11 year sentence handed out in domestic violence case; HWD won't revisit rates; Cowan seeking 3rd term; and Vet's Parade 11/7

Florence man gets nearly 11 years for domestic assault

A plea agreement in a Florence domestic assault case will send one man to prison for ten years and ten months, while his identical twin brother received three years probation. The sentences were handed out last week. They stemmed from a July incident in which a Florence woman was assaulted and her children threatened.
200 – “There was one brother who was doing the physical actions, who was actually doing the assaulting. The other brother stood by, which is morally disturbing but may not necessarily be illegal. What he did was, when the mom yelled for help, told the kids to go get help, he blocked the door. And so he aided and abetted the assault which I think is very disturbing.”

Prosecutor Jay McAlpin says 30-year old Timothy Franzoni received the harsher sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting his domestic partner, her 12-year old daughter, and the woman’s 11-year old developmentally delayed son. Michael Franzoni will face probation after pleading guilty to fourth-degree assault and coercion.

Heceta Water District Commission Chair Bob Hursh says they will not revisit water rates before next spring. That’s despite a public outcry against the rates that took effect in July but didn’t show up on bills until last month. The Heceta Water District underwent an extensive rate survey last year, along with an evaluation of the condition of the district’s treatment and distribution system. Hursh said the new rates, which more than doubled in some cases, are structured to help provide revenues to pay for improvements as well as encourage conservation.

Newport Democrat Jean Cowan announced last week that she would seek her third term to the Oregon House of Representatives. Cowan recently earned a position on the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the state’s budget-writing committee. The former Lincoln County Commissioner and Mayor of Elgin, Oregon says ocean policy and protecting services for seniors, people with disabilities and veterans remain as her top priorities. House District 10 covers rural areas of Western Lane County, Lincoln County and portions of rural Polk and Yamhill counties.

This year’s annual Veteran’s Day Parade in Florence will be a few days early. Organizers of the event say it will be held on Saturday, November 7th instead of the traditional November 11th. The hope, says parade spokesperson Wayne Sharpe, is that more people will be able to participate on a Saturday, rather than on a weekday. The parade committee is encouraging any organization, including businesses, church groups and veterans groups, to enter a float. They are asking that all entries focus on veteran’s or patriotic themes.

TAKING A LOOK INTO COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Prep Football:
The Douglas Trojans ran away from the Siuslaw Vikings in the second half Friday night, cruising to a 23-7 Far West League football victory in Florence. In other Far West League Results, the Sutherlin Bulldogs are undefeated in league play after they downed a lackluster North Bend team 28-6. Brookings-Harbor beat South Umpqua 41-21.

In the Sunset League, Reedsport remains winless in league play, they lost 34-8 to Coquille.

In the Mountain West, Mapleton drew even in league play. They’re now two-and-two after a 48-32 victory over Crow at home Friday night.

Cross Country:
Several Siuslaw Vikings were invited to the Concordia-Puma Cross Country Classic in Portland Saturday. Joe Campbell and Jacob Berkner were 27th and 28th in the Men’s Elite class, each with identical times of 16:33. In the Women’s Elite Raelyn Robinson was 20th at 19:38; Samantha Pummer 24th at 19:42.