The Florence Police Department is reporting that a man believed to be responsible for the armed robbery at the Florence Buds 4 U pot store is in custody. Police in Eugene arrested 38 year old Drew Smith of Mapleton on a probation violation. He was officially arrested for Robbery II and Aggravated Theft I by Florence police. He was being housed at the Lane County Adult Corrections facility at the time of his arrest. Chief John Pitcher with the Florence Police Department says the investigation is still continuing and if anyone has information on the robbery or suspect they can contact Sgt. Bailey or Officer Muir at 997-3515.
Youth Suicide Prevention Classes
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in Oregon among people ages 5-24 and has recently touched the Florence community. In the wake of tragedy the Oregon Health Authority will be providing virtual training programs for school counselors, behavioral health providers and clinicians for free. The Youth SAVE program normally costs $250.00. the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs will be facilitating the 2 day online courses, the first of which will be May 23 and 24. A link to the course page will be available on the Coast Radio website. There are also classes available for the general public that can be found by doing an online search for QPR trainings.
May 23-24, 2023 / AOCMHP Youth SAVE (eventsquid.com)
Traffic Pattern for Rhody Parade
This weekend the City of Florence will be filled with visitors for the Annual Rhododendron Festival. On Sunday the Grand Floral parade will march down Highway 101 at noon. There will be a special traffic pattern for vehicles that need to move along the highway from 11am until 2 pm. The east side of the highway will be split into one lane in each direction. Local traffic may find it more convenient to use Spruce Street or Kingwood for access to stores and shops or to visit festivities in Old Town. The parade this year will celebrate local business owner Mike Bones as the Grand Marshall. Bones owns Bones nursery north of Florence and has been a valued volunteer for the Florence Chamber and is an expert in the rhododendron species.
