Fire destroys motor home
A Florence area man and his pet were left homeless early Wednesday after fire destroyed the motor home they were living in.
Firefighters were dispatched to 4990 North Loftus Road, about one mile south of town, at 4:45 am. Siuslaw Valley Fire Chief Jim Langborg said they controlled the blaze quickly… in about 15-minutes… and fully extinguished it in about an hour. But, the R-V, valued at about $7-thousand, was a total loss.
The Chief said the man stepped outside about 4:30 that morning; when he opened the door to go back inside he discovered the flames.
The occupant told investigators he heated the motorhome with a portable propane heater and he said he believed his cat had knocked it over. Langborg did not release the man’s name.
The American Red Cross provided aid and assistance to the man and his pet. An investigation as to the precise cause of the fire is underway, but Langborg said they had already ruled out anything suspicious.
Murder suspect gives varying accounts
A 73-year old woman accused of murdering her 93-year old ex-husband last month in Florence told police differing stories after her arrest. That’s according to an affidavit filed this week by Florence Police Sergeant Brandon Ott.
Carolyn Stickley called 911 at 2:30 in the morning February 12th and told the dispatcher she had been in a struggle with her – quote – “dementia ex husband” at his home in Wild Winds and she had shot him in the head.
During interviews at the Florence Justice Center following her arrest, she then told two versions of what happened.
In the affidavit, Ott said Stickley initially claimed self-defense, but she later admitted to police that she shot the former Boeing engineer from behind because he was suffering from dementia and his quality of life had declined. She said she had promised him he would die in his own home.
Stickley remains in the Lane County Jail and has been formally charged with murder… she has pleaded not-guilty.
Bank robbery suspect arrested in Eugene
The man who police say was involved in an attempted robbery of a bank in Florence last week was arrested Wednesday after a similar incident in Eugene.
Eugene Police officers and FBI agents took 48-year old Roderick Jay Wilson into custody in downtown Eugene just before noon. That was about an hour after a man who matched his description entered Banner Bank on Sixth Avenue and demanded cash.
An FBI spokesperson said Wilson is also a suspect in the incident that occurred February 24th at Oregon Pacific Bank in Florence. In that case, a man walked into the bank and said he was going to rob it, then walked outside and waited for police to arrive.
Officials at the time said it appeared the man was having mental health issues and they temporarily took him into custody for an evaluation.
Wilson appeared before a federal magistrate in Eugene yesterday afternoon.
Home and Garden Show offers tasty treats
A “Taste of Spring” is the theme of this weekend’s Florence Home and Garden Show at the Florence Events Center and that’s just exactly what several exhibitors have in store for you.
The Laurel Bay gardens Nursery has gardening and “grow-your-own” tips inside and outside, as well as locally produced jams, jellies and chutneys, Bandon’s Face Rock Creamery will be displaying their award winning cheeses, produced on the southern Oregon Coast. Kimo’s Dips will have dozens of varieties of gourmet dips, sauces and spreads.
Noti’s Winter Green Farm will talk about how they’ve been growing fruits and vegetables organically since 1984. They also humanely raise grass-fed beef.
If you’re a true “do-it-yourselfer” you’ll have plenty of options: Mark and Company’s recycled glass greenhouses; C-James Nursery’s “down under” tomato planters; Cutco Cutlery; and Kitchen Kraft cookware. For the 21-and older crowd, Corvallis based Spiritopia Distillers will have three flavored liqueurs and their award winning Bourbon-Style Apple Brandy.
The 21st annual Florence Home and Garden Show opens from two to six Friday, then ten to six Saturday before closing out Sunday from 11 to 3.
2016 Best Books to be listed
The 60-best books of 2016 will be rolled out in a fast-paced and entertaining presentation March 10th at Siuslaw Public Library. Adult Services Librarian Kevin Mittge has made this an annual event that features a non-stop listing and brief… very brief… comments about nearly all of the volumes.
Kevin Mittge – “Well each review is very quick, let me tell you. It’s very fast paced. Usually there are certain books that are standouts each year and then after that it’s just selecting what other people like to get to about 60.”
The Best Books presentation is Friday, March 10th at one pm in the Bromley Room.
