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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2016)
6 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2016 Chase from 1A While on that investigation, FPD was advised by Reedsport Police Department of a white Honda Civic that was stolen in Reedsport and was possibly heading towards Florence. The two Douglas County deputies and the FPD officer observed the stolen vehicle go by their location and initiated a pursuit, but lost sight of it south of Florence. An FPD officer and an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper were stationed at the north end of the Siuslaw River Bridge preparing to deploy spike strips, but since there were no pursuing patrol cars in view the strips could not be deployed. The officer and trooper observed the stolen vehicle come across the bridge and into Florence and also attempt- ed to pursue the driver. A Confederated Tribes Police Department officer was at the junction of Highways 101 and 126 and observed the stolen vehicle go east onto Highway 126, and also attempted to pursue the stolen car. The driver of the stolen vehicle continued to evade the officers and nearly hit several cars before crashing the vehi- cle. The officers discovered the car abandoned on railroad tracks near milepost 7 on Highway 126. Officers from OSP, Confederated Tribes and FPD searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect until a K-9 team responded from Eugene Police Department. The K-9 officer located the suspect hiding in the brush up Death from 1A She called 911 when Holmes’ behavior indicated that “he was in the middle of a meltdown.” According to her, Holmes has been in and out of psychiatric and regular hospitals in the last couple months, and that she ques- tioned his release by health officials. She also said that authori- ties were unable to detain him earlier in the week unless Holmes was actively causing harm to himself or others. Holmes was arrested Tuesday and taken to the Lane County Jail on the charge of murder. “All parties involved in this incident have been iden- tified and there is no belief that there is any additional threat to the public,” Wilkerson said. “There are no suspects outstanding.” The investigation is con- tinuing. In the meantime, Julia Youngblood is contacting Rep. Peter DeFazio, Sen. Arnie Roblan and attornies to see if she has a case. “I’m letting everybody know. He should not have been released in his mental condition. This is the fault of the hospitals. My husband is in the morgue because no one listened to me,” she said. She plans to make sure people know of the dangers of severe mental illness, especially when support and services are not quickly available. “The story isn’t what hap- pened here today — it’s that this happened at all. I want to raise money to go to mental illness care and homeless shelters, places where it counts,” she said. A fundraiser has been set up online to raise money for funeral costs and other expenses at www.crowd rise.com/legalcostshelpto make/fundraiser/john mason1. __________ Follow Chantelle on Twitter @SNews_Chantelle. Email her at cmeyer@thesiuslawnews.com. the hill and east of where he had abandoned the wrecked, stolen car. “The K-9 was outstanding and found the guy right away,” Pitcher said. The suspect, Gifford, was taken into custody. During this time, Douglas County advised FPD that they had arrested two women who had been involved with break- ing in to several cars in Reedsport the morning of Dec. 29. From that investigation, officers discovered another stolen truck in Florence, parked at 12th Street near Spruce Street. Once FPD officers located the stolen vehicle, the investi- gation revealed that Gifford stole the truck from Eugene, drove the truck to Florence, abandoned it on 12th Street, stole the truck from 10th Street and broke into a separate vehi- cle in Florence. Then, Gifford drove the stolen Florence truck to Reedsport, abandoned it and stole the white Honda Civic. The stolen truck from Florence was recovered in Reedsport. Although it may be unusual for so many agencies to work together, the teamwork paid off. Gifford was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehi- cle, unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, theft and reck- less driving. He was transported to Reedsport Police Department, where he will be charged with several more crimes that occurred in Douglas County. Resolutions from 1A Jim Langborg Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue Fire Chief “Here’s my 2016 resolution — to tell my wife I love her every day.” Tom Turner Florence Police Chief “I’ve reduced my New Years resolution for the Police Department to one word: ‘Preparation!’ Easier to say then to do, but we are going to do our very best!” Brian Burright Western Lane Ambulance Interim Manager “For me, New Year Resolutions are always easy to make — but, like most of us, very hard to stick with. Maybe a grand yearly resolution instead of my every Sunday night announcement to get out of bed and work out will be more successful... New year, new hope! Coming up with an organizational resolution is even tougher when you recognize that every day the men and women who make up Western Lane Ambulance District tirelessly respond to requests for help and serve our communities with commitment and ded- ication. That declaration will never change.” Meg Spencer Siuslaw Public Library Director “My New Year’s Resolution for 2016 is making the Siuslaw Public Library acces- sible and exciting for everyone! On Jan. 9, the Library District will be bringing together more than 60 local residents to create a five-year strategic plan. More than 400 people visit the Library every day — but I think we can do even more, interest new people in what we offer, and 2016 make the Siuslaw Public Library the best library system in Oregon!” Tim Tregoning U.S. Coast Guard Station Siuslaw River Senior Chief “For 2016, I resolve to get out and enjoy nature with family, provide a service and safety oriented environment that pro- motes personal and professional growth to the crew of Station Siuslaw River and to invite our friends and neighbors to learn more about their local Coast Guard Station through an open house and community involvement.” Dina McClure Interim Port of Siuslaw Manager “They are simple: 1. Organize the unorganized 2. Complete the incomplete 3. Think before taking action 4. Focus on fitness.” Ethel Angal Siuslaw School District Superintendent “1. Work out more. 2. Share more good news. 3. Continue to build community con- nections. We live in a terrific community. 4. Spend more quality time with my husband, children and grandchildren. Christmas celebrations were so wonderful this year.” Jodi O’Mara Mapleton School District Superintendent “My New Year’s Resolution is to live life to the fullest and be happy and healthy the whole year through. My professional New Year’s Resolution for 2016 is to work hard to let every student know they are special and can achieve anything they set their mind to, and to encourage them to dream big!” MAKE and KEEP your NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS this year! County Transfer & Recycling Th ank you for your excellent work in 2015! EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FOR 2015 DRIVER OF THE YEAR FOR 2015 Mark Metzler was awarded Employee of the Year for 2015. Curby Pinnock was awarded Driver of the Year for 2015. Mark has been a resident of Florence for almost 56 years and has been employed with us for 15 years. Mark picks up our residential and commercial recycle routes. Curby is the 3rd of 4 generations of Florence Natives and has been with us for 8 years. Curby picks up our residential trash routes. PLEASE MAKE THE COMMITMENT TO ‘RECYCLE, REDUCE AND REUSE’ IN 2016. Look for items that have been repurposed when you make purchases. Any step you can add to what you’re already doing, helps! We provide the materials that make recycling easy to do, always at no cost to our customers. Please call us at 541-997-8233 if you have any questions. From all of us at County Transfer & Recycling, Happy New Year! Phone: 541-997-8233 Fax: 541-997-7345 85140 Hwy. 101, South, Florence, OR 97439
