26 June 2013
Pendleton Man Arrested in Coos Bay after Florence Car Theft
A 31-year old man with a last known address in Pendleton was arrested in Coos Bay Monday evening after the theft of an unlocked vehicle in Florence. Gabriel Johnson was taken into custody by Oregon State Police troopers and will face several charges, including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and theft. The theft charge is added because there was a firearm in the vehicle that the man allegedly stole from the parking lot at Dairy Queen in Florence.
Another vehicle, reported stolen out of Eugene was found in the Dairy Queen lot according to authorities.
Florence police lieutenant John Pitcher said the 2010 Toyota sport-utility had been left unlocked and the keys were in inside, making it easier for the vehicle to be taken. He stressed the importance of always locking your vehicle and taking the keys with you when leaving it… even if only for a brief time. Pitcher said auto thefts… and thefts from vehicles… are usually crimes of opportunity.
Arrest in thefts from vehicle
A 19-year old Florence man is facing several charges after a series of thefts from motor vehicles last week. Police say a purse containing credit cards was stolen from an unlocked vehicle on Spruce Street last Friday. Cards from the theft were then used at two locations in Florence and police were able to identify a suspect.
Tanner Mace is facing several charges, including theft, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle and fraudulent use of a credit card.
Florence police lieutenant John Pitcher said there were four other reported thefts from vehicles near the same time period and officers are investigating to see if Mace is connected to them as well.
Gas prices drop… match three year average for time of year.
The average price in Florence for a gallon of gasoline is still 19-cents higher than it was two months ago… but it’s 20-cents less than it was just four weeks ago. And, it’s about the same price that drivers have seen in Florence each July Fourth for the past two years.
After a rapid rise and a spike at $3.89 in late May, prices settled to $3.69 a gallon on average this week.
That puts prices right in line with where they’ve been at this time the past two years.
Nationally, prices are down a nickel a gallon to an average price of $3.55… Oregon’s average dropped a penny in the past week to $3.80.
Adopt-a-Park
Upkeep and maintenance at many of the smaller parks in Florence has been done over the years by volunteers. Neighborhood groups; families; scouts; and service organizations have pitched in to pick up trash, pull weeds, or make minor repairs as needed.
That’s freed up an already slim parks maintenance staff to concentrate on the larger issues that may arise.
The City of Florence is hoping to formalize those existing volunteer efforts and possibly expand them.
An “adopt a park” open house is set for tomorrow from 5:30 to 7 PM at City Hall. Officials want to visit with everyone who is already helping out… and anyone new that may want to pitch in.
Officials say there are a few minor requirements needed to formalize the arrangements.