December 10, 2012
Bogus Bills On the Rise
Florence police are warning local merchants to pay close attention.
John Pitcher – “Several businesses around town have taken in some counterfeit $100 bills.”
Lieutenant John Pitcher says there have been a rash of counterfeits recovered over the past several days.
John Pitcher – “We’ve taken in like $700 worth that we know about so far at like four different businesses.”
A harried cashier with several customers waiting in line may not pay as close attention to the cash he or she is taking in, but Pitcher says the quality of the bills recovered so far has not been the highest.
John Pitcher – “Should be obvious if you’re feeling the bill compared to other bills that the paper is not the same quality. It does have a watermark on the back, but it’s not a good one. Like, in one the president was actually winking.”
He says if you just take a few extra seconds to look at and feel the bills, it could save you a hundred dollar bill… and the value of whatever is purchased with it.
Medicare Scam
A recent scam aimed at Medicare members has prompted insurance companies to issue a warning. According to an advisory posted by PacificSource, a medical insurance company, scammers are calling seniors, identifying themselves as being from a Medicare Advantage Plan and ask the recipient for their social security or bank account number. Legitimate companies do not solicit that type of information over the phone. Pacific Source says if you receive a call, do not provide any information unless you can verify the caller is from a company you trust. Hang up and call your company back at the customer service number provided on your ID card or policy info.
Old Town Parking
Work begins today on the Siuslaw Wharf rehab project beneath ICM and Mo’s Restaurants. That will likely mean some traffic challenges in Old Town Florence over the next couple of days as crews with Legacy Contracting begin to move in equipment and supplies. Jeff Howell with the company says there will be some limited lane closures, particularly on Nopal Street between Highway 101 and Old Town, as well as on the east end of Bay Street. Parking in the area of the rehab project may be a bit of a challenge as well as the parking lot for Mo’s Restaurant will be used as a staging area for materials. Both restaurants will remain open however, throughout the project.
MLK Jr. Essay
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a thousand words could be worth $300. Organizers of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration coming up January 19th are offering a $300 scholarship to students in the Florence, Mapleton and Deadwood areas for an essay about Dr. King’s work on “Economics,Ethics, and Equity” and how they relate to each other. Spokesperson Jenny Velinty says the thousand word or less essays can be submitted by January 4th. Details are available online at kcst.com.
