes levied on Florence’s properties during the biennium. The remaining taxes go to the county, school district, port, water district, library, and other special districts,” Messmer said.

In summary, expenses are growing and property tax revenue has not been able to keep pace due to the restrictions, she said. Therefore, the City needed to address the gap by creating additional revenue or reducing services.

“Many cities in Oregon, similar in size and nature to Florence, have needed to implement additional fees to close this gap over the past 10 years,” according to staff reports.

“Due to past policy decisions of the City Council and the one time revenues that came into the City during both the CARES Act and ARPA funding bills from the federal government, Florence was able to delay the need to increase revenues over the past two biennium (four years).”

Meanwhile, many other Oregon cities have had to increase fees to keep pace in regard to public safety.

$1 2 million annually, to go toward public safety services.

Messmer said the council provided policy direction to staff to include the Public Safety Fee in the proposed budget. She later added that the goal of the public service fee is to maintain and sustain the current staffing levels at Florence Police Department which are expected by the community.

The Police Chief John Pitcher explained that the department has expanded in recent decades to include corrections officer, a partially grant funded school resource officer, and additional dispatchers. He said the dispatch staff provides coverage for the entire Lane County Coast, and has seen an increase call volume in recent years. He said that while dispatch staff was down to four people at one time, it is now fully staffed at seven people.

and one supervisor. According to the staff report, the fee will gradually increase from $5 on July 1 to $15 on Jan. 1, 2026 to $18 on July 1, 2026

“While the projected revenue of the implementation does not recognize $1 2 million in the first year, the recommendation was made in order to accommodate the transition time and a gradual increase in the first year,” Messmer said.

Comparing current rates to the proposed 2025 2026 budget showed a total increase as of July 1 at 6% with an additional total city service increase of 8% on January 1 On the second year, the increase would amount to 5% over current rates.

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Messmer said the city has taken steps to address the funding gaps, and has sought grant funding and donations for long range planning and capital projects of the general fund. She said staff are looking at ways to address the public safety funding gap the city has reviewed its current fee methodologies, along with those of similar cities in Oregon. The city has also reviewed state laws, city financial policies, and has updated internal service charges for community development.

The goal of the public safety fee is to raise

“We have a population of well over 20 000 for our dispatch, so it’s not just within the city limits of Florence,” he said. “to make sure we had the direct supervision, and to add the personnel to handle the caseload, we asked to add one position to our dispatch, which we were finally able to do. It took well over a year, but we were able to get that position filled, and now we are fully staffed. It has made a huge difference. We had gone down to four people at one time and then to five- to run a 24/7 program with that is extremely difficult and we spent a lot on overtime, working people a lot of hours and it was a drain.”

He said it’s been a great benefit to the department to reach a staffing level of seven dispatch personnel

“It is important to note that while staff is proposing to pause rate increases for utilities, it is recommended to increase the street fee for both years of the biennium,” she said. “The focus of this item is on the general fund and public safety, but as we talked about during the budget process, the street fund is also one that is struggling for adequate funding.”

ESTABLISHMENT

According to the staff report, the public safety be will be paid by the responsible party for each developed property within the city and collection of the fee will be made by monthly charge starting in July 2025

“The obligation to pay the public safety fee exists when a person uses or otherwise benefits from public safety services,” according to the report. “It is presumed that the public safety services are used, and that a benefit arises whenever a property is a developed property. Undeveloped properties within the city are not subject to the public safety fee.”

Messmer noted that the fee will first appear on the August utility bill for the month prior. She also noted that he said he will develop a distinct fee for the purpose which can be tracked so that funding from the fee is not used for other purposes.

City staff will also engage in communications with the public, homeowners associations, community groups and social media, as well as including information in utility building inserts. Messmer said it’s the first new fee enacted since the street maintenance fee in 2012

“We understand that it’s difficult to get to every person and business that will be impacted by the fee,” she said, noting that the city will attempt to reach as many residents as possible prior to the August billings and afterward.

