8 August 2013
Honoring Those Who Have Lost the Battle
Final preparations for the 14th Florence Relay for Life are coming together. As in past years, this relay, a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society, will honor and remember a specific cancer victim.
This year, walkers will be thinking about Jim Ramirez as they circle the track at Miller Park.
A local educator, writer and musician, Ramirez lost a two-year fight with cancer in October of last year.
He was a familiar performer on area stages since moving to the Florence area with his wife Diane several years ago. For the past eight years he and several friends even performed on the Relay for Life Stage.
In addition to writing several songs, Ramirez also completed a novel shortly before his passing. “The Garden” is a story of common people and the struggles they face with optimism… something friends say was typical Jim Ramirez.
The book was released on Amazon-dot-com October 31st… three weeks after he passed away.
This year’s Relay for Life kicks off at noon tomorrow at Miller Park… the closing ceremony is set for 11:30 AM Saturday.
Lincoln Count Burglary Charges
A Florence man is facing burglary charges in Lincoln County after his arrest last week.
41-year old Robert Deyoe Mills Jr. was identified by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as a suspect in the June burglary of a home in Yachats.
Deputies said someone had forced entry into the residence by breaking a door in the garage. The occupant of the home, away at the time, reported the loss of property valued at $12-thousand.
A camp in Northern Lane County, reported to be frequented by Mills was found in mid-July. He was arrested during a traffic stop in the Florence area July 30th. He’s facing burglary and theft charges for the June break-in; plus has an additional warrant for another theft in Lane County.
Cover Oregon
16 health insurance carriers have submitted applications to participate in Cover Oregon when it begins accepting enrollment for health insurance coverage in October.
Liz Baxter, the chair of the board of directors for the semi-public agency that is charged with implementing Oregon’s version of the Affordable Health Care Act… commonly known as Obama-care… says the key expectation is to provide a variety of plans and companies for individuals and small employers to choose from.
Baxter said she was pleased with the initial response from carriers… an early indicator that they will reach that goal.
Baxter said 14 of the 16 applicants said they will offer plans in the individual marketplace… 13 of them will offer plans for small employers.
Before offering coverage that will become effective January 1st, the companies must first complete a review process through the Oregon Insurance Division.
