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National Night out was a blast

By TONY REED

The Siuslaw News

Kids spent a few hours in Miller Park Aug. 5 enjoying food, bounce houses, slides, games and even diving into a massive mound of suds as part of National Night Out.

“National Night Out is a community-police event held throughout the United States and is meant to increase awareness about police programs in

See NIGHT OUT, Page A6

New Public Safety Fees explained

FROM THE CITY OF FLORENCE

We want our community to have the facts needed to understand the new Public Safety Fee, including what it is, why it’s needed, and how it will work.

To maintain essential public safety services, the City of Florence has implemented a new Public Safety Fee that will appear on monthly utility bills starting July 2025. The fee is dedicated to funding critical services like police, 911 dispatch, corrections, and municipal court operations.

Public Safety services are among the most valued by the community, but unlike utilities or permit services, they don’t have a cost recovery revenue source. These services are a core public good, and everyone benefits from a safe, well-served community.

HOW THE FEE WORKS

The fee will be applied to all developed properties, per residential and/or commercial dwelling unit, in Florence and will appear as a line item on monthly City Services Bills. To reduce impact on residents and businesses, the fee will be phased in over time:

• $5 per month in July 2025

• $15 per month in January 2026

• $18 per month in July 2026

To help offset the cost during the first year, the City is pausing utility rate increases for water, wastewater, and stormwater services.

WHY THE FEE IS NEEDED

Like many Oregon cities, Florence is facing a gap between rising service costs and

See FEES, Page A5

A mock-up of the 2026 Ford Utility Police Hybrid Interceptor. Graphic from staff reports.

Police to get new patrol vehicle

Council also funds body cam contract

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

The Florence City Council approved the purchase of a new patrol vehicle for the Police Department. The purchase was

included on the consent agenda for blanket approval with other procedural items, but was pulled by Councilor Jo Beadreau for further discussion.

“During the 2025-27 biennium budget process, $100,000 was budgeted in the Police Department fund for the purchase of a replacement vehicle in the first year of the biennium,” said staff reports. “The

proposal submitted by Johnston Motors for a new 2026 Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicle and Lehr for police overhead lights, radar, and systems package for a total cost of $69 591 46 and $30,408 54 less than the budgeted amount. Once the order for the new 2026 Ford Police Interceptor

See VEHICLE, Page A6

Kirchhefer sentenced to 18 years

SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Michael Alan Kirchhefer was sentenced to 18 years in prison for five convictions including kidnapping, sexual abuse and strangulation of a minor.

In March, 2024 Florence Police Department received a report of possible child abuse. According to reports, it was discovered that a minor child was outside a residence and had possibly been assaulted.

Medics were called for the child, who was transported to Peace Harbor Hospital.

Officers learned that the child was last seen sleeping in a bedroom and the family was unaware the child was no

See SENTENCE, Page A6

Man dies in swimming incident

A Mapleton man reportedly died while swimming in the Umpqua River Aug. 2

According to Lane County Sheriff’s Office reports, responders were dispatched just after 5 p.m. to the North Umpqua River near 24 5 on Highway 138E for a possible drowning.

Deputies learned that 50-year-old Jonathon Vasquez of Mapleton, had been swimming in the river when he went underwater and did not resurface. Vasquez’s body was later recovered by rescue personnel and he was pronounced deceased at the scene. It is not known if other factors contributerd to his death.

Another incident two hours before near Baker Wayside, responders were assisting a woman who sustained an ankle injury after slipping on the rocky shoreline and could not make it back. According to the Sheriff’s Office report, some emergency responders diverted from that incident to respond to the search for Vasquez Deputies, along with the Glide Fire Department, Central Douglas Fire and Rescue, and Umpqua Valley Ambulance, responded to the incident. Central Douglas Fire & Rescue deployed a raft and successfully retrieved the woman, returning her safely to shore.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES

The unspoken result of a reduction

By BOB HORNEY

at the information I shared recently about the House of Representatives slashing

from the cancer research budget managed by the Department of

I’d like to expand a bit on that. The picture I will share today was an unspoken result of that reduction. We immediately realized what would happen with ground-breaking tests and treatment being pushed to a back burner – more people would pay the ultimate price – death from cancer. But that’s not the entire picture...read on... Thanks to the efforts of The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James), we

get a better look at how far and wide the effect of cancer on its victims is shared. Kevin Johns, MD, Director of the Psychosocial Oncology Program at the OSUCCC – James, said studies suggest that cancer patients are up to five times as likely to experience depression than the average population. This makes common sense, but I’m so pleased that someone actually took the time and effort to “prove it.”

Johns continues, “Depression and anxiety can significantly impact a patient’s ability to finish care and fully recover after treatment – all of which impacts long-term survival. It’s not uncommon for patients to wait up to a year to see a psychiatrist, depending on where they live and what insurance they have. Patients going through

POLICE LOG

The Florence Police Department responded to the following calls from July 30 to August 5.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30

At 8:09 a.m., a caller reported a man beating a dog on a leash in the area of Highway 101 and 21st St.. Caller alledged that when he approached the subject and told him not to do that, the subject attacked his car. Officers arrived in the area but were unable to locate the subject.

cancer treatment simply can’t wait that long – the need is acute but also chronic, so timely access is critical.”

A recent survey commissioned by the OSUCCC – James among U.S. adults age 18 or older focused on the top concerns when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer. The survey found that over three-quarters of adults surveyed listed life expectancy (76%), course of treatment (69%) and pain (65%) as top concerns they have about loved ones diagnosed with cancer.

The list of concerns was extensive: Side effects (55%); Family stress (54%); Grief (49%); Medication (42%); Caregiver stress (34%); Body image (11%). Being a prostate cancer survivor myself, I have to say that few victims will escape without knowing/dealing with some of these concerns. PreCOVID, when our Us TOO Prostate Cancer meetings were being held, I frequently observed a newly diagnosed man enter the room with the “I’ve just received a death sentence” look on his face. It is very difficult to hide that feeling! However, I often observed that by the end of the meeting after visiting with other men and their wives, it was gone. Not because they learned how to hide it but because they had HOPE instead of despair.

As I said at the beginning of this article, we know the drastic cuts in cancer research affects all of us – not simply those with cancer. I will also say that following my diagnosis of prostate cancer, I was so focused on what was going on with me, that I was not fully aware of the effect my diagnosis/ treatment/recovery was having on other family members. They cared about me, supported me with cards, phone calls, and visits, etc., but I didn’t see the depth of their concern – for the most part –except for Marianne who was with me every step of the Journey!