Since the fee is incorporated into the proposed 25-27 budget, the longterm goal is to fill the revenue gap of around $1 2 million annually to maintain and sustain public safety services.

Councilor Sally Wantz asked why the fee would only apply to developed properties, since it’s possible that law-enforcement would be called to respond to issues on both developed and undeveloped properties. It was said to be a classification issue, sent a fee on both developed and undeveloped properties would constitute a property tax.

card and 12 written comments were received.

Pamela Martin asked how public utilities are related to a public safety fee, if a study has been done about how many tourists and visitors have used city public safety services, and “why was this not voted on?”

“I am not opposed to this fee,” she said, “I am opposed to how this fee is supposed to be paid. It seems that anything that affects our pocketbooks should be voted on, not just decided by a handful of people.”

Messmer responded, saying that while public safety is not connected to utilities such as water and wastewater, the mechanism used to collect fees is a city services bill, which currently includes water fees, stormwater fees, wastewater fees and street fees.

“This would be an

Budget

From Page A1

City as a government organization to continue to uphold the goals and the mission of the City — to sustain and improve city services and infrastructure from which our community members can live, work, and play in a quality, viable, and sustainable manner. City staff have proposed a budget that reflects an ongoing commitment to providing valued services for the community with a foundation of fiscal health and stewardship. The budget document is the single most important policy document of the City. It sets standards and establishes the action, operational, and financial plans for the delivery of City services. It provides a comprehensive overview of all City funds and services and gives residents a better understanding of the City’s operating and fiscal programs. Most importantly, the City’s proposed budget has been prepared pursuant to Oregon Local Budget Law.”

The 2025-27 Biennial Budget totals

$77,118,300, comprised of $67 220 500 in spending and $9 897 800 in ending fund balance.

The 2025-27 Adopted Biennial Budget, in total, is a 0 35% increase over the 2023- 25 adjusted Biennial Budget of $76 849 600. The Budget includes appropriations as follows: $21 969 700 for the General Fund; $14,543,900 for the Wastewater Fund; $9,171,500 for the Water Fund; $5 633 300 for the Street Fund; $5,146,700 for the Public Works Administration Fund; $3,952,400 for the Stormwater Fund; $3,627,200 for the Debt Service Fund; and $3 052 100 for the Florence Events Center Fund; as well as appropriations for other funds. “

additional fee on that bill, [which] is a collection mechanism,” she said.

“That’s why we call it the city services bill and not the water bill.” Messmer added that billed fees will not be used for anything outside their designated purpose.

Regarding the question about visitors using public safety services, Mesmer said the goal is to improve public safety services for all residents and visitors.

APPROVAL VS. VOTE

The question of why the fee was not put to a public vote was also asked in written comments.

“So, the voters of Florence elect City Council members. We are a representative form of government, per our charter. Those city council members set policy direction for the city,” Messmer responded.

“Fees within the city are allowed by state law, our state charter and city code, to be created through a noticing period

of Florence. Each element is essential to our success in delivering high quality services, improving the City’s infrastructure, supporting the quality of life that our residents value, and managing it all within realistic and sound fiscal practices,” Reynolds said.

like we have done.”

Councilor Mike Webb asked about the impact to the police department if the council chose not to enact the fee.

“Each dollar of that fee brings in approximately $70,000 annually,” Messmer replied, adding that cuts to staff would be the only way to make up the difference.

Councilor Jo Beaudreau voted for the fee, saying she does not take the responsibility lightly, knowing it will impact everyone in the city. She

added that she is also excited to move forward with the council and looking at other ways to fund public safety.

The council voted unanimously to approve the fee ordinance.

Messmer noted that the City Recorder will publish notice of the adoption of the ordinance in this paper and the Eugene Register-Guard within 15 days of passage. More

City information will be released prior to the first billings in August.

