Emergency Situation Sparks Code Changes
This evening’s City Council Meeting will likely contain a motion to revamp the city’s code as it relates to illegal camping and emergency declaration. According to the current city code there is very little to prohibit illegal camping. This change, according to Mayor Joe Henry will be more specific is spelling out when the city can intervene.
”Basically tighten up our codes so that in the event we do need to enforce it we can do that.”
In recent months there has been a significant increase in calls relating to illegal fires at transient camps and Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue along with Western Lane Ambulance District have had to respond to these calls. According to the city’s document released on Friday, these calls have significant impact on finances for the city as well as taxing the resources of emergency responders. The city hopes to change the code regarding illegal camping thereby making it easier to eliminate possible dangers due to uncontrolled fires.
“There are obviously certain areas where people can camp and then certain where they cannot especially if creates a health safety, fire hazard we want to have the ability to ask them to move.”
The city is declaring this an emergency situation and upon passing the new code will go into effect upon adoption rather than the 13 day period required by the city’s charter.
Arrest Made in Break-in Investigation
The Florence Police Department announced the arrest of a person that was suspect in 3 different burglary cases. 27 year old Christopher Lee Fettig was arrested after an investigation into burglary and theft at the offices of Berkshire Hathaway. Through their investigation police determined that Fettig was also the possible perpetrator in two other crimes of Unlawful Entry to a motor vehicle. Fettig was arrested and transported to Lane County Adult Corrections on Friday.
Razor Clamming Closed South of Umpqua River
The Oregon department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced the closing of Razor clamming from the Umpqua river to the California border due to increased levels of the biotoxin demoic Acid. There are no reports of increased levels along the coast line near the Siuslaw River and for now the area along the Florence Coast remains open. ODA will continue testing every two weeks in order to keep the public informed of potential dangers.
