Sneddon Retires
Bob Sneddon, long time coast Radio broadcaster, newsman, firefighter and life-long resident of Florence has retired. Sneddon has been a staple at the radio station for two decades, getting his first taste of radio as the voice of the local Chevrolet dealer in 1988. He also had almost 3 decades with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. He shared one of many anecdotes from his time at the station.
“I Got one Saturday off a month and I remember for some reason I was up really early. And I got in the car and turned the radio on and there was dead air, and I said what’s up with that and so I just went straight to the station and charged up the steps, opened the door, the guy that was supposed to fill in for me on that one Saturday didn’t show up. And I got the station on the air and got the music started, but I didn’t once crack a mic. I wasn’t gonna say it’s me. I didn’t want anyone to think it was me that overslept.”
Bob Sneddon is going to be celebrated by the community this Sunday at the Western Lane Fire and EMS Station 1 on highway 101. From 1 to 3 pm.
School in Session
School is back in session and buses are back on the road and Superintendent Andy Grzskowiak says some new requirements for students that will be graduating this year are in effect.
“so students are going to have to demonstrate, in one way or another, not necessarily the state test but again that they have a fundamental core knowledge of the subject matter.”
High school principal Mike Harklerode said this year’s graduating class is one of the largest classes to ever graduate from Siuslaw.
“ But they are the biggest graduating class we’ve had at Siuslaw High School in half a generation. About 127 students if they all return. And followed by an almost 40 student drop in the class right behind them so we have a real big class about to make their final year at k-12 education here.”
Grzeskowiak says some cuts were made due to budget restraints brought on by a decrease in funding, but that the school was able to maintain their current teacher to student ration.
Food Share Receives Grant
Florence Food Share has received a $7,099 grant from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund to purchase and install a new freezer. Executive Director Colin Morgan says two of their freezers recently began failing. A private donation covered one replacement, and this grant will cover the second. Morgan adds that freezers are a vital part of the pantry’s operation, which provides free food to low-income residents in western Lane County. Since its inception, the Siletz fund has distributed more than $16.3 million in charitable awards.