TSN93

Drivers cited at city crosswalk

SIUSLAW

Florence Police Chief John Pitcher says his department will be conducting more pedestrian enforcement operations in the city following what was conducted in the middle of the day August 23

Oregon law says that drivers must stop and remain stop for pedestrians and traffic signals until they have cleared the lane in which the driver is traveling and the adjacent lane. At crosswalks without a

While a chalk-written warning tells bicyclists to “STOP”

need to be aware that

Siuslaw High School goes back to Yondr Pouch

SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF

Students at Siuslaw High School were introduced to the Yondr pouch last year but Principal Mike Harklrode outlined that the 2025-2026 rules regarding the use of electronics are more strict this year, due to state requirements.

“Last year we were able to have phones at lunch,” he said.

“Governor’s EO 25-09 bans phones for the entire school day.”

However, as was the case last year, phones are not to be used during the school day while on school grounds. “Every student will be assigned

a personal Yondr Pouch,” according to the Electronic Rules Policy.

“While the Yondr Pouch is considered school property, it is each student’s responsibility to bring their pouch with them to school every day and keep it in good

Oregonians share urgency and ire over latest proposal to raise taxes for transportation funding

Julie Murray is one of nearly 500 people who work for the Oregon Department of Transportation who will be laid off if the state Legislature does not provide funding to fill the agency’s $350 million budget gap.

The drone pilot and video producer has filmed wildfires, landslides and construction projects to keep Oregonians informed during emergencies, and about major highway and transportation infrastructure work. The department trusts her to be in the most extreme conditions while filming, and it’s invested in dozens of drone, artificial intelligence and safety trainings for her, she told lawmakers Monday at the Capitol

in Salem.

“The agency developed me, molded me into a perfect fit, and the layoff will throw all that away,” she said. “My coworkers on the layoff list are also all trained up. ODOT is set to lose them to the private sector and will spend years retraining and rebuilding. We are investments worth keeping.”

Murray — along with more than 60 others speakers — shared testimony with the Joint Interim Committee on

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce photo contest

The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce is once again looking for the best amateur or professional photos of the fun, frolic, famous attractions, iconic buildings, and beautiful scenery of Oregon’s Coastal Playground.

The winner will collect a $250 cash prize and have their submitted photo featured in the Chamber’s directory and visitor resource guide, other printed marketing pieces, on their website, and in social media. A panel of Chamber

members will decide the winner. The deadline for entry is November 15, 2025. The winner will be notified by email within the following 30 days.

Last year’s winner, Robyn Wargo of Roseburg, entered a photo of her granddaughter, 3-year-old Eowyn of Eugene, who was having the time of her life, grinning and running with abandon on Heceta Beach, flying a kite for the first time.

“We are looking for the best photos that represent this place we

call ‘Oregon’s Coastal Playground,’ so we’re looking for outstanding amateur or professional photos that convey our theme,” says Chamber president and CEO Bettina Hannigan.

“Photos from in town, around town, nearby attractions, and from the natural areas within 20 miles of Florence will be eligible. We call this place Oregon’s Coastal Playground for a reason, so we want images that highlight Florence

Transportation Funding during a three-hour public hearing on Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding proposal that’s meant to prevent department layoffs, preserve how the state splits its highway funds with counties and cities and modernize transportation funding. Lawmakers will meet on Friday in Salem to discuss and take a vote on the proposal. Many

The Thousand Strangers Who Keep Me Alive

By BOB HORNEY

I’ve been receiving a weekly gift from over a thousand strangers. They don’t know my name, my story, or the quiet gratitude I carry – but their generosity has kept me alive. Here’s my tale: For nearly a decade, I’ve relied on a weekly home infusion of Hizentra to treat my Gamma Globulin deficiency – a condition that leaves my immune system unable to protect me. My lifeline is Hizentra, a subcutaneous immunoglobulin therapy derived from human plasma. What I didn’t fully grasp until recently is just how many people are behind each dose.

Each 7-gram infusion I receive is made possible by the plasma of 21 to 35 blood donors. That is because it takes the plasma of 3-5 donors to produce a single gram of IgG, the key ingredient in Hizentra’s 20% solution. Now, I need to clarify that these numbers are only for reference, and they aren’t specific due to differences in donor antibody levels and processing efficiency. In actuality, as I understand it, my 7-gram dose is drawn from a batch of Hizentra, most likely from thousands of blood donors. I’ve been told that the combining of donors’ plasma is done to ensure consistency and

safety. I appreciate that. That being said, my personal dose represents the concentrated generosity of dozens of people each week. It’s a staggering reminder of how many lives quietly intersect to support mine...and many of you reading this. I ran across a couple statements related to my discussion that I really like: Behind every syringe is a community – and – Behind every community is a story worth telling. I think those statements really clarify what I’m saying Thinking about this topic came up when I placed my monthly order for Hizentra. As my wonderful now retired Immunologist, Craig

