Mayor Served Local Community
The Mayor of Dune City, Becky Ruede has passed away after a battle with cancer. Ruede was a local community leader and business person here in the communities of Dune City and Florence. Prior to her being Mayor of Dune City she was also a council member and served on the City’s budget committee for six years. She was also employed as the Branch Manager Assistant Vice President of U. S. Bank in Florence. Ruede was instrumental with bringing in the Dune City Triathlon and participated in many volunteer efforts including past president of Soroptimists International of Florence, past president of the Florence Christian Women’s Club, former member of the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County, a volunteer for Relay for Life, and volunteer and financial educator for Oregon Youth Authority, a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International of Florence, and a Chamber of Commerce Member. She is survived by her husband Rick, Daughter Heidi and Son Erick. Becky Ruede was 61 years old.
OPRD Issues Fire Ban
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has initiated a burning ban in all properties owned or managed by the agency. This includes all beaches. The ban will remain in effect at least until after the Eclipse and then will be reevaluated based on fire levels, weather and guidance from state and local fire officials. These restrictions extend to all Oregon beaches. Charcoal briquettes, tiki-style torches and candles are also prohibited until further notice. Only fuel sources that can be turned off instantly, such as propane stoves, will be allowed. Some parks will also allow propane fire pits; campers are advised to check directly with the park. The burning ban is not only a precaution due to current dry conditions, but OPRD Deputy Director MG Devereux says any additional fires would severely impact the ability to fight those fires due to the strain on ODF and other fire fighting agencies that are already deployed fighting fires statewide.
Pedestrian Enforcement Operation
The Florence Police Department is planning a Pedestrian Enforcement Operation at Highway 101 and 15th street for August 23rd from 9 to 1 pm. Florence Police wish to draw attention to the dangers of Pedestrian / Vehicle accidents. Statistics show that a person struck by a vehicle moving at 40 miles per hour have an 85 percent chance of dying at the scene and that percentage drops to 15 percent at 20 miles per hour. All intersections, whether marked or not are pedestrian Right of Ways and vehicles are required to stop when a pedestrian is crossing. It is also illegal to pass a stopped vehicle that is waiting for a pedestrian at an intersection. It is always best to err on the side of caution when driving. Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Increased Seat Belt Safety
In addition to the pedestrian enforcement operation the Oregon State Police, the Lane County Sheriff’s Department and Florence Police will also be participating in a statewide traffic enforcement blitz. This will be from the 21st of August until the 3rd of September. This will include looking for seat belt and child car seat infringements as well as speeding and violating the hands-free cell-phone law. The federal government under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides the funding for this increased effort to ensure the safety of the public. Crash data from 2015 shows that 39 percent of traffic fatalities are the result of improper or lack of use of safety restraints for adults and children. There is a new Oregon Law for children under the age of two that requires the use of a rear-facing car seat with harness which better protects the child’s head, neck and spine in the event of a crash.
