Fallen Medic Remembered…
The only medic to die in the line of duty locally was remembered last week by Western Lane Ambulance District. Don Arnold was one of three killed in the crash of a helicopter as it lifted off from a remote logging site East of Florence on August 28th, 1991. Medics had responded to a logging accident and a helicopter was called to transport the injured man to Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene. Arnold accompanied the patient, but the two, along with the pilot, were all killed when the helicopter crashed after taking off.
A ‘silent rose’ ceremony was held last Tuesday at district headquarters in Florence. 21 red roses, one for each year since the crash, were laid on a memorial marker. Al Kreitz with Western Lane Ambulance said Arnold laid down his own life in the line of duty “committing a great act of heroism”.
Rods and Rhodies features Hot Rods and Drive In Movie
The third annual Drive-In Movie at Miller Park will be one highlight of this weekend’s Rods and Rhodies classic car show in Florence. Cars will begin arriving Friday afternoon and evening. Bay Street in Old Town will be closed from just West of the bridge to Nopal Street all day Saturday and Sunday as the cars will be on display. There’ll be a car-cruise in the Old Town area Saturday evening. The Boys and Girls Club have teamed up with Coast Radio for the third annual drive-in movie night at Miller Park on Saturday. They’ll start with live music at 5:30 Saturday evening, then at eight pm there’ll be a special free screening of the Spielberg classic “Goonies”.
Forest Road Maintenance
Access to a popular hiking spot on the Siuslaw National Forest will be limited all this month as repairs will be made to bridges on a forest road southeast of Florence. National Forest road number 23, which provides access from Sweet Creek Road to the Kentucky Falls Trailhead will be closed in September between Mondays and Fridays. Forest Service officials say weekday access to the trailhead will still be available by using Lane County road 4390 from Highway 126.