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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 17, 2021)
SN SATURDAY EDITION | APRIL 17, 2021 | $1.00 THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM And when they do, we’re here in Florence. Siuslaw seniors close out football season 4480 Hwy 101, Suite G · 541.997.1251 Siuslaw News Siuslaw News School board continues superintendent contract NEWS & VIEWS THAT DEFINE OUR COMMUNITY Combined budget, board meeting covers finances, agreements VOL. 131, NO. 31 A PRIL 17, 2021 F LORENCE , O REGON WEATHER By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News Both the Siuslaw School Dis- trict Board of Directors and Bud- get Committee met virtually on Wednesday, April 14. The meeting was led by Board Vice Chair Paul Burns, as Chair Bob Sneddon will be unavailable through mid-May. However, all other board mem- bers were present for the meeting, which began with a work session for the Budget Committee. First, the committee nominated area residents Joel Marks as the new committee chair and Cindy Spinner as vice chair. Next, Siuslaw Superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak stated the bud- get message, followed by Business Manager Kari Blake, who present- ed the budget material and time- line. “I don’t like to give people a big, complicated document with no context, so this is the meeting where I’m able to explain all [about the budget],” Blake said. “We’ll re- convene in two weeks, which will give you the time to take a look at the budget document.” See SIUSLAW page 7A Clay Target League teaches safety, respect Sunshine all day with a high of 71 and a low of 44. Full forecast on A3 COMMUNITY Students in the Siuslaw Clay Target League took time on Thursday to go over gun safety and practice shooting with team advisors and members of the Siuslaw Rod and Gun Club. Chamber displays paintings by artist INSIDE — A3 SPORTS Siuslaw School District shooting team begins season with training Story & Photo By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News Baseball season begins INSIDE — B RECORDS Obituaries & emergency response logs Inside — A2 SIDE SHOW Activities and comics every Saturday Inside — B4 “Safety. Fun. Marksmanship.” Those were the words repeated over and over to the small group of Siuslaw School District students gathered Thursday afternoon at the Siuslaw Rod and Gun Club on Munsell Creek Road. It was a bright and sunny after- noon when Sean Grundon, the coach of the recently formed Siu- slaw Clay Target League, asked the students what the group’s priority was. There was a brief pause before the students said loudly, “SAFETY.” The concepts, practices and tech- 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 niques needed to stay safe while us- ing firearms are at the center of all the discussions between the new coach and his team of students. Re- spect for the deadly nature of the sport they have decided to learn requires a much higher level of vigilance and attention than most school activities; a mistake in this sport could have dire consequences. Grundon teaches mathemat- ics at Siuslaw Middle School and stresses the need for safety at every opportunity when discussing the district’s participation in the USA High School Clay Target League. He has assembled a group of both boys and girls who are interested in shooting. After making sure all the students are wearing eye and ear protection, he hands each student a brand-new shotgun. The shotguns were purchased with the help of local donors who view shooting as a sport and fam- ily recreation option. There is no cost for the students to use the fire- arms but there is a participation fee which covers the cost of the am- munition used by the student — a cost expected to be about $200 this season. The USA High School Clay Tar- get League is a 501(c)(3) nonprof- it corporation and a proponent of shooting sports as an extracurric- ular co-ed activity for students in grades six through 12 who have their firearm safety certification. See LEAGUE page 8A Public Art Committee learns about ‘Questing’ By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News CLASSIFIEDS S IUSLAW N EWS 2 S ECTIONS | 16 P AGES C OPYRIGHT 2021 The Florence Public Art Com- mittee (PAC) met Monday, April 12, with an eye towards discussing future options for art-related ac- tivities and displays in and around the city. The PAC has overseen the acquisition and exhibition of some pieces of the fledgling city-owned art collection, and along the way has weathered heated public criti- cism due to those selections, only to emerge intact and viable. The agenda for the meeting was brief, with the highlight being a presentation from Dina Pavlis and Joey Curtola on the logistical spe- cifics and benefits possibly accrued by increasing city participation in “Oregon Quests” treasure hunts. City Recorder Kelli Weese and I NSIDE — B Walk-ins welcome -or- schedule online at novahealth.com Economic Catalyst Sarah Moehrke facilitated the PAC meeting, which was held virtually, and Vice Chair Jo Beaudreau assisted with the pre- sentation. Oregon Quests is an education- ally oriented statewide effort to draw the curious and the history minded to interesting locations, primarily on the Oregon Coast. It is funded through grants offered by the National Ocean and Atmo- spheric Administration (NOAA) and