6A | FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 | SIUSLAW NEWS
DISTRICTS from page 1A
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ESTATE JEWELRY AND
ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!!
We buy, sell and consign quality
estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture.
Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with
precious & semi precious stones.
Call 541-997-8104,
Florence Antiques
&
Coast Jewelers
Auto, Home, Life, Business
Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Supplements
Health Insurance
Phone (541) 997-9497
1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence
According to the chief ’s
report to the directors, there
were 50 visits recorded for
the group during the month
of November.
The next presentation to
WLFEA directors was pre-
sented by Jacob Callister, a
representative of the Lane
Council of Governments
(LCOG). He updated the
directors on the creation
and development of a long-
range strategic plan for both
taxing districts.
Callister has been work-
ing with WLFEA to struc-
ture two separate strategic
plans, aligned in mission
and purpose, which will
provide the districts with
opportunities to more close-
ly merge if that decision is
made in the future.
After reviewing the pro-
cess LCOG has undertaken
thus far, Callister turned his
attention to the future.
“We are at an important
ARREST from page 1A
LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS
Tires • Brakes • Shocks
Alignments
4325 Highway 101
Florence, OR 97439
541-997-7178
Alva Bracey
manslaughter 1, DUII and
recklessly endangering. Mc-
Vay was lodged in the Lane
County Jail.
On Sept. 20 at approxi-
mately 7:14 a.m., Oregon
State Troopers and emergen-
cy personnel responded to a
four-vehicle crash on High-
way 126 near milepost 37.
Preliminary investigation re-
vealed a Kenworth log truck,
point right now, where we
are ready to take the infor-
mation we have gathered
and start drafting the first
draft, which is an exciting
step in the process,” he said.
“That’s because you can put
something to paper which
can then be scrutinized fur-
ther, but it’s an important
step in that you have enough
information to draft some-
thing.”
He also provided a more
concrete timeframe for the
next steps in the process.
“We will be working over
the holidays to complete
some drafting of the strate-
gic plan, as soon as we can.
In January, we will release a
draft plan that will be some-
thing the steering commit-
tee can put their eyes on.
Hopefully in February we
will be able to present the
plan to the board,” her said.
Callister finished his
presentation by saying the
adoption of the new strate-
gic plans may be possible by
early spring.
Directors, who have been
involved with the strategic
plan throughout the pro-
cess, had few comments or
questions for Callister, and
next moved to approve the
consent agenda and a curso-
ry discussion of two pend-
ing resolutions.
The reports from leaders
in both SVFR and WLAD
reviewed the training un-
dertaken to maintain annu-
al certifications, including
CPR Training required by
the American Heart Associ-
ation, repairs to department
apparatus and facilities and
the monthly financial infor-
mation.
Fire Marshall Tony Miller
took the opportunity to re-
mind the community of the
fire dangers associated with
the holiday season. Mill-
er said the season always
brings with it an increase in
the amount of time people
spend in the kitchen cook-
ing.
In addition, home heating
systems and smaller, porta-
ble heating device use also
increases.
Holiday decorations are
also a concern, as 20 percent
of Christmas tree fires are
caused by placing a heating
source too close to the tree.
According to Miller, half
of all home heating fires
occur in December, Janu-
ary and February. Fireplac-
es, wood burning stoves,
space heater, furnaces and
fuel (kerosene, propane)
burning heaters should be
cleaned and serviced annu-
ally to safeguard against is-
sues. Space heaters are con-
venient for localized heating
if plugged directly into an
outlet and should never be
plugged into an extension
cord.
Following this, the Chief ’s
Report updated directors on
the suspension of a mandat-
ed vaccine deadline which
is caught up in legal chal-
lenges, and also on labor ne-
gotiations which are in the
pre-discussion phases.
Two resolutions, Resolu-
tions 2021-05 and 2021-06,
were then passed, which
approved the transfer of all
operation employees from
both SVFR and WLAD
to WLFEA starting July 1,
2022.
