Voter Registrations Due; EMAC Considers Bag Ban; Pipeline Repairs May Not Be Immediate; Cat Adoption Special

Voter Registrations Due

If you are planning on voting in the upcoming November election, and are not registered, you have until tomorrow to do it.  Lane county Clerk Cheryl Betschart says if you mail a voter registration card postmarked the 16th of October you will be registered.  Residents wishing to vote have until midnight tomorrow night to complete their registration if they choose to do it online.  Online registration can only be done by those with a valid Oregon Driver’s license, state issued ID or a learners permit.  In addition, potential voters that will turn 18 prior to November 6th can also register to vote even though they are currently 17.  Ballots will begin making their way to voters this week.

EMAC Considers Bag Ban

The Environmental Management Advisory Committee will meet for a work session tomorrow at 6 pm at the Florence event center.  They will be reviewing the online survey that is available to residents.  The survey is intended to gain a perspective of what Florence residents think of a ban on plastic bags for grocery stores within the city.  Several other Oregon cities have either instituted a ban or charge a surcharge for bags.   EMAC is also currently looking at other potential opportunities to prevent and reduce pollution.

Pipeline Repairs May Not Be Immediate

According to published reports it could still be days before a Canadian pipeline that exploded last week can begin to be repaired.  Crews have to construct a temporary access road to get to the damaged section of line.  According to reports there is no sign of hydrocarbons in the soil around the blast and there is a lot of animal activity in the area.  Prices of fuel will continue to be an issue for the northwest as well as availability.  The longer the repairs take could severe limit the amount of available gasoline since the refineries depend on natural gas for crude production.  Supply levels are already below average.  for the time being gas prices have leveled off after a large jump on Friday.  The local price for a gallon of regular gas is averaging $3.11 a gallon in Florence.

Cat Adoption Special

The Oregon Coast Humane Society is holding a special cat adoption the week of October 20th.  the facility has a large population of cats and they are looking to find new homes for them.  During the special drive they are offering a $50 special with two kittens for the price of one.  They are also offering a pick your price on adult cats.  The humane society is located at 2840 Rhododendron Drive.