At 9:31 a.m., officers responded to a non-injury traffic collision at the north end of the Siuslaw River Bridge.

At 10:18 a.m., a caller in the 700 block of Skookum Drive reported to Pomeranian dog came to her front door. Officer arrived and dogs were taken to the Humane Society.

At 9:14 p.m., a call reported that a vehicle pulled out in front of her in the area of Rhododendron Drive and 35th St. Caller said she followed the vehicle which was driving erratically for a while before it turned off. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.

THURSDAY, JULY 31

At 12:24 p.m., a caller reported that she was bringing food to a client and found them unresponsive. Officers arrived to find the subject deceased. Investigation found finding nothing suspicious. Case was turned over to the medical examiner.

At 1:32 p.m., A caller reported that they saw a subject in the 700 block of Highway 101 hitting a dog with a leash. Caller said he honked at the subject and approached in his car, causing the subject to attack his vehicle. Subject was gone when police arrived.

At 3:30 p.m., a caller reported finding a bag with drug paraphernalia in the 2200 block of Highway 101. Officers took possession of the bag which contained various homemade pipes. Paraphernalia was destroyed.

At 4:38 p.m., officers responded to the area of Highway 101 and 12th St. for a report of a dog bite. Officers investigated but one subject refused to speak. Case was referred to prosecutor.

At 4:50 p.m., a subject came into the police department to drop off a gun magazine with ammunition inside for destruction.

At 8:31 p.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of Oak Street for a report of upstairs neighbors banging and moving

loudly. Officers spoke with upstairs neighbors who said the only sound was made by kids walking. No further action was taken.

At 8:45 p.m., officers returned to the 3900 block of Oak Street for a report that the dispute between neighbors that escalated. Officers found the neighbors arguing about the previous call. Subjects were advised about the city noise ordinance and no further action was taken

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1

At 1:57 a.m., a lodging business in the 2400 block of Highway 101 reported an intoxicated subject in his room yelling and repeatedly calling the front desk. Officers responded and listened to from a nearby room. Officers could hear the subject for a short time, before it sounded as if he went to bed. Officers advised staff to call back if the subject resumed. No further calls were received.

At 8:18 a.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of Highway 101 reported theft from a vehicle. Subject reported having locked the car but later found an iPhone and supplies have been stolen. No damage was done to the vehicle and officers could locate no witnesses. A report was taken.

At 8:56 a.m., officers responded to the 2500 block of Highway 101 for a report of a stolen wallet. Subject told officers that they had lost the wallet, but that another subject had seen a third subject with the wallet who was trying to give it to another subject. Case remains under investigation.

At 9:29 a.m., officers responded to the 4700 block of Highway 101 for a reported dispute. Officers were told that a subject had started a verbal dispute inside a store, and that when they followed him outside, he caused damage to one of the vehicles. Officers arrived and contacted the subject, who they determined was the subject of previous calls alleging abuse of a dog. Subject was arrested for disorderly conduct.

At 10:09 a.m., officers responded to the 1200 block of 10th St. for a reported dispute. Officers arrived to find a couple separating and having a verbal dispute. One subject was in the process of leaving. No further action was taken.

At 11:58 a.m., officers responded to the 1500 block of 12th St. for reported theft of a dog. Officers attempted to contact the reporting party with no success.

At 2:42 p.m., officers

responded to the 3200 block of Laurelwood or reported assault. Officer spoke with a female subject who said someone threw rocks at her.

At 2:47 p.m., officers responded to the area of Bay Street and Harbor for a reported fight occurring. Officers were told that a smaller subject had started a physical fight with a much larger subject. Witnesses told officers that when the smaller subject would attack the larger subject, he would get knocked down in warned not to do it again. Witnesses said that despite the larger subject saying “Look, I don’t want to hurt you- You need to stop,” the smaller subject attacked again and was knocked down again. When officers arrived, the smaller subject remained, but the larger subject had left the area. Smaller subject was arrested for disorderly conduct.

At 9:14 p.m., officers responded to the area of Highway 126 and Spruce Street for a two vehicle traffic collision. Officers found only minor injuries occurred. One driver was cited for driving while suspended, the other for driving without headlights.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2

At 1 a.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Highway 101 for a report that a female subject in a car was refusing to leave a business parking lot when asked. Officers arrived and the subject left.

At 1:32 a.m., an officer on patrol reported seeing a moving violation, but when he attempted to pull the vehicle over, the driver sped away. The chase was terminated for safety concerns, but the vehicle was found later. Witnesses were contacted and video is being reviewed. Case remains under investigation.

At 8:19 a.m., officers responded to be 5200 block of Highway 1015 reported traffic accident causing injury. One occupant was taken to the emergency room for injuries to an arm.

At 1:28 p.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Highway 126 for a reported hit and run collision. The reporting party told officers that someone had backed into her vehicle and driven away. Officers located the vehicle through his plate information and contacted the owner who denied the allegations. Report was taken and forwarded to the insurance companies for investigation. At 5:44 p.m., a caller reported a male and female subject walking on See POLICE, Page A3

NEW WORD FOR THE DICTIONARY

Special treatment for a sexual predator (a pardon is not off the table), pardons for the January 6th “tourists” among others, masked individuals kidnapping people off the street, suits against news agencies that report on certain presidential actions, suits against law firms for unethical conduct (questioning his), suits against colleges for “supposed” free speech violations, defamation suits, ridiculous challenges (been disproved) to election results, dismantling environmental regulatory agencies (climate change hoax), cutting staff at so many agencies that directly impact individuals with health concerns including veterans, etc. etc. Threats, bullying

Police

From Page A2

Highway 101, saying the male subject was dragging a dog by its leash. Officers arrived in the area but were unable to locate the subject.

At 6:23 p.m., a caller reported finding possible methadone in the area of Laurel Street and Maple Street. Officers arrived and took possession of the material for destruction.

At 7:34 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Ivy Street for a reported dispute between a male and female. Officers were told that no physical dispute had occurred and that the male involved had left. No further action was taken

SUNDAY, AUGUST 3

At 1:27 a.m., a caller reported finding a vehicle stopped along Highway 126 near Mile Marker 15 with a subject laying nearby. Collar reported that upon returning to help, the subject got up and drove away toward Florence. Officers waited at the city limits, but the vehicle never entered Florence.