Jacobson told me, Gamma Gobulin is what fights COVID for the long haul. He discovered my lack of Gamma Gobulin when I was referred to him by Dr. Cody Wasner to whom I was referred to check for arthritis. Dr. Wasner didn’t like my blood results so referred me to Dr. Jacobson who discovered my problem. So how did I end up with this topic by simply placing my monthly order with CVS Specialty Pharmacy? I wasn’t struck by lightning or anything like that. I’ve been on these home infusions since June 2016 and it suddenly made me stop in my tracks and think of all the blood donors

it takes to basically keep me functioning. And know this...I’m not alone. Plasma-derived therapies are a cornerstone of care for people with rare, chronic, and life-threatening conditions. These aren’t just treatments –they are lifelines. Here are a few examples of other conditions that rely on plasma donations: Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases (PID); Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency; Hereditary Angioedema (HAE); Hemophilia A&B; Von Willebrand Disease; Chronic Inflammatory ‘Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP); Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS);Stiff Person Syndrome

(SPS); Antithrombin III Deficiency; Rabies and Tetanus Exposure and the list goes on. Every vial of plasma is the result of a donor sitting for an hour or more, hooked up to a machine that separates plasma from blood. It’s not glamorous. It’s not fast. But it’s vital. These donors don’t just give plasma – they give time, hope, and life. They are the quiet heroes behind every infusion, every recovery, every breath taken by someone who might otherwise not have survived. This isn’t just science – it’s humanity in action. It is time we honor the invisible heroes whose generosity makes immune therapy possible.

Brush picking for a living throughout the Pacific Northwest

SUBMITTED by

DEB LOBEY Siuslaw Pioneer Museum

Though Brush Picking may be an unfamiliar occupation to some, it has maintained a history throughout the Pacific Northwest. Folks may not get rich by it, yet it continues to be a source of income from the forest. Chances are, pickers today could very well be brush picking in areas their grandparents once picked, and those before them. In both Oregon and Washington state, brush picking has been an active

industry since at least 1915

This story looks back to a time when forests in the Pacific Northwest provided a viable source of non-timber income if one knew how to work it. John Barnes was born in Florence in 1951 and began brush picking as a youngster. He recalls being about 10 years old when he and his brother, Pat, hiked deep into the wooded forest with their father, Archie. It was there they were taught to pick brush as a supplemental source of income for the family. They picked salal,

Meet Lilia, a beautiful and energetic German Shepherd. This sweet girl is always ready for her next adventure and would thrive in an active home where she can get plenty of exercise and attention. Whether it’s a long walk or a fun hike, Lilia is the perfect walking buddy and does wonderfully on leash. She has enjoyed time in playgroups with other dogs and would likely do well with a compatible canine friend. She’s treat-motivated and loves earning rewards, making her a fun companion for training and bonding.

huckleberry, sword ferns and sometimes, holly. Unlike today, during those earlier years, a lease was required to legally harvest brush.

Each year, Archie Barnes purchased leases from the U.S. Forest Service to pick brush in the Cummins Creek, Big Creek, or Ten Mile areas, just north of Florence. A lease legally prevented others from brush picking in that same area. In addition to brush picking on forestry land, John recalls also picking on the east side of Woahink Lake, where his father knew private landowners. In return, his father would respectfully pay a stumpage to the landowner. The stumpage was usually 3 cents per bunch. At times, they also picked near Mapleton (off the highway), in the Upper Indian Creek area.

CALLISON’S GREENERY PL ANT

After having hiked far into forest areas to do their picking, they packed out the harvested evergreens on their backs. The harvested huckleberry was bundled, tied, then stacked like hay in the car for the drive to town. John remembers at first his bales were 20 to 25 pounds, but by the time he was 17 or 18 years old, he was able to carry out 40 to 60 pound bales. Their harvested greenery was taken to the Callison Greenery Plant in town. (The old schoolhouse building, now the home of the Pioneer Museum).

The bales were stacked and tagged in the Plant’s ‘wet room” for storage. Later, workers would break down the bales for weighing and packing into cold storage boxes.

Mark Adam Kavert

Callison’s was known to ship boxes of harvested foliage several times a week in refrigerated trucks or rail cars at the Cushman train depot for transport throughout Oregon, California, Washington, and Idaho. Salal and huckleberry continue to be popular for florists who favor the woody stems which make for a hardy, long-lasting fill in floral arrangements.

A picker could expect payment from Callison’s for their harvest within a few days. John recalls in the mid-1950’s and 1960’s, they were paid 40¢ to 45¢ per bunch (1 lb.) for huckleberry and salal. Together with his dad and brother, they would make $50 to $60 for about 4 hours of brush picking during a favorable market. The income was considered ‘family money’ until he entered high school. It was then that he began saving his brush picking earnings to purchase his first car.

We sadly announce the passing of our beloved Mark Adam Kavert 59 of Florence on August 5, 2025. A devoted husband and loving son and father. He was a passionate family man, a diesel mechanic and loved sports. He was known for his kind heart. He is survived by his wife Linda, his mother Gayle, brother Glenn and nephew Christopher and his children Ashley, Austin and Grandchildren Anjali, Cayden and Everly. He will be greatly missed.

