Fire Destroys Iconic Home
A fire last night around 6:45 pm required the assistance of Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority as well as ODF. According to Deputy Chief Matt House a home along the west side of Highway 101 at milepost 173 was engulfed in flames and due to the size of the fire Highway 101 had to be closed for a period of time while firefighters battled the blaze. The 6,400 square foot home could not be saved, water was an issue as trucks had to leave and refill in Yachats. A subsequent brush fire started from the initial call. Reedsport fire assisted WLFEA by covering portions of the Florence area while local resources were deployed. A total of 60 firefighters from 10 agencies were on scene through the night. Investigators are looking into the cause of the fire.
Highway 126 Crash Information
Information on Wednesday’s crash on 126 has been released by the Oregon State Police. At approximately 5:46 pm a white Dodge Challenger operated by Allen David Weaver Jr. of Grace Idaho was traveling westbound when it crossed the yellow line sideswiping a Nissan frontier operated by 36 year old McKenzie Rhea Myers of Florence pulling a travel trailer. The dodge continued out of control in the westbound lane and struck a green Toyota Tacoma pickup driven by Derek Zavier Powell, 31, of Eugene. Weaver jr. was pronounced deceased at the scene as were two passengers in the Toyota pickup. They were 28 year old Lacy Nicole Taylor and 58 year old Michele Denise Taylor both of Eugene. The operator of the Toyota, powell and another passenger 59 year old David Michael Taylor were transported with serious injuries. The two Florence occupents in the Nissan were not injured during the incident.
Same Day Camp Reservations
Oregon State Parks has issued a notice that people wishing to book last minute spaces in coastal areas can now do so online. Previously visitors needed at least 24 hours prior to their visit to reserve a space, but a new system in place changes that requirement. The new program is part of a pilot program at the coast to allow travelers to make sure they have a space before leaving home. Across the 17 coastal areas approximately 1.9 million camper nights are reserved each year. Same day reservations are available for RV as well as tent campers.
Oregon Dunes Restoration
Beginning July 15th and carrying over to the 22nd there will be several events presented by the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative. Saturday the 15th there will be a presentation called “Secrets of the Oregon Dunes.” The talk will be given by Dina Pavlis at the Siuslaw Public Library and will cover dunes history, geology, topography and conservation efforts. The following day there will be a guided hike beginning at 9am. The following Saturday, July 22nd, there will be a scotch broom removal at Heceta Dunes beginning at 10 am. Heceta Dunes are located on Joshua Lane just off of fourth street down Heceta Beach Road north of Florence.