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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 10, 2015)
COUPONS INSIDE www.shoppelocal.biz SATURDAY WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF FLORENCE • DUNES CITY • WESTLAKE • MAPLETON • SWISSHOME • DEADWOOD • YACHATS AND ALL POINTS BETWEEN 124 Y T H E A R • I S S U E N O . 5 JANUARY 18 • 2014 75 Best of the C E N T S New sponsor for Heceta Head Conference BEST After conducting annual conferences for the last nine years, the Heceta Head Coastal Conference (HHCC) will transfer sponsorship of the event to the Oregon Sea Grant Program, located at Oregon State University. The announcement was made jointly this week by Craig McMicken, chairman of the HHCC, Inc., and Rich Holdren, interim direc- tor of Oregon Sea Grant in Corvallis, Ore. With a $5,000 grant from the state Department of Land Conservation and Development, the first conference was held Oct. 29, 2005, at the Florence Events Center. The conference theme that year was “Oregon’s See S TORY AND P HOTO BY A MY B ARTLETT Siuslaw News Ayden Rhea Shirtcliff–Dascher entered the world Jan. 13 at 9:52 p.m., the first child born in 2014 at PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center in Florence. Ayden, son of Anthony Dascher and Sierra Shirtcliff of Gardiner, weighed 9 pounds and 15 ounces and is 21-1/2 inches long. Maternal grandparents are Stasy Shirtcliff of Lynnwood, Wash., and Robert Tabler Jr. of Reedsport. Paternal grandparents are Terri Dascher of Swisshome and Jeff Dascher of Reedsport. Ayden has two older sisters, Kaitlyn, 6, and Rhealeigh, 4-1/2. As the first baby born locally in 2014, Ayden’s parents received gifts from PeaceHealth as well as from the Siuslaw News’ Baby New Year Contest. Siuslaw Awards recognize community’s superior businesses, citizens. S TORY AND P HOTOS BY R YAN C RONK Siuslaw News S iuslaw Bank, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this week since opening its doors in Mapleton in 1964 followed by a branch in Florence four years later, took home the top prize Wednesday evening at the seventh annual Siuslaw Awards banquet. Dee Osborne, Siuslaw Bank vice president and manager of the Florence and Mapleton branches, accepted the Stu Johnston Business of the Year for 2013 award on behalf of her colleagues. “We’re very happy to celebrate 50 years of giving back to the Mapleton and Florence community, and I’m just so honored,” said Osborne, who has worked for the company for 27 years. Each year the Siuslaw Awards, sponsored by the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce, rec- ognize excellence in local businesses in five categories as well as two residents who are making a difference in the community. The Stu Johnston Business of the Year award is given to a business that has demon- strated long-term or significant success and has shown strong and active community involve- ment. This year’s other nominee was Oregon Pacific Bank. “We could have actually changed the name of this category to ‘Battle of the Banks’ this year,” quipped Cal Applebee, executive direc- tor of the chamber, “but fortunately they’re friendly competitors for the benefit of our community.” Siuslaw Bank, which now boasts 10 offices in Lane County, continues to give back to the community with its employee volunteer pro- gram. All 11 of the Florence employees — out of a bank-wide total of 125 — donated 440 hours of their time last year to volunteering. They also pledged nearly $2,000 to United Way of Lane County, a non-profit that helps local programs and individuals in need. “Thank you, Florence, for giving back to Siuslaw Bank as we have given to you,” Osborne said. This year’s awards featured 17 nominations in five categories, including Business of the Year, Community Caring, Curb Appeal, Excellence in Customer Service and Non- Profit Achievement. Members of the communi- ty nominate businesses, and an anonymous judging panel selects the winners. See “This is the first time in my life that I have not been involved in a fire department.” AWARDS 6A Anthony Dascher and Sierra Shirtcliff with their son Ayden, born Jan. 13 — JOHN BUCHANAN, 50-PLUS YEARS IN FIRE SERVICE FAREWELL TO THE CHIEF Firefighters, friends honor John Buchanan at retirement celebration. B Y A MY B ARTLETT Siuslaw News COURTESY PHOTO John Buchanan, former SVFR fire chief SPORTS — B INSIDE S AT U R D AY Angling Births Classifieds Community B1 A2 B5 A5 Courts Opinion SideShow Sports “John lives, eats and breathes the fire service,” Steve Olienyk said of his long-time friend John Buchanan. A 20-year member of the fire district board, Olienyk is one of the organizers of a retirement celebration held today in honor of Buchanan, the former fire chief for Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. The contributions Buchanan made during more than 50 years in the fire serv- ice will be highlighted dur- ing the event, as colleagues, officials and legislators take the podium. The chief retired at the end of 2013 after transforming an out-of-date fire agency with a $250,000 yearly budget, to a state-of-the-art $1.9-mil- lion-a-year operation. He also initiated the creation of the West Lane Emergency Your A2 A4 B4 B Weather T ODAY S UNDAY M ONDAY T UESDAY Partly sunny 54 41 Clouds Mostly sunny 56 45 Fog & sun 56 44 54 44 2 • F AVORITE F RONT P AGES 2014 Operations Group, which has led to the region being pre- pared to respond and recover from emergencies and disas- ters. Back in Florence after a visit to California, Buchanan, 73, looked rested earlier this week, but said he is still adjusting. It is under- standable he might feel a bit lost. “This is the first time in my life that I have not been involved in a fire depart- ment. My dad was a fire- fighter when I was born. It has always been a part of me,” he said. His friends have heard sto- ries of his father, Evan “Buggs” Buchanan, a volun- teer firefighter for Rio Vista Fire Department in California. As early as age 5, the firefighter’s son would listen for a siren, and if not already at the station, he See 541.997.1994 | 888.968.4086 715 Q UINCE S TREET | F LORENCE , OR 97439 | WWW . EVENTCENTER . ORG HECETA 6A Two weeks in, city’s first 2014 baby born Siuslaw Bank employees Lacie Johnson, Melissa Phillips, Lindsey Johnson and Dee Osborne accept the Business of the Year award at Wednesday’s banquet. Top, Eric Tanikawa and Kylie Brandt are named First Citizen and Future First Citizen, respectively. Always Something Happening CHIEF 7A Great Performances Festivals Musicals Ballets Theatrical Productions Conference Meetings • Banquets Weddings • Receptions On & Off site Catering & Rentals
