WLCF Grants Western Lane Community Foundation has awarded $97,750 in scholarships to 24 graduating seniors from Siuslaw and Mapleton High Schools. Among this year’s recipients: Kamorah Lake received the $5,000-per-year Dr. Brittany Hartzell-Baguley Scholarship; Addison and Macy McNeill each earned $4,000-per-year Harold Nusbaum Scholarships; and Macali Lade was awarded both […]

Life Flights to Continue In Mapleton The Mapleton School Board has formally reaffirmed support for Life Flight helicopter use on school grounds following complaints from local residents Martin and Sarah Millard. The couple raised objections to the noise from air transports after an incident in October 2024 and again in […]

Recycling Changes Curbside recycling in Oregon will be going through a big change next week.  Britte Kirsche is the chair of Florence’s Environmental Management Advisory Committee known as E-MAC.  She says the Recycling Modernization Act has been in the works for several years.  “Passed in 2021 and it’s coming into […]

Wildfire: Mapleton A wildfire that sparked around 1:42 p.m. Wednesday at the junction of Highways 126 and 36 near Mapleton prompted swift evacuations and an extensive firefighting response. The Rice Road Fire burned on private land and quickly grew to an estimated 8 acres by early evening. Firefighters from West […]

Bill Passes to Law For Medical Debt Relief A bill prohibiting credit reporting on Oregonians’ medical debt has been signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek. Hailed as a significant victory for consumer rights advocates, the bill (SB 605) also removes existing medical debt from credit reports, including debt from […]

WLFEA Receives New Fire Truck Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority is one of 76 fire agencies across Oregon to receive a new fire engine through the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Engine Program. As part of the Response Ready Oregon initiative, the agency was awarded a Type 6 engine designed […]

Siuslaw Awards The 17th annual Siuslaw Awards took place Friday night at the Florence Events Center, celebrating standout local businesses, nonprofits, and individuals for their impact on the Florence community. Chamber CEO Bettina Hannigan delivered a brief “state of the chamber” address, highlighting successes in tourism and community development, while […]