Accident Closes 101 For 5 Hours; Fred Meyer Commits to Stop Selling Guns; Barton Leaving to Take Post in Bend

Accident Closes 101 For 5 Hours

A multiple vehicle crash shut down part of highway 101 yesterday afternoon as Oregon State Police responded to milepost 174 south of Yachats.  The driver of a 2002 Ford Ranger Pick-up Jeremy Hackney of Coos Bay went into the south bound lane of highway 101 while in a right hand curve striking two other vehicles before swerving and flipping on its side.  Hackney received fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. His passenger, 43 year old Stephanie Hackney, the driver’s wife, was transported to Peace Harbor Medical center with non-life threatening injuries.  None of the passengers in either of the other two vehicles received any serious injuries as a result of the accident.  Highway 101 was closed for 5 hours as the accident was investigated and debris cleared.  Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue was on scene and assisted OSP.

Fred Meyer Commits to Stop Selling Guns

Fred Meyer Stores will discontinue its line of firearms sales in its stores.  The Associated Press reported Saturday that the decision was made due to declining sales and a plan to optimize floor space in its stores.  There was no deadline for the sales according to a press release issued by Jeffrey Temple a spokesman for Fred Meyer.  The company recently issued a statement in response to the recent Florida school shooting that it would restrict sales to anyone under the age of 21, but this new move makes that decision moot.  The press release did not mention the Parkland shooting, only that the company’s focus will no longer include gun sales that in recent years had been declining anyway.

Barton Leaving to Take Post in Bend

The Siuslaw News reported on Saturday that Florence Food Share Executive Director, Norma Barton would be leaving for opportunities in Bend.  According to the article Barton will be heading up the Bend Spay and Neuter Clinic.