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St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Invites you to our Holy Eucharist Service Sunday, September 21st at 10 a.m. Father Glen Michaels will be serving as guest supply priest. All are welcome (including well-behaved dogs)! Brunch will be served in the Fellowship Hall following the Service. Join us at 2135 19th St. (19th & Spruce)

541-997-6600

Siuslaw NewsWednesday, September 17, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 38 • 134 years

board Shakespeare comes to Farmers Market School affirms “bell to bell” phone rule By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

delightful and sometimes impromptu presentation of Midsummer nights dream delighted a crowd of people gathered at the Port of Siuslaw farmers market

on Tuesday. The presentation was put on by kids from ROCKET Homeschool. Teacher Sabrina Hand explained that ROCKET (Rad Oregon Coast Kids Educating Together) is a homeschool cooperative of parents and students from all over western

Lane County and the coast. Hand, who has a a degree in European history and much experience in theater and costuming, said this was the 12th Shakespeare production by the school. Another showing of Midsummer

At its Sept. 10 meeting, the Siuslaw School District Board had little discussion regarding the changing of policy to reflect a Governor’s order regulating the use of cell phones on campus. In July of this year, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued an executive order mandating that all K-12 public schools prohibit cell phone use from starting to ending bell, meaning the entire school day. According to the governors office, the order aims to improve student educational outcomes and mental well-being across the state by prohibiting cell phone used by students during the school day. “Oregon’s schools should be a place where students find belonging, support, and the joy of learning something new.” Gov. Kotek said. “The research is clear: cell phone use can create a trifecta of consequences for our young people – mental health issues, safety in school, and distraction from learning. I signed this order to stand up for the promise of every student in every corner of the state.” Other Oregon representatives echoed the sentiment, saying that a lot of disciplinary and student

See MARKET, Page A7

See SCHOOL, Page A7

Berkner trial delayed again Former Military Museum members SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

A Sept. 9 trial date for Keith W. Berkner, of Florence, has been moved to Nov. 13 in Lane County Circuit Court. according to Court reports, Judge McAlpin signed a motion to postpone, after it was submitted by Berkner’s attorney. Berkner was arrested Dec. 27, 2024, after Florence Police Department received and investigated a report of possible sexual abuse of a juvenile. “From that

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Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

investigation, Keith Berkner was developed as a suspect in the case,” the Florence Police Department release stated after his arrest. “On [Jan. 22] a search warrant was executed on Berkner’s residence, where Berkner was placed into custody and later transported to Lane County Adult Corrections.” Berkner is charged with Sodomy in the First Degree and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, both felonies. If convicted, the maximum sentences for the two offenses are 70 months (25 years) and

75 months (10 years) in prison. As of Sept. 9, he remains in custody at Lane County jail. According to court records, Berkner entered a not guilty plea to the indictment on Jan. 29. At the time of arrest, Berkner was listed online as the owner of Keith Berkner Home Daycare, a license-exempt childcare provider in Florence. At a Feb. 27 pretrial conference, Berkner waived his 60-day trial right and that a new pretrial conference date was

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

See TRIAL, Page A6

want to get back on track By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

Information continues to filter in slowly in the wake of local controversy about recent issues at the Oregon Coast Military Museum. The controversies stem from the indictment of the the museums’s director, Geoffrey Cannon, charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a teenage girl. At an audiotaped informal meeting with the board and the mother of the girl, Patrick Ritter

made comments that have been viewed by many as victim-blaming in nature. Based on those comments and conflict of interest issues, former members of the Military Museum’s board of directors formally asked in a letter, for the resignations of Board President Gary Cannon, Tamara Pitts and the mother of the juvenile, also a board member. A weekend protest took place at the museum, and an online petition was circulated asking for the

resignations. One former founding board member, Cal Applebee, said very little official information has come through as to whether the calls for resignations have been effective. “I know some have resigned but I have nothing official,” he said. “It’s all been word of mouth.” Former board member and secretary Jennifer Brandenberger said See MUSEUM, Page A6

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