At 2:12 p.m., officers arrested Robert Greenberg for DUII.

and never ending lies. Installing agency and administrative heads for total loyalty rather than their qualifications. Firing messengers for delivering the message. Promising the opening of closed files for transparency----that has somewhat happened because even his staunchest supporters (not counting his installed “psycho”phants) can now see thru the clouded deceptive veil. The word is “Trumped”---yes folks, we’ve been really Trumped ! Some will argue that there are good things this man has done, true; there were things and still are that needed to be done but not at the expense of our democratic system. Trump has used, manipulated and enhanced legitimate problems and dissatisfaction to bring

At 5:22 p.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Highway 101 for a reported theft of a bicycle.

MONDAY, AUGUST 4

At 8:46 a.m., officers responded to the 1600 block of Highway 126 where a subject reported that a roommate closed the door on her finger. Officer spoke to the roommate who said it was accidental. Subjects were advised that the matter was civil in nature and that no crime had been committed.

At 4:21 p.m., officers arrested James Hecker for DUII.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 5

At 6:21 a.m. a caller

about his own personal gain, status and position of power that is ever increasing ! Nobody has ever seen anything like it -------- or have we? during terrible times in the past and in other places around the world at present.

Jeff Gemutliche Florence

I moved to Florence eleven years ago due to our city’s reputation for outstanding clam chowder. While that may not be strictly true, I think you get the idea. Since then it’s been my pleasure to enjoy many delicious variations of this Northwest treat, having patronized a majority of Florence’s fine dining establishments at one time or another. However, I confess some confusion. I have yet to be served a

reported driving eastbound on Highway 126 while being tailgated by an aggressive driver. Call was forwarded to Oregon State Police.

At 10:48 a.m., officers responded to the 1800 block of 37th St. for a reported dispute with people arguing. Officers arrived to separate the subjects. No further action was taken.

At 11:03 a.m., officers responded to the 2100 block of Spruce Street reported safety hazard. Officers found a large pile of shattered glass in the roadway. Public works was contacted to

right here in Florence

or Coos Bay

or Eugene I do a lot of my shopping online

version not described by the menu as “award-winning clam chowder”. Are there any chowders in Florence that are not award-winning? Would that even be legal? Who dispenses these awards anyway? Customers? Do chefs nominate their own chowder? Are awards current, or might one honor a chef who moved to Dubuque before covid? What exactly is a “clam chowder award”? Guidance from Siuslaw News readers would be appreciated. I would be reluctant personally to rate Florence clam chowder purveyors. They are all excellent in their own way. Although I admit I would withhold top marks from any offering not served piping hot. And hold the crackers.

Jim White

clean up the glass.

At 5:34 p.m., a caller reported that a baby deer had been hit in the 87,500 block of Highway 101, and was still alive. Officer arrived but the deer could not be found.

At 5:44 p.m., they call and reported finding an ID card in the 1800 block of Oak Street. Messages were left with the owner of the ID.

At 7:46 p.m., a caller for finding a small mixed breed dog in the 100 block of Highway 101 Officers arrived and took the dog to the Humane Society.

August heat will continue to dry fuels bringing likelihood of more wildfires

US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

As August begins, fire weather forecasters predict higher than average temperatures will continue to dry fuels in the region and, along with lightning, cause numerous natural fire starts across Oregon and Washington. Since the end of May, fire managers in the Pacific Northwest have engaged in fighting 53 large fires covering just over 200,000 acres, including National Forest lands. Through initial and extended attack firefighters work to keep fires small, as they did with last week’s starts from lightning in central, south-central and eastern Oregon. However, without significant cooling and rain, communities should anticipate more large fires on the landscape in August and September. With four large wildfires currently burning on National Forests in the

region, 15 national forests are now in campfire restrictions to help prevent additional human-caused wildfires.

Fire danger levels on all National Forests, except the Siuslaw National Forest, are High to Extreme.

Fire managers say with numerous expected natural ignitions that now is the time for people to double-down on fire prevention efforts. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, this year nearly 93% of all wildfires in the nation have been started by people. For more news and information about national forests in the Pacific Northwest, visit our news page at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/news/r6/ news-events or our home page, at https://www. fs.usda.gov/r6. For more information about the USDA Forest Service visit https://www.fs.usda.gov

We invite you to join us.

Sunday 9:00 1st Service in person

Sunday 11:00 2nd Service in person & Online

Children’s Church (0yrs-12yrs) in person & Online

Corner of 10th & Maple St. • 541-997-3533

www.florencecrossroadag.org

email: office@florencecrossroadag.org

CROW = More than Dance

In late July, teen students in C.R.O.W.’s Advanced Acting Program took part in an intensive oneweek playwriting workshop and theatrical skill-building summer camp. Over the course of the week, students developed and refined original monologues, culminating in a live performance for a full house on Friday, July 25th. This year’s camp, titled “ The Heart Speaks,” gave young artists a platform to explore authentic storytelling and emotional depth on stage. To learn more about C.R.O.W. and upcoming youth performance opportunities, visit www.crowkids.com.

Congratulations to our 2025 Spirit of Summer Show Winners

FROM FLORENCE

REGIONAL ARTS ALLIANCE

Congratulations to all the winners of Florence Regional Arts Alliance’s 2025 Spirit of Summer show. Thank you to all the artists that participated. Thank you to the Florence Events Center and Florence Arts, Culture and Entertainment (FACE) for hosting the show and allowing us to have such a wonderful reception. And last thanks to our wonderful judges, Tara and Tamara Szalewski, owners of Mindpower Gallery in Reedsport, OR. We really appreciate your time and effort to pick all the winners. Tara and Tamara also decided to award some honorable mention listed below. And our reception was also outstanding. We had a great crowd, food, music and comaraderie. Below is the complete list of winners.

