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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 2021)
SN SATURDAY EDITION | JANUARY 16, 2021 | $1.00 THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM Siuslaw News Siuslaw News NEWS & VIEWS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY VOL. 131, NO. 5 F LORENCE , O REGON WEATHER Mostly cloudy with a high of 56 and a low of 44. Full forecast on A3 Pursuit of King’s ‘Dream’ continues By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News T he struggle for equality for all Americans, regardless of gen- der, ethnicity or financial status, has been long and arduous. There are many individuals that have contributed to the legacy of im- proved civil and economic condi- tions for the downtrodden during the last century, but few more ef- fectively than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday, Jan. 18, is the feder- al holiday which recognizes the uniquely important place King holds in American history and will be celebrated locally, albeit virtu- ally, that day. Nationally, the recognition of King’s life has come to be known as “a day of service and celebration.” Sunday’s event will include speak- ers and discussions highlighting some of the more meaningful changes brought about through the work done by King, much of which continues to this day. King was born in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan. 15, 1929, to the Rev. Mar- tin Luther King Sr. and Alberta Williams King. The younger King sang in the church choir, attend- COMMUNITY The Oregon Coast experienced its third round of larger- than-usual tides from Jan. 11 to 13. Often called king tides, this was the last of the three high- est tide sequences of 2020-21. King tides are stunning to wit- ness, but terribly dangerous. Many coastal parks and view- points were closed to the public over those days. By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News On Jan. 4, Lane County District Five Commissioner Heather Buch presented the 2020 State of the County address. During the rest of the meeting, Lane County Cir- cuit Court Judge Debra K. Vogt swore in Patricia Perlow as Lane County District Attorney, Clifton Harrold as county sheriff, Laurie Trieger as District Three County Commissioner and Pat Farr as District Four Commissioner. Buch began the virtual address: “Under normal circumstances, we would invite you here to join us in Harris Hall or watch us live. How- ever, as you all know, 2020 was no normal year.” She summarized how the year started, with the county experi- encing progress in several areas, including enhanced services for residents and achievement on strategic plan goals. Finances were good and job retention was high. “Our community had achieved Siuslaw School Board Appreciation INSIDE — A3 LIFESTYLE CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS RECORDS By Ned Hickson Siuslaw News SIDE SHOW 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 a level of economic stability for local businesses and employers. Things were good. And then 2020 had something else in store for us,” Buch said. Oregon, along with the rest of the U.S., watched nervously as the country saw its first cases of COVID-19 in January. On Feb. 28, Oregon saw its first case. Lane County’s first reported case of the novel coronavirus was announced on March 17. “We found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic, unlike any that we have ever faced in our lifetime,” Buch said. “Not only were people around the world facing an invisible enemy, and that we are just now beginning to understand nearly a year later, but in order to fight COVID-19, we’ve had to make sacrifice after sacrifice.” She talked about business re- strictions and closures, the loss of jobs, an increase in homeless- ness, and the importance of pub- lic health. See COUNTY page 7A Wind, rain roil Siuslaw region mid-week Obituaries & emergency response logs Inside — A2 Activities and comics every Saturday Inside — B4 This interaction and the over- all racist tendencies of the time in Georgia shaped King’s perception of fairness and led to a lifetime spent working to change a system that was deeply entrenched, com- bative and — from King’s perspec- tive — immoral. King was accepted at Morehouse College at the age of 15, graduating with a B.A in Sociology in 1948 at age 19. He later obtained a Bache- lor of Divinity degree from Crozer Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from Boston University in system- atic theology. See KING page 6A Lane County gives 2020 State of the County Address A king among tides Community shares the warmth INSIDE — B ed Booker T. Washington High School and