Cribbins Seeks 9th District Seat
Troy Cribbins is running as a republican in the District 9 seat in the Oregon legislature against opponent Claire Lynn, Cribbins spoke with coast radio about his goals in running and what he deems as the priorities for the district and the state as a whole. Cribbins says education and the system as a whole is broken and needs to be readdressed with practical solutions. he says while he knows there are great teachers, superintendents and staff in our schools, the system needs to be revamped.
“I don’t know what the short-term fix is, the long term fix it to decrease regulation and the tax burden on our communities so we can be economically vibrant to have that money and those funds to support our schools and out systems.”
He says the rise of Charter Schools has given parents a choice where they see more control over their children’s education, and he would like to see that also in the public schools. he also noted that while he supports certain social reforms, there needs to be accountability first.
“We need to pay our bills, do the structural, infrastructure things that government was intended to do first, then if there is extra money and you think there is a social program that can benefit from that, then we can have that discussion.”
Cribbins and Lynn will face off in the May primary to see who will represent the Republican in May. Cribbins will be a guest on the March edition of Our town.
FACC Affordable Housing Presentation
The Florence Area Community Coalition will host a presentation on affordable housing solutions at its March 4 meeting. Jacon Taylor, Development Manager with Saint Vincent DePaul’s HOPE Community Homes, will discuss Oregon’s first non-profit factory-built home manufacturer and its role in addressing the state’s housing crisis. The organization operates a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Eugene and has been producing durable, ENERGY STAR-certified homes for low-income communities and disaster survivors since 2024. The meeting begins at 10:45 a.m. in the Bromley Room at the Siuslaw Public Library and will also be available via Zoom.
Trust Releases Monies
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has released its Fall 2025 Grants Report, announcing 112 grants totaling more than $30.8 million to nonprofits across the Pacific Northwest. Of that amount, nearly $7.4 million will support 29 organizations serving Oregon communities. Locally, First Step Florence received a $160,000 grant to fund new staff focused on helping people who are unhoused transition to stable housing. The Murdock Trust, a private nonprofit foundation, has invested more than $1.5 billion in Northwest nonprofits since 1975.
