Front Line Medical Workers Honored with Flyover; More ATV’s Than Boats; COVID Numbers; Campgrounds Open

Front Line Medical Workers Honored with Flyover

It was a brief moment in the skies yesterday morning, but at 11:40 two F-15 fighter jets either from the 173rd Fighter Wing out of Klamath Falls or the 142nd Fighter Wing out of Portland flew over a crowded hospital parking lot filled with onlookers and vehicles from Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue and Western Lane Ambulance District.  There were initially four jets that took part in the flyovers two from each National Guard division, but then split off before flying to Florence.  The event took about 10 seconds under the cloudy skies, but the planes were clearly visible.  The Oregon National Guard pilots are required to perform hours of flight time every month to keep current and prepared, these flyovers were not an additional event but included in those hours, and therefore not an additional burden for taxpayers.  Following the flyover the vehicle from SVFR and WLAD did an impromptu parade through Old Town.

More ATV’s Than Boats

By 11 am yesterday morning the streets were again lined with patrons and visitors to Florence as the Memorial Day Weekend came to a close.  Parking spaces, parking lots were full and stayed full until after 5pm.  Hoards of vehicles toting trailers filled with ATV were coming and going.  One area that was not as busy was the boat launch.  Weather conditions across the jetty bar were spotty forcing the bar to be closed.  And at other times boats less than 30 feet were prohibited from crossing.  Jay Cable at the Bridgeport Market adjacent to the launch said there were way fewer boats than normal for a Memorial Day Weekend, but that those that did get out were having some success catching fish and crab on the ocean.

COVID Numbers

The Oregon Health authority added 22 cases of COVID-19 to their count.  The current count stands at 3,949 cases with no new deaths reported.  Approximately 110 thousand tests have been administered across the state.  In Lane County there are still 67 cases reported and out of those 67, 61 are confirmed recovered.  Both Lane County and the State of Oregon will update these numbers again today.

Campgrounds Open

The Port of Siuslaw Campgrounds opens today.  The campground has been shuttered along with many other state campgrounds in the face of the coronavirus.  The port will require social distancing and that campers use their onboard facilities.  The port will also not allow campers to entertain visitors to their campsites and all vehicles must face with primary access doors away from other campers doors.  Those rules as well as the standard 6 foot separation rule are in effect until further notice.