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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 3, 2020)
NOW HIRING Get paid 2 party Earn free gifts and 1/2 price items by having a party can even be on FB/virtual. Great fundraiser 2 Call 2 get in2 drawing for $109 worth of Tupperware and for your free gift. RS 2020 E EA CEL SN BR SATURDAY EDITION | OCTOBER 3, 2020 | $1.00 S SIU THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM W 1890 AW NE L S Shirley (305) 849-7948 vaughnsh.my. tupperware.com AT I N G 1 30 Y August fire victim named in Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue investigation By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News PHOTOS BY MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS O n Friday, Siuslaw Public Library hosted a drive- by retirement party for long-time library staff member Yvonne Pappagallo. She is retiring from the library after working there for nearly 18 years. Most recently, people were able to see Pappagallo at the circulation desk. She will remain at the library, however, as she works part-time in administration. During the drive-by, people were able to stand at a distance of six or more feet to offer congratulations to Pappagallo on her retirement. By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News The Siuslaw Watershed Council (SWC) has been active in this area since 1995 and continues to pro- vide valuable leadership in the area of waterway restoration and main- tenance for the 773 square miles in the watershed and the Siuslaw Riv- er. The SWC is facing a difficult sit- uation and is asking for help from the community in what seems to be a small task, but which in time Watershed council seeks native plant seeds will hopefully grow to be very sig- nificant. SWC is asking interested in- dividuals to help with collecting seeds from native plants, which will be planted and grown into ma- ture plants which will then be dis- tributed to local landowners who reside in areas connected to local waterways. SWC Program Manager Kyle Terry reached out to the Florence Garden Club last month, shar- ing a request from the Northwest Oregon Restoration Partnership (NORP) asking the club to assist in the collection of seeds from trees in this area, to add to the bank of seeds being collected from around the state. In an effort to provide the plants for local residents, the SWC works with NORP and the Tillamook Es- tuaries Project to gather, grow and plant many of the donated plants, which are then distributed to orga- nizations like the SWC. See SEEDS page 7A A house fire which led to a fatality a month ago on Aug. 8 was inves- tigated by Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue, which recently issued an official report on the incident. At approximately 3:45 p.m., a fire was reported at 87547 Rhodowood Drive. Weather conditions were mild that day, with a temperature of 69, sunny skies and only a slight wind from the north. The fire was called in by neighbors and SVFR responded to a partial- ly engaged structure fire with the blaze emanating primarily from the southwest corner of the home, which turned out to be the living room area. The victim of the blaze was later identified as Nick Royal Story, 64, owner and resident of the home. According to the report, firefighter Kyle Orozco was first on scene and was also first to attack the interior fire. The blaze was brought under control by the fire attack crew within 15 minutes and an investigation of the incident began soon after. Orozco was also the first respond- er who found a male victim lying on his back on the floor in the living room. The man was deceased, with extreme heat significantly impacting the body. See FIRE page 7A A committee selection process gone askew – Pt. II A continuation of Siuslaw News’ investigation into the impacts of partisanship on local government By Siuslaw News Editorial Staff This installment in Siuslaw News’ investigative series on the impacts of partisanship on local government continues its look into the early 2019 committee selection process, the challenges, applicants, who was cho- NEWS & VIEWS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY VOL. 130, NO. 79 F LORENCE , O REGON WEATHER sen and who wasn’t — and the risk Greene from his longtime position. of partisan influence. Shortly after the meeting, Prociw celebrated her victory along with “Full service family and personal friends. As the political consulting” first Latina elected to Florence City “Okay, so we’re all sworn in and Council, and the youngest council- legal,” Mayor Joe Henry said during or on the board, there was a lot to the Jan. 7, 2019, Florence City Coun- celebrate. cil meeting. But it was also a celebration of the Geraldine Prociw (née Lucio) work that had gone into her cam- and Woody Woodbury had just paign. In attendance were Sherry been sworn in, and the meeting was Harvey and Bill and Katie Prosser, opened. all of whom donated either cash do- Following public comment from nations or time to running Prociw’s both Sally Wantz and Jo Beaudreau campaign. regarding moving forward from the Also attending was Jake Pelroy bruising partisanship of 2018, Hen- of Pelroy & Associates (PA), who ry turned to nominations for coun- worked on Prociw’s campaign. Pel- cil president. While Henry was may- roy’s company provided both cam- or and therefore head of the council, paign materials, such as posters, Councilor Joshua Greene was cur- as well as advice to candidates and rent president and led the council in their campaigns. Henry’s absence. In 2013, PA began its career “I’d like to nominate councilor with small races in towns like Cre- Woodbury,” Prociw said as her first swell and statewide conservative act as councilor, of which Henry and groups like the Community Ac- Woodbury each approved. Preisler tion Network. That same year, PA nominated Greene, but that nomi- began working with Lane County nation was outvoted 3-2, relieving Commissioner Jay Bozievich, help- Election2020 Inside today’s edition is the Voter’s Guide previewing local and state candidates and ballot issues for the upcoming Election on Tuesday, November 3. ing him narrowly win a reelection against challenger Dawn Lesly, who was defeated by less than 100 votes. Since then, Pelroy and Boziev- ich have been frequent partners, with Bozievich making cash ex- penditures to PA of over $85,000 between 2013 and 2020. In 2017, PA started to work in local nonpartisan races, partnering with the Coastal Committee for Ethics and Integrity (CCEI) during the Port of Siuslaw election. The CCEI appeared to be focusing on Position 5 of the race that included David Swinney, Bill Fleenor and Bill Meyer. Fleenor was no stranger to politics, having been Lane County Commis- sioner himself. In 2006, he “staged a sweeping upset victory” over an incumbent for the position, which pays $72,000 a year and comes with full benefits. While there were some committees formed for his reelec- tion, by 2009 he had announced that he would not be making a second run, for personal reasons. See COMMITTEE page 6A Partly sunny with a high of 69 and a low tonight of 52. Full forecast on A3 COMMUNITY Backstreet begins October show INSIDE — A3 SPORTS SWC seeking water photos for contest INSIDE — SPORTS RECORDS Obituaries & response logs Inside — A2 A LOOK BACK Inside — A7 SIDE SHOW Activities and comics every Saturday Inside — B4 CLASSIFIEDS Listings and 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 2 S ECTIONS | 18 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2020 [Editor’s Note: In an effort to provide transparency and account- ability in our reporting, Siuslaw News has begun publishing source documents online with reference links at the end of this story. We will also periodically release evidence gathered, including audio record- ings, transcripts and emails, all of which includes unreleased informa- tion. We encourage the community to examine the documents, links to public meetings and past reporting referenced in the series, not only to form your own opinion based on gathered information, but also to learn resources that can be used to look into the issue long after this se- ries wraps up Oct. 14.] Siuslaw News Nick Royal Story, 64, of Florence was sole fatality of house fire Turning to the next page Need for seeds R EAD M ORE I NSIDE
