Election Results
Voters across Oregon and the Florence area have made their choices in Tuesday’s general election, with incumbents retaining several major offices and some new faces preparing to take office locally. While results remain unofficial, the latest returns show Democratic U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley winning another term, along with Fourth District Congresswoman Val Hoyle, who defeated Republican challenger Monique DeSpain. Governor Tina Kotek has also secured another term, defeating Republican Christine Drazan. In Oregon House District Nine, Republican Claire Lynn has defeated Democrat John Ezra Scheirman and will take over the coastal district seat previously held by Republican Boomer Wright. In Florence, Sally Wantz appears headed for victory in the mayoral race. According to the latest Lane County election results, Wantz has received just over 50 percent of the vote, compared with nearly 42 percent for Daniel Lofy. Wantz holds a 353-vote advantage and appears poised to become Florence’s next mayor. In the Florence City Council races, incumbents Jo Beaudreau and Mike Webb are leading their respective contests. Local businessman Terry Duman and real estate agent Haylee Cole are also leading, although Duman’s margin over Ryan Eichelberger is considerably narrower, leaving that contest subject to additional ballot counting. In Dunes City, the mayoral race remains too close to call. Chris John holds a narrow eight-vote advantage over incumbent Ed McGuire, 360 votes to 352. In the Dunes City Council races, Lisa Walter-Sedlacek, Jeanne Jackson and Richard Olson Junior are currently leading for the three available seats. Dunes City voters have also rejected Measure 20-386, which would have imposed restrictions on short-term rentals. The measure is trailing by 82 votes, with 456 voting against and 374 in favor. Meanwhile, voters in the Western Lane Ambulance District have overwhelmingly supported renewal of the district’s local option levy, with nearly 81 percent voting in favor. Although many of the races appear decided, all results remain unofficial. Oregon allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive up to seven days afterward, meaning additional votes could still affect the closest contests. Lane County is scheduled to certify its election results later this month.
Dune Death
A Portland man died Sunday afternoon following an ATV crash at the Umpqua Dunes National Recreation Area. Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after 4:30 to an area known as Third Finger, where 31-year-old Austin Anthony Durrett was found unresponsive. Investigators say Durrett had left his riding group to locate another rider who had run out of fuel. When he failed to return, the group searched for approximately 45 minutes before finding him. Investigators believe Durrett drove off a roughly 40-foot razorback dune at high speed, becoming airborne before crashing. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Florence Man Arrested
A Florence man was arrested Monday morning following a search warrant served by Oregon State Police at a residence on 18th Street. Fish and Wildlife troopers, assisted by the OSP SWAT team, were investigating reports that a convicted felon had been hunting with firearms and illegally using family members’ hunting tags. Investigators seized firearms, ammunition, deer and elk mounts, game parts and controlled substances. Thirty-nine-year-old Gregory Hendricks was lodged in the Lane County Jail on multiple charges, including unlawful possession of game animals, hunting violations, felon in possession of a firearm and violation of a protection order.
Clear Election Signs
With Election Day past, the City of Florence is reminding residents and political campaigns that temporary political signs must be removed by Sunday, November 8th. Signs remaining after the deadline may be considered a violation of the city’s sign regulations. Residents can report temporary sign violations through the city’s website. Additional information about sign requirements, permits and regulations is available online at ci.florence.or.us.
