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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 6, 2020)
E BR 2020 RS Open and keeping you safe and healthy. Call or stop by and see how we do it 541-997-8086 EA CEL SN SATURDAY EDITION | JUNE 6, 2020 | $1.00 NEW MEMBERS 1/2 PRICE ENROLLMENT FEES FOR JUNE S SIU THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM W 1890 AW NE L S AT I N G 1 30 Y I NSIDE — C Siuslaw News Vigil recognizes national anguish NEWS & VIEWS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY Peaceful protest of George Floyd’s death draws committed group VOL. 130, NO. 45 F LORENCE , O REGON WEATHER Thunderstorms with a high of 55 and a low tonight of 46. Full forecast on A3 Story & Photo By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News he COVID-19 pandemic has been pushed to the back burner of American poli- tics, at least for a short period of T Lane County approved to enter Phase 2 of governor’s re-opening plan On June 4, Lane County was approved to begin Phase Two of Gov. Kate Brown’s reopening plan for Oregon. Phase Two includes opening pools, zoos, museums, venues such as movie theaters, bowling alleys and arcades; some additional office work; allowing recreational sports; loosening current restaurant and bar cur- few restrictions and expanding outdoor gatherings to 100 people. The Phase Two reopening for Lane County officially began yesterday, June 5. The types of re- strictions being relaxed in Phase Two — and by how much — are determined by the state. Counties are responsible for demonstrating that local systems, both private and public, are in place to con- tinue providing a public health response to COVID-19. “We are confident with our ability to meet or exceed the state’s requirements for entering Phase Two and their assessment of the way and rate at which See PHASE 2 page 6A time, by the videotaped death of 46-year-old George Perry Floyd on May 25. The death has resonated with Americans of all ethnicities and age groups, from major urban centers to smaller rural communi- ties, and even to the intersections of Highways 126 and 101 in Flor- ence, Ore. Community members from the area began gathering this week to acknowledge — with signs and banners — the racial animus which, for many, is still a part of the American experience. Floyd, an African American, was killed at the hands of a white police officer from Minneapolis, Minn., while being detained on suspicion of passing a counter- feit $20 bill in a neighborhood market. The interaction between Floyd and Minneapolis Police See FLOYD page 6A Graduates on parade Backstreet prepares to reopen INSIDE — A3 The community gathered all across Florence Friday around noon to witness the Siuslaw High School Senior Class Car Parade. The parade began at Siuslaw Middle School and wound its way through area streets, includ- ing through Historic Old PHOTOS BY JARED ANDERSON/ Town Florence. Horns SIUSLAW NEWS honked, people cheered and banners waved for the Class of 2020. The seniors then were able to go home to prepare for Friday night’s graduation ceremony. A similar parade was held in Mapleton last night after press time. Look for more information in Wednesday’s edition of the Siuslaw News. See more photos on A7. LIFESTYLE CROW looks at the challenges of COVID-19 INSIDE — B Western Lane Ambulance hears testimony on quality of employees, importance of funding By Jared Anderson Siuslaw News “You say we’re overpaid to com- parable agencies. There are no comparable agencies. Western Lane Ambulance District (WLAD) is in a league of their own and we have worked tirelessly to get there,” said 14-year WLAD veteran Danielle Holmes during a joint board meet- ing of WLAD and Siuslaw Fire Val- ley and Rescue (SVFR) on May 28. The comments come after a WLAD budget meeting where cuts to employee benefits were discussed in an effort to balance the district’s budget. While negotiations between union employees and the district are ongoing, in the meeting, WLAD/ SFVR Chief Michael Schick pro- posed cuts that included decreases in health benefits and PERS pay- ments. Some members of the budget committee suggested the district en- tertain even deeper cuts, including an overhaul on overtime scheduling and possible salary cuts. See WESTERN LANE page 8A Remembering D-Day 76 years later D-Day marked start of the end for Hitler as combined allied forces invade France By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News Neptune” — more generally known as the Battle of Normandy — which later came to be known as D-Day. Operation Neptune comprised the largest seaborne invasion in his- tory. It was also the first step in a journey that culminated in the free- ing of Europe from beneath the boot heel of Adolf Hitler. The battles that occurred on French coast, at approximately the D-Day were numerous and took same time. place at different points on the See D-DAY page 5A RECORDS Obituaries & emergency response logs Inside — A2 SIDE SHOW Activities and comics every Saturday Inside — B4 CLASSIFIEDS Listings and public notices Inside — B5 FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS : /S IUSLAW N EWS @S IUSLAW N EWS T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM S IUSLAW N EWS 3 S ECTIONS | 22 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2020 “Operation Overlord” began on June 6, 1944, although planning and preparation for what became the most important mission of WWII began years earlier. The planned invasion of France by Allied troops was a closely guarded secret and the long-awaited implementation of a multi-pronged attack to free Europe from Nazi Germany was initiated on that day. The beaches of France were the primary staging ground for the most intense conflicts of the day, with Al- lied advances limited and less suc- cessful than military leaders had previously hoped. The associated land and air oper- ations were critical components of the mission to free occupied France and were codenamed “Operation COMMUNITY Celebrating 30 Years in Real Estate SIUSLAW NEWS READERS CHOICE WINNER Voted Best Realtor for 5 Years! JIM HOBERG Broker/Owner 1870 Hwy. 126, Suite A • PO Box 3040, Florence, OR