administered in this area by Oregon State University (OSU). Pavlis, a local naturalist who is very familiar with the geogra- phy and physical attributes of the natural landscapes in the Siuslaw region, has led educational tours and held classes in area parks and wetlands for years in her work with Oregon Department of Forestry. Her presentation was made in support of a program sponsored by OSU as part of the university’s Sea Grant program, which focuses on understanding the ecological, social and economic aspects of coastal and marine conservation and industries. The program also focuses on developing resilience to acute and chronic coastal and marine haz- ards, as well as adding to the un- derstanding of the human and natural dimensions of coastal and marine fisheries. One of the OSU funded pro- grams is called the “Oregon Coast Quest,” which is a less high-tech version of another popular treasure hunting activity — but using older tools to provide information and challenge participants. See ART page 6A Oregon COVID-19 cases continue to climb Lane County to return to ‘high risk’ next week By Chantelle Meyer Siuslaw News Oregon Gov. Kate Brown held a press conference Friday to address the rising number of cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 in the state. According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), April 14 reported 816 positive cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day count since data showed a decline in cases beginning in January. Thursday had an additional 733 confirmed cases, bringing the state’s total cases to 172,931 since February 2020, with a death toll of 2,455. According to OHA State Epi- demiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger, “Recent data is troubling, showing that the virus is again on the march throughout our state, sickening our friends and neighbors. Daily cases, hospitalizations, positive test rate and COVID-19 deaths are all on the upswing.” He said that daily cases of COVID-19 have more than doubled See COVID-19 page 5A Planning Commission continues debate topics By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News The Florence Planning Com- mission met virtually on April 13, with all commissioners present. The agenda for the evening meeting was a return to two issues already dis- cussed by the commission in prior meetings. Both topics have been de- bated for months, particularly pen- alties related to what the city consid- ers clearing violations at a planned housing development at Fairway Estates. There was also a return to an ap- peal filed to rebut a condition of approval being sought to continue development of a storage facility on approximately 4.5 acres owned by the City of Florence. The prop- erty in question is being developed with the intent of offering modern, secure storage and is located east of Kingwood Street, between the Flor- ence Public Works complex and the Oregon Coast Military Museum. The discussion of the Fairway Estates fines and the issuance of penalties for a number of essential- ly landscaping miscues has become contentious as both the applicant, Michael Pearson, and City Planner Wendy FarleyCampbell have chosen See PLANNING page 6A A SAMPLING OF OUR HOMES FOR SALE...WATER VIEW, IN TOWN AND MORE. COAST REAL ESTATE 87856 RIVERVIEW AVE A big open room concept and bright space in the heart of Mapleton. The public dock is right near your back door. Enjoy beautiful views of the Siuslaw River and Forest. Conveniently located right next to the store, restaurant, and local businesses. The house has been beautifully maintained with a recently upgraded kitchen. Master bedroom/Private En Suite bathroom is on the opposite side of the other bedrooms. $355,900 #12130 MLS#21269558 1649 23RD ST Outstanding location close to schools and shopping. This beautiful 1748 SF home has an open floor plan with a combination of vaulted and 9 Ft ceilings. The home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with the primary bedroom having 2 walk-in closets. It has carbonized bamboo hardwood flooring, custom chefs kitchen with island and solid surface counters. This home has a large 2 car garage, RV pad, covered porch, deck with a newer hot tub. Low maintenance landscaping. Hurry this won’t last long! $389,000 #12162 MLS#21232107 2284 21ST Hurry on this one! Estate owned. Summerset Estates!! Move-in ready and priced to sell! No disappointments. Showing excep- tional owner care and low maintenance in this 3 bedroom, 2 bath 1638 Sq Ft home. Has an open floor plan with a spacious feeling of quality and detail. You will love the south facing cov- ered patio, oversized garage, RV parking and detached shop. This won’t last. $479,000 #12156 MLS#21396025 1600 RHODODENDRON #219 Well maintained and recently updated. This home is in fantastic condition. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home in great neighborhood of Greentrees. It has newer exterior siding, gutters, vinyl windows and roof. This home has vaulted ceilings, updated bathrooms with custom ADA tub/shower. Custom chef’s kitchen with newer cabinets and solid surface counters. A large finished studio/guest studio/ADU (buyer to verify use). ADA ramp, cov- ered deck/porch and garden shed. A great opportunity for your forever home. $359,900 #12141 MLS#21006695 541-997-7777 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com