Voters are returning ballots…
More than 80-percent of Lane County registered voters are expected to return ballots for next week’s general election. That means election workers are going to have a busy week.
As of yesterday, 81-thousand ballots had been returned… that’s right at 33-percent. That means they could see as many as another 115-thousand by next Tuesday.
Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart says general elections always prompt the highest turnout and this year has even higher interest than usual.
Ballots are already being checked and prepared for tabulation as they are received. She said crews will begin the process of scanning and tabulating the votes by Tuesday morning. Results will not be allowed until after polls close at eight pm.
Tsunami signs to multiply
Drivers along highway 101 up and down the Oregon Coast will soon see a lot more blue-and-white signs designating tsunami zones. Plus, the signs that have been in place for the past 15 years will also likely be moved.
Jonathan Allan with the Oregon Department of Geology said a study completed in 2013 was able to better identify specific locations that would likely be inundated by water in the event of a large earthquake-generated-tsunami. As a result, his agency will be working with the Oregon Department of Transportation to make sure existing signs are accurate… and adding another 260 signs to the 36 already in place.
New signs have already gone up along northern stretches in Clatsop and Tillamook Counties. Allan says most will be in place by late 2017, but, he added, there will still be more installed by the summer of 2018.
Eco to remain at library
The Friends of the Siuslaw Library are expressing their pleasure… and gratitude… to donors and supporters who pooled their money last month in order to retain what has become a popular outdoor feature.
Eco the sea lion will remain on display at the library. She was created by Siuslaw High School student and artist Ben Cahoon (ka-HOON) and was one of the 20 – 7 ½ foot long fiberglass sea lions that helped the Florence Events Center celebrate 20 years. Eco was placed in front of the library last spring… then she, along with eight of the 20 sea lions were put up for auction last month. Library supporters collected more than $3,500 to buy her back. Library Director Meg Spencer said they are “thrilled”. They have created a new home for her outside the windows of the children’s portion of the library. Spencer said she can’t wait to hold a story time with the sea lion next summer.
Debris protections in place at Port of Siuslaw
Now that winter storms are becoming a regular occurrence… and the salmon runs have eased… crews at the Port of Siuslaw Marinas have place protective log booms at entrances to the boat basins.
Dina McClure with the Port of Siuslaw says increased debris on the river that come with rain and high water, can become trapped in the basins and damage not only the vessels moored there, but the docks as well.
The booms can be opened and closed to allow access for vessels. McClure said boat operators are responsible for doing that, but she said they must use caution and not attempt to use them during high winds or rough waters.
Despite the protections, McClure said maintenance crews still spend many hours each week removing floating debris from the docks.
No smoking policy at county parks rejected
Lane County Commissioners have rejected a proposed ban on smoking and vaping in county parks, but not without deciding to reconsider the policy later with possible changes.
The Register Guard reports the board of commissioners voted down the proposal Tuesday. It would have applied to the county’s 73 parks. The board will consider a provision exempting Native American religious ceremonies and whether or not the ban should apply to campsites at a later date.
The decision marks another loss for county health officials who have pushed for the smoking ban for several years.
Commissioners who voted against the proposal questioned whether it would actually improve residents’ health, as supporters of the ban have argued.
Rhody Festival logo design chosen
2017final-rhody-logo
The final design of the logo for 2016’s 110th Annual Rhododendron Festival has been selected. Susan Johnson, who has won previous logo design contests, picked up a cash award of $250 plus some “swag” for coming up with this year’s logo.
Her design includes an image of the iconic Siuslaw River Bridge, rhododendrons, an anchor and rope. The final two elements are in recognition of the Grand Marshals of this year’s festival… members of the U.S. Coast Guard Siuslaw River Station.
The logo will begin appearing in all graphic materials, on apparel and on official festival “campaign-style” buttons.
The 110th festival will be May 19th through the 21st.
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