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Siuslaw News Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 23 • 134 years

Former School Board director allowed to confer diplomas SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Mike Miller said that while the Coast Guard is installing piles and rip rap on its side, the city is still trying to secure funding for the City side. “They’re ahead of us,” he said. “The’yre getting their piling system in place now.” Miller explained that the City side of the project is coming down to cost. “Essentially, we have a little less than 50 percent of the money in hand,” he said, noting the $800,000 grant application through Congresswoman Val Hoyle’s office was one of many projects passed over in the latest congressional funding cuts. “We have another request in,

Graduating seniors will see a small change to their graduation ceremony June 6, following a decision by the board of directors at the May 14 meeting. That change will allow departing board member Kady Sneddon to be among the board members on stage handing out diplomas. However, at the same time, the board turned down a request from the Class of 2025 to have a particular teacher on the stage handing them their diplomas. Senior Macali Lade came before the board with a petition to ask that Future Success teacher Kelly Joslin be allowed to present diplomas at graduation, along with Sneddon. “This request comes from a place of deep appreciation and respect. Both Kady Sneddon and Miss Johnson have made a significant and lasting impact on the lives of our seniors class. Their dedication, mentorship and support have played a crucial role in helping us reach this important mile stone. We believe their involvement in the ceremony would make the occasion even more meaningful for the graduating students. We want to emphasize that this decision is made with no disrespect intended toward the school board representatives. Rather, our goal is to avoid any misunderstanding or disappointment among students who may have been expecting certain individuals to participate in this momentous event.” Lade said the intention was to create a more memorable experience for all involved, adding that the students reached out to Sneddon, who said she would be honored to take part. Student representative Seamus Burke said he was opposed to the request, saying the board should hand out diplomas. “I don’t see a reason why people would be disappointed since this is how it’s been done in previous years,” he said. “I think that for a lot of reasons and consistency sake, not everyone has the same experience with every staff member.” He added that other students have asked him personally not to change the ceremony. Director John Barnett said he was torn, since Sneddon’s late husband Ethan Dougherty was a teacher and coach and mentor at the middle school, as well as his friend. “There’s a reason we’ve

See SLIDE, Page A8

See DIPLOMA, Page A8

Honor Guard members perform a gun salute as Coast Guard personnel places wreaths in the Siuslaw River.

Remembering those who gave all By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Over 100 people were in attendance at Veterans Memorial Park, overlooking the Siuslaw River, but one speaker brought little levity to the Memorial Oay Observance May 26. After a presentation of colors by the Honor Guard, the National Anthem sang by Amy Clausen and an opening prayer by Stephen Sylvester, Sea Cadet Thomas Gentry led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Richard Lewis, DAV Chapter 23, Open by noting that the gathering was to honor and remember those who gave their lives serving the country. “From 1775 to present, 2025, men and women have fought for this country. They have gone to foreign lands. They

have lived in unremarkable conditions and yet they stood firm. They stood firm because they love this country, they love their families, and a lot of them, because they were told to do so,” he said. “They had faith that they were doing the right thing, and in that, they served, and they served well. Many of them perished, many of them suffered unbelievably, Yep they all gave of their own lives because they believed that what they were doing I was on behalf of this nation.” The Gold Star families of Yvonne Scully and Stephen Scott were presented flower bouquets by sea cadets. “We thank your family for the price that you have paid in service to our country,” he said. “Thank you.” Lewis noted that there were

Retired Coast Guard Capt. Sharon Armstrong speaks to the crowd. Tony Reed photos.

See REMEMBERING, Page A9

Coast Guard fixing north end of slide By TONY REED Siuslaw News

Visitors and locals accessing the south jetty of the Siuslaw River they look across the water and notice a giant crane next to the Coast Guard station. In 2022, extreme weather on the coast exposed rapid slipping of land along the banks of the Siuslaw River. Since it was estimated that continuing slippage could threaten nearby homes and the Coast Guard station, the city opted to install a secant pile wall to keep underlying sand from moving as to stabilize the bank. However, the slippage area also crosses onto US Coast Guard property. City Public Works Director

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