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When the Callison Plant closed, John remembers there were still a few small brush plants that accepted locally harvested pickings. The current site of the Home Grown restaurant was once a brush plant, and another was

located in Mapleton. It should be noted that not everyone who ventures into brush picking finds it to be a viable means of income. In addition to hard physical work, the foliage market has historically been a fluctuating one. Yet, the occupation also has perks – being your own boss, scheduling your own hours, and a way of life to live off a non-timber product of the forest. After graduating from Siuslaw High School in 1969, John went on to attend and graduate from Oregon State University. During his return trips home on weekends in the 1970’s, he often resorted to brush picking for a quick source of income. According to John, brush picking remains an occupation today. In more recent years however, he described picking is sometimes done as a somewhat organized, mobile business operation. As permits or leases are no longer required on Forest Service land, a van can sometimes be seen transporting crews of pickers to various forestry locations throughout the day. This is in contrast to earlier years, when a brush picker worked independently.

POLICE LOG

Florence Police Department responded to the following calls from Wednesday, Aug.20 to Tuesday, Aug. 26

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20

At 3:11 a.m., officers responded to the 1100 block of Hemlock for a reported dispute. Officers found a verbal argument had occurred between a male and female. Parties were separated and no further action was taken.

At 8:59 a.m., a caller in the 3900 block of Oak Street reported that he was becoming upset with his neighbor calling police on him all the time alleging noise disturbances. The color asked if making repeated complaints constituted harassment. Caller was advised of the law regarding noise and was told that his issue would be civil and should be taken up with his homeowners association.

At 3:56 p.m., officers responded to the 1100 block of Bay Street for a report from a resident that another subject was filming him. Officers arrived to find the photographer had left the area and advised the caller that filming in public is not illegal.

THURSDAY, AUG. 21

At 4:25 a.m., a caller reported a subject in the area of Highway 126 near Munsel Creek who was intoxicated and almost fell into traffic. Subject was gone when officers arrived.

At 12:48 p.m., a caller reported seeing on his Equifax report that someone else had taken out a student loan in his name. Caller was referred to the proper authorities.

At 3:25 p.m., a caller reported losing keys on the sand dunes in Florence.

At 3:32 p.m., a caller reported that his license plate had been stolen from his vehicle in the Florence area.

At 6:21 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Spruce and 42nd St. observed a package outside the home of a subject known to be away. Officers contacted the owner of the package for pick up when they return.

At 8:53 p.m., officers responded to the hospital for a report that a subject had struck a security guard. Subject was placed on a police officer hold him was cited for physical harassment.

FRIDAY, AUG. 22

At 12:21 a.m., an officer on patrol observing a subject known to have a warrant. Subject was arrested for the warrant from Florence Municipal Court.

At 3:13 p.m., officers investigated theft of signs from the area of the port parking lot in Old Town. Case remains under investigation.

At 3:25 p.m., officers responded to the 4700 block of Highway 101 for a report of a shoplifter being detained for theft of $110 worth of merchandise. Officers charged the subject with theft II.

At 5:35 p.m., a subject turned in a purse they had found in the dunes. The purse contained identification, and officers are attempting to locate the owner.

At 9:38 p.m., a female subject came into the department to say she was being followed by a male subject. Officers responded to the described area and contacted the male, who said the female had made rude comments to her so he followed her to the police department.

At 12:35 p.m., officers responded to the 1400 block of Highway 101 for a report of a loud subject in a motel room. Officers contacted one subject found to have a warrant from Crook County. Subject was arrested for the warrant. Subject was also found to be carrying a handgun which was confiscated and charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm were added.

SATURDAY, AUG. 23

At 2:21 a.m., a caller reported finding a syringe in his house and was suspicious that his wife or daughter had used it. Officers made contact with the wife, who said the syringe was used to administer medicine to a grandmother.

At 10:23 a.m., a subject turned in a green backpack found along Highway 101

Officers recognized the backpack, which belonged to a subject, who would be arrested later in the week.

At 10:57 a.m., a caller reported a subject selling paintings of dogs in the area of Bay Street. Officers responded and determined no crime had been committed.

At 11:08 a.m., a caller reported receiving a possibly counterfeit silver dollar. Subject suspected the coin to be fake because it was gold in color. Caller was advised that US dollar coins are regularly minted in a gold color.

At 5:09 p.m., officers responded to the bathroom on Oak St. for a report of smoke emanating from the building. Officers found that someone had set a small garbage fire on the counter. Fire did no further damage and no further action was needed.

At 5:50 p.m., officers responded to the area of 28th and Oak Street for a report of a male subject screaming and yelling at a female subject. Officers made contact with parties and advised the male to keep it down. Officers responded to a second call of the male subject screaming and drinking. Subject was arrested for disorderly conduct.

At 9:08 p.m., and Officer saw a subject walking in the 1100 block of Highway 101 who appeared to be very intoxicated. Officer confirmed the intoxication, but transported the subject to the hospital for a cut on his arm. After treatment, the subject was taken to the detox cell at Florence Jail.

SUNDAY, AUG 24

At 10:42 a.m., multiple callers reported a subject living in a car with a dog, saying they felt it was abusive treatment. Officers arrived to find the dog had plenty of room inside the vehicle, along with adequate food and water. Since it is not illegal for a homeless person to have a dog, no further action was

SN

taken.

At 3:11 p.m., an officer located a wallet in the 100 block of nopal Street. Officers were able to contact the owner who came and picked it up.

