11 taken since Rhody Days in May

July 6, 2022 — One thing Florence residents can count on is that any time a patriotic occasion necessitates it the Kiwanis Club of Florence will be there to line Highway 101 and all other well-traveled roadways in the area with the flag of the United States of America.

Each flag is purchased via sponsorship by an individual or local business. Early on the morning of each holiday Kiwanis members and other volunteers travel all over town putting the flags up. They then follow the same route taking the flags down in the evening.

The public’s help is needed in finding and stopping the theft of these flags.

“We had four flags stolen over the 4^th of July weekend,” said Jean Murphey, Kiwanis member. “Three were taken from in front of Regency on 21st and Spruce Street and two were taken from Highway 101 in front of the Travel Lodge. One flag was recovered from in front of PUD, but which of these five flags it was, we have no way of knowing.”

After Murphey’s comment it was discovered another flag was missing, this one from Rhododendron Drive.

“The sad thing is that makes eleven flags that have been stolen so far since Rhody Days,” said Murphey. “How disappointing for the volunteers that spend hours putting out the flags and caring for the routes, and the sponsors that pay for the flags.”

Anyone with information that can help find the flags or who has been taking them can reach out to Murphey at 541-997-3455 or to the Florence Police department and refer to case #F2022-05290.