2D

1st Karen Mohr — Hydrangeas

2nd Linda Rose Stewart Feel the Beach

3rd Donna Richardson Ozzie and Harriet

PHOTOGRAPHY

1st Jerry Schneider — Transitions

2nd Jo Beaudreaux — Foggy Spring on the Siuslaw

3rd Craig Shreeve — Light Through the Misty Fog

3D

1st Harriett Green — Hitching a Ride

2nd Suzanne Korosec — From Sea to Sky

3RD PLACE TIE: Kris DeNoyer — Rowlands Fishin

Kim Renteria — Let it Go

PEOPLE’S CHOICE (3 WAY TIE)

Holly Berry — Cedars Teakki Legg — Ocean Bay Annette Yuga — Moments

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Kyla Corbett — Summer Shade in the Garden

John Gavin — Siuslaw Morning Cleo Goss — Are you Ready?

Alan Huck — Summer Celebration

Claudia Ignatieff — Taking Flight

Tara Kemp — In the Garden

Teakki Legg — Tree of Life

Allen Thornton — Vanguard

George Williams — Vineyard Sunset

Patti Williams — No Elk Today

Florence bridges program to close

FROM FLORENCE EMERGENCY

Cold Weather Shelter Committee

Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Committee (FECWSC) has announced the Bridges Program of Florence has closed due to the lease ending and uncertain future funding. The 20-unit emergency shelter was funded by a state and county All In grant from December 2023 people - June 2025

Despite the unfortunate closure of Western Lane’s only emergency shelter, many people’s lives were positively impacted and significant resources were spent within the community for the facility infrastructure, construction, staffing and ongoing supplies. Over 46 guests were

assisted in the program over the 18-month period with 35% attaining more stable housing. By the end of the program, all the current guests had income through jobs or SSI. All guests were assisted in signing up for housing lists as well as obtaining driver’s license, birth certificates and other services needed for stability.

Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Committee wishes to thank First Step Florence for their generosity in leasing their property for the shelter which made the program possible. Funds from the county grant were used to bring in electricity and plumbing to the site that will now be the home of the family housing program.

The county funds were well spent and have been “recycled” in that all the infrastructure, materials and supplies were donated to other community organizations. St Vincent de Paul of Eugene was the recipient of all the pallet shelters and other facility structures and moved them to Eugene for use in their multiple shelter programs. Other supplies and materials were donated to Florence Food Share, Helping Hands, Siuslaw Outreach Services, Florence United Methodist Church, Goodwill, and the St Vincent de Paul Florence store. All of these community partners and other local churches were essential in Bridges guests’ progress and are a lifeline for the community.

FECWSC also wishes to express gratitude for the generous grant from Western Lane Community Foundation, which made resources available for transition costs once the county grant ended. It also helped guests with moving costs and resources for those living outside.

FECWSC appreciates the many kind and generous community members who supported the shelter and is currently seeking new board members and volunteers. Planning is beginning for the Warming Center, an overnight shelter that opens during extreme weather conditions to serve Florence’s unhoused persons.

Interested parties can contact Taylor Kohn at taykohn@gmail.com for more information

Backstreet Gallery Features Kristin Anderson and Lara Webster

You’re invited to the Colorful August show for glistening glass artist Kristin Anderson and acrylic painter extraordinaire Lara Webster. Walk. The two artists take color, design, and texture to a whole new level with their signature styles. Let them color your world.

Lara Webster’s passion for scuba diving inspires her one-of-a-kind paintings. She draws motivation from the rich beauty of the marine environment, her love for the animals that fill our lives, and the ethereal marine world. Her underwater photography is the foundation for her work, and she shares this photographic journey on Instagram at @quirkydog.

Take a glimpse into the vibrant encounters that fuel her artistic vision.

Besides her unique sea creature subjects, her pet portraits will capture your

heart. The use of multimedia touches, including hand-cut paper adds uniqueness, charm, and sometimes humor to each one. In other work, Lara’s style is reminiscent of pointillism, achieved by dotting with vivid and subtle colors. She dips a round-tipped tool in acrylic paint, applying each dot in a meticulous, repetitive, and meditative process.

Lara invites you to share her “wonder of the underwater world and the intricate connections between all living things.”

Kristin Anderson’s engineering background dovetails nicely with the science of fused glass, both of which are analytic in nature. “I fell in love with the creativity I am able to express through the glass medium, experimenting and challenging myself with new

techniques and colors.”

Kristin is also a vital member of the Florence art community, serving as an active member of Backstreet Gallery and Florence Regional Arts Alliance. Her talents enhance each organization through her personal, technical, and leadership skills. Website: Error! Hyperlink reference not valid.

Kristin will offer a live glass demonstration at

one p.m. on August 16

Enjoy another demonstration by author Judy Fleagle at one p.m. on August 23

While viewing a great art show, enjoy tasty treats and easy-listening music by singer, keyboardist, bassist Jeff Lovejoy.

Free monthly drawing for artists’ work takes place on the 20th of each month. Fill out a ticket at the Gallery.

Matsutake mushroom permits available on the Central Coast Ranger District

Corvallis, Ore., August 5, 2025 - Applications for Matsutake mushroom collection permits are now being accepted for the Central Coast Ranger District of the Siuslaw National Forest. Every year, 100 commercial-use permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Any person wishing to obtain a commercial matsutake collection permit should complete a request form following the instructions below by Aug. 25 Commercial use

Fees

From Page A1

limited revenue. State laws passed in the 1990s (Measures 5 and 50) permanently limited how much cities can collect in property taxes, while the cost of providing essential services continues to rise beyond that limit. Even after a decade of cost-saving efforts, revenue has not kept pace with inflation, population growth, or service demand, and the City can no longer maintain current service levels without new funding.

permits are $250 and are required for any individual gathering more than six matsutake mushrooms per day or for anyone gathering to sell. Each harvester must be age 18 or older and provide valid identification issued by a state or U.S. government. Permits are valid from the date of sale through Dec. 31 2025

Permits will be distributed in the order in which they were received starting the week of Aug. 25. Applicants will be notified by phone if their

permit is approved. When called, individuals have the option of receiving the permit and receipt by email or office pickup. Payment is due when the permit is issued. Credit or debit card transactions can be made over the phone or in-person. A check or money order may be included with the mail-in request form. Make checks payable to USDA, Forest Service. After Sept. 2, remaining permits will be issued in-person from the Reedsport and Waldport

Public Safety is a critical government service benefiting everyone, and the costs should be shared by everyone. Funding public safety services protects our quality of life.

