Mapleton sold marijuana subject of recall…
The Oregon Liquor Control Commission has issued its first recall of recreational marijuana. Nine pounds of marijuana flower marketed under the brand name of Blue Magoo were found to contain pesticide residues above the state mandated limit. It was grown by Emerald Wave Estate in Creswell and sold by Buds-4-U in Mapleton.
According to an OLCC spokesperson, recreational marijuana sold in Oregon is subject to very stringent limitations on pesticides and additives. The pot in question was sold to the Mapleton retailer before all of the mandatory testing was finalized. It wasn’t until after 31 individuals had already purchased 82 grams that it was confirmed that levels of the pesticide pyrethrum exceeded maximum state limits.
Regulators say any unsold marijuana from that batch has already been pulled from the distribution system and will be tested further. Any previously purchased pot should either be destroyed or returned to the retailer.
Gas prices steady; Florence drivers pay less than rest of state
Prices at the gas pump have remained flat this week…. Holding steady in Florence at $2.52 a gallon on average. The Oregon average price also held steady, it’s at $2.68 according to Marie Dodds with Triple-A.
The national average, as measured by Triple-A, also held steady this week… it’s currently at $2.29 a gallon.
Dodds broke down average prices around the state… the highest local average is in the Medford-Ashland area at $2.79 a gallon. The average price in Eugene and Springfield is $2.72. Other than Florence, the lowest average posted cash prices can be found in Salem where it is $2.61.
Faye Stewart resigns from Lane County Commission
The Lane County Board of Commissioners will be accepting applications for the soon-to-be-vacant East Lane County seat on that panel through April 6th.
Faye Stewart, who has held that post for 13 years, announced his resignation yesterday to take an administrative job with the City of Cottage Grove. Stewart’s resignation is effective March 31st. He will take over as the director of Public Works and Development in Cottage Grove, his home town.
Stewart was first elected to the commission in 2004 and has been reelected three times. His current term runs through June 2019.
PTA offers local scholarships
A pair of $500 college scholarships are being offered to area high school students who want to pursue a career in teaching… or a related field.
The Florence Community PTA is accepting applications for the two scholarships through April 15th.
PTA president Tiffany Holdahl says they are open to graduates of Siuslaw High School and home-schooled students in the Florence area. Application forms are available through Student Services at Siuslaw High School or at FlorencePTA-dot-org.
Local Palliative Care Program noticed
The principals involved in the new Palliative Care program at PeaceHealth in Florence have been so successful in implementing their program, they’ve been invited to share it with a statewide audience.
Dr. Stephen Kerner and Medical Social Worker Donna Becker will present their findings April 20th in Hood River at the 2017 Forum on Aging in Rural Oregon.
In addition to what has worked well as they implemented the program, they’ll also talk about the challenges they have faced.
Palliative care serves patients who have been diagnosed with life-limiting illness. The intention is to help alleviate symptoms and pain, while also treating the underlying disease or cause.
The program was implemented on a limited basis in Florence last year.
