Eugene Man Arrested in Florence
Early Monday morning, Florence Police responded to an alarm at the Senior Center on Kingwood Street around 5:45 a.m. Officers arrived to find a U-Haul van parked nearby and discovered a man actively stealing items from an outbuilding. The suspect, identified as 63-year-old Steven Blair Rouse of Eugene, was arrested on scene. Police say Rouse broke into a storage shed and freezer on the property. He was transported to Lane County Adult Corrections and faces charges of burglary, theft, criminal mischief, and trespassing.
Two Students to Receive Prestigious Scholarship
Two Siuslaw High School seniors, Storm Engel and Ashlyn Hart, have been awarded the prestigious Ford Family Foundation Scholarship—marking the first SHS recipients in over a dozen years. Selected from thousands across Oregon, only 130 students are chosen annually for the scholarship, which can provide up to $40,000 per year. Both students will attend Oregon State University, with Storm pursuing public health and policy and Ashlyn focusing on biology and nutrition as a pre-med student. The scholarship recognizes academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
Wildfire Awareness Month
May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal is urging residents to prepare now as the state braces for another potentially dangerous fire season. Last year, 1.9 million acres burned across Oregon, but homes with defensible space often survived. Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple says every Oregonian can help by clearing flammable debris, pruning trees, and keeping vegetation trimmed near homes. Uncontrolled debris burning remains a top cause of wildfires. Visit oregondefensiblespace.org for tips on how to protect your property and community.
LCC Joins Statewide Project
Lane Community College is joining a statewide pilot program aimed at easing Oregon’s shortage of behavioral health care providers. The initiative allows graduates of Lane’s Human Services associate degree to become Qualified Mental Health Associate-Registered professionals without needing a bachelor’s degree. Backed by the Oregon Health Authority, the program runs through spring 2029 and recognizes the college’s rigorous training and fieldwork. Officials say the program will help place qualified workers into clinical and community roles faster, especially in rural and underserved areas.
