Watch Your Credit
The state of your credit rating is at risk after Equifax announced its breach that affected about 143 million people. The numbers are not conclusive nor are they broken down to particular areas, alphabetic groups, or economic ranges. Ellen Huntingdon with Oregon Pacific Bank told Coast Radio News that the everyone should take precautions from potential risks.
“There is so much to the unknown and in general people should be making sure that they monitor their private data and their personal information as closely as possible on a regular basis.”
Huntingdon says that Equifax has set up a page on their website where people can go to enter their last name and the last 6 numbers of their social security number to see if they are potentially impacted. But as of yet they have not been able to assure who has or hasn’t been affected. She says Equifax is offering help though.
“They’re offering free credit file monitoring and identity theft protection for a year.”
Huntingdon says that if you do not take advantage of that program you can always keep close watch on your accounts yourself, or even considering a credit freeze on your accounts.
Florence Woman Jailed in Bend
A Florence woman is in jail in La Pine after allegedly stabbing her friend after an argument with a cell phone. 40 year Old Lisa Ruth Dixon is in the Deschutes county jail after the stabbing was reported at 9:30 Thursday morning. Dixon is accused of putting a three inch gash in the forearm of a male friend and then leaving the scene in her vehicle. A few citizen tips helped to locate the vehicle around 4:20 that same afternoon. Dixon is facing charges of second degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and a misdemeanor charge of driving without a license. Bond was set for 70 thousand dollars. Police believe drugs are a factor in the incident.
Coos County Man Held for Murder
A Coos County man is behind bars and charged with murder after police were dispatched to Mckay’s Store in Lakeside. Kentaurus Rondeau was arrested after Police found 55 year old Randy Bendell lying in the parking lot suffering from head injuries and later died after being transported to the hospital. Rondeau later turned himself in to authorities at the scene.
Mental Health an Issue for West Lane County
Mental Health issues are on the rise in the U.S. and small towns are not immune to the increase. Here in Florence we have seen the effect especially in the area of suicidal subjects with 17 reports already in 2017. Nationally Certified Counselor with Peace Health in Eugene, Pat Norberg, says the rise is real
“There is definitely an uptick of suicidal subjects.”
Norberg says the closer you are to someone who has attempted or committed suicide the more likely a person is to also consider it when dealing with depression.
“That increases the chance because it’s an example or it’s somebody that you’ve seen and so that then becomes an option that maybe wasn’t considered.”
Norberg says luckily there is help available for those contemplating suicide and those dealing with depression
“Anybody who does have an attempt in Florence, of goes in for depression or even there is a concern from a family member those are folks that we actually see.”
Norberg will be a guest on our October edition of Our Town as a closer look is taken at the issue of mental health in Western Lane County
Rain Helps Firefighters
The Rain has done much to improve air quality and assist firefighters in the many blazes around the state. But Forecasts of poor air quality on Saturday forced the move of the Viking boys cross country meet that was scheduled in Eugene. It had to be moved to Coos bay instead. But rain was welcomed to the area yesterday. The weather is expected to help with fires. Florence received about an inch of rain yesterday and more is forecast for today.