(See ad, Page 7A)

All the analysis and planning represented in this budget is the product of our dedicated City staff, as led by the members of the Management Team, an engaged and involved community, and the City Council’s leadership to develop, responsively refine, and finally approve a continuum of plans and policies that guide City operations and the future

BEWARE THE SNEAKER WAVE

They´re called sneaker waves because they appear without warning, often surging high up on the beach with deadly force, and are impossible to predict. Sneaker waves also carry a large amount of sand that can saturate your clothes, weighing you down and making escape difficult if not impossible. How to play it safe: Never turn your back on the ocean.

WATCH THOSE LOGS

The ocean is strong enough to pick up even the biggest log and plop it down on top of you. Some logs may look small, but even the tiny ones can be waterlogged and weigh tons. How to play it safe: If you see a log in the surf or on wet sand, stay off it.

RIP CURRENTS

Rip currents are strong currents of water that rush out to sea. They are stronger than even the best swimmer. These currents can swiftly sweep unwary beachcombers and waders off their feet and out to sea. Rip currents may appear as dark, choppy water. Any time you see debris and foam floating out to sea, chances are you have found a rip current. Avoid the area. How to play it safe: Parents keep your kids close when playing in the ocean. If caught in a rip current, don’t panic Swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current, then head for the beach.

KNOW THE TIDES

Incoming tides isolate rocks from headlands and the shore. Avoid the temptation of strolling out to an interesting rock without knowing when the tide rolls back in. Free tide tables are readily available at state park offices, information centers and many shops and motels.

How to play it safe: Stay off rocks and small, enclosed beaches.

Know when the tide is coming in by visiting the tidetable website at the Hatfield Marine Science Center http://weather.hmsc.oregonstate.edu/weather/ tides/tides.html

HIGH WAVES CAN REACH YOU

Tides and waves can sweep over rocks, jetties and headlands, knocking you off and carrying you out to sea.

How to play it safe: Assume nothing is “high enough” and avoid exposed rocks, jetties and headlands during strong wave action (like during and after storms).

BEWARE OF HIGH, STEEP CLIFFS

Assume that all cliff edges are unstable. Wet trails or soft sand and earth can make for unstable footing. Rocks can be slippery even when it isn’t raining. How to play it safe: Make sure you wear proper footwear, and stick to the trails. Stay behind guard fences and railings, and don´t get too close to the edge.

HEADS UP

Standing at the base of an Oceanside cliff can be dangerous, especially if it has an overhang. In some places, winter storms and high waves have eroded the shoreline, increasing the chance of collapse and slides.

How to play it safe: Beware of falling rocks, and don´t climb on bluffs and eroding hillsides. Don´t walk along the base of cliffs unless absolutely necessary.

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

Siuslaw girls place in top 10 of track championships

Will LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The Siuslaw girls track and field team traveled down to Hayward Field for the 2025 OSAA State Championships May 29-30, with six athletes battling with the ferocity of Vikings to earn a top10 team finish.

Siuslaw placed ninth of the 32 teams in attendance, but with some highlights and personal records to show for it.

Head Coach Chris Johnson was happy with the result and proud of how his team performed.

“We have some great girls, a lot of youth on that team, and some great leadership from some of our veterans,” Johnson said. “Really proud of the girls.”

The team’s score was bolstered by Danin Lacouture, who won the state title in the shot put, providing one of the highlights of the meet for the Vikings.

“Danin winning a state championship on her last throw in the shot put was unbelievable,” Johnson said. “Danin is a pretty diminutive thrower; she’s a power-packed thing, and she’s competing against girls who are a foot taller. She has a lot of advantages in how tough she is, but size isn’t one of them. It’s neat to see what she’s done, and how hard she’s worked.”

throwing the 4kg metal sphere 11 76m. She also placed 7th in the discus toss with a 32 63m throw.

