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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, September 24, 2025 Florence, Oregon

Number 39 • 134 years

Man dies after falling into Thor’s Well FROM YACHATS RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

THE HIGH SCHOOL Only one hand went up among about 18 people when Harklerode asked attendees if

Monday afternoon, Yachats Rural Fire Protection District, Central Oregon Coast Fire and Rescue, Seal Rock Fire, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Thor’s Well for a person who had fallen into the water and appeared to be drowning. Responding units requested response from the United States Coast Guard, Oregon State Police, and the Lincoln County Technical Rescue Team. The first arriving units were met with conflicting reports from bystanders about whether or not the subject was still in the water, though units were quickly able to determine that the subject was in the water in Thor’s Well. Due to wave conditions, and the nature of the well, personnel on

See SCHOOL, Page A6

See THOR’S WELL, Page A7

Principal Mike Harklerode explains the Facility Committee’s proposal to build a new high school on land already owned by the school district. Tony Reed photo.

Ideas proposed for new high school building Part 1 Of 2 By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

At a meeting Sept. 16, Siuslaw High School Principal Mike Harklerode presented a proposal to make

major improvements to the Elementary School building and to potentially replace the high school building entirely. Saying both schools are in need of extensive repairs and modifications, Harklerode disclosed extensive details about the

current high school building as reasons for its replacement. He said the committee’s preliminary recommendation is to build a much larger, two-story, 174,500 square foot school on the southeast corner of the property, currently used as a JV

baseball field.

City says farewell to Mike Miller

Work on the Cannery Station project has become more visible in recent weeks, with a roadbed, utilities and hydrants being constructed near Highway 101. Tony Reed photo.

Cannery Project continues SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Public Works Director Mike Miller accepts a plaque from Florence City manager Erin Reynolds for his 18 years of service. Tony Reed photo. By TONY REED The Siuslaw News

After 18 years with the City of Florence Public Works, The City Council and community members said good bye to Director Mike Miller, whose last day will be Sept. 28. City Manager Erin Reynolds reflected on Miller’s time in the department. “Over the past 18 years, Mike has shown unwavering

INSIDE

Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1

JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner

dedication, leader ship and an unyielding commitment to our community,” she said. “His contributions have not only elevated the standards of public works, but have left an indelible mark on the City of Florence.” Miller was presented with a wood plaque featuring the Siuslaw River Bridge in honor of his service. “As we celebrate Mike’s career, we must also recognize

Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B6-7

those who have stand behind him behind the scenes with unwavering support from his family,” Reynolds said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to them for all those years of support.” Reynolds recalled that in one of the many team-building seminars conducted by the city, Miller and others were asked to share their favorite See MILLER, Page A7

Locals who regularly drive the length of Highway 101 through Florence have likely noticed heavy equipment moving sand across from Fred Meyer shopping center appear to be making a connecting road to Highway 101. The work is part of the Cannery Station project, which developers hope will become a large assisted living facility that may integrate multi-family housing into its plans. During a Planning Commission hearing in November 2023, Planner Roxanne Johnson said the project will provide a 64-bed

assisted living facility with 10 related cottage units, and a 42-unit apartment building and two single-story commercial structures. “None of those can be constructed until the streets are in with power and utilities,” Johnson said at the time. Early in 2025, Project representative Peter Englander explained that the property owner has had control of the area since 2007 and has filed several extensions of land use approvals. “It has had multiple iterations of land use approvals with the city,” he explained, previously. “In 2017, See CANNERY, Page A7

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