No-fee camping at Oregon State Parks
Camping at all 52 Oregon State Parks will be ‘cost-free’ this Saturday in recognition of Oregon State Parks Day. The event coincides with free fishing days across Oregon, as well as National Trails Day. Traditionally the first Saturday in June has been set aside by public recreation agencies to encourage Americans to get outdoors.
In Oregon, day-use fees at Oregon State Parks are waived June 4th and 5th, as well as all camping fees on the 4th. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has also waived license fee requirements for the weekend, allowing for “fee-free” fishing, crabbing and clamming.
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Lisa Sumption said the free-camping day is a way to “thank Oregonians for their commitment to our state parks.” She said many locations will be holding special events. At Cleawox Lake in Honeyman State Park, a free fishing clinic for kids will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coast Guard City status sought
Florence Mayor Joe Henry is asking area residents and business owners to join him in expressing support for members of the U.S. Coast Guard Siuslaw River Station. Henry says the 34 active-duty personnel here, along with their families, “make a significant contribution to our community in more than one way”; a contribution, he adds, that is often not recognized.
Henry is hoping to change that.
He wants to hold a Coast Guard Appreciation Dinner for local service members later this year.
He is also working to achieve official “Coast Guard City” status for Florence. The Florence City Council recently approved a resolution seeking that. One part of the application is the submission of letters of support from the community. Those letters, he said, can be sent to him at City Hall
Saturday shooter drill at local schools
An exercise aimed a testing the preparedness, coordination and response of local agencies in response to an “active shooter” at area schools will take place in Florence Saturday morning.
Florence Police and several other law enforcement agencies will converge on Siuslaw Middle School. They’ll be responding to a hypothetical armed shooter, roaming the hallways. Volunteers have been secured to play various roles, mostly of students. Medical response personnel will be participating as well.
The drill is organized by the West Lane Emergency Operations Group. Megan Messmer with the City of Florence says it is not open to the public, but because of expected congestion, residents are being asked to avoid Oak Street between the Elementary School and the High School between eight AM and two PM Saturday.
Local pump prices ease
The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas dropped a nickel this past week in Florence. This week’s average is $2.39.
Oregon’s average price held steady at $2.47 a gallon, while the national average, as measured by Triple-A, rose three cents to $2.32.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A says gas prices over the Memorial Day holiday were at their lowest since 2005 with the average price in Oregon about 57-cents a gallon less than last year. The local average price was 41-cents less than last year at this time.
Dodds says demand for gas this summer is expected to rival the record levels reached in 2007.
Fire it up this weekend at TRC
Five-thousand dollars in prize money could go up in smoke this weekend during the “Fire It Up” barbecue cook off at Three Rivers Casino and Resort.
The two-day state championship event starts Saturday with “People’s Choice” voting on ribs, brisket, chicken and pork butt from noon until five p.m. Samples will be offered for a dollar each.
Sunday afternoon from noon until two, judges from the Kansas City Barbecue Society will taste the product of 11 different teams. The Grand Champion will win $700 while the Reserve Grand Champion will pick up six-hundred.
Gypsy Camp Vintage Market
The romantic image that comes to mind when you think of a “gypsy camp” is that of bright and colorfully dressed people selling wares from wagons or carts… setting up and tearing down their markets as they travel. That image will be presented Friday evening and Saturday at the Florence Events Center during the Gypsy Camp Vintage Market.
Josh Berggren of Coos Bay will bring a variety of vendors to Florence this weekend offering unique crafts, house-wares, décor and collectibles. He says think of “shabby-chic, chippy paint and all things rusty and time-worn.”
A special section featuring outdoor items, including camp trailers, will also be on display.
Friday evening’s market will offer a complimentary glass of champagne or beer for shoppers. Admission will be $7 Friday from four to eight p.m. That paid admission also includes entry from ten to four Saturday. Saturday only admission charge is five bucks.
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