Court Records Show Situation at former Mapleton Restaurant
Details have now emerged about the former Old World Gingerbread Village Restaurant along Highway 126 in Mapleton. Property owner Carol Sarault told Coast Radio early on that she was not at liberty to discuss the situation, which began after she was approached about a pop-up style event on the property grounds. Following that event in mid-November, the occupants did not leave, and the matter was taken to court. KEZI News reports that the former restaurant is now the subject of a legal dispute involving Brittany N. Jones, who is accused of occupying the building without permission. The restaurant closed on March 30 after seven years of operation under Sarault, and the property had remained largely inactive until recently. Court documents indicate that a settlement was reached Tuesday morning. As part of that agreement, both parties are legally prohibited from discussing the situation publicly. Jones commented on a KEZI Facebook post stating that they are not squatters and that neither side is supposed to talk about the matter. Signage at the property indicates it has been operating as a thrift shop under the nonprofit name Ravens Landing. However, public records show Lane County Public Health issued a notice on November 21 ordering Jones to stop selling food without a license. Court records further state Jones is required to vacate the premises by midnight December 28. Jones later addressed leaving the building in a TikTok video, citing harassment. Jones is also a Democratic candidate for governor. Coast Radio reached out for comment on that campaign, but representatives said they would not address questions related to the property dispute.
National Guard Still Held at Bay
Yesterday, Governor Tina Kotek responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to decline a request to stay an injunction involving the Illinois National Guard. In a statement, Kotek said the ruling makes clear that the President cannot deploy troops into American cities without legal authority or the consent of the state. She added that 100 Oregon National Guard service members remain in limbo and called on President Trump to send them home. Those service members are currently stationed at Camp Rilea and Camp Withycombe under the command of U.S. Northern Command. Since September, Governor Kotek has repeatedly called for their return, most recently in a December 18 letter to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Multiple court rulings, now left in place by the Supreme Court, have found the President lacks authority to deploy troops under the circumstances in Oregon.
Public Safety Fee
Florence residents will see an increase in the city’s Public Safety Fee beginning in January. The fee, which appears on city utility bills and helps fund law enforcement and other public safety services, is scheduled to rise from $5 to $15 per month starting January 1. City officials say the increase is intended to help cover growing police and public safety costs not supported by property tax revenue. A second increase is already scheduled, with the fee set to rise again to $18 per month on July 1. The Public Safety Fee applies to developed residential and commercial properties within the city limits and is billed through the city’s monthly utility statement.