Fire Crews Waiting For Word
Officials with the Oregon Department of Forestry say the Canyonville fire is about 5% contained with firefighters working around the clock to try to keep the burn from ravaging more forest and damaging structures. Chief Michael Schick with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue says that they have not yet gotten the call for assistance on the fire, but they are prepared in case they are needed. Schick says a small group of local volunteers have set out with a private agency to offer their assistance. SVFR has been asked by the state to list their available assets and Schick says that it may be just a matter of time before they receive word that they are needed. Currently there are more than 900 firefighters working to contain the blaze that has affected more than 11,000 acres.
City Hall Parking Lot Paving
If you have a reason to visit city hall today, be aware that the main parking lot will be closed to traffic as the city finishes up its remodel with a new layer of asphalt. The lot on the southwest side of the building will be closed and visitors should use the rear lot of find parking on the street.
The city will also be installing a paved parking area around the water treatment plant.
Road Upgrades a Ways Off
Road work on Rhododendron Drive from Greentrees to 35th street is in the infancy stages. The cost of the project has been included in the current biennial budget but there is a lot of preliminary work that needs to happen. Requests for engineering work and studies will be brought before the City Council in the coming months, but City Manager Erin Reynolds says it will likely be some time before the work actually begins.
“Expect you’ll see shovels in the ground in late 2020 maybe even more like 2021.”
The project is a multi-million dollar endeavor. Reynolds says that there are hopes of also sprucing up the riverfront area, but all of that has to be vetted with city council and at this point it is part of a list of desires that have a potential of being realized.