Lacouture’s throw marked a personal best and cleared the field by just .06m. With her final toss, Lacouture sealed the state championship,

Another big contributor at the state meet was sophomore Aidell Cadet. Cadet is a multisport athlete at Siuslaw, competing in soccer and basketball, but she was also a versatile asset for the Vikings’ track and field team. Cadet competed in high jump, triple jump, and both hurdles events, placing in each.

“She went to the state

See GIRLS, Page B2

Wells set a high standard for Siuslaw runners

By DON HUNT

Hadley Wells was a pioneer of sorts when she turned out for the girls cross country team as a freshman in the fall of 1998

Coach Chris Johnson was in his third year leading the program but had yet to produce a runner or team that finished in the top 10 at state.

Vikings

From Page B1

right down to the last event. With a state title on the line, Burns and Siuslaw entered the 4x400 neck and neck. The 4x400 relay team of Raymundo Brito Xilot, Clayton Wilson, Kale Jensen, and Wesley Nicholls carried the weight of Siuslaw’s title hopes on their shoulders. After registering a slower time in the event at districts, Siuslaw was “relegated” to the slower heat at state, with Burns running after. “In running on the track, having people to push you is a huge advantage. It comes down to the last event, and we’re separated by a heat. We run the fastest time in 3A history, and they run by themselves, get a little more help than we do, and they’re 21 behind us, and that’s it! So, it finished by a point,” Johnson said. With the state record-setting 3:22 43 time in the

Wells, whose maiden name was Roe, helped to uplift the direction of

the program. She sped to a 10th-place finish at the state meet as a freshman and competed in the event each of the next three years.

She also won the district meet as a junior and senior and was runner-up as a freshman. Wells was also a standout and standard-bearer in track. She broke

4x400, Siuslaw “eked out” a one-point victory, finishing with 89 points, while Burns took home silver with 88. Johnson said that it wasn’t a “perfect track meet.” There were plenty of ups and downs. But Johnson isn’t complaining by any means. “In my coaching career, this is one of the more hard-fought battles we were able to pull off, so it was really cool,” Johnson said. “We had some ups and downs, and we talk about that all the time; you’re going to have ups and downs in

life and in track, and you have to manage those ebbs and flows. And we managed them just well enough to squeak out of there and get out of town with a one-point victory. Hallelujah!”Team effortWith 13 athletes competing at the meet for the boys, many of whom participated in multiple events, Siuslaw achieved victory not only through strong individual performances but also by committee, leveraging their depth. Another crucial piece of Siuslaw’s title this season was the

school records in both the 800-meters (2 minutes, 18 98 seconds) and the 1 500-meters (4:50 87) as a senior at the 2002 state meet, a week after claiming district titles in each event. She placed sixth in the former and fifth in the latter at state against stiff competition.

“Hadley was the first elite distance runner we

contribution of Clayton Wilson in the 1500m and 3000m distance events.

had in our program,” said Johnson. “She didn’t win a state title but she set a standard for others in our program to follow.” Johnson subsequently guided three girls (Raelyn Robinson, Katy Potter and Celie Mans) to state titles and nine Viking teams to state

See WELLS, Page B2

Wilson walked away from Hayward with three gold medals, having won with the 4x400 squad and also placed first in both the 1500m and 3000m events. A transfer and 2A champion from Reedsport, Wilson made an instant impact in his senior season, and Johnson described him as a “superstar.” Wilson scored 22 5 points for Siuslaw off the back of his two distance events, making up almost a fourth of t he Vikings’ total score. “I can’t say enough about Clayton. He did everything we ever asked him to. He’s breaking state records and setting all-time state bests, and he’s doing it with a smile on his face,” Johnson said. “Clayton has been amazing all year.”Other guys carrying weight for the Vikings were Kale Jensen and Will Johnson. Jensen put together a fantastic meet, finishing third with a PR in the 300m hurdles, 3rd in the high jump with a PR, 4th in the long jump, in addition to running with the state-clenching 4x400 team. Johnson described him as “the straw that stirs the drink” for the Vikings. For his part, Johnson also made valuable contributions across his four events, placing third in both the pole vault and triple jump and sixth in the 200m. One of the leaders of the team this year was Wes Nicholls. A character whom Johnson described as “the heart and soul of the team,” this year’s title was significant for Nicholls.”He sets the tone for us. He was hurt when we won two years ago; he couldn’t compete. That was emotional for all of us because we needed him, and it was hard for him too,” Johnson said. “When the meet was over, I told the OSAA director, ‘Give that trophy to Wes, that’s our guy.’ He was huge for us. We felt really confident in handing him