LEARN MORE More information about the Public Safety Fee can be found on the City of Florence’s website at www.ci.florence.or.us/ police/public-safety-fee.

offices. These offices are currently open for permit sales from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. For additional information call the Reedsport office at 541271-6000 or the Waldport office at 541-563-8400

Request forms can be mailed, filled out in-person, or sent by email to pdl_r6_siuslaw_frontliners@usda.gov. Download and print the request form from our website in English or Spanish at https://www.fs.usda.

gov/r06/siuslaw/permits/ mushroom-permits. To mail the completed form, send it to the address below—postmarked no

Do you have a desire to serve your community? Peace Harbor Medical Center may be the place for you. At Peace Harbor, we strive to provide compassionate, high quality, accessible health care and to promote a healthy community. We value having community volunteers in various aspects throughout the healthcare system. For more information and to obtain an application visit the Gift Shop or Front Lobby Desk at Peace Harbor Medical Center at 400 9th Street, Florence, Oregon. Us Too Florence

Saving men one PSA test at a time. “Someone to talk to...who understands!” 541-997-6626 • maribob@oregonfast.net www.ustooflorence.org

HAVE FUN! BEACH SAFE!

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.

N

ight out

From Page A1

communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts,” according to a City release.

“The safety of our community depends on both law enforcement and the neighbors they serve. National Night Out enhances that

Vehicle

From Page A1

Utility Hybrid vehicle is placed, delivery will take twelve to sixteen weeks.”

“Although the City Manager has authority under the City’s Purchasing Policy to approve purchases under $75 000, we present this to City Council to demonstrate the significant savings achieved from competitive purchasing contracts and the support for local business,” according to staff reports.

Public Works Director Mike Miller said that hey crash last year meant that one of the vehicles was taken out of service.

Additionally, we had a 2024 Ford Taurus removed from service due to high mileage this last year, he said, noting it had survived 12 years of police service. Even though it’s a small community, they get driven a lot. They also have a 2015 Ford explorer that had a turbo failure, so it was taken out of service and sold out auction. It also had high mileage. It was also a 2017 Ford Explorer with high mileage that had some issues with the turbo and was taken out of service. That was just this

S entence

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cooperation.”

Police Chief John Pitcher felt the event was a great success, and likely had more people than any other National Night Out.

“I was really happy with it all, and it looked like everyone was having fun,” he said, adding that he and other police personnel were a bit tired the following day.

Public Works Director Mike Miller was among

last year.”

Other vehicles were taken out before last year, due to mileage and wear issues.

“So, when we look at the police department, typically they have 12 vehicles to respond, including detective vehicles. They are down to nine [vehicles],” Miller said. “This is truly a replacement for the fleet.”

He said the last search vehicle purchased by the city in 2019 and took a two years to outfit and deliver.

“because of the outcome of the pandemic, and the shortages and everything that went along with it, it just took a long time. That was one of the reasons why we decided, because we have an explorer on backorder, we switch it up because we could get the consumer model of an F150 hybrid, so we switched it up and got two, but ended up getting three because that one was on back order.”

“We are currently still down three vehicles.”

While the price fro the car alone is $50,092, Police overhead lights, radar, and systems package, including installation, from Lehr adds $19,499 46, bringing the total price to $69 591 46

Miller said the overall savings over a typically-equipped vehicle would

the cooks at the burger and hot dog grills, and said “the line went on and on…” He said the event almost expended supplies with only a couple packs of hot dogs left at the end of the night.

FPD Executive assistant said the event served over 1,700 burgers. She estimated that about 2 200 people attended, exceeding last year’s crowd. Miller and Pitcher noted

be about $8 223. He said that when the budget was put together, the department was expecting price increases and budgeted $100 000, under budget by $30,408

Beaudreau said she appreciated MIller’s “extra explanations behind outfitting of the vehicle and delays in previous orders.

With no further discussion, councilors approved the purchase. It should be noted that funding for the vehicle was budgeted and does not come from the City’s newly-enacted public safety fee which was created to maintain and sustain current staffing levels in the department. (see story this page).

BODY CAMERAS

The council also approved the renewal of the 2025–2030 fiveyear Body Worn Camera contract in the amount of $127 551 80. Police Chief John Pitcher explained that the cameras have been used by the department for the last five years. He said that for the price of $111,353, the company provided the cameras, the charging dock, technical support and brand new cameras halfway (2 5 years) into the last contract. Pitcher stressed the importance that the contract includes digital storage of all

that the suds cannon was a huge hit and will likely return next year, even though some kids got a bit messy playing in the foam. Along with FPD, personnel from Oregon State Police, Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority, Florence Public Works, Central Lincoln PUD, Mobile Crisis Response, and Oregon Department of Forestry took part in the event.

camera evidence, adding that the company is managing almost 28,000 units of digital video evidence for the department.

Pitcher said the cameras are of such high quality, that they can even track eye movement during a field sobriety test. He said the camera contract has been successful for the department, and then officers have found it to be a huge benefit.

“It’s valuable in court. Juries in today’s world expect that if [officers] don’t have them, they think something is wrong,” he said.

“Complaints have gone down extremely, which is just a byproduct of having the cameras. It also holds the officers accountable [and] holds subjects accountable.”

Pitcher said the camera footage also helps to ensure accuracy when officers complete their reports. He said body camera footage can also be used for training of new officers.

The contract also includes the multi-camera operations of in-car cameras. With the contract set to expire in a month, the council approved spending $127 551 to renew the five-year contract with Axion, paid in five equal installments.

Based on information from the initial scene and follow-up, Michael Kirchhefer, then 27, was developed as a suspect in the case, according to FPD reports.

longer in the house. From statements and injuries seen on the child, it was believed that the victim was removed from the home and assaulted. The child was examined by forensic investigators in Eugene.

Kirchhefer was found to have been familiar with the victim family and had lived at the residence for a short time, but was no longer associated with them. He was located by Florence Police on April 1, 2023 and placed under arrest.

Skinner , Sales Come take a look

Kirchhefer was a transient in the Florence area at the time.

SENTENCE

THE

According to Court records, he pleaded guilty in May to two counts of

kidnapping 1, burglary 1, assault 3, Sexual Abuse 1 and strangulation. He was convicted of all counts on Aug 1, minus one of the counts of kidnapping 1, which was dismissed. For the sexual abuse 1 conviction, he was sentenced to 90 months. In total, the 239-month sentence equals over 19 years, and he has been incarcerated since April 1 2024. With credit for time served, his remaining sentence is just over 18 years.

