8 June 2015
Hollywood fantasy and seismic activity are good reminders
The combination of one of the summer movie season’s biggest debuts and a cluster of earthquakes off the Oregon Coast are serving as good reminders of the “seismic reality” in the northwest.
Ali Ryan, the Earth Sciences Information Officer with the Oregon Department of Geology says the Hollywood film “San Andreas” was the biggest at the box office last weekend. While it depicts several exaggerated earthquakes in California and Nevada, it also gets some things ‘right’ when it comes to earthquake preparation.
One of those is the mention of “drop, cover and hold on” which is the motto for earthquake safety.
At the same time the movie opened, a cluster of earthquakes were recorded in the Blanco Fracture Zone, about 300 miles off the Oregon coast. That served as a pointed reminder of the hazards closer to home.
Ryan and her office are encouraging Oregonians to learn more about earthquake threats; be prepared and participate in the “Great Oregon ShakeOut Earthquake Drill” coming next fall.
Florence Police working on crosswalk enforcement
Motorist are always advised to be aware of pedestrians… but especially so today from noon until three… and especially in the crosswalk at 15th street on Highway 101.
That’s where Florence police officers will be focusing their attention.
A pedestrian enforcement operation will be going on at that time at that location.
Police Lieutenant John Pitcher reminds motorists that they must stop, and remain stopped for pedestrians until they’ve cleared the lane next to the one you’re driving in. If that pedestrian is using a cane or a guide dog, you must stop until they are completely across the road.
Pitcher says giving pedestrians more space and slowing down when they are present can save lives.
Crash injures three
A Sunday afternoon crash six miles south of Florence injured three people. According to an Oregon State Police report a car driven by 35-year old Rico Miguel Letson of Reedsport lost control and struck a southbound car nearly head on.
52-year old Phyllis Ann Berkner, of Florence was driving the southbound car. She was life-flighted with serious, but non-life threatening injuries, to River Bend Hospital in Springfield. Her passenger, 68 Year old Mark George O’Brien, of Florence, and Letson were both transported to Peace Harbor Medical Center with minor injuries.
Troopers say witness statements indicate Letson was likely driving recklessly. The investigation is continuing.
(Note: Earlier reports had the roles of Berkner and Letson reversed. Coast Radio News regrets the error.)
Flag day ceremony to retire banners
A flag retirement ceremony will once again be held in Florence on June 14th. The local American Legion Post has hosted the ceremony on Bay Street across from Veteran’s Memorial Park, for every Flag Day for the past several years.
Anyone with American Flags that are damaged, worn, or somehow otherwise unserviceable that need to be retired can drop them off at Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue this week or bring them to the Three-PM Sunday ceremony.
Legionnaires build a series of fire pits for the retirement ceremony.
