King and Queen Chosen
Saturday night’s coronation held all the pomp and circumstance that was anticipated as the City of Florence gets ready to kick off the busiest week of the tourist season with the 118th annual Rhododendron Festival. The newly appointed Queen Rhododendron and King of the Coast are Siuslaw seniors Ashlyn Hart and Joel Sissel. Coast Radio caught up with the King and Queen after the coronation. King of the Coast Joel Sissel:
“it’s a great Feeling. Just representing the town and Florence, it’s just amazing.”
And Queen Ashlyn Hart:
“Aw, I just can’t believe it. I have been thinking about this since first grade when I was a little first grade princess so getting to actually happen, I just feel like I’m so grateful for Rhododendron Court but also Maygan, who was my senior princess when it happened. I’m just so grateful.”
The Rhododendron court has spent almost the last five months preparing for the coronation visiting locations around the city, learning speeches, and meeting residents and business people. The Queen and King along with the rest of the court will now be ambassadors for the festival which officially kicks off on Wednesday. Davis Carnivals, a vendor market, car show and cruise, and the Rhododendron parade are features of the festival. At the Florence Events Center there will be the Siuslaw High School Spring Choir Concert Wednesday evening and the Rhododendron Flower show on Saturday and Sunday along with the Rhody Days Art Festival on Sunday. The City of Florence Website as well as the Florence Chamber Website have information about the festival available.
Nominations Closed
Nominations are now closed for the 2025 Siuslaw Awards. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce wrapped up the nomination period on Sunday for its annual celebration recognizing outstanding local businesses and individuals. The awards will be presented June 13th and include categories such as Customer Service, Innovation, Community Impact, and the prestigious Stu Johnston Business of the Year.
Budget and Planning Commission
While it is Rhododendron week, the City of Florence will be ardently working on the biennial budget for the next two fiscal years. There are three meetings scheduled for this week. Another entity of the city is the Florence Urban Renewal Agency that will also be in budget talks this Wednesday. The Florence Planning Commission will consider a request from Siuslaw Outreach Services Tuesday Evening to convert a former church at 1536 12th Street into professional offices. The site lies in a High Density Residential zone, requiring a Conditional Use Permit and Design Review. Staff have recommended approval, though the request includes three code deviations—relating to landscaping, parking islands, and walkway buffers—each supported by existing site conditions. No public objections were submitted, and agency referrals raised no concerns. The Commission will decide whether to grant the permit with the proposed conditions.
