Florence Man Arrested For Murder
Oregon State Police Forensics was called to the scene of a murder early Saturday morning. The Florence Police Department arrested 61 year old Kevin Cooper after a call of a deceased person came in to the address of 4135 Munsel Creek Drive. The name of the victim was not released but social media had ramped up in the hours since the crime was reported. The name was shared, but comments were taken down that referenced it. Neighbors said there have been numerous incidents at the address over the past several years to the point where some had intervened. Cooper had previously been in jail for assault and had been out for about 5 years. Witnesses also said that it was the suspects girlfriend that called police and led them to evidence involved in the crime. The Lane County District attorney is handling the case, coast radio news will not release the victim’s name until it is confirmed by the District Attorneys office.
LCC Back in Session
After days of cancelled classes due to network issues and weather, the Lane Community College campus in Florence is open this morning. Classes had been cancelled county wide which includes the campuses at Cottage Grove and Eugene, due to the storm that blanketed the county last week.
Shelter to Open Again
Cold weather continues to loom over Florence prompting another night of the Florence Cold Weather Shelter. For the past 2 night the shelter had moved to the New Life Lutheran Church on Spruce Street next to the Florence Food Share. The shelter will again be there this evening and will open for registration at 5 pm. The usual stops for transportation will be available: the Siuslaw Public Library, Safeway and Fred Meyer. Dinner will be served at 6 pm and a hot breakfast will be served in the morning before the shelter is closed. Temperatures are not expected to dip below freezing on Tuesday night, but cold temperatures are expected to continue this week.
Home and Garden Show
Over 3000 people visited the Florence Home and Garden Show at the Florence Event Center over the weekend. The three day event featured vendors in gardening, home repair, home furnishing, décor, food, and financing. Coast Radio’s Jon Thompson said the turnout was larger than last year as the event continues to draw locals and regional visitors.