MONDAY, AUG 25

At 7:45 a.m., a caller reported a reckless vehicle coming into the Florence area. Officers located the described vehicle unoccupied in a Florence parking lot. Officers remained in the area for some time, but the driver did not return.

At 1:19 p.m., an officer on patrol observed the owner of the previously mentioned backpack, and arrested him for a warrant from Florence Municipal Court..

At 6:10 p.m., an officer on patrol in the area of Highway 101 and 28th St. observed a vehicle exhibiting dangerous driving behavior and stopped it. The driver, Kurtis Hargen, 57, was tested and arrested for DUII.

At 11:17 p.m., officers were conducting an investigation in the 85 300 block of Glenada Road when they located a subject wanted in connection with an Aug.12 hit and run collision. Officers located and arrested the subject, who was also found to have a warrant from Washington County.

MONDAY, AUG. 26

At 2:29 p.m., a caller reported possible coercion of an elder, saying that changes had been made to their last will and testament, leaving out certain individuals. Officers contacted the involved attorneys and found no probable cause for a coercion investigation.

At 9:37 p.m., officers responded to the 600 block of Siano Loop for a report of shots fired. Officers contacted subjects who said they had been worried about their friend and heard a shot. Friend was found to be OK, and one of the subjects cited for unlawful discharge of a weapon.

STAFF

the payroll tax would go toward local public transit districts.

program or pay a flat $340 annual fee.

Do you part and volunteer today to help support these organizations in our community.

Peace Harbor Volunteers

DOING GOOD . GIVING BACK

VOLUNTEER AT PEACEHEALTH PEACE HARBOR MEDICAL CENTER

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

special sessions last one day, but some take several days or up to several weeks to reach a conclusion.

The package would increase vehicle registration fees and gas and payroll taxes — raising nearly $800 million in the 202527 budget cycle alone — but it’s a significantly scaled-down version of what lawmakers originally proposed in June during the 2025 legislative session. Democratic lawmakers initially floated a funding package that would have raised $14 6 billion over the next 10 years, but then scaled their proposal back to a version that would have raised $11 7 billion after receiving backlash from Republicans and some Democrats.

The proposal lawmakers are now considering ahead of a special session would raise $5 8 billion over the next 10 years, according to the Legislative Revenue Office. Most of the revenue would flow to the State Highway Fund, and from there, 50% would go to the state transportation department, 30% would go to counties and 20% to cities. The millions raised from the increase in

What fees and taxes would change under the proposed transportation package?

· A gas tax increase from $0 40 to $0 46, effective Jan. 1 2026 is expected to raise $90 million a year.

· An increase in annual registration fees from $43 to $85 for passenger vehicles; $63 to $105 for utility vehicles, light trailers, lowspeed vehicles and medium-speed electric vehicles; and $44 to $86 for mopeds and motorcycles.

· Increasing title fees for passenger vehicles from $77 to $216

· Doubling the payroll tax used to support public transit from 0 1% to 0 2%.

· An increase to registration surcharges for electric and highly fuel-efficient vehicles, from $35 to $65 annually for cars with a 40+ miles-per-gallon rating, and from $115 to $145 annually for electric vehicles.

· Phasing in a mandatory road usage charge program for electric vehicles by 2031. Electric vehicle drivers have been able to opt into the OReGO program and pay 2 cents per mile in exchange for lower registration fees, and the proposed change would mandate electric vehicle drivers participate in that

Committee receives mixed testimony The transportation committee Monday spent the first 45 minutes listening to legislative staff present on the proposal.

“Without additional resources at current funding levels, drivers and transit providers will experience impacts of fewer snow plows, more potholes, more snow and ice on major roads, longer traffic closures because maintenance teams need to travel farther away, more trash and graffiti, slower responses to crashes and other incidents, closed rest areas and reductions in transit service,” Kotek’s transportation and infrastructure advisor, Kelly Brooks, told the committee.

Most of those who testified in person, including transportation employees, city and county officials and union leaders, urged lawmakers to support the legislation. The bill received support from local officials from Umatilla, Wallowa, Hood River and Columbia counties and from Beaverton, Tigard, Albany and Portland.

Jana Jarvis, president of the trade group Oregon Trucking Association, also spoke in favor of the bill for its provision simplifying Oregon’s complex diesel tax rates, which would reduce the weight-mile tax rates heavy trucks pay from 85 different rates to just 10 rates.

A handful of others criticized lawmakers and the transportation department for money mismanagement and raising taxes. This includes Jake Seavert, a Union County Commissioner, who said the county he represents largely opposes tax and fee increases.

“The additional fee increases with vehicle registration further exacerbates the financial stress to every household, especially those households with more than two vehicles, to every business, small and large that utilizes vehicles for transportation of goods and services and employees,” he said. By the time the meeting had ended, nearly 2,200 Oregonians had submitted written testimony to the committee, with most of those writing in opposition to the legislation. Some expressed discomfort with raising transportation costs but still supported the proposal.

“I‘m not looking forward to paying higher taxes any more than anyone else, but to me, the greater danger right now is the safety of people on our highways — especially highways going through the Cascades,” Detroit mayor Jim Trett, who spoke in favor of the bill, told the committee.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to correct a previous version of the story that incorrectly said most legislative sessions last one day, and to include more information about the written opposition to the bill.

