STEP Working on High School Hatchery STEP the Salmon, Trout enhancement Program announced that a partnership with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Siuslaw High School will produce a hatchery.  Randy Brummett says the program is intended to educate students on the workings of a hatchery, while providing […]

Child Car Concerns Child care remains a major concern for Florence families, and Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are pushing for federal action. They’ve cosponsored the Child Care for Working Families Act—a bill aimed at making child care more affordable, expanding access, and raising wages for child care […]

Microgrids For Small Communities Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed into law the first set of statewide policies in the country supporting community-owned microgrids. Microgrids are local, self-contained energy systems that use renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar power. Dylan Kruse of Sustainable Northwest, a nonprofit involved in […]

Wildfire Suppression Funds Governor Tina Kotek signed House Bill 3940 into law yesterday, securing bipartisan support for $150 million in wildfire suppression and $117 million in prevention and resilience funding. The bill creates a dedicated fund for large wildfires, reducing delays in emergency response and payments to firefighters. Kotek praised […]

Power of Florence The Power of Florence returns this Saturday with a full day of community service, organized by Siuslaw student leaders Luka and Gia Flossi, with help from their mom, Vanessa. The event, now in its 15th year, features six volunteer projects across Florence. Things kick off at 9 […]

Charter School Sets Eyes on Building Siuslaw Valley Charter School has taken a key step toward opening Whitmore Classical Academy in Florence. Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Waggoner says the school is currently under contract to purchase a potential campus location—the former Rite Aid building. “We do have an offer on […]

Pedestrian Enforcement The Florence Police Department will conduct a Pedestrian Enforcement Operation on August 23rd from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Spruce and 12th Street—weather permitting. The focus is on driver compliance with Oregon’s crosswalk laws. Under state law, crosswalks exist at all intersections, marked or not, and drivers […]

City Council Meeting The Florence City Council will hold two public hearings this evening at City Hall.  The first is concerning a proposed Comprehensive Plan Amendment that, if approved, would allow for redevelopment of a long-vacant building on the West End of Bay Street.  The owners of the former Lotus […]