Major change in the weather… on the way

Weather Forecast28 November 2014

Eastbound Travelers Take Note…

There’s a major change coming in the weather. A strong cold front will move through the region from north to south tonight. The National Weather Service says snow levels will begin dropping… dramatically… behind the front, bringing mixed snow and rain shows to the Willamette Valley floor late tonight and Saturday morning.

Things along the coast will remain relatively stable, but forecasters say travel will become increasingly difficult through the Cascades; and eventually into the foothills tonight as rain changes to snow and begins to accumulate.

Offshore flows will develop by late tomorrow, bringing gusty east winds that will pull in air from an arctic air mass on the east side of the Cascades, lowering temperatures further by Sunday.

Water Line Break Leaves Reedsport Dry for Thanksgiving

Public Works crews in Reedsport worked all day Wednesday, then again through yesterday afternoon to repair a major water line break in that community.

The break, near Highway 101 on the southern end of Reedsport was discovered early Wednesday.

Reedsport Public Works Director John Stokes said by noon Thanksgiving they were able to install temporary measures restore water service.

Water supplies will be shut down for most of the day today as they work to make a permanent repair.  Stokes said they anticipated having full water service restored by four pm.

Crabbers set their pots

The whole price paid by seafood companies for fresh, live Dungeness Crab has been set and that means crab fishermen have only to worry about the weather when it comes to hauling in the first catch of the season.

Crabbers and processors negotiated an opening price of $3.10 a pound… slightly higher than last year’s opening price. Pots can be laid beginning today, but can’t be pulled until Monday.

Dungeness is the most valuable commercial fishery on the Oregon Coast; last year’s landings exceeded 14.4-million pounds; valued at more than $50-million.

Early indications show crab have plenty of meat and this year’s fishery should be on par with last year.

The Lights are On

The kids are in town; you’re looking for something to do.

The 28th annual Holiday Lights exhibit opened yesterday at Shore Acres State Park, just west of Charleston in Coos County.

The botanical garden at the park is open nightly until 9:30 pm through New Year’s Eve.

More than 300-thousand lights decorate the vegetation and landscape features in the garden; and the gardener’s house is open with hot cider and cookies.  Live music is featured in the gazebo many nights.

The display is free, but an Oregon State Parks Day-Use fee is required to access the park.

Rhody Path Cost Estimates To Be Pursued

The latest option presented for the Rhododendron Drive Multi-Use Path will likely move forward.

Florence City Councilors are reversing course and will talk about whether or not to pursue engineering and cost estimates Monday night. In October, the council reached a consensus to put everything about the contentious proposal on hold until a new council takes office in January.

But, following a work session November 17th, members of the current council agreed not to delay work on gathering cost estimates.

Option 3, as it’s referred to, consists of two five-foot shoulders on each side of the roadway in the area between 9th Street and the northern edge of Greentrees.