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/08/25/ oregonians-share-urgencyand-ire-over-latest-proposal-to-raise-taxes-for-transportation-funding/ Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

C ontest

From Page A1

as a fun and memorable vacation destination. It’s time to download your best photos from your smartphone or camera and send us your highest-resolution shots (limit 10) that capture the very best of Oregon’s Coastal Playground with you, your family, or friends having fun here.”

Photos must be taken within 20 miles of Florence to be eligible.

Yondr

From Page A1

working condition.”

The lockable pouch allows the owner to maintain possession of the phone without allowing it to be used until they leave.

The contest is open to Florence area residents and visitors from all over the world. Amateurs and professionals alike are encouraged to enter. Special consideration will be given photos that convey a diversity of people (age, culture, community) having fun in and around Florence. Portrait-oriented photos stand the best chance of being used in print media, though landscape-oriented photos are equally encouraged. Ideal photos will be in .jpg format, color, and measure 1920×1080 pixels, and

8MP, if possible. If the photo is more than 10 MP in file size, contestants can email Contest@ FlorenceChamber.com for a Dropbox URL through which to share the entry. By entering the contest, contestants state they have clear ownership and rights to submit the photo, that the photo is free of encumbrance by other entities, and give the Chamber unlimited rights for the use of photos in its publicity and marketing materials. Entrants retain rights for their own private use of the photos. Entrants

must provide signed photo release forms granting the Chamber permission to use the image or likeness of anyone included in the photo. Photos selected for use must not have watermarks. Entrants under the age of 18 must have written permission of a parent or guardian. For credit purposes, please title your image with your name. For more information, entry forms, and image release waivers visit FlorenceChamber.com/ photo-contest, call 541997-3128, or e-mail Info@ FlorenceChamber.com.

Before implementing the policy for the first time, Harklerode said the pouch was designed by a nightclub owner who was tired of having entire audiences standing throughout a show with their phones recording video.

Crosswalk

From Page A1

signal drivers must stop and remain stop for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane. Drivers must stop and remain stopped for students crossing or about to cross the street under the direction of a crossing guard. They must also stop and remain stopped for a blind or blind and deaf pedestrian using a cane or guide dog until the pedestrian is completely across the roadway.

According to a city release last week, “A stopped car maybe a clue that a pedestrian is crossing. Do not pass until you know what is going on. In fact, it’s not only unsafe but also illegal to pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian. Getting pedestrians more space and slowing down in the presence can

He said that when a group of teachers saw the invention, they realized their promise for use in the classroom and suggested it be used in schools.

More information can be found at https:// www.overyondr.com/ phone-free-schools

THE RULES

When students enter the school they must power off their phone or put it in airplane mode, please sit inside the pouch and

save lives. Pedestrians struck by vehicles at 40 mph have an 85% chance of dying in the collision. That death rate drops to 15% at 20 mph.”

Pitcher said the area of Spruce and 12th St. has been a problem area for

secure it, store the pouch in their backpack or locker until they leave, and students must show their phone and pouch when requested by staff.

If a student is caught using their phone during prohibited times, the phone will be taken by administration and returned at the end of the day. If it happens again, the phone will be returned to the student on the subsequent school day or May be picked up by a parent or guardian after 4 PM the day of the violation.

vehicle versus pedestrian collisions and near misses.

In the two-hour operation Aug. 23, officers issued 15 citations in just under two hours.

Pitcher said that while at the location, several residents stopped to thank

If a student continues to violate the rules, their phone will be collected at the beginning of the day and returned at the end of the day.

“This will be the students plan until the conference can be scheduled with a parent or guardian,” the policy states. If a student damages or loses a pouch, the replacement cost is $30

However, the policy regulates more than phones, but also iPods, MP3 players, laptops, tablets, earbuds and smart watches.

officers for the enforcement operation. “We’ll be back there again,” he said.

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

Generations of Vikings gather for HoF ceremony

Will LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Siuslaw High School’s main gym was packed for the 2026 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, with faces of past and present Vikings athletes and community members filling the stands and spilling onto the court.

While the event is usually held in the Florence Events Center, Siuslaw High School Athletic Director Max Perry wanted to change things up this year. The event was hosted at the high school in the gymnasium, and admission was free, with the option to donate $10 to the booster club.

It was a cross-generational celebration of some Viking icons.

“It was really well attended. One whole side of the gym was full, and we had people sitting in chairs on the floor. It was a really cool night,” Perry said. “We had the football team in attendance, some volleyball players, some cross country and soccer kids there too. It was awesome.”

The newly minted Hall of Fame class included Bob Sneddon, Ellen Henson, Jason Gage, Everett May, David Richmond, Tom Hagle, Tim Dodson, Hadley Roe Wells, and Guy Mamac. For Perry, as a Siuslaw graduate in 2007, this class was significant. The class featured some of the foundational figures from his

experience as a Viking.

“It was really neat. The induction class was a pretty special one for me. Tim Dodson was my high school football coach and someone who was foundational in my growth as a young person. Ellen Henson was a PE teacher of mine.

Guy Mamac was a legend, and one of my best friend’s cousins, who was inducted as well,” Perry said. “It was really cool to see all these people there, and then the people who came to support them. It was like a ‘who’s who’ of Siuslaw for the night. We got really positive feedback from everyone who was there.”

Despite some general trepidation about the change of venue, the reception to the setting was largely favorable. Perry recounted a conversation with inductee Bob Sneddon, who was

the MC for the night. Sneddon said he thought it was moving to see everyone in the gym and hear the stories they had to tell.

One of the most powerful moments of the night for Perry was seeing the current football team, who were sitting front and center, take in addresses from former football legends like Dodson, Mamac, and Tom Hagle, among others.

“It was cool because they were able to talk directly to those athletes who are living it right now. About the journey that we’re all on, and the role that athletics plays in that journey,” Perry said. Perry said he’d “bet good money,” (jokingly, of course) that there were some students in the audience wondering what they’d need to do to be in the Hall of Fame one day.

“Obviously, that’s not what we want them to think about right now,” Perry said. “We don’t want them to be thinking on these end process goals that won’t happen for years and years, or decades, but they want to make their mark too, and I think it’s pretty cool to give them the opportunity to carry on that tradition.”

Being immortalized in a Hall of Fame is a high honor, from high school to the pros - the people who are recognized offer the blueprint for what greatness is. Not just on the field, but as an educator, in academics, and in the community.

In today’s generation, Perry is impressed with the level the Vikings are reaching.

“We’re a school first, right? We’re really proud of the stuff the kids are doing; the amount of three-sport athletes

we have; kids who are involved in all these extracurriculars, while continuing to do athletics at a high level, while being ‘academic weapons’, to use their terminology,” Perry said. “It’s pretty awesome to see all the things the kids are doing.”

Looking around the gym on Aug. 22, Perry was glad to see how the community rallies around Siuslaw sports. Going into the season, he hopes to see fans in the stands and on the sidelines, not just for the well-established programs, but for the teams that are growing, year after year.

“I encourage people to go out to anything. Whether it’s a band concert, soccer game, or football game,” Perry said. “Just come out! Check it out. It’s a pretty good thing to do on a random weeknight in Florence, Oregon.”

Vikings football looking to carry on tradition

Will LOHRE Country Media, Inc.

Summers might be vacation time for many of the students at Siuslaw, but it’s also a time for the student-athletes to sharpen their skills. For Siuslaw Football Head Coach Sam Johnson and his squad, the offseason has been business as usual.

“Our summer was pretty busy, which is normal for us. Some 7 on 7 competitions at Marshfield and in Eugene. We had our summer lifting schedule and conditioning

weekly,” Johnson said.

“Our big summer thing, though, is a team camp with Sheldon. We hosted Sheldon for three days and we spent a full week at the gym and had our Annual Team Camp. Football at Siuslaw is a 12-month-a-year job for coaches and players with lifting, film, and preparing.”

Last season, the Vikings saw a successful 9-0 regular season end in the state quarterfinals, the deepest run they’ve had since winning the whole enchilada back in 2021

This is Johnson’s seventh

approach at the helm has been the same since the day he came aboard.

“My coaching philosophy has not changed since I was hired at Siuslaw - it is to produce really good young men

who will go out into our community or whatever community they choose to be a part of after high school and be productive, responsible, and respectful members of that community who people can rely upon,” Johnson said. “The main goal at Siuslaw Football is to help raise up really good future husbands, fathers, and friends.”

It’s an approach that he plans to continue, and one that will be imbued in the DNA of his team until he passes the torch to the next coach. His plan is to ride until the

wheels fall off, and he said he’s hoping to coach until he physically can’t coach any longer. It’s all about tradition for the Vikings. A tradition that has been passed down from one coach to another, and from one generation of players to the next. Johnson takes pride in being a stitch in the fabric of the community, coaching a team that is emblematic of the area. The style of football remains the same.

“Our brand of football at Siuslaw has not

Can you sponsor the haunted maze?

C.R.O.W., is seeking sponsors for its upcoming 1920’s crumbling theatre themed Haunted maze, entitled “Abandoned.” The nonprofit youth theatre organization is hoping to raise $5 500 in venue rental fees, with $1500 already secured from this goal. With acting and volunteer opportunities for both older youth and adults, the maze provides an outstanding

community event that is safe, fun, and exciting for all ages. There will be a less scary hour from 5-6 p.m. on October 25th for “little children and big chickens” who may want to experience the maze with no jump scares. New this year, is a “fast pass” ticket option, that shoots victims to the front of the line. The maze is held at the Florence Events Center, with indoor restrooms,

lobby boutique, photo ops, and tasty concessions. Over 1100 guests managed to make it through alive last year, with many traveling from Corvallis, Astoria, Eugene/Springfield, Coos Bay, Portland, and even as far away as California and Washington.

Since 2011, C.R.O.W. has been dedicated to making the arts accessible to all, through a variety of high-caliber enrichment events,

classes, camps, workshops, and programs.

Last year, C.R.O.W. received a letter of gratitude from a special needs care facility in Corvallis, thanking the organization for being the only ADA accessibly haunted attraction in the region. The group was so impressed, and plans to return with residents, year after year. Funds from the maze will assist with the production of C.R.O.W.’s 2026 Spring mainstage

youth musical at the Florence Events Center (Seussical) as well as the Holly Jolly Follies and camps, dance classes, and workshops for all ages.

“Sponsoring our haunted maze literally screams that you are an active supporter of a well-rounded, arts-enriched education for our local kids,” says Heard. To sponsor, volunteer, or act: http://www.crowkids. com/haunted-maze

For Love in a Time of Conflict

We long for belonging.

We’re hard-wired to yearn for intimacy, connection, a sense of “we/us” too often defined against “they/ them.” Our poets speak of the unity of all beings and all creation, but on

Community Briefs

a visceral level, we long for “aha” of the unforced smile at being recognized in the grocery store and the genuine delight of being named “part of our group/club/church/family.”

We long for belonging and yet the erosion of trust in our communal well-being, the ongoing demonization of the “other” and the weight of

BUD’S UPHOLSTERY

despair over losing prized principles of our national character leave us distrustful, wounded, and suffering. How do we hold our longing? How do we tend to the fearfulness of the unknown in these days?

Join us on September 7th to explore these questions.

Location: 87738

Highway 101 at Heceta Beach Road

Doors open on Sunday at 9:30; service begins at 10am

Everyone is welcome to attend. Well-behaved dogs are welcome as well. For more information, please contact: Sally Wantz ~ Florence. Unitarian@gmail.com

Florence Pet Grief Support Group

Are you grieving the death of a pet?

Anticipating the death of your pet? Wondering if/

Football

From Page B1

changed since the days of the great Coach Lutero; they were carried through by the legendary Coach Dodson, and they will not change by me,” Johnson said. “A hard-nosed, disciplined, split-back veer football team. Part of what makes the tradition of Siuslaw Football so great is alumni who played here 50 years ago or 10 years ago can show up on a Friday Night at Hans and know what they will see on the football field - a bunch of blue collar - hard nosed football players wearing Gold Helmets playing for their brothers out on the field and for all of the brotherhood who wore those helmets

when to euthanize an ailing pet? Grieving a lost pet?

You don’t have to go through this alone.

Receive and offer understanding and support with others who are coping with intense feelings and challenging issues related to pet grief.

The group is sponsored by the FUUF Animal Ministry, and is facilitated by professional counselors and coaches who are animal lovers with training in grief work.

The Florence pet grief support group takes place on the first and third Thursdays of every month, from 4:00pm to 5:15pm.

Meetings will take place at the Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (FUUF), located at87738 Route 1010 at Heceta Beach Rd. north of Florence.

Cost is free, donations are appreciated, and

before them in the prior 95 years.”

As is frequently the case, getting players to come out for the football team is not a problem for Johnson. He said it’s always “pretty dang good.” A lot of the players who don the blue and gold for Siuslaw are not the first in their families to do so. The sense of pride in the team is not just communal, but familial.

This season, Johnson expects contributions from up and down the roster - from the freshmen, all the way up to the seniors. There are a multitude of incredible football players on the team, but the group that will shoulder the burden is the program’s senior leaders.

Johnson listed them, their positions, and their accomplishments:

Come take a look at our ever changing inventory!

meetings are open to all adults 18 and over.

Facilitators are K.S. Stanley, MA, Wellness, Judy Dolmatch, MSW, LCSW, and Dhyan Summers, MA, LMFT. Contact Stanley for more information at fuufanimalministry@gmail. com

PFLAG Florence to hold chapter election Sept. 8

As part of its regular meeting Sept. 8, PFLAG Florence will provide an annual review, provide a short educational program, and conduct officer elections. Its new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. You don’t have to be a member to attend or be considered for nomination to the board. Mark your calendar and bring a friend. PFLAG meets at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship

WILL JOHNSON

#5 SENIOR DB & RB 5’11” 175LBS

• 3x All State (1st Team

DB ‘24, 2nd Team RB ‘24, Honorable Mention Flex ‘23)

• 8x All League (1st Team DB ‘24 1st Team RB ‘24, 1st Team Returner ‘24 1st Team

DB ‘23, 2nd Team RB 23, 1st Team DB ‘22,2nd Team WR ‘22 1st Team Returner ‘22)

MICAH BLANKENSHIP

#4 SENIOR QB & DB 5’8” 160LBS

• 1st ever 4-year starter in Siuslaw Football’s 96-year history

• 2x All League (2nd Team QB ‘24 2nd Team QB ‘23)

BRYCE FRANZONI

#1 SENIOR TE & DL 6’2” 180LBS

• 1x All League (Honorable Mention DL 24)

JACOB MANN #53

SENIOR DL & OL 6’3” 225LBS

• 1x All State (2nd Team OL ‘24)

• 4x All League (1st Team DL ‘24 1st Team OL ‘24, 1st Team DL ‘23, 2nd Team OL ‘23) Collin Barnett #78 Senior OL & DL 6 4” 255lbs

Hall of Florence United Methodist Church, and refreshments will be served.

PFLAG National has adopted a policy that board members serve for a maximum of 10 years, which means PFLAG Florence needs to fill two vacancies – a secretary and a treasurer – by October 1. If you are mission-aligned, please consider placing your name in nomination. Contact pflagflo@gmail.com or call or text 541-901-3737 Better still, come to the meeting September 8 and volunteer.

PFLAG Florence is an affiliate of a national organization with more than 350 chapters and 200 000 members and supporters across the United States. PFLAG is the country’s largest organization working to create a caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.

&

• 2x All League (2nd Team OL ‘24,

6 3”

• 1x All League (Honorable Mention OL ‘24)

TOM MORGAN #19 SENIOR WR & DB 5’10” 165LBS

• 2x All League (1st Team WR ‘24, 2nd Team WR ‘23)

JACOB ROSE #75 SENIOR OL & DL 5’10” 225LBS

JAXON CHIANG

#25 SENIOR RB & LB 5’8” 155LBS

NOAH GONZALEZ

#52 SENIOR DL & OL 5’10” 180LBS

While Johnson will undoubtedly have his eye on another deep playoff run this season, the conclusions he hopes his players draw from their experiences extend beyond the gridiron.

“I hope our young men take away lessons they can use the rest of their lives, whether those be ones they learn on the field or off the field,” Johnson said. “Show up, do your job to the best of your ability, and love those around you - I would say our whole foundation rests on that simple principle.”

Researchers are teaching robots to walk on Mars from the sand of New Mexico, following experiments in Oregon

SEAN NEALON Leader Guest Article

Researchers are closer to equipping a dog-like robot to conduct science on the surface of Mars after five days of experiments this month at White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

The national park is serving as a Mars analog environment and the scientists are conducting field test scenarios to inform future Mars operations with astronauts, dog-like robots known as quadruped robots, rovers and scientists at Mission Control on Earth.

The work builds on similar experiments by the team with the same robot on the slopes of Mount Hood in Oregon, which simulated the landscape on the Moon.

“Our group is very committed to putting quadrupeds on the Moon and on Mars,” said Cristina Wilson, a robotics researcher in the College of Engineering at Oregon State University.

“It’s the next frontier and takes advantage of the unique capabilities of legged robots.”

The NASA-funded project supports the agency’s Moon to Mars program, which is developing the tools for longterm lunar exploration and future crewed missions to Mars. It builds on research that has enabled NASA to send rovers and a helicopter to Mars.

The LASSIE Project: Legged Autonomous Surface Science in Analog Environments includes engineers, cognitive scientists, geoscientists and planetary scientists from Oregon State, the University of Southern California, Texas A&M University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and NASA Johnson Space Center.

The field work this month at White Sands was the second time the research team visited the national park. They made the initial trip in 2023 and also made trips in 2023 and 2024 to Mount Hood. During these field sessions, the scientists gather data from the feet of the quadruped robots, which can measure mechanical responses to foot-surface interactions.

“In the same way that the human foot standing on ground can sense the stability of the surface as things shift, legged robots are capable of potentially feeling the exact same thing,” Wilson said. “So each step the robot takes provides us information that will help its future performance in places like the Moon or Mars.”

The conditions at White Sands this month were challenging. Tripledigit high temperatures meant the team started field work at sunrise and wrapped by late morning because of the rising heat index and its impact on the researchers and the power supply to the robots.

But the team made important progress. Improvements to the algorithms they have refined in recent years led for the first time to the robot acting autonomously and making its own decisions.

This is important, Wilson noted, because in a scenario where the quadruped would be on the surface of Mars with an astronaut, it would allow both the robot and the astronaut to act independently, increasing the amount of scientific work that could be accomplished.

They also tested advances they have made in developing different ways for the robot to move depending on surface conditions, which could lead to increased energy efficiency, Wilson

Come take a look at our ever changing inventory!

said.

“There is certainly a lot more research to do, but these are important steps in realizing the goal of sending quadrupeds to the Moon and Mars,” Wilson said.

Other leaders of the project include Feifei Qian, USC; Ryan Ewing and Kenton Fisher, NASA Johnson Space Center; Marion Nachon, Texas A&M; Frances Rivera-Hernández, Georgia Tech; Douglas Jerolmack and Daniel Koditschek, University of Pennsylvania; and Thomas Shipley, Temple University.

The research is funded by the NASA Planetary Science and Technology through Analog Research (PSTAR) program, and Mars Exploration Program.

Sean Nealon is a news editor at Oregon State University’s University Relations and Marketing Department. He may be reached at sean.nealon@ oregonstate.edu.

Callustotoday to schedule an appointment. CheckToday’s

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

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.

RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH, L.C.M.S. Worship Services 10 am • Bible Study 9:00 am Pastor Steve Waterman 85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038 Facebook.com/ResurrectionLutheranChurchFlorence www.puppro.wixite.com/rlcflorence

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IF YOU HAD KNEE OR HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY and suffered an infection due to use of a Bair Hugger (Blue Blanket), between 2020 and the present time, you may be entitled to compensation. Call attorney Charles H. Johnson 800/5355727.

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long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855839-0752. Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-877-557-1912 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Topof-the-line installation and service. Now

featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-833395-1433. Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. For more information, call 1-877-916-0803. The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time

Offer - $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1-844-847-9778. The Generac PWRcell, a solar plus battery storage system. SAVE money, reduce your reliance on the grid, prepare for power outages and power your home. Full installation services available. $0 Down Financing Option. Re-

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