USPS Fencing
The City of Florence is responding to questions about a new fence being installed around the dock area of the United States Postal Service building at 770 Maple Street. According to a statement from the city, planning staff were contacted in advance and communicated with federal representatives prior to construction. However, because the property is federally owned and operated, it is not subject to local zoning regulations or land use permitting in the same manner as private development. Under federal law and guidance from the Oregon Building Codes Division, federally owned buildings on federally owned land are not required to obtain local permits, plan reviews, or inspections. There was no indication as to why the fencing is being installed, but the structure is not expected to affect customer parking, only access to the dock area.
Florence Fugitive Found
On February 17th, 2026, detectives with the Chico Police Department arrested 48-year-old Jack Duane Crist of Florence, Oregon at an apartment in Chico, California. Crist was wanted in Lane County on a conviction for Rape in the 1st Degree and had been the subject of a nearly 2-year search across multiple states. Crist was first arrested in January of 2023 in Florence and later entered a guilty plea to Rape in the 1st Degree and Attempted Rape in the 1st Degree involving a juvenile victim. He failed to appear for sentencing in June of 2024, and a warrant was issued. Investigators tracked leads in Alaska, Missouri, Arizona, and Oregon before determining he had fled to California. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Butte County Jail pending extradition to Lane County.
City Offers Official Completion Notice
The City of Florence says the 35th Street Pedestrian Improvement Project is now complete. The Safe Routes to School grant-funded project added sidewalks along the south side of 35th Street between Siano Loop at Rolling Dunes Park and Kingwood Street, and on both sides of the street between Kingwood and Oak. ADA-compliant curb ramps were also installed at intersections along the route. Since November of 2025, contractor SLE Inc. installed more than 21,000 square feet of concrete, over 100 tons of asphalt, and more than 1,200 lineal feet of thermoplastic roadway markings, including crosswalks and stop bars. The project was wrapped up at the end of January 2026. Public Works Director August Murphy thanked the public for its patience during construction and credited city staff and contractors for completing the project efficiently.
Gas Prices
Gas prices continue to climb locally, with the average in Florence reaching about 3.59 a gallon this week. That marks another 10-cent increase in just seven days and continues a trend of weekly jumps of at least 10 cents over the past 4 weeks. AAA Oregon reports the statewide average for regular is now around 3.71 a gallon, up from roughly 3.63 a week ago and noticeably higher than a month ago. According to AAA, seasonal refinery maintenance and shifts in crude oil prices are contributing to the upward pressure at the pump. Motorists may want to compare prices locally as the statewide average continues to rise.
