9 November 2015
School Threat Posed No Danger Say Administrators
A report of threats made against more than one student at Siuslaw High School last month were determined to be actual; but the student who allegedly made those threats had neither a credible plan, nor means to carry them out according to officials.
The student, who school officials did not identify, allegedly made the threats October 26th and was overheard by another student. Superintendent of Siuslaw Schools Ethel Angal said federal privacy laws limit what she can say.
Ethel Angal – “I can just tell you that there is no longer, if there even ever was a threat; which we don’t believe given the evidence that we have; it’s not a threat any longer.”
Florence Police Lieutenant John Pitcher could speak more freely. He said the student, reportedly a male 9th grader, threatened to shoot – quote – “a couple people”. Pitcher said he investigated; talking to all involved and even went to the boys’ home which was searched with the permission of the boys’ mother
Pitcher said he also reviewed the boys’ cell phone and his social media accounts and determined there was no real danger.
Because the boy “caused fear”; he was charged with disorderly conduct.
Port of Siuslaw to interview six finalist for manager’s position
A list of ten applicants for the Port of Siuslaw Manager position was trimmed to six last week by Port Commissioners. President Ron Caputo said the half-dozen will be invited to make presentations to the Commission and answer questions, tentatively Monday, November 16th.
Prior to paring the list in Executive Session, the Commission had said they wanted to try to limit it to just four.
The Commission also decided to pay retiring manager Bob Forsythe through December 23rd; but relieve him of any further obligations immediately. Administrative assistant Dina McClure was named interim manager.
Caputo said his hope was to have a new manager identified and hired by December First but acknowledge it may take a little longer.
Mule Drawn Wagon winds through Florence
Coastal residents have been following the progress of a mule-drawn wagon headed up Highway 101. The wagon, emblazoned with an evangelical Christian message is driven by a former Arizona taxidermist, Randy Boehmer. An informational handout from 2008 provided by Boehmer during a brief stop Thursday afternoon in Florence quotes him as saying he isn’t going anywhere in particular, just – quote — “wandering and telling anyone who will listen about God.”
The drover didn’t take time to do that in Florence however. After declining an interview he got back on the highway with his five mules and two dogs in search of a suitable campsite north of Florence before the sun went down.
Parks Master Plan to be aided by panel
Lane County is proposing the creation of a “blue ribbon” panel to help guide the next phase of work in revising the county’s parks master plan.
Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohiskey (MO-kro-HI-skee) said Friday the plan, which hasn’t been updated since 1980, must reflect “the priorities of our residents”.
Those priorities have been made clear in the Florence area over the past few weeks in response to one proposal contained in the initial draft plan. The possibility of selling a 40-acre parcel of park land inside the Florence Urban Growth Boundary to generate funding for other parks operations has been met with widespread opposition.
The Ocean Woods Park abuts two residential developments… Heceta South and Idylwood. Mokrohisky said Lane County is “listening carefully”. He says the panel would include local residents and park “stakeholders” that will provide recommendations throughout the remainder of the Master Plan update.
Crash kills one; closes highway 101 south of Reedsport
A Washington State woman died following a head-on crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 101 four miles south of Reedsport.
Police say a vehicle driven by 32-year old Julie Bowen of Reedsport crossed the centerline and struck a southbound Chevy Pickup head on. 40-year old Heather Walseth of Evans, Washington died at Lower Umpqua Hospital.
Bowen and a second passenger in the oncoming pickup, 67-year old Donald Dennison of Mt. Angel, Oregon, were transported to Riverbend Hospital in Springfield. The driver of the pickup, 43-year old Kelly Dennison was treated at Lower Umpqua Hospital and released.
Highway 101 was restricted for four hours as the investigation continued.
