October 15, 2012
Great Shake Out…
Scientists are confident the ‘big one’ is coming… and emergency planners agree. That’s why there’s a lot of attention being focused on a one-minute event set for later this week.
At 10:18 AM, Thursday morning, October 18th, Oregonians are encouraged to stop what they’re doing; drop; cover; and hold as if an earthquake were striking at that moment.
According to the Great Oregon Shakeout website, the process to follow in the event of an earthquake is to drop to the floor, preferably beneath a table or desk, cover your head with your arms and hold there until the shaking stops. By immediately dropping, experts say you’re less likely to be injured by flying debris, or tripping and falling because of the uncertain footing. Those same experts urge you to not seek shelter in a doorway, or the so-called “Triangle of Life”. Studies in recent years have shown that neither of those strategies provide the protection of a table or desk.
More information on the Oregon Shakeout, set for Thursday, 10/18 at 10:18 can be found at http://www.shakeout.org/oregon/.
Mathieson Passes Away
Former Florence Police Chief Chris Mathieson passed away October 11th in Devils Lake, South Dakota. He had been battling cancer for the past several months and lost that fight Thursday evening. During his decade in Florence ending in 1999, Mathiesen is credited with spearheading the planning and construction of the Florence Justice Center on 9th Street. Services are set for tomorrow in Devils Lake. He was 76.
Energy Assistance Available
Low income residents that may need assistance with their heating bills this winter can apply for one-time help November 1st. Bob Teter is the housing assistance manager with Siuslaw Outreach Services. He says the Low-Income Heating and Assistance Program… also called Lie-heep… provides a variable benefit.
Bob Teter – It’s based on income and size of household and it’s designed to offset the increased costs that you have in the wintertime.”
Even if households have received the assistance in previous years they must sign up again. Teter says there’s a one day window to get on the list.
Bob Teter – “They can either call the morning of November First or they can come in. And then at that point we’re just taking their name, their phone number, their main source of heat. And then we have two intake workers that will start calling those people and start setting appointments.”
Once the list is compiled and SOS knows how much funding they have for this year’s program, Teter says potential recipients will then be assisted in completing a formal online application. He added last year there were about 500 households that applied locally, but only 350 received the assistance.
LCC and Lane County Boards to Meet in Florence
Two county-wide government bodies will be meeting separately in Florence this week. The Lane Community College Board of Directors will be holding a general board session at the Florence Center on Oak Street this evening at 6:30. A private executive session is set for 5:30.
Tomorrow, the Lane County Board of Commissioners will be meeting in Florence at the Events Center. Two coastal issues will be heard and discussed. At 3:30 the commission will hear testimony regarding the state Territorial Sea Plan. At 5;30 they’ll hear input regarding a proposal to put the formation of a People’s Utility District that would assume operation of the Heceta Water District on a future ballot.
