Missing Couple Sought; Burn Ban Extended; Festival of Trees; Great Shake Out

Missing Couple Sought

Lane County Search and rescue is seeking the public’s help in locating two people who have gone missing after a mushroom hunting excursion near Walton.  60 year old Dennis Weaver and his wife 53 year old Colleen Weaver did not return home when expected.  Dennis is 5’9” tall and weighs approximately 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Colleen is 5’6” tall and weighs approximately 165 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.  The couple was driving a tan 2004 Chevrolet Blazer with an American flag and a wolf sticker on the back window.  Oregon License Plate 757-BPP.  If you see them or their vehicle contact the Lane County Sheriff’s office or call 911.

Burn Ban Extended

The outdoor burning season has once again been moved.  The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency has moved the opening of backyard burning to the 27th of October.  Conditions throughout most of Lane County continue to be to dry and the recent warm dry weather has contributed to a higher fire danger.  Florence was at a Moderate risk for fire yesterday.  LRAPA is not ruling out the possibility of moving it back yet again if conditions do not improve.  The city of Florence does not allow any backyard burning anywhere in the city regardless of the time of year or weather conditions.  County residents can continue to monitor updates on the SVFR website at svfr.org.

Festival of Trees

The Oregon coast military museum is hosting it’s 6th annual Festival of trees  the gala will be held at the Florence Event Center on Sunday, November 25th.  The event is raising funds for operating expenses at the museum and showcases Christmas trees and wreaths decorated by local artists and businesses around Florence.  The Festival of trees features dinner, wine, holiday music and a live auction where guests can purchase their favorite tree.  There will also be a dessert auction.  The event if from 5-8 pm and tickets are $175.00 for a half table, $350 for a full table.

Great Shake Out

This morning at 10:18 is the Great Shake Out.  The Office of Emergency Management is conducting the drill and asks residents to participate by practicing earthquake drills at home and at work today.  This year’s Great ShakeOut is happening as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) along with a coalition of state and university partners are developing and testing the ShakeAlert, an earthquake early warning (EEW) system that detects significant earthquakes so quickly that alerts can reach many people before shaking occurs.