Police Complete Homicide Investigation
The Florence Police Department has released the details surrounding their homicide investigation. Police received a report of a possible dispute at 561 Hemlock Street upon arriving they found a male victim lying in the front yard with a head injury and a subject ran back inside the house. 28 year old Joseph Quinten Holtsberry was breathing but unconscious. Officers from Florence along with deputies from Lane County and troopers from Oregon State Police were able to secure the scene to allow Western Lane Fire and Ems to attend to the victim. A search of the area turned up a suspect hiding in the brush. Police took 50 year old Pouwel Veenstra into custody. Holtsberry was transported by life flight to Eugene but died in transport. After the investigation Veenstra was charged with murder and was transported to Lane County Adult Corrections.
Election 2022
Election results are in Rob Ward will once again serve as the Mayor of Florence garnering 52.8 percent of the vote with just under 4400 votes cast, with almost 7500 votes cast for City Council Jo Beaudreau and Robert Carp will take seats on the council. Beaudreau led all candidates with 28.13 percent of the votes cast with Carp receiving 25.72 percent of the vote. For West Lane County Commissioner Ryan Ceniga defeated Dawn Lesley with 54.99 percent of the vote. District 9 representative Boomer Wright will continue on for another term defeating Jerry Rust. Val Hoyle defeated Alek Skarlatos with 51.2% of the vote. With only 1% of the vote separating them it may be some time before we know who will be leading the state in the governor’s office. 67% of the votes have been tabulated and Tina Kotek holds a slim lead over Christine Drazan. Betsy Johnson received 8.8% of the votes which could have decided the election. It could be as late as December 5th before we know.
Dunes City
Dunes City has rejected a referendum to allow facilities that produce or sell psilocybin within their city limits. Sheldon Meyer will continue on as Dune City Mayor in an uncontested race. Rich Olson, Susan Snow and Melissa Stinson will serve on the Dunes City Council.
Parks Tax
Almost 60% of voters in Lane County approved a tax that would be used to upgrade, maintain and restore county parks, water access and Natural areas across the county. It will cost property owners $0.16 per $1,000 dollars in assessed value over 5 years beginning with the 2023/2024 fiscal year. For the average home that will be about $38.00 per year.
Doctor Pleads Guilty to Animal Neglect
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Hospital doctor Christy Horton has pleaded guilty to animal neglect in Eugene. Horton negotiated a plea deal that came with one year probation and she had to turn over her animals. The charges stem from issues with three Great Danes that were housed in her Eugene home. She also had 11 horses that she turned over to authorities. Under the agreement Horton will not be permitted to own dogs for a period of 5 years and any other animal for a year.
Veteran’s Get Together
Siuslaw High School will host a Veteran’s get together at the school tomorrow. Veterans are invited for coffee and donuts and to meet with the students. A special assembly is planned with the entire student body at 10:30