See VIKINGS, Page B2

meet as a sophomore, the first time ever at Hayward Field in this type of situation, and she placed in four events,” Johnson said. “She’s in the top-10 list in all four of them. Amazing.”

Cadet finished sixth in the 100m hurdles, fourth in the 300m hurdles with a personal best of 47 63, third in the high jump with a PR of 1 54m, and eighth in the triple jump, showing off her versatility.

Johnson was also sure to mention senior Addison

From Page B1

the baton, on pace to set a state record, knowing that he could bring it home.” Other notable performances came from senior Max Reynolds, sophomore Caleb Gray, and freshman Henry Stone. Reynolds had a PR in the shot put to place fifth and secure vital points. Gray had a “big throw,” setting a personal record at 51 16m and placing fourth. Stone

McNeill, who registered a PR in the 3000m. Battling in a challenging field, she fought back to finish on the podium in sixth, a result that left her “overjoyed.” McNeill finished with a time of 10:57 38, a personal record.

Maya Wells, another senior, battled through injuries, and despite not placing, Johnson was appreciative of all the hard work she put in over the course of her “great career.” Wells placed ninth in the preliminary round of the 800m and 14th in the 1500m.

Rounding out the girls squad were Keira Johnson and Alison Hughes.

scored valuable points in both the 1500m and 3000m, finishing 6th and 5th, respectively. “Henry scored big points in the 3k, and then came back when we absolutely needed a couple of points in the 1500m. I was screaming at him, ‘Henry, you gotta go get two,’” Johnson recalled. “And he did. Afterwards, I said, ‘You’re gonna see how big those points are.’” Fast forward to the end of the meet, and without those two points, it could have been Burns hoisting

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BAHA’I FAITH OF FLORENCE

“What is Baha’i, and Why?” 2nd Monday 7:00 pm

Interfaith Devotions 4th Monday 7:00 pm Info and meeting location: 541-590-0779

Zoom link on Facebook: Florence Baha’i Community All ARE WELCOME!

COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH

4590 Hwy. 101 N, across from Fred Meyer541 997-7418

SUNDAY SERVICES - Adult Bible Study

9:30 AM; Worship 10:45 AM; High School Youth 7- 9 PM

MID-WEEK- Women’s Bible Study-Tuesday 10:00-Noon and Thursday

7:00-8:00PM; Men’s Bible Study Thursday 8:00-9:30 AM; Middle School Youth Wed. 7-9 PM. Sunday Worship streams live at Community Baptist Church Facebook Page

CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Corner of 10th & Maple- 541-997-3533 Sunday Services 9am 1st Service in person Sunday Services 11am

2nd Service in person & livestreamed Wednesday kids/youth night is at 6:30 NOT livestreamed. https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online

Other platforms update after the service. florencecrossroadag.org office@florencecrossroadag.org

FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

2nd & Ivy - 541-997-2961 - Non-Denominational

Service is on Sunday at 10:00 am Sunday Service also streaming live at 10am at florencechurch.com

FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP

87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road

RUAUU? Come explore the answer with us. Sunday Worship Services ~ 10:00am www.florenceuuf.com

Hughes placed 10th in the 3000k and 11th in the 1500m. Johnson placed 11th in the pole vault. With both being juniors, the experience of competing at state will be something they carry into next season.