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

Vikings boys soccer has playoff aspirations

Will LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

The 2025 Vikings soccer season is almost set to kick off, and after advancing to the second round of the playoffs last season, Head Coach Londi Tomaro is excited for her squad to get back out on the pitch.

Last year, Tomaro’s young squad had their season ended in a 2-4 battle with Dayton, but it was a game that saw the Vikings field just one senior. Tomaro is hoping the previous campaign will give her squad the experience to compete at a high level once again.

“I am very excited about our prospects this year. The majority of the players are returners from our 2024 playoff team. Because of injuries, we had one senior starter on our playoff team last year, and despite that, our squad performed extremely well,” Tomaro said. “I am looking forward to coaching these players to be better versions of themselves and to combine into an even better team.”

Thanks to the solid core of returning players, Tomaro expects the Vikings to compete well in Special District 3 and anticipates qualifying for the playoffs again, which would mark their third straight trip to the postseason. The other teams in the district are Central Linn, Creswell, Crosshill Christian/Jefferson, East Linn Christian, Elmira, La Pine, Pleasant Hill, Santiam Christian, and Sisters.

Despite the high expectations, Tomaro said participation numbers are “a little lower” than the last few years, and as a result, it seems there won’t be enough players to form a JV squad. She expects to have 18 or 19 athletes playing with the team this year.

PRESEASON PREP

To get the engines primed for the season, Tomaro has lined up non-league fixtures against tough opponents to get the team firing from the start. The first game

of the season is an Aug. 28 Jamboree matchup with the opponent yet to be determined. But following that, Siuslaw will face off with Sweet Home (Sept. 2), Dayton (Sept. 6), Marshfield (Sept. 9), and Blanchet Catholic (Sept. 16).

“We have lined up some playoff-level teams for our nonleague games and are looking forward to challenging ourselves against high-level competition,” Tomaro said. “The best way to grow is to play teams that are half a step ahead of us and push to rise to their level. We are excited about the ability of this team to do just that.”

Tomaro isn’t trying to cultivate superstar athletes. She wants the team to work together and become a unit that is greater than the sum of its parts. That doesn’t mean she isn’t trying to nurture talent; it means she’s looking for a team where every player is “integral” to the Vikings’ success. Tomaro said that soccer is

“a game of moving parts,” and the best teams are those that operate in lockstep, “working as a unit to get things done.”

Tomaro strives to mentor her athletes on how to grow on and off the field. She wants her players to be good teammates, work towards team goals, work together, and put the team above themselves. Each of those skills “translates from the field to life and will be beneficial throughout their lifetimes.”

In that same vein, Tomaro definitely sees the parallels on the pitch and beyond it.

“In soccer, as in life, we sometimes have disappointing runs or unfortunate losses. My hope is always that we as coaches help the athletes learn to be resilient in the face of loss and to use their disappointments and frustrations to fuel their advancement toward their goals, both as individual players and as a team,” Tomaro said.

As the season gets started, the Vikings will be fine-tuning, so they can hit the ground, and the back of the net, running.

Savage looks back on record-shattering track career at Siuslaw High School

How’s this for a running resume? State high school cross country champion. Two-time runner-up in the steeplechase at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Olympian. And a subfour-minute miler.

It’s been nearly 60 years since Steve Savage walked the halls at Siuslaw High, but he remains the school’s most renowned runner. And truly, Florence’s most accomplished athlete.

Now 77 and living in Eugene, Savage still has vivid memories of headlining Siuslaw’s first cross country team in the fall of 1965, and surging past Pleasant Hill standout Jay Hammitt to claim the individual championship.

“I was the only senior but we had a good team,” said Savage. Indeed, the Vikings won three dual meets, finished second to Marshfield twice, took second at the district meet and then finished runner-up to Pleasant Hill in the team standings at the A-2 state meet.

Savage’s senior leadership helped fuel the underclassmen, most notably Bob Hylton, Larry Ulrich and Greg Wells, who led the Vikings to the state title the following year.

Savage needed all of his energy and grit to overcome Hammitt along the course at Bush Park in Salem. Savage surmised that Jay and his twin, Ray Hammit, would be his toughest competition, and they were. But it was the former who nearly beat him. Jay Hammitt led Savage as the runners approached a hill on

the backstretch of the 2 8-mile course and threatened to run away from the Viking star. Ray Hammitt followed behind in third.

“He (Jay Hammitt) almost got away from me but I started gaining on him on the downhill side and then with about 100 yards to go I swung to the right and went past him,” recalled Savage.

Just past the finish line was Siuslaw coach

George Ulrich, who had launched the program a few months earlier.

Ulrich, a short and burly man, gave Savage a big bear hug.

“I said, ‘Coach, I can’t breathe!’ said Savage, who completed the course in an A-2 meet record of 12 minutes, 55 seconds. “He was excited and so was I, but I had no wind.”

Rounding out the top five for the Vikings were

Hylton (11th), Wells (34th), Ulrich (36th) and German foreign exchange student Klaus Ortwein (38th). Savage’s freshman brother, Tim, was 55th.

Savage moved on to Lane Community College for two years and then ran for Oregon during his final three years in college. He got a rude awakening as a freshman at Lane from Bill Dellinger, who was training distance runners from both schools.

“I had never run intervals in high school,” said Savage. “I would run a lap and then sit down on the track and rest. Dellinger put a quick end to that.”

Once he moved on to Oregon, Savage took on the steeplechase, a 3 000meter event made grueling by its four, 39-inch wooden hurdles and a challenging water jump

that competitors must encounter for all 7 5 laps.

“Every distance runner wants to be a miler and break four minutes,” said Savage. “If I could have run a 52-second last lap, I would have been one.

But I didn’t have that blazing kick that most milers have, so I needed to do something else.”

Savage qualified for the NCAA meet steeplechase in 1969, and the Oregon sophomore almost won it. Savage was in last place halfway through the race but then began surging past the other runners. Near the finish line, only one competitor was in front of him – Oregon State’s Jim Barkley.

Barkley, from Scio High, which is 32 miles northeast of Corvallis, was clocked in 8:44 4 Savage was just a step behind in 8:45 0

“You could say that

Scio took first and Siuslaw took second at the NCAA meet in Knoxville, Tenn.,” quipped Savage. Savage finished third in the steeplechase at the 1970 NCAA meet at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, behind Sid Sink of Bowling Green and Jerome Liebenberg of Western Michigan.

