Issuu

INSIDE

PARENTS GET HELP WITH BACK TO SCHOOL CLOTHES

Merkley Monthly | PAGE A7

Pizza • Pasta • Seafood Summer in Old Town at 1285 Restobar. We are happy to serve you! We are open: Noon to 9 pm, 7 days a week! 1285 Bay Street| Old Town Florence 541-902-8338 www.1285restobar.com

Siuslaw News News & views that define our community

$2.00

thesiuslawnews.com

Siuslaw News Florence, Oregon Wednesday, September 4, 2024 Number 36 • 133 years

Beaudreau kicks off campaign By TONY REED Siuslaw News

PHOTO BY TONY REED

Rep. Val Hoyle listens to Florence Mayor Rob Ward, left, while Hoyle’s deputy District director, Dan Whelan and Florence Public Works Director Mike Miller listen

Rep. Val Hoyle visits Florence to hear about slope project By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Congresswoman Val Hoyle was in Florence Aug. 26 to discuss funding for a City Project that will temporarily hold back a slipping area of Siuslaw River bank until a more permanent fix can be identified. The exact area is where the Siuslaw River Coast Guard station meets Seawatch estates private property along the riverbank. Earlier this year, the City applied for $800,000 in state Community

Project Funds for the Siuslaw River Slope Stabilization project, to temporarily repair the sliding area long enough to design and implement a long-term bank stabilization project there. City Manager Erin Reynolds credited Hoyle’s Field Representative Cheri Brubaker for alerting the city of available grant money that could be applied for to fund the project. “We didn’t really know what category this went into right away,” Reynolds said, noting that the issue

relates to stormwater, embankment and potential threats to access to the Coast Guard station. . “We just knew we had a problem.” It was later noted that the slipping area continues for almost a mile along the banks next to several homes. Reynolds said it became obvious that the needed project was out of the norm for Florence and its budget. “Erosion and these types of issues don’t know property lines,” she said.

What and where

City Public Works Director Mike Miller explained that the area has been slipping toward the river for some time, and the Coast Guard put in riprap to stabilize it. More is located at the south end of the slip area. He said that in January, 2022, the City noticed movement in the area when a nearby resident reported a city stormwater pipe had been pulled See HOYLE, Page A6

Democratic Campaign HQ opens By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

A steady stream of people visited throughout the day and the week following the The Florence Area Democratic Club’s official opening of the Democratic Campaign headquarters in Florence Aug. 24. The mood was certainly happy and hopeful inside the venue at 4969 Highway 101, as people posed for photos, picked up Harris/Walz yard signs, and filled out voter registration forms. Inside the main room, people could be heard exclaiming things like “Yes! It’s happening,” and “It’s about time!” “The purpose of this office is to get some people elected,” Karin Radtke told the crowd, noting that the effort taken work by several volunteers. “We’re open Monday to Saturday from 12 to 4 until Nov. 5” Radtke introduced Mayor Rob Ward, to a round of applause and

PHOTO BY TONY REED

An air of excitement filled the room inside the Democratic campaign headquarters on opening day.

See DEMO, Page A5

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

Around 45 people arrived at the Florence Events Center Aug. 24 for the official campaign kickoff of Jo Beaudreau for Oregon Jo Beaudreau Senate District 5. Lori Hollingsworth, a former mayor and long-time resident of Lincoln City, Or, spoke of top priorities, saying that protecting the environment is one. “We can count on Jo for that,” she said. “This includes protecting women’s rights at every single avenue. This includes a stable and prosperous economy with affordable housing, healthcare and fully-funded medication.” Hollingsworth said those issues are critical to her and her community, Oregon, the U.S. and the world. “It’s really important we get a legislature that’s going to show up,” she said to applause, “who is going to vote for her constituents on all the issues, even the sticky, messy, ugly issues.” Saying Beaudreau is a mother, a partner, a business owner and Florence city councilor, Hollingsworth said she is also driven, energetic and motivated. “She will represent us,” Hollingsworth said, “We’ll be a better state and a better place with Jo in office.” Addressing the crowd, Beaudreau said she’s proud to be the candidate for Senate District 5 and see the support for “real change.” “When I started my political journey, it was to stand up for people who were not being heard,” she said, “people who were not necessarily political insiders, donors or close friends of elected officials.” She said her run for mayor in 2020 was to be heard, stand up to bullies for the greater good of Florence. “Even though I lost that election, I really didn’t lose,” she said. “I won, because I built stronger connections with my community. I won because I made an impact on the bullies and I stood up for those who didn’t feel they had a voice- and I had a great time.” See CAMPAIGN, Page A5

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B4-B5

FOLLOW THE CHARM TRAIL through Oregon’s Coastal Playground and make a personalized keepsake for friends and family.

@FlorenceCharmTrail

Organized by the Siuslaw News

Sea Lion Caves Bay Street Tee's Siulsaw News* BeauxArts Fine Art Materials* Stitch & Sole bonjour! The Jolly Egret Driftwood Shores Resort The Shippin' Shack The Market @ Driftwood Shores U.B.U. Naturally Florence Events Center Kitchen Klutter Lighthouse Inn Novelli's Crab & Seafood Oregon Coast Florence Area Chamber of Commerce* P.S. Winkles Periwinkle Cottage Silver Lining Boutique & The Gallery Above Begin Your Journey at the Trailheads*