“We’re excited for the future of women’s track and field for sure here at Siuslaw over the next few years,” Johnson said.

State champion Danin Lacouture after throwing in the shot put. Courtesy photo from Becky Holbrook

the trophy. Johnson said that despite losing twotime state champion Wilson next year, Stone might be the guy to carry the torch for Siuslaw in the coming years. Brito Xilot chipped in a fourthplace finish in the 200m to go along with gold in the 4x400 and also finished in seventh alongside Michael Felkins, Will Johnson, and Nicholls in the 4 x 100 Another standout in the field events at state was Justin Allen, who finished fifth in the pole vault. Speaking about the entire team, Johnson credited the group with contributing to this title, both at the state level and throughout the season. “Every point really counts when you win by one,” Johnson said. 2025’s legacy at Siuslaw Speaking about

Wells

From Page B1

crowns.

Wells recalled thinking she had fared poorly at the state cross country competition as a freshman, even though her top-10 finish earned her all-state honors.

“I thought that I sucked because nine people beat

FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025

Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for adults is at 9:00 a.m. Online services at www.florenceunitedmethodist.org or find us on Facebook.

FOURSQUARE CHURCH 1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337

Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family. Sunday Service 10:00 am Wednesday Bible Study returns this Fall. Website: florence4square.com

NEW LIFE LUTHERAN E.L.C.A.

NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A. “Serving Christ by serving others.” 21st & Spruce Streets—(541) 997-8113 Sunday worship is at 10:30 a.m. Online services available on our FaceBook, YouTube, and website: www.florencenewlifelutheran.org

PRESBYTERIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH 3996 N Hwy 101 541-997-7136

Internet and in person Sunday Services at 10:30am, Adult Sunday School is at 9:30am. Call the church for details. Reverend Greg Wood All Welcome. Come as you are.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)

“War is still not the answer.” FCNL We meet Sunday’s at 11am in our homes. Call 541-515-8191

what he’ll remember about the season, Johnson said he’ll remember the personalities, that it wasn’t always easy, and the way his team faced down pressure to achieve their goals. One of the notable things Johnson noticed about this year’s team is that many talented athletes returned from last year’s third-place team, and they raised their performances to an even higher level. “It wasn’t necessarily the improvement; it was just their ability to persevere, to stay healthy, to deal with hardships, to put their own ego in check when it wasn’t going perfect for them as an individual but they were still scoring points for the team; those are the things that tell their whole story,” Johnson said. From

me,” said Wells. “But all the coaches said, ‘Yeah, ONLY nine people beat you (out of 140 that competed). You did great!”’

Wells first made her presence felt on the running scene when, as a seventh-grader, she turned heads by winning the Rhody Run, a 5,000-meter road run in Florence, in a little over 21 minutes.

“My mom (Parma) ran a lot of road races and she entered me in the Rhody Run when I was 12,” said Wells. “I didn’t really have a strategy. I just ran hard and beat all the grown-ups. It was pretty cool.”

The Siuslaw Middle School had yet to form a cross country team when Wells was there, so she

a coaching perspective, Johnson was proud of the staff that helped coach the team to the heights it reached. After getting the trophy at 11 p.m., the team headed back to Florence, enjoying a rambunctious ride home to celebrate their achievement. A police escort welcomed them home around 1 a.m., and they headed to the track for a late-night victory lap. “It’s just a dream. But we didn’t get lucky. Those guys worked really, really hard their whole career for that, and there’s something about an athlete who knows how to bring it home when it matters most,” Johnson said. “Those four guys on that relay team? I was pretty confident that those four guys would get that job done.”

practiced with the high school girls and ran in the middle school meets. Along with cross country and track, Wells played basketball for the Vikings. She was a twoyear starter and three-year varsity performer. She finished her career with 11 letters – four each in cross country and track and three in basketball.