“A storm came up. It was pouring down rain and the wind was blowing it sideways,” said Savage. “Not a fun day.” Savage won the Pac-8 meet as a senior in 1971 and then ran a close second to Sink at the NCAA meet in Seattle. Sink was timed in 8:30 9, Savage in 8:33 9 Two weeks later, at the AAU meet in Eugene, Sink (8:26 4), Mike Manley (8:27 6) and Savage (8:29 6) all broke

Celebrate National Thrift Shopping Day with a Thrift Crawl

From HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Get ready to shop with purpose and celebrate National Thrift Shopping Day on Saturday, August 16 with a funfilled Florence Thrift Crawl!

Join your favorite local nonprofit thrift stores during regular business hours — Elks Share Shop, Goodwill,

Florence Habitat ReStore, and Oregon Coast Humane Society Thrift Shop — for a day of community, prizes, and thrifty treasures.

Pick up your Thrift Crawl Passport at any participating location. Visit each store to enjoy special activities, giveaways, and exclusive deals. Complete your passport for a chance to win a fabulous Thrift Crawl Gift Basket!

Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or just love supporting local causes, this is the perfect way to celebrate sustainability, community, and great

finds.

Shop smart. Shop local. Shop for a cause.

Labor Day Book Sale

Saturday, August 30th

10am-4pm

Sunday, August 31st 10am to 3pm

($3 per paper grocery bag SUNDAY ONLY from 12-3pm)

Friends of the Library

Members are invited to a Pre-Sale on Saturday from 9–10am Bromley Room Book Sale

Siuslaw Public Library 1460 Ninth Street, Florence, Oregon Cash and checks only accepted

All proceeds benefit the Siuslaw Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Contact SiuslawLibraryFriends@ gmail.com for more information

Going Beyond

Cross Road Assembly of God Women’s Ministries is hosting the

Priscilla Shirer “Going Beyond”

Florence Farmers Market Continues Through October 14

The Florence Farmers Market is in full swing every Tuesday from 3 to 6 p.m. down on the beautiful Port of Siuslaw boardwalk, running through October 14

It’s the place to be for farm-fresh food, fun community activities, live music, and kid-friendly adventures.

Mark your calendar for a special event on August 19, when the popular Fix-It Booth returns! Bring your small countertop appliances (110 V), mechanical items, or lamps for free repairs and new life.

Also under the Local Matters Tent, Julia from the Siuslaw National Forest will be sharing vital information on fire safety, prevention, and preparedness—and keep your eyes peeled for a possible visit from Smokey Bear!

Live music happens every week to keep the energy joyful and lively, and don’t miss our cooking demo featuring fresh, local veggies—stop by for a taste!

ANCHOR OF HOPE CHURCH

Live like Jesus, share His Love. 1318 Rhododendron Drive www.anchorofhopeflo.com Sunday Service 11am

Livestream on Facebook @anchorofhopeflo

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

For families, the POP (Power of Produce) table offers fun, hands-on kids’ activities every week. Children 12 and under also receive Little Lettuce tokens worth $5 to spend on any fruit or veggie at the market—helping kids shop, taste, and fall in

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) A Faith Community committed to peace since 1652. Silent Worship Sundays 11am, fellowship at Noon. Call for locations 541-515-8191.

love with fresh food.

Our lineup of hardworking farmers, growers, bakers, and producers includes:

• Rainforest Mushrooms

• Farm for Our Lives

• Fog Hollow Farm

• Geez Smoked Cheez

• The Hummus Stop

• Jubilee Valley Farm

• Farm and Forest

• Fork River Sourdough

• Mercer Ridge local honey

• Kurzhal Pickles

• M&R Rabbit Meat

• Brandywine Fisheries

• Eugene Kettle Corn

• Winter Green Farm

• Alderwood Organics

Shoppers can enjoy a stunning variety of goods including: pasture-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, local fish (fresh and

smoked), sourdough breads and baked goods, fermented vegetables, medicinal mushrooms, hummus, popcorn, seasonal fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more.

Want to participate without being a full vendor? Check out the Community Table, where backyard growers and home food crafters can sell their offerings. Interested? Contact Roanne at contact@florencefarmersmarket.org.

The market is also seeking volunteers to help with market setup, breakdown, and support. Consider joining the Board to help guide this vibrant, dynamic community resource. For more information, visit florencefarmersmarket.org and follow us on Facebook.

Good food, good people, good music, and good fun — it’s all happening at the Florence Farmers Market every Tuesday from 3–6 p.m.

the American record.

“The world record was 8:22 and change, and so we weren’t too far from it,” said Savage.

Savage’s time met the Olympic qualifying standard, but he still needed to finish in the top three at the Olympic Trials in June of 1972, which he did. He and Manley were in a dead heat going over the final water jump – 150 meters from the finish line – on a sweltering day at Hayward Field. Manley pulled ahead and won, and Tennessee’s Doug Brown inched past a tiring Savage just before the finish line. But it really didn’t matter: Savage had punched his ticket to the Olympics.

By then, Savage had graduated from Oregon and was training on his own.

World-class track athletes were years away from getting paid and landing lucrative advertising contracts. Savage had a job at a hardware distribution center in Eugene. His supervisor let him off at 4 p.m. so he could train.

“I was still able to train at Hayward Field and if I could have gotten there by 2 or 3, I could have worked out with the Oregon runners,” said Savage.

Instead, Savage worked out alone, and timed his runs and intervals with a stopwatch. Not an ideal training environment leading up to the Summer Games.

But Savage, who had matched his lifetime best of 8:29 at a meet in Oslo a few weeks before the Olympics, was fit and confident as he headed to Munich, Germany, in August of 1972

It wasn’t meant to be.

In his first preliminary heat, Savage struggled to a time of 8:39 and finished seventh out of 12 runners. Only the top three advanced to the next heat.

“I know I was fit but maybe I wasn’t mentally prepared to push myself to another PR (personal record),” said Savage. “Some races you feel light afoot, others are a struggle. Maybe my biorhythms weren’t right.

“But it was a great experience and I was thankful that I went.”

