Florence officers encounter same deer

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN MICHELLE AVIS
In a strange coincidence, three Florence police officers struck a deer while the officers were traveling in two separate vehicles.

Officer Conroy Miller was traveling north on U.S. Highway 77 when a deer ran from the ditch and collided with Miller’s Ford Ranger.

The impact knocked the deer into the southbound lane, where officers Scott Galloway and Charles Hefton were heading to El Dorado in Florence’s newest patrol car.

The cruiser was said to have driven over the deer, causing heavy damage to the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Police Chief Erik King told the Florence City Council at its Nov. 14 meeting that all officers were unharmed and the damages to the cruiser are covered by the city’s vehicle insurance.

In other business the council:

  • tabled payment to the Peabody Market on a bill sent to the Florence Fire Department. The council asked to visit with Fire Chief Tim Parmley to find out why the items were not bought locally before authorizing the charges.
  • heard that the Florence Police Department will help with the last “Click It or Ticket” campaign of 2005. The focus of the campaign is drunk driving and seat-belt violations. The campaign will run from Nov. 28 through Dec. 5.
  • agreed to a request by city superintendent Jeff Wagner to hire a part-time employee for the trash route until a full-time employee can be found. Wagner went also reported that several valves need to be replaced and that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be in Florence on Wednesday to inspect the levee.

    The council scheduled a special meeting at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 21, to discuss these issues and financial compensation for the Morning Star Ranch water operator’s services.

  • heard that an Olathe manufacturing company is looking to relocate in Florence. The council made no decision on incentives may be offered to the company.
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