Police seek info on daytime theft attempt, fire danger increases, sr center fund raising will impact other charities

Daytime robbery attempt leaves police seeking information…

Florence Police are seeking help in identifying a suspect in the attempted theft of a computer from an office yesterday afternoon in the Florence Business Center on 12th Street. A man asked to use the phone and once inside, reportedly unplugged a personal computer and began boxing it up. An employee interrupted him, confronting the man who denied any wrong-doing and left in a hurry before police could arrive. Officer Tom Siewell said despite Florence’s ‘small town atmosphere’ the episode pointed out the need to be cautious with strangers. He’s asking anyone with possible information on the suspect to contact him. The man was reported to be in his late 20s or early 30s with a slender build and ‘dirty blond hair’. He was wearing jeans and a sweater and left in a small forest green hatchback with a gold stripe along the fender and door. The suspect was not driving, no description was given for the vehicle operator.

Increased fire danger has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry to implement tighter restrictions in Western Oregon forests. Effective this morning smoking outside of an enclosed vehicle is prohibited while traveling through forestland, as well as open fires except in designated campgrounds. The heightened restrictions are known as ‘regulated use’ and include other limitations and restrictions: motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are limited to improved roadways only; fireworks are prohibited; No mowing of dried and cured grass with power equipment during the hottest part of the day; and no cutting, grinding or welding of metal is allowed between one and eight pm. A final requirement: anyone driving on forest roads must carry basic firefighting tools… an ax, a shovel and either a gallon of water or a 2 ½ pound fire extinguisher.

Backers of a new senior center in the city of Florence acknowledge that an ‘emergency fund raising’ drive to gather $100-thousand by August 12th will have an impact on other charitable efforts.
215 – “This is one of many, many good causes in Florence. And for the city to come in now and say ‘forget everything else’ is a hard thing to do. What I’m suggesting is people don’t forget everything else, but make the senior center their priority for the next three or four weeks.”

Mayor Phil Brubaker says the City Council must make a decision no later than August 12th whether or not to proceed with construction on the $1.2-million project. If they don’t make the deadline, they’ll forfeit an $800-thousand grant.

One feature returning to this year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life set for August 14th and 15th at Miller Park is the Memory Wall. Relay spokesperson Pam Hickson says it will be bigger and better this year. She said it was inspired by a photo of a fence near the Oklahoma Courthouse bombing site several years ago when people brought photos and mementos of loved ones and left them attached to the chain link. Hickson said anything that reminds you of loved ones that have battled cancer will add to the experience. The Relay for Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

American Legion Baseball:

The Withnell Dodgers shortened the Three Rivers Sandblasters season by one inning last night in Salem, beating the ‘Blasters 11-1 in eight innings. The Sandblasters ended the season with an 8 – 12 league record in fourth place overall in Zone-Three play.

Northwest League Baseball:

The Eugene Emeralds put together 13-hits on their way to a 9-6 pounding of the Tri-City Dust Devils at Gesa Stadium last night in Pasco. Eugene scored twice in the top half of the first inning, setting the tone for the evening. The Ems are seven games behind the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes… third place… in the west division with an overall record of 14-and-16. The Emeralds and the Dust Devils meet again tonight for the fourth game of their five game series.