Savage’s one and only sub-four-minute mile came on June 5, 1970, at the Twilight Invitational at Hayward Field, one day before Savage’s 22nd birthday. It was a loaded field, headlined by Oregon senior Roscoe Divine and freshman phenom Steve Prefontaine,

Second Oregonian falls victim to Gold Bar Scheme

The Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ) is issuing an urgent warning to Oregonians as reports of a sophisticated “gold bar scam” continue to climb in the Pacific Northwest. In the latest case, an Oregon woman was defrauded out of tens of thousands of dollars after scammers convinced her that her bank accounts were compromised and her money would only be safe if converted into gold.

This comes just weeks after another victim lost $600,000 in a nearly identical scheme in Eastern Oregon, while another person in the same county lost $60,000 involving silver bars—just two of countless cases under investigation across the country.

In almost all of these cases, the scammers impersonate financial institutions or government agencies, creating a sense of urgency and fear. Victims were told their money was at risk of being frozen or stolen, and that purchasing gold was the only way to protect their savings. Once the gold was handed over to a so-called “courier” for

safekeeping, the scammers vanished, according to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield.

“These scams are cruel, calculated, and financially devastating,” Rayfield said. “If someone tells you to buy gold to keep your money safe, it’s a scam—full stop. No government agency, no bank, no tech support line will ever ask you to liquidate your assets into gold or cash and hand it over to a stranger. Hang up and report it to law enforcement.”

HOW THE GOLD BAR SCAM WORKS Federal and state law enforcement agencies have documented a clear pattern in these schemes:

Initial Contact –Scammers reach out by phone, email, or text, often posing as a government agency, financial institution, or tech company.

False Emergency –They claim your financial accounts are compromised, frozen, or under investigation.

Asset Conversion –You are told to withdraw your money and convert it to gold or other valuables for “protection.”

Courier Collection – A

courier arrives to pick up the gold, promising it will be stored safely. Disappearance – Once the gold is handed over, it—and the scammers— are gone.

The ODOJ states in a release that no legitimate government agency or bank will ever:

• Ask you to buy gold or convert assets to protect them. Send a courier to your home to collect valuables.

• Pressure you to make urgent financial decisions on the spot.

who would grace the cover of Sports Illustrated 10 days later.

Divine was in his prime, and he was so confident he’d win, he didn’t show up at the track until 30 minutes before the race, arriving after jogging from his house a mile away.

Savage had no illusion that he would win the race against such a stacked field, but he knew if he put together three laps of roughly 60 seconds followed by a final lap in the 58-second range, that he would break the magical four-minute barrier. Subfour-minute miles were far more rare then than now.

Savage followed his plan, logging laps of 60, 60 and 61 seconds when he reached the bell lap.

“I heard them call out 3:01 (after three laps) and then adrenaline took over,” said Savage.

Savage ran a 58-second final lap and was clocked in 3:59 2

Prefontaine, running from the front most of the way, couldn’t match Divine’s killer kick over the final 100 meters.

Divine won in 3:56 3 while Prefontaine was second in 3:57 4. It was Prefontaine’s first mile under four minutes.

Two former Ducks, Dave Wilborn and Norm Trerise, finished third and fourth, respectively, in 3:58 2 and 3:59 1. Savage was fifth, one-tenth of a second behind Trerise.

Savage didn’t know for certain that he had eclipsed four minutes until the public address

announcer called out the times several minutes after the race. I was jogging around the track after the race and was about 100 meters from the finish line when they started to read the times,” said Savage. “I heard my name, and then the time, and I started jumping up and down.” Savage later just missed registering another sub-four-minute mile in Modesto, Calif., clocking 4:00 4 But the one he earned at the Twilight Invitational was extra special as it happened before the Oregon faithful at historic Hayward Field. Savage ran a couple of races after the Olympics and had planned to run until his mid-30s. But work (he was in sales most of his life), marriage and raising a family became his priorities.

TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS:

• Hang up immediately if you receive suspicious calls about your finances.

• Call local law enforcement

• Never share personal or financial information with strangers.

• Report suspected scams to the ODOJ Consumer Hotline at 1-877-8779392 or file a complaint at OregonConsumer. gov.

• File reports with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov

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402 BUSINESSES FOR SALE

60 UNIT MINI STORAGE with large repair shop on Highway 101 in Florence 541-9991011

702 GARAGE SALES

80 YEARS of fishing gear tools and misc.10-2 Aug 15th - 17th 87166 Munsel Lk. Rd.

DUNES CITY is auctioning Brushcutters, a Pole Pruner, a Chain Saw, and a Leaf Blower online at dunescity.gov until August 15, 2025 at 4 pm. MISC. 4

CHAINSAWS 1 hedge trimmer - 6 ft scaffolding - 1 garden cart - call for info: 541563-3466

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

SN25-173 PUBLIC NOTICE CLAIMS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF JUSTIN C. FEST JR., OF FLORENCE, OREGON, LANE COUNTY Circuit Court Case No. 25PB06429, are required to be presented, with proper vouchers, to the Personal Representative, SHAINA PETERS, Authorized Representative for OREGON PACIFIC BANK, at 2555 NW Edenbower Blvd, Roseburg, Oregon 97471, within four (4) months from August 13, 2025, the date of publication, or such claims may be barred. Any person whose rights may be affected by the proceeding may obtain additional information from the court records, the Personal Representative, or the attorney for the Personal Representative. Laurel L. Ferguson Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1153 327 Laurel St Florence, OR 97439 Publication Date: Aug. 13, 2025 SN25-174 A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CENTRAL LINCOLN PUD Will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday August 20, 2025 at 2129 N. Coast Hwy. Newport, Oregon. 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. SN25-175 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE STATE OF OREGON COUNTY OF LANE IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF, PATRICIA A. BECHTOLD, DECEASED Case No.: 25PB06455 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative. All

persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative at P. O. Box B, Florence, Oregon, 97439, within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorney for the personal representative, Scott T. Bailey, Attorney at Law, P.C. at P.O. Box B, Florence, Oregon 97439. Dated and first published August 13, 2025. Lory Bechtold Personal Representative Scott T. Bailey, Attorney at Law, PC OSB # 090841 PO Box B Florence, OR 97439 P: 541-902-2000 / F: 541997-5294 scott@stblawyer.com SN25-171 NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE: Florence Mini Storage intends to sell at public auction storage contents to enforce a lien imposed according to the provisions of the Oregon Self-Service Storage Facility Act (ORS 87-685 to 87-695 inclusive). The contents of the storage units listed below

Office Hours: Office not open to public Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

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