Crisis Training Scheduled
The Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority is working on building their Crisis Response Team and offering free training for people that want to participate. Lori Severance is in charge of the team and she says it takes a person with a special set of qualities.
“The willingness to jump up in the middle of the night at 3 am and go work with someone having a crisis, in the rain, in the cold, whatever the circumstances are.”
The classes begin in June and cover several topics.
“Training in suicide intervention, crisis management, de-escalation, basic counseling skills.”
There will also be a class in Managing School Crisis. Classes are free and open until all spaces are filled. There are currently 75 available. Find out more at crisisresponse.org
Tatum Leaving at Year’s End
Siuslaw High School will start a search for a new principal. Monday afternoon staff at the high school learned that Kerri Tatum will be accepting a position with the Greater Albany Public schools district. According to Siuslaw school superintendent, Andy Grzeskowiak, the request to fill the position has been approved and will be posted.
ODOT Plans More Bridge Work
The Oregon Department of Transportation has updated their Statewide Transportation Improvement Program project list for the period beginning in 2021. On the list of work is a resurfacing of the Siuslaw River Bridge. The project will replace the current driving surface resulting in a more reinforced bridge. There is no firm timeline for the project only that it will be between 2021 and 2024. The cost of the project is estimated to be just over 5 million dollars.
Gas Prices Steady Despite Oil Prices Plummeting
Crude oil prices have tanked over the past two weeks and are currently around 35 dollars a barrel, losing about 40 percent of its value over recent highs. But the translation to the price at the pump has not been as responsive. According to Marie Dodd with AAA Oregon the average price of a gallon of regular gas in Oregon has dropped only a penny while the national average has dropped six cents. Average price in Florence is $2.67 a gallon. Oregon has moved into the number 4 spot for highest prices in the nation.
