Increased Patrols This Weekend
This weekend the Florence Police department will have increased enforcement patrols along the streets within the city limits. It is a coordinated effort along with the Lane County Sheriff’s department and the Oregon State Police. Who are conducting similar patrols along the highways and county roads. Commander John Pitcher with the Florence Police department says drivers should follow safe practices at all times and they have specific goals for this weekend.
“We do have some extra enforcement on. We have some grants from the department of transportation. We will be out looking for DUI, obviously, seat belts, cellular phone use, so we’ll have some extra units out there, I believe the state will as well, just to keep everyone safe and our roads straight.”
As a reminder the Oregon Law states that all handheld devices are illegal to use when operating a vehicle. If you are using one you must be completely pulled off the road and the vehicle in park. Using a handheld device while stopped at a traffic light is a violation.
Crosswalk Enforcement Scheduled
In Addition to the increased DUI patrols the Florence police department has announced that they will be conducting a pedestrian enforcement operation at 9th and Kingwood on Saturday, September 8th from 10 am to 2 pm. Under Oregon law, a crosswalk exists at any public street intersection, whether marked with paint or unmarked. Crosswalks also exist between intersections where indicated with white paint. Drivers must come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has passed and cleared the lane next to them as well.
SABC Collects $40,000
The Siuslaw Athletic Booster Club has raised an estimated 40 thousand dollars during its August 11th fundraiser and auction. Pam Hickson says this is the 14th year of the event that consistently raises between $25,000 and $50,000 dollars and thanks the community for being generous in their giving. There were more than 250 attendees at this years event. in addition to supplying needed equipment and supplies the auction also supports scholarships for students that could not otherwise afford to participate in sports. Hickson said in a press release that they are also looking for members to keep the club thriving and can contact the SABC president Steve Moser for additional information.
Rods and Rhodys Coming
Rods and Rhody’s returns next weekend for the 11th year September 7th through the 9th. It will include a vendor’s fair and some of the west coast’s premier classic vehicles. Bay Street in old town will be shut down for the affair on Saturday, September 8th from noon to 5 pm and again on Sunday through noon. Only walking traffic will be allowed. The event also coincides with the annual community wide garage sale. A map of the sale destinations can be found in the Siuslaw News and through the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce.