Politics

The Oregon Coast Economic Summit convened in Lincoln City May 8 at the Chinook Winds Casino following a hiatus after the COVID pandemic. The event is designed to bring a host of local and state leaders, agency representatives, and others together for a day of networking, learning, and collaboration. State Rep. Court Boice said the Oregon Coast faces many challenges, but also he sees “tremendous economic opportunities’ and that’s what...

While it’s been dry for a while now, water remained flooding over Heceta Beach Drive and into neighborhoods for several days. Officials suspect beavers may have had something to do with it.

The Oregon Air National Guard will conduct Memorial Day flyovers for ceremonies at location throughout Oregon. F-15 Eagle fighter jets are scheduled to flyover Roseburg and Reedsport at or around the designated times on Monday:. *10:10 am. Reedsport Masonic Cemetery. *11:15 a.m. Roseburg National Cemetery. *11:20 a.m. Roseburg Memorial Gardens.

BROOKINGS, COOS BAY, OREGON COAST, Ore. -- A day-long meeting of a task force tracking a federal agency's wind farm plans along the Oregon coast is done after its afternoon became a long public comment session far beyond the half-hour planned. Oregonians generally expressed concern that the U.S. Bureau of...

REEDSPORT, Ore. — Forest Service staff and volunteers are welcoming visitors to the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area (ODNRA) for a busy summer season. The ODNRA offers a variety of multi-use recreation opportunities including hiking, boating, wildlife viewing, and Off-High Vehicle (OHV) riding. This year, special attention will be...

Thousands of people lined the streets of Florence on Sunday for the city's 117th annual Rhododendron Festival and Grand Floral Parade. "Our theme is high tides and good vibes," said Bettina Hannigan, president of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. "We're excited and we just got done walking up and down and looking at all the floats ourselves and it was really fun. Lots of happy, friendly faces out there and it's just a great community event." ...

County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman and Tom Kress would like to remind citizens that government offices in the courthouse as well as the Justice Building, Courthouse Annex in Reedsport, the landfill and transfer stations, fairgrounds and all external government offices will be closed to the public on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

The Florence Urban Renewal Agency will meet this evening at City hall at 5:30. The agency will hear the latest information on the Quince Street hotel project. Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer will brief the agency on the current status of the project and will reference a letter sent on May 17th from Matt Braun of Braun Hospitality. Braun is asking for an extension of the project and the development plan as he says investors are lying low and being conservative in their financial moves. He says they are facing “very Real” challenges in bringing the project to fruition. Braun names three challenges that need to be resolved, one is the national election and the significance it may play on market conditions, Inflation rates need to subside and they would like to see a stabilization of interest rates, preferably lower rates. Due to these factors he is seeking a one year extension. Braun in confident that they will be able to get all of the financing together but it will take an additional 8 months according to his letter. Complete details, and the letter submitted by Braun Hospitality can be accessed on the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.

Today is election day for Lane County and if you have not yet filled out your ballot, you have until 8pm this evening to drop it off at the Justice Center on 9th street. 5th district state senator Dick Anderson will have a democratic challenger from the Florence Area. Florence City Counselor Jo Beaudreau will seek the seat. 9th district state representative Boomer Wright will also have a challenger, Erik S Schuttpelz is a Coast Guard Veteran and a farm equipment saleman. US District 4 representative will have a choice of two republicans. Monique DeSpain is an air force veteran and an attorney who served 30 years in the military. Her primary opponent Amy L Ryan Courser, who most recently was a Keizer City Counselor, has her own consulting business and is the founder of the Women Across America political action committee and is a 5th generation Oregonian. Dunes City residents will also have a measure to decide if the city charter should be amended to provide that city public contracts be governed by state law. The current measure in place is stricter than state laws. Changing the charter would allow dunes city more opportunity in the contracting process.

With a big festival planned for Florence, organizers are urging caution on the highways headed into the city.

FLORENCE, Ore. — “Look up, Florence! Don’t miss the beautiful banners that director of tourism development Mitzi Hathaway designed and Sign Stop worked so hard to produce and install along with Florence City Public Works and Central Lincoln PUD,” said Florence Area Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Bettina Hannigan.

The Florence City Council paused for a photo with the Rhody royalty following a proclamation declaring May as Rhododendron Festival Month. Each member of the royalty was given a free pass to the carnival which starts May 16. Results from the coronation ceremony at Florence Event Center May 11 are...

SCOTTSBURG, Ore. — The nonprofit Scottsburg Community Services Association in Douglas County has received a $40,000 grant from the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation, the Foundation announced Tuesday. "Scottsburg Community Services Association is dedicated to enhancing the quality and promoting the overall welfare of the citizens within the Scottsburg Community...

Florence officials are pleased to announce they will be conducting a comprehensive quality of life survey beginning May 20th. The survey will initially be available to randomly selected residents, who will receive a mailed invitation to participate. Soon after, all residents will be able to complete the survey online by visiting the City of Florence’s website at www.ci.florence.or.us. “We have been hoping to conduct a community survey for several years and we’re very excited to be kicking the survey off this month,” says Mayor Rob Ward. “This survey will help the Florence City Council and staff to hear from a cross section of voices in our community, and use that information in our continuous efforts improve the quality of life in Florence. We are excited to hear what the community has to say and encourage members of our community to participate.” City staff have been working with Polco, an independent consultant and civic engagement company, to develop the survey. The instrument, known as The National Community Survey™, allows the City of Florence to compare results and benchmark residents’ opinions against other communities across the country. The survey will include questions about quality of life, important characteristics of community, services provided by in Florence, and priorities for the future. The survey will be available online in English and Spanish. The City of Florence Mayor and City Council members encourage all residents to participate in this survey. While the City is asking City of Florence residents to complete the survey, it is also the City’s hope to hear from residents in the urban growth boundary and the greater community. In the survey, you will be asked to indicate your residential location and whether you are a resident inside the City limits. Our entire community cares about quality of life in Florence and we want to hear from as many people as possible. Residents with questions about the survey may contact the City of Florence by phone at 541-997-3437, by email at cityrecorder@ci.florence.or.us, or by visiting www.ci.florence.or.us. Project Timeline May 20th: A survey invitation with a unique survey link (please do not share the link) will be mailed out to a random sample of residents so be on the lookout! If you are randomly picked to participate, we appreciate your prompt feedback. June 10th: An Open Participation survey will launch for all residents and businesses to participate. Check back to the City of Florence web page for the link. July 1st: Open Participation survey closes https://oregonblackpioneers.org/ View the Future is a locally based non-profit organization that has been responsible for stewarding andconserving lands for scenic views, wildlife habitat, environmental health, cultural preservation andrecreation in the Yachats area. https://viewthefuture.org/ Event Details: Date: June 16, 2024 Time: 2:00 PM Location: Yachats Commons, 4th St & Hwy 101 Admission: Suggested donation $5 Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the rich tapestry of Oregon's history with Zachary Stocks andOregon Black Pioneers. For media inquiries or further information, please contact Joanne Kittel at joannekittel@viewthefuture.org. #ViewTheFuture #yachatsoregon #oregoncoast #thepeoplescoast #OregonBlackPioneers.

At its May 6 meeting, the Florence City Council authorized the sale of two parcels of City property, to be used for the construction of an affordable rental complex and an early learning child care center. “The interested parties are Our Coastal Village, Inc. for Parcel 1, with the intention...

In partnership with Safe Lane Coalition, the City of Florence is offering an Oregon Friendly Driver Course in the Bromley Room of the Siuslaw Library on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, from 6 pm – 7:30 pm. Light refreshments will be provided. The Oregon Friendly Driver Course is an easy...

County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress, along with Salmon Harbor Marina Director Jim Zimmer and the staff at the marina, are announcing an open house event on May 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Marina Activity Center, located in the Winchester Bay RV Resort on Marina Way in Winchester Bay.

April showers bring May flowers. What does this have to do with backflow device testing? It’s spring and it is time to once again perform the City’s annual residential premise isolation backflow assembly testing. Starting May 20th, the City of Florence will begin the annual testing of residential...

The city of Florence is continuing the construction on Rhododendron Drive this week and city manager Erin Reynolds says the realignment is in full progress. With Rhododendron Weekend upcoming she says it is important to share the information with others that may be visiting. “Areas where it is closed both...