City Hall Meeting At FEC
It has the potential of being one of the most contentious meetings in recent years as the city council convenes this evening at 5:30 at the Florence Event Center. The venue was changed from the newly remodeled city hall in anticipation of a large crowd. The city will discuss openly the Mural art project slated for the side of the Central Lincoln PUD maintenance building on the corner of Quince Street and Hiway 126. Councilors are mixed on the issue with Green and Priesler favoring the selection by Marino-Heidel Studios of Portland and councilors Woodbury and Lucio leaning towards a change. The outcome will likely be decided by Mayor Henry, but not until after the residents are heard. Public comment should be heavy this evening with forces on both side expected to be vocal. Councilman Woodbury expressed at a previous FURA meeting, speaking as a Florence citizen, that he felt the public did not get enough exposure to the mock up before the Public Arts Committee made the selection. Tonight’s meeting is not deciding the choice of artwork or the selection of the artist, but rather whether or not the city will approve a permit to move forward with the selection.
Be Ready Expo
Over 200 hotdogs were consumed as residents mingled with disaster experts and heard topics from what to store and how to survive were Florence to be hit with a severe storm or devastating earthquake. Hundreds converged on the Florence event center Saturday to find out what their options were for disaster relief in Florence. Geologists have been predicting that the possibility of a 9.0 magnitude earthquake exists along the coast of Washington and Oregon, but as far as a timeline, there is no way to tell exactly when that event could occur.
Flu Rates Take a Dip
After several weeks of spiking flu cases in Oregon, the reports of new cases have reduced. The percentage is down slightly from last week’s numbers with only 37% of cases tested showing positive. Oregon still remains in the highest category of activity for the last week in March with Washington state also being heavily affected. Regionally, western Lane county is fairly low based on the overall numbers from the Oregon Health Authority with central and eastern Oregon experiencing most of last week’s increases in cases. The Willamette valley region has the lowest reported number of cases.
Road Decommissioned
The section of highway 101 from Depoe Bay to Newport has been on the list of most dangerous and deadly stretches of the highway since 1996. This week the Oregon Department of Transportation has decommissioned that corridor stating that with new improvements and safety measures added it is no longer needed. ODOT has added updated curve warning signs, increased enforcement, and provided a public education program and most recently has completed road striping, pavement marking and reflector improvements.
Wall To Arrive Tomorrow
Tomorrow afternoon, escorted by almost 200 motorcycles the Vietnam Veteran’s Traveling Wall will head north to Florence. The 360 ft replica of the Vietnam Veterans wall in Washington is expected to arrive between 4:30 and 5pm. The Florence Kiwanis club will be displaying the American Flags along the traveling route from highway 101 to 27th street. The wall will be open for public viewing beginning on April 4th and continue through April 7th.
