Fake Solar Glasses
Oregon Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum has issued a warning for consumers who are purchasing glasses to view the eclipse on Monday. There are several manufacturers that have produced glasses that will not protect you from the harmful rays produced from the sun and could damage or blind you. In a written statement the A.G stated that, ‘con artists are at it again’ and that glasses should be stamped with ISO 12312-2. Several retailers have already issued refunds to consumers that bought products that could not be verified as safe. Amazon said that they could not confirm if some of the products they sold were up to safety standards since some did not come with the stamp. The attorney general also warned that the stamp could also be reproduced. If you are not sure about your glasses the American Astronomical Society has listed the names of suppliers that are selling safe eyewear. On the list locally is Fred Meyer, Bi-Mart, and 7-11 stores. If you believe that you have purchased fake solar eclipse glasses the state has opened a telephone line to file complaints. 877-877-9392
Gas Prices Jump
A healthy summer travel season and a looming eclipse is being touted as the reason for climbing gas prices around the state. In the past week the price of a gallon of regular gas here in Florence has risen 15 cents to $2.49. the national average of regular gas has held steady at $2.36 a gallon and Oregon’s price has jumped .03 cents to $2.72. In Idaho the price has jumped .08 cents which is the biggest jump in the nation. Along the path of totality for Monday’s Eclipse prices are averaging 8 to 20 cents more as demand has already increased. The Eclipse and the following Labor Day weekend is forecast to see some of the highest fuel prices of the year. Currently Oregon’s prices are .30 cents higher than they were a year ago. Forecasters say that prices will likely continue to climb with a leveling off after the holiday. Oregon has moved into the fifth highest state for gas prices just below Alaska, Hawaii, California, and Washington.
Stay at Home for Eclipse?
Lane county Emergency Manager Linda Cook is recommending that Lane County Residents consider staying put for the August 21st Eclipse. Cook says that with Lane County being in the high 90 percentile the opportunity for optimal viewing is right in our own back yards. She says that we should begin seeing an increase in traffic beginning today and lasting through the 23rd. She also reiterates that there will be an increase in demand for fuel and other supplies and that you should stock up on necessities to carry you through until the 24th.
Help Needed
Dunes City is reaching out to nearby communities for help. According to a letter distributed by their Administrative Assistant Linda Stevens there are a couple of hardship cases regarding septic inspections. A pair of local widows are unable to comply with inspections of their septic systems due to financial burdens. The letter is asking for help in the amount of $500.00 to help get the inspections completed. The letter written by Jamie Mills, says once the inspections are completed, if there is found to be a problem with water leaching into nearby lakes, there is available funding from other sources to fix the issues. Recently Senator Arnie Roblan and Representative Kate McKeown got legislation passed to provide funding for low income individuals to repair septic problems or hook to a city maintained sewer system, but that funding has not yet been set up. More information is available by contacting Dunes City.
