Coast Radio News
Local News
30 September 2015

Open burning delayed to November First   

The Lane Fire Authority postponed the opening of this year’s burning season. Backyard burning in all of Lane County will remain closed until at least November First.

That’s according to Jo Niehaus (nee-house) with the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency in Eugene.

It remains off-limits year-round inside Florence.

The Oregon Department of Forestry continues to respond to wild fires in parts of Lane County. One this week was estimated at 15 acres. Another near Cottage Grove yesterday afternoon briefly threatened several structures before being brought under control.

For those outside the city of Florence, a permit process is being instituted. Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett said there will be no charge, but there are some conditions attached.

The permits will be available online at the fire district website; at the district office on Highway 101; and at Heceta Water PUD and Dunes City Hall.

Police ID man found dead last month

The identity of a man found dead north of Sandpines Golf Links last month has been released.

Florence Police say 31-year old Jonathan Iram Heredia had been reported missing from Eugene July 16th of this year.

His body was found in a wooded area north of Sandpines and west of Fred Meyer August 30th. The death remains under investigation, but Police Chief Tom Turner says it appears to have been a suicide.

Turner said a citizen reviewing newly entered records on a national website for missing and unidentified persons alerted police about a possible match.

He also said Heredia may have been in the Florence area in early August. Anyone who may have had contact with him is asked to let the Florence Police Department know.

Gas prices continue to slide locally

After last week’s dramatic drop in the average cash price for regular gas, it wasn’t clear how much lower it could go.

But, the local average fell by another nickel this week to $2.17.

The statewide average price, as measured by Triple-A, dipped the same amount this week, but it remains 30-cents a gallon higher than locally. The national average held steady at $2.28.

Justice stepping down

Lane County Justice of the Peace Cindy Forsythe is bringing down the gavel today on a 24-year stretch of providing justice to renters, landlords, debtors and drivers.

Forsythe recently announced she would be stepping down at the end of this month. Justice Court staffer Candy Ashby said they will be hosting a retirement reception in Forsythe’s honor this afternoon from 3 to 5 in the lobby of the Florence Justice Center.

When she took office two-dozen years ago, Forsythe was the West Lane Justice of the Peace. During her tenure she oversaw the consolidation of three separate courts into one.

Governor Kate Brown is expected to name a replacement this week.

Possibly stolen, burned out vehicle found on beach

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies are trying to find the owner of a pickup that was found abandoned on the beach south of Florence.   The burned out shell of a crew cab pickup was discovered about two miles south of the Siuslaw River entrance Sunday morning. It appears to have crashed into a large girder supporting a sign. There was extensive damage to the front of the truck and the rest was destroyed by fire.

Lane County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Lane said the Vehicle ID number was obliterated in the fire. Police believe the truck was stolen.