1 Dead – 1 Missing
U.S.Coast Guard was called to a mayday request early Saturday morning. the fishing vessel the White Swan III was taking on water according to the boat’s master 68 year old Mike Morgan. The boat was approximately 35 miles off the coast of Florence. U.S. Coast Guard Siuslaw station was the first to arrive and found debris and a lifeboat. They also retrieved an unresponsive female whose name has not yet been released. Crews from Siuslaw and North Bend searched the waters for 24 hours before ending the search for Morgan. Helicopter crews from the Columbia, North Bend and Newport station assisted in the search, at one point having to stop due to heavy fog. Chief Boatswain’s Mate, Jay Nilles from the Siuslaw Station deferred comments to the North Bend Sector of the Coast Guard. Scott Giard the Coast Guard Search and Rescue Program Manager released a statement saying the decision to suspend a search is never easy and made only after careful consideration of a myriad of factors.
Former Siuslaw Coach Passes
Former Siuslaw Baseball coach and coach of the San Diego State University Aztecs passed away Sunday from complications of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Dietz coached the SDSU Aztecs for 31 years before retiring in 2002 and then coached the Alaska Goldpanners from 2009 until 2012. Dietz, who was from Eugene settled in Florence with his wife Carol. He was 83.
No New COVID-19: Florence
COVID-19 numbers for Florence continue to go unchanged as the area enters its second week without a confirmed case. Friday’s numbers for Lane County were down to 12, the lowest since before July of 2021. The 7 day average for cases per 100,000 has dropped below 40. There are still 24 COVID-19 patients in Lane County Hospitals as cases statewide continue to move downward at 157.
Flu Rates Dip Slightly
After a report of climbing flu rates the state experienced a drop in cases for the week ending March 19th. it takes the OHA about a week to tabulate all the test results, but a decline of about .5% was recognized. This is typically the peak season for flu there were 118 cases for the reporting week with 84 of those cases in Southern Oregon.
Reedsport Chief Suspended
The City of Reedsport has put its chief of Police on paid administrative leave. Specific details of why he was placed on leave are not known.
