Lengthy off-road designation process finally concludes
A nearly 20-year old directive aimed at regulating the use of off-road vehicles on national forest land is finally coming to a conclusion on the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Siuslaw National Forest Supervisor Jerry Ingersoll released his decision on the “Designated Routes”; also called the “10-C” project; January 29th. Recreation Planner Angie Morris says the decision expands riding areas throughout the dunes stretching from the North Spit of Coos Bay to the South Bank of the Siuslaw River.
Angie Morris – “Primarily a lot of the reallocations and a lot of the newly designated routes are in the North Riding Area where there’s actually a lot more management area 10-C land.”
That means the bulk of the additional 2.3 miles of riding trails and 518 acres of dunes will be available for ATVs, motorcycles and dune buggies near Florence. Morris says much of the additional areas are covered with non-native vegetation that the agency is not interested in protecting. That could ultimately help out with another effort… restoring more of the open sand.
Angie Morris – “We are beginning a restoration project with one of the goals to reduce the amount of non-native vegetation and to reestablish open dunes and the dynamic environment that’s kind of been stifled by the predominance of non-native vegetation.”
Nearly all of that vegetation was introduced intentionally beginning more than 60 years ago. Over the years it has spread, reducing open sand areas to just a fraction of what they used to be. More information on the plan can be found at http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=34220
State of the City
The new city council is working together to make progress on hiring a city manager; helping to find a new police chief; and engaging the community in more two-way communication. Mayor Joe Henry presented his State of the City address yesterday to members of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. Those were the main themes.
But, he also talked about increased efforts at economic development; finding ways to pay for roads, parks and public safety; and the compassion of the community. The first time mayor closed by admitting he covered a lot of things.
Joe Henry – “But there’s so much more I haven’t touched on. Let me request your help in moving our city forward and engaging our community in discussions of the issues that are before us.”
He finished by recognizing his wife Pamela Henry, who he called his best friend. He called her “the strength” that helps him face the challenges of the City and his life every day.
Community Conversation coming to Florence in April
The independent non-profit group Oregon Humanities will be sponsoring a series of “community conversations” in 24 different locations around the state this spring. They’re aimed at encouraging Oregonians to discuss provocative issues and ideas like racial diversity, “community in the age of the internet”, and the ethics of food.
There will be 37 different conversations in 24 communities around Oregon.
Only one will be in Lane County. That will be at the Florence United Methodist Church on Kingwood Street. April 14th Leslie Dunlap will present a talk titled “Something Old, Something New: Exploring the State of Marriage.
Information on the entire program can be found at oregonhumanities.org.
Arraignment held in pipe bomb case
A Tillamook County man accused of scattering pipe bombs in Florence, McMinnville and Portland last year has pleaded not guilty to federal charges.
44-year-old Neal Panschow appeared in a Portland courtroom yesterday for arraignment on six counts of possessing an unregistered destructive device and one count of arson.
Two of the pipe bombs were in Florence, one exploded, but nobody was injured and there was no reported damage.
Police in Portland say Panschow led them on a pursuit December 16th in which he threw four pipe bombs in two separate bags out the window of a stolen car. At least one of those bombs exploded, damaging two cars. Another bomb exploded in McMinnville; it too caused minor damage.
Panschow was arrested December 21st. A trial is set for April 28th.
Oregonians could get “kicker”
State economists are predicting Oregon taxpayers will receive “kicker” income tax rebates next year.
The quarterly revenue forecast released Thursday projects nearly $350-million will be credited to taxpayers when they file their 2015 taxes.
Oregon’s “kicker” law is triggered when tax collections exceed expectations by at least two percent during a two-year budget cycle.
When that occurs, the unanticipated revenue gets returned to taxpayers. Unlike past rebates that were distributed as a check around Christmas, those in the future will be refunded on tax returns.
State Economist Mark McMullen said the state will be able to tell for sure whether the kickers will be credited next year after it sees how tax collections go this year.
2015 Rhody Court Announced
Nine area high school seniors and five elementary school students will be representing the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce this spring as Rhody Royalty.
Five girls are on the Senior Court: Bailey Wells; Courtney King; Kennedy Roylance; Natalie Madden; and Trista Lane. One will be named Queen Rhododendra 108. The King of the Coast will be selected from the group of young men including Jonathan Griffes; Joseph Dotson; Keoni Castro; and Trey Cornish. All nine are seniors at Siuslaw High School.
The Junior Court is made up of Olivia Moore; Adelaide Ficcadenti (fikk-uh-DEN-tee); Alize Geiselle Castellanos; Elizabeth Perez; all from Siuslaw Elementary. Plus Mapleton third grader Ariana Galvan Mendez.
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