Suspect Arrested in Friday Robbery

29 October 2014

Suspect in Friday Bank Robbery Arrested and Charged.

Police in Florence caught a break yesterday in Friday’s robbery at Oregon Pacific Bank at Safeway.

John Pitcher – “City Hall employee was out doing his job and he saw a vehicle that matched our suspect vehicle so he called us. We ended up going over last night.”

Lt. John Pitcher said they arrested 59-year old Michelle Fisher at her home on 14^th street; less than a block away from the bank’s main branch.

Fisher was booked into the Lane County Jail last night on a charge of Robbery-2; Pitcher said the District Attorney may consider additional charges.

He also said there was no evidence of any weapon involved in the robbery and it is believed that Fisher acted alone.

They did recover some of the cash.

Police released two photos of a suspect and her possible vehicle in a robbery at Oregon Pacific Bank's Safeway Branch in Florence Friday afternoon. — Police arrested 59-year old Michelle Fisher of Florence Tuesday evening and charged her with robbery. Officials credit video stills from surveillance cameras for alerting the public, which in turn led to a tip as to the location of the suspect vehicle just one block away from the main branch of Oregon Pacific Bank.

Ballots still trickling in

With just under a week remaining until the November Fourth deadline, only about one in five Oregonians has returned a ballot.

According to the Secretary of State’s office, Democrats and Republicans are voting at similar rates, while unaffiliated and minor-party voters are casting ballots at a lower rate.

In Lane County, as of yesterday afternoon, the return is at 21-point-five-percent.

Voters are deciding races for governor, U.S. Senator, and, of course, all five U.S. Representatives.

In Florence, voters are deciding the fate of a two-tier tax on motor fuel to pay for street repairs. There are three candidates for Mayor; six people are seeking election to one of three open spots on the City Council.

Rotary offers Professional Development grants

A pair of $2-thousand professional development Fellowships will be awarded next spring by the Florence Rotary Club.

John Minter says the fellowships will go to professionals in education, health, city and county government and non-profit service organizations who want to upgrade their knowledge or skills.

Four fellowships have been previously awarded by the club to teachers and youth workers.

Application forms are available at the Siuslaw Public Library Reference Desk. They must be completed and returned by January 30^th.

River Debris Could Damage Vessels

Log booms across the entrance to the Port of Siuslaw Commercial Marina were deployed this week in order to protect the vessels… and the facilities within.

Fall and winter storms can flush an excessive amount of debris into the Siuslaw River from upstream. That debris can then become trapped in the marinas, piling up and possibly damaging boats.

Booms are going up across the entrances to the Sport Basin and Boat Launch in two weeks.

Boaters are urged to use caution when opening and closing the booms.