Ternyik to Grand Marshal Parade
Long time Florence resident Wilbur Ternyik will preside over the 109th Rhododendron Festival as Grand Marshal.
The Festival Committee, under Chamber President Jenna Bartlett, made the announcement yesterday.
Bartlett said Ternyik “played a pivotal role as an early leader in coastal conservation and many other contributions to the Oregon coast”. He was also instrumental in shaping the look over the Oregon Dunes beginning in the early 50s through sand dune stabilization efforts. He eventually became a highly respected and sought-after wetlands consultant.
His public life included service on the Florence City Council and as Mayor for several years and was a longtime presence on the Port of Siuslaw Commission. It was in that capacity that he repeatedly lobbied congress for improvements to the jetties and maintenance dredging on the Siuslaw River.
The Rhododendron Festival is May 20th, 21st, and 22nd. The Grand Floral Parade, which Ternyik will preside over, is on Sunday May 22nd.
Landmark legislation would put Oregon with the highest minimum in the country
Employers in Lane County will pay a minimum wage of $13.50 an hour by 2022 after lawmakers in Salem narrowly approved landmark legislation yesterday.
The new law will not only raise the state’s minimum wage to the highest level in the country, but will also do it through an unprecedented three-tiered system that sets different rates based on county lines.
Senate Bill 1532 passed the House late yesterday afternoon 32-26, along party lines. Coastal Representative Caddy McKeown was one of two Democrats who voted against the bill. She supported an increase, but said this bill needed more work. In earlier comments she said she preferred to regulate minimums based on industry, rather than “arbitrary” boundaries.
The bill, introduced by Governor Kate Brown, would gradually increase the minimum to $12.50 an hour in rural counties like Coos, Curry and Douglas; as well as most of Eastern Oregon.
Wages in the Willamette Valley; the central and north coast; southern Oregon; and Deschutes County would reach $13.50; and the top minimum of $14.75 would apply in metro-Portland.
New Port Manager gets to work
Port of Siuslaw manager Steve Leskin started on the job February first. He didn’t waste any time getting to work.
Steve Leskin — “Gotta get our property issues together, we have some surplus property that we’re marketing. Reduce some of the debt and then do some long over-due maintenance and work within our other assets like the campground and the other buildings that we own. So, that’s kind of the road map for where we’re at right now.
The former trial attorney and project manager for the Port of Bandon was selected by Port Commissioners from the second round of job applicants in January.
Maintenance work to limit bridge to one lane Monday
Traffic across the Siuslaw River Bridge on Highway 101 will be restricted to one lane most of the day Monday. Oregon Department of Transportation crews will be using a “snooper crane” to replace stainless steel hydraulic line clamps tha have corroded. One lane will be closed from seven AM util one PM. Drivers should expect delays. The work is regular maintenance and is not related to the ongoing Siuslaw Bridge Protection Project.
Fire destroys car in early morning crash
Florence police are seeking the identity and location this morning of the driver of a 1993 Cadillac Sedan Deville that was found engulfed in flames on Rhododendron Drive near Greentrees.
Lieutenant John Pitcher said an officer responded to a report of a car off the roadway and into a tree just before five AM.
It appeared to have been driving south on Rhododendron near the 12th Street bike path.
While firefighters extinguished the flames, a search of the immediate area was conducted, yielding no results. Pitcher said they were able to identify who the registered owner was, but he declined to release that information until officers could complete the investigation.
Two dozen employers to be represented at TRC job fair
A community Job Fair scheduled for next month promises to offer more than 50 available positions to job-seekers.
Attendance is free at the fair, which will run from ten to 5:30 at Three Rivers Casino on Thursday, March 24th.
Three Rivers Chief Operating Officer Mike Rose said the event will “provide ample opportunities for job seekers in Florence.”
So far at least 24 different businesses and community partners have agreed to be represented at the fair. The jobs are spread across a variety of different categories, including healthcare, grocery, restaurants, resorts, youth opportunities and education.
Pam Hickson is organizing the event for Three Rivers, she said there is still time for businesses and other employers to get involved. They can call her direct at 541-902-6504.
The March 24th Job Fair is free and open to the public.
Taking a look at Coast Radio Sports:
Boys’ Basketball… The Mapleton Sailors’ season came to an end last night at Mohawk High School with a 53-35 loss to the Indians in a Mountain West League Playoff game.
On the court tonight, the Siuslaw Vikings will wrap up the season on the road at North Bend against the Bulldogs. The girls tip off at six; the boys right after. Airtime on Coast Radio Sports is at 5:45.
The Skyline/Far West Regional wrestling meet gets underway this morning at Henley High School in Klamath Falls. There are 17 Vikings on the mats including number one seed Dylan Jennings at 220 pounds. The top four finishers in each weight class advance to next week’s OSAA state finals next week in Portland.
On the PAC-12 court this weekend, number 16 Oregon will host Oregon State for Civil War Basketball at Matthew Knight Arena. Tipoff is at seven PM tomorrow; the Pre game shows on both KCST and KCFM air beginning at 6:30.
College baseball begins this weekend for Oregon and Oregon State.
The Beavers are at the Surprise Tournament in Arizona where they will face Ball State today, Utah Valley tomorrow, then Minnesota Sunday before wrapping up against Utah Monday afternoon. It has been confirmed that Siuslaw grad Jake Thompson will start on the mound for Oregon State Saturday. The right handed fast-baller missed most of last season due to injuries.
Oregon is at San Diego State for a three game series against the Aztecs.
