Changes Coming At Oregon Pacific Bank
Ron Green, President of Oregon Pacific Bank announced his intention to retire later in 2026. Green says his main driving force in the decision is grandchildren. While no firm date was given, Green said it was important to announce now because his succecessor has been chosen, the bank’s Chief Financial Officer Amber White. He said that announcing now allows for a search for a new CFO without suspicion. He also said that the bank’s headquarters will remain in Florence with some very tenured leadership in Senior Vice President Kim Erickson.
“We have been intentionally transitioning local leadership, local influence and I can’t tell you how proud I am of Kim Erickson, by the way 28 years with Oregon Pacific Bank, our most tenured employee.”
Green said the bank is in a great position for this to be happening at this time. and during his time with he bank he has seen it grow to more that 800 million in assets. he says CFO White has been with OPB for 8 years and will leave with stability at the helm. more with Ron Green on february’s Our Town coming up next week.
Hoyle’s Concerns Over ICE in Oregon
Congresswoman Val Hoyle says she was recently in Tacoma, Washington, visiting an ICE Facility there that is housing 4 constiuents from Oregon’s 4th congressional district. She says she is frustrated with the way ICE has been operating in Oregon, while the nation’s focus has been on Minneapolis.
“I was in Tacoma, visiting constituents who have been detained, yesterday. These are not the worst of the worst, that is not what is happening.”
Hoyle says tensions continue to rise in the state and situations are arising as close as Eugene. She said earlier this week there was a protest that got a little heated.
“they were using tear gas, flash bombs, pepper spray, pepper bombs on the people that were protesting.”
Hoyle says she heard as many as 8 people were detained and later released. She was very strong in noting that there is no room in America for undocumented criminals and that those that have records or have committed crimes in the U.S. need to be removed. but creating the largest federal police force to do it is not the answer to getting it done. she mentioned that new hires for this force have as little as 4 weeks online training before going on the streets and she believes that is attributing to the altercations nationwide. Congresswoman Hoyle will be a guest on February’s Our Town.
Siuslaw Middle, Elementary & High Schools Electronics Recycling Competition
Siuslaw Elementary, Middle School, and Siuslaw High School are taking part in the 2026 Electronics Recycling Competition, aimed at keeping electronic waste out of landfills and in local reuse programs.
From January through April, the schools could earn up to a $500 Lane County Waste Management grant, a NextStep Reuse Store computer gift certificate, and a special recognition award.
Accepted items include computers, phones, TVs, printers, gaming equipment, cords, and small appliances. Non-electronic items and hazardous waste are not accepted. The competition is a partnership between NextStep Recycling and Waste Wise Lane County.
