Florence Man Sentenced
A Florence area man was sentenced to 270 months in prison for the May 2020 stabbing death of a man in a camp trailer on a property south of Florence. 33-year old Gregory Dominic Cross pleaded guilty to first degree manslaughter and hindering prosecution in the May 29th killing. Cross had just come to the home shared by 20-year old Damien DeTar and his girlfriend. When DeTar introduced himself, Cross reportedly became agitated and focused on the victim’s first name. Apparently Cross had recently seen a Facebook post about an alleged federal informant in Kentucky with the same first name and he demanded to know if DeTar was a “snitch”. Unprovoked, Cross then pulled a knife and stabbed DeTar in the heart. Cross immediately fled the scene. DeTar’s girlfriend Kristen Hansen thought an ambulance would take too long so she drove DeTar to Peace Harbor Hospital where He was pronounced dead. Cross was apprehended about a mile away hours after the stabbing.
Former Siuslaw News Owner Passes
The former owner of the Siuslaw News has died. Paul Holman was 77 and was a member of the Florence Community for many years. His father Dave Holman moved his family from Portland in 1958 and bought two publications which became the Siuslaw News. Paul and his wife Beverly returned from California in 1976 as a retired Air Force Pilot and learned the family trade before taking over operations around 1980. It was sold to News Media Corporation in 2000. Paul’s wife Beverly passed away in 2016. Services will be on Saturday April 2nd at 11a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
COVID Update
The daily averages for cases of COVID-19 in Lane County have dropped to 26. Over the weekend there were 51 cases reported the three day period. The Oregon Health Authority is reporting 560 cases for the same period with 5 new deaths. The number of hospital beds dedicated to covid patients has dropped below 200 for the first time in more than 6 months. There are currently 192 COVID-19 patients in Oregon Hospitals. 22 of those are in Lane County.
Pet Grief Sessions Continue
Losing a pet can be just as traumatic as losing a family member and that’s why the Oregon Coast Humane Society will be continuing a weekly Pet Grief Group. Under the guidance of Licensed Clinical Social Worker Constance Castaneda, the group will meet in the Vintage House, immediately next to the Humane Society’s Thrift Store every Friday afternoon at three pm. “Not everyone grieves the same” says OCHS Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson. Adding that everyone agrees they miss their animals and “that’s a bittersweet connection to have”. Thompson says there is no charge to participate, but donations to the Humane Society are encouraged.
