Police seeking information on stolen guns
Several weapons were reported stolen following the discovery of a burglary at Florence True Value early yesterday morning.
Florence Police Commander John Pitcher said dispatchers received a report of a broken window at approximately six A.M. According to Pitcher, once inside, the burglar or burglars broke into a display case and stole an AK-47 and a short barreled shotgun along with “several” Glock handguns.
Guns are an attractive target for thieves because they can be used literally as currency.
John Pitcher – “Yes they are. They’re easily tradeable for guns or cash; or pawned as well.”
According to Pitcher there is no reason to believe the guns will be used for anything other than converting to cash…
John Pitcher – “But it always is a concern. Whenever guns are, guns are stolen, guns are out there on the street, and, you know I’m just going to assume they’re in the hands of a felon, you know, it is a concern.”
A $500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Iraq War display to open in Florence
The first anniversary of the Oregon Coast Military Museum is going to be celebrated this weekend. According to Operations Chief Jeffrey Cannon there will be an unveiling Saturday afternoon.
Jeffrey Cannon – “Our newest display. We’ve been keeping it kind of a secret for a few months now, but we’ve been working on it since about February.”
The official opening of that display, centered around the most recent war on terrorism, is 12:30.
Jeffrey Cannon – “The idea of this diorama is to depict a little Iraqi village during the war on terrorism.”
When the museum opened last year on the Fourth of July, the displays were all focused on conflicts through Viet Nam. This display is a way of moving forward.
Jeffrey Cannon – “To say, hey, we haven’t forgotten about the Middle East, we’re going to show our support for you guys as well. That’s our goal.”
There is no admission charge to tour the museum on Kingwood Street, next to the Airport. Tomorrow’s unveiling is held in conjunction with the Wings and Wheels car and airplane show.
SOS received; Cash sent
A $5-thousand grant from the Eugene based Chambers Family Foundation will help people in the Florence area deal with emergency situations.
Siuslaw Outreach Services executive David Wiegan said last year, his agency provided 843 emergency vouchers for shelter, prescriptions, utilities, food, fuel and other basic needs like laundry, transportation and even showers.
Wiegan said the 5-thousand from the Chambers Family Foundation comes at a good time. SOS was on the verge of depleting their emergency funds in recent months. He said they have seen a large number of people seeking assistance; especially families with children.
People experiencing a financial or medical crisis can get a voucher from SOS that are redeemable at participating local businesses.
Siuslaw Alumnus central in ground breaking facial surgery
A cancer survivor in Washington State can smile again after undergoing a rare reconstructive surgery performed by surgeons last month at the University of Washington.
One of those surgeons, Dr. Thomas Dodson, is a 1975 graduate of Siuslaw High School.
Dodson is the chair of the UW Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He, along with two other surgeons, rebuilt the patient’s jaw using advanced 3-D computer modeling during the 16-hour surgery.
According to “The Daily” of the University of Washington, the traditional method would have entailed months of work using bone grafts and dental implants.
The patient is expected to be able to eat, speak and swallow without difficulty following recovery and should, say doctors, be able to lead a normal life.
Yachats River of Pie
Have you ever wondered what it takes to put together a river of pie? The Yachats Ladies Club will show you Monday morning, July 4th.
For the past 16 years the group has been baking fruit pies, cream pies, berry pies, and a few specialty items… things like raisin pie, pecan pie and even sugar free and gluten free options… and putting them up for sale by the slice on Independence Day.
Pie slicers begin at 7:30 that morning and it takes them three hours to slice and plate the pies, putting them on display.
They go on sale at 10:30 Monday morning. You can have your pie “straight up” or with ice cream and coffee.
This year, they’re doing the pie sale at their clubhouse on third street at Pontiac in Yachats. The proceeds go to the club; the longest running women’s service club in Lincoln County.
Florence Fourth
You can cap your long weekend with an Independence Day celebration Monday in Historic Old Town Florence.
But you’ll want to leave your personal fireworks at home.
Public officials are reminding visitors and residents alike that personal fireworks, even the legal ones, are prohibited in most areas of Old Town Florence. That includes Port of Siuslaw properties such as parking lots and the Boardwalk. It also includes sidewalks and street rights of way in Old Town.
Fire and personal danger, along with the mess are the reasons why the City and the Port banned them five years ago.
You can still get your fireworks fix however… the public display, sponsored by the Chamber, is set for ten pm on the Fourth. This year, once again, they’ll be fired from the east end of the Port of Siuslaw RV Park. Chamber events manager Nancy Pearson said they’ll be aimed over the Siuslaw River and will be visible from many places in Old Town.
