A memorial service for Florence Police Chief and Former Lane County Sheriff, Tom Turner, will be this afternoon at First Baptist Church in Eugene at 1:00pm. Turner gave his communities over 40 years of service with the Eugene and Florence Police Departments, as well as the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. The service will include various police honors and is open to the public. Chief Turner’s family has asked that in lieu of sending flowers, those wishing to donate consider offering contributions to local charities including service organizations dear to him: Siuslaw Outreach Services and National Night Out | City of Florence Oregon.
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Numbers from the Oregon Health Authority show Coronavirus cases are on the rise again in Lane County. Oregon Health Authority announced its recommendations for schools statewide, which could bring back masking up indoors. According to state officials, Lane County has a high transmission level, and some state leaders said this calls for new recommendations both in and out of schools. Although, to be clear, these recommendations are just that. They are not required to be put in place. To date 1682 cases of Covid have been reported in Florence.
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Candidates have begun to throw their hats into the ring for Florence City Council. Donna Cherryholmes announced her candidacy Friday evening. “I want to stay focused on maintaining the small-town atmosphere that draws people to Florence, while allowing necessary growth that is in tune with the needs of the community,” she said.
Robert Carp entered the ring yesterday. Carp, a retired public safety worker, was recently appointed to the Florence Environmental Management Advisory Committee and says he has served as board member, treasurer and president for both companies and unions. He is running to be an advocate for city services, public safety and an efficient budget, he said.
The 2022 General Election will be held November 8. Open positions include Mayor, the position currently held by Joe Henry, and two councilor positions currently held by Woody Woodbury and Rob Ward. The filing period for these positions is open until Monday, August 15. Candidate Application packets are available online. Contact City Recorder Lindsey White for more information.
Tomorrow afternoon, Jerry Rust, plans to announce his candidacy at 2 pm at Florence City Hall.
Reedsport candidate packets available
In Reedsport, candidate packets for City Council positions, including Mayor, are now available. The candidacy requires gathering 25 signatures and can be obtained from the city recorder at Reedsport City Hall. Reedsport City Charter requires a one year continued residency and a nomination petition. The deadline for filing petitions is Thursday, August 18.
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A car crashed into the local art store yesterday. BeauxArts Fine Arts Materials in the Coastal Fitness Plaza on Highway 101 is normally closed on Mondays. The vehicle jumped a 5 inch curb to strike the front of the establishment breaking a window that has since been boarded up. 
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The Blue and Gold signs lining the right of way on each side of Highway 101 in the downtown area are there to honor the Siuslaw High School class of 2020. It’s the third year the signs have been underwritten by Florence Kiwanis. They went up June 2nd and are set to be taken down by this weekend. The Kiwanis provided signs for Mapleton Grads as well. They’ve been posted in two places in that community. At Mapleton High School as well as on Highway 126 across from the main business section.