Resolution
2021-05
stated, “WHEREAS, Siu-
slaw Valley Fire & Rescue
(“SVFR”) and Western
Lane Ambulance District
(“WLAD”)
(Contracting
Parties) are parties to an in-
tergovernmental agreement
establishing the Western
Lane Fire and EMS Author-
ity (“Authority”); and
“WHEREAS, the Con-
tracting Parties have dele-
gated to the Authority the
power, duty, and responsi-
bility to maintain, operate,
manage, and control all fire
and rescue and EMS activ-
ities, equipment, resourc-
es, and all property of the
See REPORTS page 7A
operated by McVay, 64, of
Eugene, was eastbound when
the loaded trailer tipped over.
The trailer struck a west-
bound Toyota Prius, operat-
ed by Susman and a Dodge
Ram towing a boat, operated
by Randall Tokich, 70, of Eu-
gene. The Dodge Ram then
struck an eastbound Ford
Mustang, operated by Jordyn
Tippett, 20, of Coquille.
Susman sustained fatal in-
juries and was pronounced
deceased. McVay and Tippett
were transported to Sacred
Heart Medical Center at Riv-
erBend with injuries. Tokich
had minor injuries.
Susman was a part-time
Western Lane Ambulance
District employee and was
driving to work when the
accident occurred. She was
recently hired with WLAD
after completing the EMT
Intermediate program at
Lane Community College.
She had previously been an
EMT and volunteer fire-
fighter for three years.
During the initial inci-
dent and subsequent inves-
tigation, Oregon State Police
was assisted by Lane County
Sheriff ’s Office and Oregon
Department of Transporta-
tion.
Bozievich will have served
three complete four-year
terms as a commissioner
and previously served one
four-year term on the Lane
Community College Board
of Education. Prior to being
elected as a commissioner,
he practiced civil engineering
for 29 years. He will turn 65
before the end of his current
term.
“I look forward to continu-
ing to represent the citizens
of West Lane to the best of
my ability through the end of
my term and I want to thank
the citizens for the trust they
placed in me for the last 11
years,” Bozievich said.
For more information, visit
lanecounty.org/government/
county_departments/board_
of_county_commissioners.
We are open and
ready to assist you!
Broker
Your goals are my
top priority.
Let’s get together!
Call, Text or Email
Cell: 541-505-1180
Alva@CBCoast.com
541-997-7777
100 Hwy. 101,
Florence, OR
COAST REAL ESTATE
COUNTY from page 1A
enough trust with citizens
in May 2013 to pass the first
public safety levy in a gener-
ation — after 14 unsuccessful
attempts — and renewed that
levy in May 2017 by an al-
most 3-1 vote.”
SAVE. SHOP
Let me Showcase your property.
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
Mike Blankenship
Broker
Hill Rd #1300 – Incredible views of the
541 991-7826 Rose
North Fork River and valley, city and ocean on
clear days. Beautiful, mature trees and flat area
for a recreational getaway, or check with the
County for a potential home site. This 23.23
acres is close to town yet secluded. $200,000.
#3231-21211621
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
VOTED
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BEST O
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Jim & Jerry
Neil’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
541-997-3825
Certifi ed – Bonded – Insured
Property Services Contractor #39458 • SAM: #831298500/7E6J9
City License #2578
“Our commitment is to our customers
cleaning needs with honesty and integrity”
Us TOO Florence
Prostate Cancer Education
Support on the Oregon Coast
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• Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday)
5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends.
• Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday)
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese
Restaurant
• Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends.
Florence in Bloom
Full Service Flower Shop & Gifts
Contact Bob for more information:
(H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239
maribob@oregonfast.net
Locally
owned & operated
Happy
Holidays
Certified technicians
dedicated to professional
pest management.
Johnston Motor Company
Since 1939
541-997-3781
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
509 Hwy 101
Florence, Oregon
www.pesttechinc.com
541-997-5391
Owners Gary and Sharon Cargill
1234 Rhododendron Dr.
Florence OR
Windermere
Real Estate/
Lane County
1625 12th Street
Florence, Oregon
541-997-5926
windermere.com