A record number of ballots cast this week in Oregon
2.2-million voters cast their ballots this week in Oregon, beating the old statewide record of 1.84-million. That was set eight years ago. Overall, according to Secretary of State Jeanne Atkins, it was a 78.9-percent turnout. Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart said the number of ballots counted locally was also a record setting amount.
Cheryl Betschart – “The turnout here was… as of election night or the wee hours of the morning, is 77.52-percent which was 191,484 ballots cast.”
Election Day went smoothly she said, accounting for a relatively “early” night.
Cheryl Betschart – “We were out of here by two am which was really nice to get us ready for the post-election activities. And certainly we’ll be working towards certification and that’ll occur no later than November 28th.
There are still hundreds of ballots that were either not signed, or the signatures do not match those on registration records. Betschart says those voters are being notified and have until November 22nd to verify their signatures.
Dunes City Mayor facing tough obstacle
Dunes City Mayor Rebecca Ruede has been facing a different kind of challenge during her most recent reelection bid. While she may not have had an opponent on the ballot, she’s been dealing with a life-threatening illness.
But, things are looking much better according to the always optimistic Ruede.
She has been recuperating from surgery earlier this fall for Ovarian Cancer. She said it was stage two, and her prognosis is very good.
Ruede went through her first of six chemotherapy treatments this week. Despite that, she said yesterday she felt great.
She’s been on medical leave from her official duties as mayor, but has remained in regular contact with other elected officials and Dunes City staff.
She’s also been on short-term disability leave from her “day” job as Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager at U.S. Bank.
Ruede says she fully intends to return to both obligations very soon.
Local gas prices steady
Retail gas prices are holding steady here at home and across the country as a whole, but have gone down across the state by an average of two-cents per gallon.
As of Tuesday, according to Triple-A, the average Oregon price for regular is $2.53 while the national average price is $2.21.
In Florence, the average cash price for a gallon of regular has held steady at $2.36 for the past four weeks.
Oregon’s average price is the fifth highest in the country. Hawaii is $2.91 a gallon on average and California is $2.79. Wahsington and Alaska are number three and four. According to Triple-A the cheapest gas on average in the country is in Missouri where drivers are paying $1.93.
November is Palliative Care and Hospice month
For more than 25 years health care providers from Peace Harbor Hospital have been offering end-of-life care to patients and their families… in their homes… throughout the Siuslaw Region.
But, it’s not just been health professionals. Kathy Murphy, the manager of Home Care Services for Peace Harbor said they have assembled a large team of volunteers. Some of them do things like make blankets for patients; provide office support; and even patient comfort care.
One program is the “Flowers of Love” program. Individuals like the Spencer Family provide blossoms and bouquets from their own gardens to brighten the home of patients. Those are supplemented by flowers from Florence in Bloom and Fred Meyer.
Peace Harbor Hospice is observing National Hospice and Palliative Care Month throughout November and thanking their volunteers.
Veterans Day in Florence
It is Veterans Day today and that means a few different recognitions and observances of those who have served in the armed forces.
At ten am, the Florence Elks Lodge will hold a ceremony. Paul Gargis will speak.
At one, the annual Veteran’s Day Parade will depart from the Florence Events Center. It will go down Quince Street to Harbor, from there around the Nopal Street parking lot and into Old Town on Bay Street.
It wraps up with a brief recognition ceremony at the Veteran’s Park at the foot of Kingwood Street with free hot dogs.
Members of the United States Coast Guard, Siuslaw River Station are the Grand Marshals of the parade. That facility will be celebrating its 100th anniversary of service in the Florence area in 2017.
