Storm Causes Minor Damage
High winds, rain, downed trees and power outages were part of this weekend’s events in Florence and the communities of Mapleton and Swiss home. Saturday’s storm left hundreds without power in the Mapleton area when power lines crossing 126 came down. Central Lincoln PUD was on the scene but the damage took several hours to repair as safety of the crew was a factor. Some residents and businesses did not get power restored until Sunday morning. In Florence residents reported downed trees and power outages. There were also several wrecks but none have been specifically related to weather. A tree also caused traffic delays on 126 just west of the tunnel late on Saturday evening.
School Board Meeting
The Siuslaw school board of directors will meet Wednesday, April 11th at 6:30 at the offices on Oak Street. It will begin with a budget meeting then immediately following the board will be reviewing policy updates and revisions regarding school tobacco policy, communicable disease policy, accident reporting, admission policy, and Senate Bill 20 regarding the Every Student Succeeds Act a federal law that was enacted in 2015. They will also be reviewing the revised school calendar for 2018/2019 school year.
Tuition Costs Rise
It will cost Florence students who plan on attending Oregon State University in the fall. The Oregon State University Board of Trustees approved a rate hike for in state students for the 2018/2019 school year. The rate increase will be $8 per credit hour. This represents and almost 4 percent increase for full time undergraduate students. Some of the increase, about 2 million dollars, will be allocated to need based financial aid for students. Overall about 12 percent of the annual funds collected for education goes to funding student aid.