was recognized for his public speaking abilities. During his junior year, he trav- eled to Dublin, Ga., to take part in an oratorical competition, which he won. On the ride home, he and his teacher were ordered by the bus driver to give their seats to some white passengers and he ini- tially refused, only acquiescing af- ter his teacher reminded him that he would be breaking the law and subject to arrest. When speaking later of the slight, King said, “It was the angri- est I have ever been in my life.” S IUSLAW N EWS 2 S ECTIONS | 16 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2021 Rain and heavy winds rolled through the Siuslaw region last Tues- day, kicking off a two-day series of flooding, power outages, downed trees and road closures. Late morning on Jan. 12, authori- ties announced that North Fork Siu- slaw Road, between milepost 3 and 18, had been closed due to a downed tree. The closure lasted until 3 p.m. that day, but by then other storm-re- lated issues had begun to impact ar- eas in Florence and beyond as extra high tides — known as “king” tides — combined with recent heavy rains began flooding several areas, includ- ing the Cushman area along High- way 126 east of Florence. Travelers to and from the Maple- ton area and beyond to Eugene were forced to plan ahead in order to avoid the peak period of high tides, which included water as high as two feet in the lowest section of the highway be- neath the Cushman Bridge. Later that evening, around 10 p.m., a large mud slide was reported along CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS This week, Cushman, located three miles east of Florence on Highway 126, featured flooding from unusually high tides due to both the king tide event and winter storms. There were multiple instanc- es of high water covering one or both lanes of the roadway, and prompting the closure of the high- way for several hours. People can view current conditions at Cushman at www.oregontravels.com. Highway 126 at mile post 25.5, along with reports of cars struck by mud and debris. The slide closed both lanes of the highway while, at about the same time, Highway 36 near Swis- either slide was seriously injured and shome was also closed due to debris both highways were cleared by noon covering part of the road as a result the next day. of a mudslide. Fortunately, no one in See STORM page 7A WOODED RETREATS & WATER VIEW HOMES FOR SALE...LAKES, RIVERS, OCEAN & TREES! S IUSLAW R IVERFRONT NG DI EN B EACH A REA F RESH & L IKE -N EW H EART OF T OWN S OUTH L AKES A REA P COAST REAL ESTATE 11821 E. MAPLETON RD Large 2007 Riverfront manufactured home features 2 master bedrooms, large living room, dining room and kitchen with river views. 2 decks for outdoor living, landscaped yard, 2 metal ramadas for storage. Large workshop off the garage. It’s a must see! $575,000 #12111 MLS#20585484 88220 1ST AVE Charming well maintained & furnished beach cottage 1 block from ocean access. Great vacation rental, 2nd home, or full time. You choose! Tastefully decorated custom touches include porthole window. Anderson win- dows, higher-end appliances, newer furnace, hot water heater & garage door. Greatroom has gas fireplace tiled hearth w/ custom mantle. Door out to lovely upper deck. Slope at rear of yard could be developed with steps up to seating with ocean views. Fenced yard w/nice newer shed in rear. $299,900 #12120 MLS#2050416 1335 MULBERRY LANE Quiet, town-center location and fresh and like-new inside & out spacious split level plan. New roof, interior / exterior paint, flooring appliances, and fixtures. Great rear deck for BBQs or outside living. Oversized garage. Ductless heat pump, vaulted ceilings, and more. 1800 sf w/ 3 BR / 2 BA. Move-in ready! $389,000 #12048 MLS#20630889 692 SKOOKUM DRIVE This two-bedroom, two full bath home located in the heart of town is vacant and move-in ready. Great starter home or rental. Large lot with off-street park- ing and room for a garden or outdoor living. 4FT x 8FT toolshed, 600 SF deck is fully railed and backs up to greenery. $192,500 #12112 MLS#20121187 DESIRABLE SOUTH LAKES LOCATION with a private wooded setting and a fenced yard! This 3 bed, 2 bath home has been well maintained. 2 pellet stoves with one in the primary bedroom. Vaulted ceilings, sun porch, some newer flooring, and a heat pump. 2-car garage, room for RV parking, and a bonus 300 SF shop behind the garage. NEW CUSTOM COMMERCIAL GRADE ELEVATOR. This is an amazing elevator with custom hardwood paneling/trim and commercial-grade features. At $256 per square foot, it’s a great buy! $396,900 #12085 MLS#20488478 541-997-7777 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com
