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Siuslaw News Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 33 • 134 years

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.

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

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

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

Kirchhefer sentenced to 18 years SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

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

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

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