Salem-News.com Florence articles

Two Die in Crash on Highway 101 South of Florence

Police aren't sure what caused an 18-year year old driver to lose control and cross into the oncoming lanes.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - Police say two Florence-area residents died Friday afternoon on Highway 101 south of Florence when their small pickup lost control and was struck broadside. Two others received non-life threatening injuries in the crash that is still under investigation by Oregon State Police.

Two men in one vehicle were killed in the crash, police are not sure if they were wearing seat belts.

Whale Buried at Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint (PHOTOS)

The true cause of this whale's death may remain a mystery.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - A fin whale carcass that washed ashore at Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint Sunday was successfully buried at the same beach Monday.

The 55' long, ~30-ton carcass that rested above the high tide line at the park was buried in an 11' deep hole.

Dead Whale Leads to Closure of Oregon Beaches (VIDEO)

A chance to retell some explosive history regarding whales on the beach in Florence, Oregon.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - Heceta Head State Scenic Viewpoint and the Devil's Elbow beach north of Florence have been closed until further notice due to the presence of a dead whale.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department staff, working with biologists and law enforcement officials, are on site.

Officials Fear Whale Near Florence Tried to Reach the Beach

OSP, NOAA and US Coast Guard Monitor Whale near Ocean Shore north of Florence (Photos)‏ The whale apparently was able to move away from shore as the tide moved in.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted a whale today that they believed had beached itself about one mile north of Driftwood Shores near Sutton Creek in the Florence area.

Oregon State Police Senior Trooper Scott Salisbury says a report came in at approximately 6:00 p.m. from the helicopter crew, who advised that they were monitoring the whale.

Woman Dies in Motorcycle Crash North of Florence

Highway 101 was partially blocked for approximately 3 hours.

(FLORENCE, Ore.) - A woman died from injuries that she suffered when the motorcycle she was riding on was struck from behind on Highway 101 near Florence. The motorcycle operator was seriously injured.

Around 5:15 PM Saturday, 63-year old Robert Shimp, operator of the motorcycle, and his passenger, 75-year old Nancy Shimp, both of Springfield, were preparing to turn off of Highway 101 when they were struck from behind by a car.

Alleged Intoxicated Driver Charged With Swiping Baby Seal From Oregon Beach

Senior Oregon State Police Trooper Scott Salisbury transported the seal pup that evening to the aquarium and released it to a staff member.

(FLORENCE) - OSP troopers and Florence police found more than an intoxicated driver September 17th, when a seal pup was discovered in a vehicle stopped in Florence. The driver was arrested for DUII and Unlawful Possession of Wildlife.

On Sunday, September 17th at about 4:00 PM, OSP Fish & Wildlife Trooper Scott Salisbury located the driver that was in possession of a seal pup.

Heceta Head Lighthouse is Magic on The Oregon Coast

Heceta Head is said to be the most photographed lighthouse in the United States.

(FLORENCE) - It is pronounced “Ha – SEE – Ta” by most, “HECK – ah – Ta” by others, but everyone agrees Heceta Head is one of the most beautiful and magical lighthouses in the world.

The area is named for Captain Don Bruno de Hezeta (Heceta) of the Spanish Royal Navy, an explorer whose expedition passed along the Oregon coast around 1775.

Driver`s Arrest Related to Fatal July Traffic Crash South of Florence

The Florence man will face a second-degree Manslaughter charge.

(FLORENCE) - Oregon State Police troopers arrested a Florence-area man Thursday for Manslaughter and DUII charges related to a July 9th two-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 101 three miles south of Florence. The other driver had been in critical condition until she passed away one week later.

53-year old Rodney L. Deris of Florence, was arrested without incident at his home. He was taken to Lane County Circuit Court for Manslaughter in the Second Degree and Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants.

Police say that on July 9th at approximately 12:40 PM, a 2005 Dodge pickup driven by Deris was southbound on Highway 101 when it drove off into a ditch on the right shoulder then came back onto the highway and crossed the centerline.

Crash Near Florence Leaves Woman Critically Injured

(FLORENCE) - Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into a two-vehicle crash Sunday afternoon on Highway 101 about three miles south of Florence. The
crash has left one person in critical condition, and troopers are investigating to determine if alcohol was a contributing factor.

Investigators say that at around 12:40 PM Sunday, a 2005 Dodge pickup driven by 53-year old Rodney L. Deris of Florence, was southbound on Highway 101 when it drove off into a ditch on the right shoulder then came back onto the highway and crossed the centerline.

The Dodge pickup crashed nearly head-on with a northbound 1993 Honda Civic four-door.

Man Injured by Illegal Fireworks Speaks Out

The man says he never made the connection that buying illegal fireworks really means they're illegal.

(FLORENCE) - A Florence man recovering from a painful epiphany wants others to learn from his near death experience with illegal fireworks on the fourth of July.

While family and friends watched, a burning mortar hit him then bounced into nearly 400 rounds of fireworks igniting them all.

"I thought I was going to die in the fire," confesses James Motts, a single father.

Motts has been driving to Washington to purchase fireworks from the Chehalis tribes since 1991.