Memorial Service Tuesday for prominent resident

Marteen Wick passes away

A long time and very visible member of the community passed away earlier this week. Bob King said Marteen Wick will be greatly missed.

Bob King – “There is no one in this world that wanted to have fun in life and view life every day with the fullest, and a smile, and hard work.”

She was only 65 years old; but struggled with Crohn’s disease most of her life.

Marteen Wick (center), flanked by John, her husband and family friend Claire Waggoner who wrote "Aunt Marteen- You were so loved by so many people. It didn't matter what you were going through or how you felt, you always kept that same smile and asked how everyone else was doing. I'm so thankful you were in my life for so many years, I was blessed to know you and have many memories with you. Although we miss you, we know you are doing just fine eating whatever you want, restriction free, in heaven with our Savior." (photo by Jennifer Waggoner) — Marteen Wick (center), flanked by John, her husband and family friend Claire Waggoner who wrote “Aunt Marteen- You were so loved by so many people. It didn’t matter what you were going through or how you felt, you always kept that same smile and asked how everyone else was doing. I’m so thankful you were in my life for so many years, I was blessed to know you and have many memories with you. Although we miss you, we know you are doing just fine eating whatever you want, restriction free, in heaven with our Savior.”
(photo by Jennifer Waggoner)

Bob King – “And of course, with that, they used strong medicine that really did damage to her kidneys so she’s been on dialysis now for, I think, the last five years and it’s taken its toll and she’s had health problems.”

Over the years, Wick owned and operated several businesses in Florence, most recently Kitchen Klutter. King said she also made an immediate impact on Oregon Pacific Bank when she joined the Board of Directors 12 years ago. Wick was also very involved in community activities.

Bob King – “One of the biggest losses for us, of course, is losing the best friend in the world, but is the loss in the community and not having the worker bee that Marteen was.”

She is survived by her high school sweetheart and husband of 47 years, John Wick. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday afternoon, three-p.m., at the Florence Events Center.

Reedsport searching for new mascot

The Reedsport Community Charter School is beginning the process of saying farewell to the high school’s mascot. After about six decades of being known as the Reedsport Braves, the school has to meet a deadline of June 2017 to do away with the symbol or lose state funding.

School district officials had hoped to gain approval of continued use of the Brave as their mascot from the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians. But, tribal officials reminded the school last month they had adopted a policy several years ago saying the use of such mascots and accompanying symbols – quote – “perpetuate hurt, embarrassment, harassment and discrimination against Native Americans.”

Reedsport superintendent Dan Forbess (for-BUSS) told the Register Guard he’s not sure what mascot would be chosen to replace the Brave.

Salvage crew retrieves remains

The body of the skipper of the commercial fishing vessel that capsized just inside the Coos Bay entrance last week has been recovered. A U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson said remains of Jerry Barkley were recovered as a salvage team from Northwest Marine Services lifted the 62-foot trawler from the water with a crane barge late Wednesday.

Barkley was at the helm of the vessel as it was attempting to cross the bar March 23^rd with a hold full of Dover sole. Two crewmembers and an observer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were rescued after being thrown into the water as the Patty A.J. turned sharply, rolled and capsized.

The Patty A.J. is the fourth vessel to sink near the Coos Bay Entrance just since January.

Sheriff and Commissioner holding town halls

The first of a series of Town Hall meetings in Western Lane County hosted by Sheriff Byron Trapp and Lane County Commissioner Jay Bozievich will be held Monday evening in Veneta. Bozievich said the second will be Wednesday, April 6^th in Florence.

Jay Bozievich – “That’ll be at the Bromley Room, at the library, and it starts at 6:30 and we’ll be giving a brief presentation of the budget, you know, the results of the jail audit, and a few other things and present some information out to the public and then we’ll just be taking questions.”

Another Town Hall is set for the Mapleton Lions Club the evening of April 19^th with another, the following week on the 25^th at the Triangle Lake School.

Bozievich said he and Trapp are working on scheduling other town halls in Junction City and Lowell later in the month.

Bozievich will appear on next week’s Our Town on Coast Radio.

Food Share begins April “Feed the Need”

Nearly three dozen local businesses and organizations will be participating in the third annual “Feed the Need” fund drive this month. Florence Food Share Director Norma Barton said collection barrels will be placed at many different locations beginning Monday.

The most needed items on the shelves right now are peanut butter; canned chili or stew; Macaroni and Cheese; canned fruit and other staples.

Baby formula is always welcomed… and needed.

Barton said non-perishable food can be left in the collection barrels, or you are always welcome to drop off cash or checks at Food Share on Spruce Street, just behind Grocery Outlet.