The 2025 Siuslaw High School Hall of Fame Induction will take place on August 22nd, 2025 in the Siuslaw High School Gym. Doors open at 5pm, and the ceremony will begin at 5:30 Admission is free, but a recommended donation of $10 to the Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club is Encouraged.

Name:

Phone:

Submit online, or use dropbox at 4969 Highway 101, North #4 (around back) .

AUTOMOTIVE

M UST VOTE IN MINIMUM OF 15 CATEGORIES

The top two nominations will be named first and second place in each category. The most votes determine placement. Only one ballot per reader. Duplicate ballots will not be counted. Ballots from Siuslaw News newspaper only, photo copies will not be accepted.

COMMUNITY

Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Western Lane County join the Siuslaw News in thanking the special dads, parents, grandparents, older siblings, relatives, guardians and friends who helped raise them.

Coastal Home Services 1885 18th Street 541-590-7027 CCB#221760

Siuslaw News

4969 Highway 101 N, #4 541-997-3441

Shorewood Senior Living 1451 Spruce Street 541-997-8202

West Coast Auto Body 1178 Quince St. 541-997-7117

West Coast Real Estate Services 1870 Highway 126 541-997-7653

Hanawalt Ferguson, Attorneys at Law 327 Laurel Street 541-997-2635 Thank you to our sponsors for celebrating this Fathers’s Day!

Chad E. Clement, D.D.S.,P.C 1256 Bay Street 541-997-3423

Goodwill Industries 1310 Highway 101 541-590-3954

Hunt Family Dentistry 950 9th Street 541-997-7181

Goodman’s Floor Covering 394 Kingwood St. 541-997-1080

Florence Heating & Sheet Metal 1645 Kingwood 541-997-2422

today!

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855536-8838.

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er in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 6/30/25.) Call 1-855341-5268.

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by Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-557-1912

MECHANICS SPECIAL 2008 GMC Acadia. Transmission needs attention. $4000 in new parts. 100000 miles. Engine and car are in fair shape. Good rubber. Transmission is programmed. It’s like it is in neutral in all gears. $3300 or best offer. 6 speed; 6T75 transmission. 541999-1936 Ron 616 TRUCKS 1993 FORD PICKUP

Motor is a 360. 80,000 miles, good tires, no dents - kept in garage. $18,000 or best offer 541-999-6944

702 GARAGE SALES GARAGE/MOVING SALE

6/14-15 10AM-4PM

10927 E. Mapleton Rd, Mapleton Antiques & collectibles, furniture, tools, fishhunt-camp equip, RV supplies, golf club, clothing

750 MISC FOR SALE STORAGE UNIT

Contents of 8x10 storage unit for sale 85025 Highway 101

890 WANTED TO RENT COASTAL SENIOR SEEKS LONG TERM RENTAL

2-3 bd house, must be quiet, properly maintained, in a good area, have a heat pump and 2 car garage. No smoking/No petsPlease call 541-9650396 NO TEXT

999 PUBLIC NOTICES SN25-155 FOLLOWING BOARD CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Central Lincoln PUD will be held at 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday June 18, 2025 at 2129 N. Coast Hwy. Newport, Oregon. In addition to regular business, an Executive Session will be held in accordance with ORS 192.660(2)(f) and (h) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection and to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed. To review the meeting agenda, please go to clpud.org. Customers interested in attending the meeting virtually can email info@clpud.org to make a request.

Phone: Call: 541-997-3441

Address: 4969 Hwy. 101, #4. PO Box 10 Florence, OR 97439

DEADLINES: All classified ads- lined, box, display, legals: Wednesday the week before by 5 p.m

ADJUSTMENTS:

If your advertisement appears incorrectly, notify us immediately. We will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion. Such responsibility is limited to correct insertion of advertisement. No information on the classified pages will be released prior to publication.

Ads are in Area Code (541) unless otherwise indicated in ad.

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