Florence Water System good for 30 years

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City uses nature to purify drinking water

Florence City Councilors heard an update this week on the city’s water system. Public Works Director Mike Miller told them the the 80 acre well-field with 13 wells and the adjacent filtration and treatment plant are in very good condition.

Miller also explained the filtration system is unique in that instead of using layers of filters and heavy chemicals to lower the high iron content in the water, they let nature do much of the work.

Mike Miller – “Using a biological method, we’re injecting air to allow the naturally occurring iron bacteria to feed upon the iron in the water, makes that a whole lot easier process. And then that is filtered out through the biological filters.”

The end result is a better tasting product.

Perhaps the best news that Miller told elected officials Monday night: The current well-field and supply system should provide more than enough water for Florence for another 20 to 30 years.

Oregon Walk Out and Blue Line Project

Tsunami warning sirens will sound Friday morning at 11o’clock, signifying the start of the Oregon Tsunami Walk Out drill.

The City of Florence is participating in the drill as well as the “Tsunami Blue Line” project.

Mayor Joe Henry and Congressman Peter DeFazio will be at Florence City Hall at 10:30 that morning to kick off the event. Joining them will be the director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management… O-E-M… Andrew Phelps and Geologic Hazards Coordinator Althea Rizzo.

When the sirens blow, the group; including employees at City Hall and any other businesses in or near the inundation zone, will walk up Highway 101 to one of five blue lines painted on area roads to signify safety zones.

One of those blue lines will be on Quince Street just below the Events Center; another is on Heceta Beach Road just east of Rhododendron Drive. The other three will be on Rhododendron Drive: one at Highway 101; the second near 9th street and the last one just south of 35th.

The Blue Line Project and the Walk Out Drill are intended to raise awareness of the need to be prepared for tsunamis.

PTA urges connection to Fred Meyer

The more you shop at Fred Meyer, the more money that company will give to local schools.

But, in order for the Florence Community PTA to get the money, you’ll have to “link” your Fred Meyer Rewards Card to a special program.

It’s very easy according to PTA spokesperson Susy Lacer. Just go to the Fred Meyer website and click on the Community Rewards link.  A direct link to that is here. Type in your customer or phone number and your email address; add in Florence Community PTA and you’re done.

Lacer says so far they have 36 local card holders registered with Fred Meyer… but her goal is to get 1,000 by the end of the school year.

*Editor’s note… as in anything online, it’s a bit more difficult than what is described to accomplish your task.  To enroll, click on the link above.  You’ll have to sign in to your Fred Meyer Rewards account.  If you remember your password, enter it along with your email address.  Once there, you’ll scroll to the bottom of the page to the Community Rewards Enrollment link.  Click on that and you’ll be asked to either input the name of the organization, or the number.  Florence Community PTA number is 85501.  Select Florence Community PTA from the link and save it… you’re good to go.

 

Gas prices shoot up in Florence

The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas rocketed up 23-cents in Florence in the past week. As of this morning, it was $1.89. The statewide average, as measured by Triple-A, went up six cents and is at two-dollars even; the national average increased by six cents and is $1.81.

That’s the largest weekly jump of the year in all three categories.

But, adds Triple-A’s Marie Dodds, drivers in Oregon are still enjoying gas prices well below where they were at this time last year.

The statewide average in the first week of March last year was $2.89 a gallon and the local average was $2.86.

Dodds said increasing crude oil prices and an anticipated increased demand are the key factors contributing to the rise in retail prices.

Job Fair set for March 24th

Organizers are promising as many as 50 new jobs to be offered during a community job fair at Three Rivers Casino later this month. Pam Hickson is a recruitment specialist for the Confederated Tribes. She has drawn together more than two dozen businesses, government agencies and other “community partners” that will be on hand March 24th from ten to 5:30.

Pam Hickson – “A job fair is an opportunity for folks to visit with a number of businesses and community partners. Apply for jobs as well as learn about what those different businesses have to offer as far as jobs in our community.”

Hickson says participants will be able to connect directly with local employers. It will also feature on-hand assistance to job seekers through the Employment Department. There is no cost to attend.

Indian Creek Plan topic of second meeting

A second community meeting about a proposed plan that opponents say would restrict access to public lands in the Indian Creek Watershed north of Mapleton is set for tomorrow night.

Representatives of the Siuslaw National Forest will be at the Mapleton School beginning at six pm to talk about the plan that covers more than 30-thousand acres.

It’s the second public meeting on the topic and, according to Forest Service representatives, is intended to address questions and concerns raised by members of the public in January.

A link to the proposed plan is available here.