Restaurants May Be Able To Add Outdoor Seating
As restaurants wrangle with the new way business is done among the coronavirus the City of Florence is looking at an opportunity provided by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission to help expand outdoor seating. The OLCC is easing regulations that will allow for businesses to take up more right of way adjacent to their business, but it is contingent upon cities approval of requests to expand. This has prompted the city council to begin drafting a resolution to support the change. Restaurant owner will have to submit an application to the OLCC according to city manager Erin Reynolds.
“The OLCC, who regulates the licensing for liquor and alcohol, has fast-tracked and application that restaurants and bars can apply through the OLCC to receive permission to expand their outdoor seating area.”
Reynolds says this can include taking up parking spaces along areas like Bay Street, but says that it is important for these establishments to get a buy in from their neighbors. Extended outdoor seating will help ease the burden on restaurants by allowing more socially distanced seating outside.
OCHS New Director
The Oregon Coast Humane Society has recently introduced their new Executive Director to the community. Charles Brown has most recently come from Hawaii to Florence to take over operations here. Brown says that his more than 30 year career has been about improving operations at facilities that were not operating under ideal conditions.
“My big Drive here is to re-establish our commitment to the mission and re-establish our commitment to the future.”
Brown says the two most important things to tackle are putting money into the building that is in need of some attention and to starting a low cost spay and neuter clinic. Something that has been a priority in the past. Brown says he knows that the veterinarians locally are extremely busy now, but hope to formulate a plan that can make it a reality.
Signs Honor Students
100 Signs honoring members of the class of 2020 at Siuslaw High School went up along Highway 101 in the core downtown area early Sunday. 10 more sign, with the names of the Mapleton High School graduating class were delivered to that community late last week. The 110 signs were funded and put out by members and friends of the Kiwanis Club of Florence. The suggestion for the signs came from Siuslaw Key Club advisor Jan McKnight. McKnight says she knew that something had to be done for the kids, McKnight is herself a graduate of Siuslaw High School. Florence Kiwanis president Bob Sneddon, says once the graduates receive their diplomas, they are free to take their signs home.
Graduation
Graduation for Siuslaw High School will be this Friday evening at Hans Peterson Field. Coast Radio in conjunction with the Siuslaw School District will be broadcasting the event with a live video stream connected to the broadcast that will be available on the Coast Radio Facebook. Graduation will begin at 5:55 with the National Anthem. Coast Radio’s Broadcast will begin at 5:45 with hosts Bob Sneddon and school counselor Steve Moser. Students and their families will come in groups of 3 students to allow for adequate social distancing according to superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak.
New Cases, New Deaths
33 new cases of the coronavirus are being reported by the Oregon Health Authority along with 3 new deaths. One was a 36 year old Multnomah County woman who had underlying health conditions. She tested positive on May 31, and died the same day. The second was a 66 year old Multnomah County woman with underlying health conditions who died on May 22 and the third was an 81 year old Washington County woman who died on May 26. She also had underlying health conditions. The count for Lane County remains at 77.
