Safety Blitz Hits The Streets
The City of Florence’s safety Blitz is intended to make people aware of the dangers involved to pedestrians and motorists. The increased presence of Florence Police is intended for increasing awareness and is not being used as a revenue generating source. Police Chief Tom Turner said it is very dangerous and a lot of drivers can become easily distracted. The FPD will be at the Highway 101 and 15th Street crosswalk today. That crosswalk has increased signage and flashing lights.
“Those are kind of complex when you think about it because drivers have to pay attention. And often times we get distracted drivers and they drive right through them when the lights are flashing.”
Turner says it is important to remember that those lights are not automated.
“But when those lights are flashing it’s a big deal. Somebody had to activate those so you need to look out for what’s going on around you.”
Turner says it is important to stop and look to make sure that the entire intersection has been cleared before proceeding.
Gas Prices Continue Upward Swing
Gasoline prices continue to rise as demand increases for the area. Locally in Florence the average price has climbed to 2.59 a gallon. Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon says it’s been an active travel season. Which has had an impact on supplies.
“Our inventory for the entire west coast are about 3 ½ million barrels per day lower than they were a year ago.”
Dodds say refineries are cranking out more fuel than they have in recent years and this past week included an increase to cover possible Eclipse travel. But with 763 active rigs drawing oil it is still not enough to maintain reserve levels
“For the 3rd week in a row we’ve got our total inventory at under 27 million barrels a day and those are some of the lowest we’ve seen on the west coast this year.”
Dodds says we will likely see more price increases over the next several weeks.
Fire Ban For OPRD Lifted
The statewide ban on fires in all of the properties owned or managed by the Oregon Parks and recreation department has been lifted but here locally in Western Lane County fire danger levels remain high. Of course there is no debris burning allowed and no mowing of dry grass or use of chainsaws between 10 am and 8 pm, but campfires are allowed in designated areas.
Town Hall to Address Doctor Recruitment
Peace Health is holding a Town Hall with the City of Florence to update residents on the search for new providers. This is the third such town hall that they have hosted and invite the public to participate. There will be a question and answer segment and Peace Health will be discussing recent initiatives focused on community benefit. The Town Hall is set for September 13th at the Florence Event Center. There will be two sessions that day, one at 7 to 8 am and the other from noon to 1:30.
Oregon Filmaker Gets Florence Premiere
A Film that was shot and produced on the Oregon Coast will get a premiere here in Florence. Tomorrow evening, at the City Lights Cinemas, at 6:30 p.m. it is the film, The Watchman’s Canoe. It is a story of a Light-skinned Native American Girl Struggling to find acceptance within her Reservation. It focuses on Bullying and the healing she receives from her own spiritual journey with the help of the Tribal Watchman. The film features the stunning beauty of the Oregon coast line. The movie is written, produced and directed by Oregonian Barri Chase.
