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Siuslaw NewsWednesday, January 10, 2024 Florence, Oregon
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Number 2 • 133 years
Sneaker wave sends child to hospital “Bystanders reported that wave propelled a large log into a 5-yearA five-year-old girl was reported to old female patient,” the release states. have been released from the hospital Bystanders stated the log struck the after a sneaker wave on South Jetty patient’s back, neck, and head area Beach left her pinned under a log. causing the child to be pinned faceAccording to a release from Western down in the sand and ocean until Lane Fire and EMS Authority, the the log could be removed by [her] incident occurred just before noon on mother and bystanders.” Dec. 28. SIUSLAW NEWS STAFF
WLFEA personnel arrived to find the child sitting upright in an area away from incoming waves. “WLFEA packaged and transported patient to meet LifeFlight helicopter at a pre-designated landing area,” the release stated. “Patient was considered stable to the injuries but due to local hospital not having pediatric trauma available, the decision to
fly patient to SacredHeart RiverBend sand about 150 feet from the surf and for higher level of care.” The release “never turn your back on the ocean.” said the girl was released from care on New Years Day. Incidents on the Pacific Coast have been making the news since before Christmas as king tides brought higher than normal tides and waves. See more beach safety WLFEA Deputy Chief Matt House tips on | PAGE B3 advised beach visitors to stay on dry
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Staying Safe on Winter Trails By NATE SCHWARTZ Country Media
PHOTO BY ALLISON ORTWEIN
As seen from a small airplane, heavy equipment is used to flatten out an area of beach sand south of Florence.
Forest Service flattens beaches for snowy plover removing invasive beach grass and flattening the dunes it creates. USDA District Wildlife Biologist Questions arose online over the Kegan Benson explained that the holidays following a social media project allows snowy plover to lay posting of a large oceanside area of eggs on the sand where they benefit beach sand being flattened out by heavy equipment. U.S. Forest Service from natural camouflage. Benson said such projects have officials say the project is designed been going on since the 1990s and to restore Snowy Plover habitat by By TONY REED Siuslaw News
have shown to increase snowy plover populations. He said local research has shown population numbers increasing from the low tens to over 200 since it began. Through a combination of handpulling and heavy equipment, personnel have restored several areas of the coast to a more native landscape.
European beach grass is a non-native species that was introduced in the early 1900s and resulted in unintended consequences. As the beach grass stops the wind, sand accumulates around it and forms a high dunes and coastal forests to form. See BEACH, page A4
Viking boat makes an appearance in Florence
“The Viking women knew that Native Americans of the Pacific coast ate fish but suspected that the Those hanging out along the river locals knew nothing of lutefisk, dried in Old Town Florence Wednesday cod cured in lye. On a December were treated to a view of the Viking afternoon, the Viking women arrived Boat, escorted by the Coast Guard about where Mo’s famous clam Auxiliary and kayakers. chowder is served today. Carrying According to Patti Godwin,of lutefisk as a token of peace, they Florence Oregon Area Kayakers, the met a group of Siuslaw women who event has some history. offered them smoked salmon to eat. “The story goes that exactly 1,000 Upon tasting the salmon, the Viking years ago a party of Viking Women women concluded they had nothing paddled up the Siuslaw River from to teach the Siuslaw people. They the Pacific Ocean. They were not paddled back down the river never to warriors out for conquest. Their mis- appear again.” sion was about kindness, generosity, According to the story, some claim and education,” according to a FOAK to have seen spirits on the river in a release. Ghost Boat, just after sundown on By TONY REED Siuslaw News
INSIDE
Obituaries — A2 Sports & Lifestyle — B1
Opinion — A3 Classifieds — B8-9
PHOTO TONY REED
Paddlers could be heard before they were seen as they yelled to people on shore. January 2. The group made their way up the river and under the Siuslaw River Bridge Jan.2, and could be
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See VIKING, page A4
As we head into the midst of what many describe as a “slow” period for the Pacific Northwest, it is important that we still find ways to engage with meaningful activity. In a time of year colored with gloom and, for many, seasonal dysphoria, we must take advantage of the milder days when we have got them. I know I am not alone in my sadness over a reduced opportunity for outdoorsmanship. I hope I am also not alone in trying to make do regardless. With a bevy of state and county parks always within arms reach it’ll be hard not to continue to hit the trails this winter. With that in mind, it will be useful to review some tips for staying safe on the trail in these wet and windy months.
WINTER WEATHER
Wintery conditions only heighten the need for hikers to follow good year-round trail practices. As always, hikers should stay only on marked trails, and do their best as to not disturb any plant or wildlife. In the winter months, many of Oregon’s native mammal species are hibernating. From bats to bears, many native species will be going about the crucial business of keeping warm. As the rainy season continues, Oregonites will be all too familiar with the dangers that wet conditions can pose. In an interview with Matt Palmquist, a Park Ranger at Silver Falls in Marion County, he spoke to those conditions. “Winter weather poses numerous challenges for both staff and visitors. Winter storms, especially wind and heavy rain events, can lead to damage of trails via erosion or fallen trees. We spend a lot of time cleaning up after storms to ensure trails are passable and safe. Winter weather also leads to less safe trail conditions overall, with wet and slick conditions present on trails throughout See SAFE, page A4
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