Arrest made in burglaries; Queen Rhododendra CVI wins her crown; Inaugural U.S. Bank Oregon Dunes Triathlon deemed success.

Coast Radio News
Local News

13 May 2013

Arrest Made in Series of Business Breakins

A 39-year old Florence man is facing multiple charges, including five for burglary, following his arrest by Florence police Thursday.  Ryan Aho is also facing multiple charges of theft, criminal mischief, unlawful entry into a vehicle and possession of burglary tools.

Police stopped Aho’s car at 12:30 AM Thursday for a traffic violation and found property that had been reported stolen in several recent burglaries.  Tools also found in the car were matched to those used in the series of break-ins reported at Premier Landscaping; Homegrown Pub; 1285-Restobar; Harris Feed; Rosas Mexican Restaurant and Terrace Homes.

Aho is also tied to three vehicle break-ins.

Police Chief Ray Gutierrez said it appeared at times Aho was “one step ahead” of officers, but added police “take it personally” when residents become victims.  He credited the arrest to some “good old fashion police work”.

Aho was lodged in the Florence Jail; his case has been referred to the Lane County District Attorney.

No Pageant in This Year’s Festival

Queen Rhododendra 106 has been crowned.

Siuslaw High School Senior Jade Herbert was draped with the royal robe, presented with flowers, and the crown placed on her head Saturday night during the Queen’s Coronation Ball.

Since two of the three princesses were from Mapleton High School, the Ball was held in conjunction with that school’s Junior-Senior Prom at the Florence Elks Lodge.

Herbert, attended by princesses Courtney Rodet and Taysie Savage, will preside over the festival this coming weekend.

Despite the weather forecast calling for some periods of rain, organizers are keeping their fingers crossed.  They’re hoping for dry weather over activities that include the Davis Carnival; Car Show and Shine; a classic car cruise; Junior Parade and Sunday’s Grand Floral Parade.  One event missing this year:  for the first time in decades there will be no pageant Friday night.

Inaugural Triathlon Deemed Success

The weather was perfect for the first-ever U.S. Bank Oregon Dunes Triathlon Saturday morning.

David Garcia of Portland was first across the line in the signature event… the Olympic Distance Triathlon.  He swam 9-tenths of a mile, bicycled 25 miles, then ran 6.3 miles in 2-hours; 22-minutes; and 2-seconds.  Garcia said the course was beautiful and challenging… and called the grueling final 200 feet up the face of a sand dune in Honeyman State Park a “fantastic finish”.

Janette Hatcher of Bremerton, Washington was the first Olympic Triathlon woman finisher in 3:45:04.

Evan Pardi of Eugene was the overall winner in the sprint triathlon where competitors only had to swim, bike and run half as far.  Cara Cannon of Portland was the women’s sprint triathlon winner.

Dunes City Mayor Rebecca Ruede was thrilled with the turnout and the weather for what she says will become an annual event and should draw as many as three times the competitors next year.

It was promoted by Dunes City through a rural tourism grant provided by Lane County.  The race was organized and operated by Smith Rock Race Group of Bend in conjunction with dozens of local volunteers.