Retirement Celebration for Chief Schick West Lane Fire and EMS will honor retiring Fire Chief Michael Schick with a community retirement celebration on June 30. Chief Schick is retiring after 32 years of service to the fire service and the Western Lane community. The public is invited to stop by […]

System Development Charge to be Reviewed The Florence City Council will consider an ordinance next week that would amend the City’s system development charge, or SDC, deferral and exemption programs. Ordinance No. 3, Series 2026, would update Florence City Code Chapter 9-1, which governs programs that allow certain development projects […]

Woman Dies After Fall at Devils Punchbowl A tragic accident at Devils Punchbowl State Park has claimed the life of a woman who fell into the rocky basin Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews from the Depoe Bay Fire District responded shortly before noon and used rope rescue techniques to reach the […]

Behavioral Health Funding Governor Tina Kotek, the Association of Oregon Counties, and the Oregon Health Authority say all 36 Oregon counties have now signed updated behavioral health funding agreements. The move replaces a three-decade-old system with new standards focused on accountability, clearer expectations, and better response to local needs. State […]

Fire Danger Increase Fire danger on the Siuslaw National Forest has been raised from low to moderate as unusually hot and dry conditions continue across western Oregon. Officials say human-caused fires remain the top threat. Northwest Oregon Fire Management Staff Officer Kevin Reese says even a small spark could quickly […]

Council Seat Filing Now Open The filing process is now open for the 2026 Florence City Council election. Voters on November 3rd will choose a mayor for a 2-year term, along with two 4-year council positions and two partial-term council seats running from 2027 through 2029. The positions are currently […]

Parvo Warning for Dogs The Oregon Coast Humane Society is urging pet owners to take precautions after confirmed cases of canine parvovirus in Florence. A pregnant pit bull was treated at the O-C-H-S Veterinary Clinic May 27 after testing positive for the highly contagious virus. Outreach efforts also identified at […]

North Jetty Access Closed Lane County has announced the long-term closure of North Jetty Road in Florence. The closure, which began Tuesday, May 26th, stretches from Harbor Vista Road to the entrance of North Jetty Park and is expected to continue through Friday, September 4th. County officials say the closure […]