Museum Update (correction)
We previously reported that the director of the Oregon Coast Military Museum had been taken into custody. Now, new details have emerged as Geoffrey Cannon faces four felony counts of second-degree sexual abuse. According to court records, the charges stem from allegations of a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old girl affiliated with the museum. Prosecutors say the abuse began on or after August 1, 2024. Investigators executed search warrants in late July at both the museum and Cannon’s residence, seizing evidence from each location. Cannon was arrested at the museum on July 10, booked into the Florence City Jail, and later transferred to the Lane County Jail, where he was arraigned in circuit court. In a statement, the girl’s mother condemned the museum’s response, saying her child “deserved a safe, supportive place to learn and contribute, not to be exploited by someone in power.” Following Cannon’s arrest, the museum’s board placed him on paid administrative leave. Board president Gary Cannon, who is also Geoffrey Cannon’s father, confirmed the decision but declined further comment. The board’s handling of the case has drawn criticism after a recorded meeting surfaced in which a board member reportedly said the alleged victim “knew what she was doing.” That remark has sparked further scrutiny of the museum’s leadership. Geoffrey Cannon has served as director of the museum since 2015. The case remains under investigation.
(It was expressed at the recent rally at the Oregon Coast Military Museum that Coast Radio purposely posted in this article that the relationship was between Cannon and a 16 year old juvenile. As part of this initial post, the information we received from the Lane County District Attorney classified the relationship in this way. A clarification is that the grooming of this relationship likely started when the girl was 15. A statement from the mother clarified it even further: Tina Ferkey “So you have it in my words/writing. Grooming/kissing/hand holding began when (name redacted) was 15. Sexual touch (oral/penetrative intercourse) began on her 16th birthday.” The purpose of reporting is to give the facts as they are presented. The idea that Coast Radio intentionally or otherwise was complicit in false reporting is not accurate.)
Book Sale
The Friends of the Siuslaw Public Library will hold their annual Labor Day Weekend Book Sale later this month. The sale takes place Saturday, August 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Siuslaw Public Library in Florence. Items include books, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles, with proceeds supporting library programs. Members of the Friends of the Library are allowed early entry on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m., and memberships will be available at the door. The group says book sales are their largest source of revenue to benefit the library.
Radio Auction
Coast Radio will hold its biannual radio auction tomorrow morning. The event raises money for the station by offering listeners a chance to bid on more than 100 items valued at over 25 thousand dollars. Advertisers trade merchandise for commercial airtime, and items are typically sold for about half their retail value. The auction begins at 9:15 Friday and will air on both KCST and KCFM until every item is sold. A full list of available items can be found on the Coast Radio websites.
