Florence Man Arrested in Hit and Run
An anonymous tip last week led police in Corvallis to a vehicle of interest in a hit and run that left a pedestrian with traumatic injuries near the Oregon State University campus last month. 47-year old Kenneth Kreitz of Florence was arrested Tuesday following the seizure and search of his vehicle. Investigators say they found evidence of the crash that left 21 year old Aliyah Lopez, an OSU student, with traumatic injuries. She reportedly remains hospitalized at Good Samaritan Regional Medical facility in Corvallis more than three weeks after she was struck by a vehicle as she was crossing a street late in the afternoon of September 26th. Kreitz was booked into the Benton County Jail on a number of charges including Tampering with Physical Evidence and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver. It’s not clear if he has an attorney.
Veterans Day Parade
This year’s Florence Veterans Day Parade will honor a retired Vet who has worked hard on behalf of other veterans in the community.
“The Grand Marshal this years is James Swant, retired Air Force.”
Parade committee assistant chair Bob Brown says Swant served 20 years on active duty, but that wasn’t the only reason he was selected.
“Áll the hard work he’s done for veterans, in various capacities. He’s due to be honored.”
The parade begins at one pm Friday, November 11th. It will form at the Florence Christian Church at 11:30 that morning before moving through Old Town. Entry applications are available between nine and four weekdays here at Coast Radio .
Journalist to Speak
An award winning journalist and author with 25-years experience with East Coast news organizations will speak in Florence November fifth about her latest book. Elizabeth Jordan’s most recent book is Top Gun Memos: The Making and Legacy of an Iconic Movie. The book relies on 90 interviews, 12-hundred studio and production documents and hundreds of news articles to tell the story of the original 1986 Top Gun movie. It’s filled with anecdotes about the making of the film, including production plights, off-screen danger, and challenges overcome by the filmmakers. Kevin Mittge, the adult services director at Siuslaw Public Library says Jordan, who now lives on the Oregon Coast, will be in the Bromley Room at the library the 5th at one PM. The program is free and open to the public but seating is limited so he encourages you to get there early.