Lane County’s Covid 19 cases close in on 400
Lane County Covid 19 cases hit 399 yesterday morning as Public Health reported 15 new cases, Florence counted its 13th infection. The Oregon Health Authority reported 277 new confirmed and presumptive coronavirus cases in the state Monday. In addition there were two new deaths, increasing the state’s death toll to 262 people. Following the increase, Oregon’s total coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic is now nearing 15,000. Of all the reported cases, the Oregon Health Authority has reported that at least 3,330 people have recovered. Last week, more than 39,000 COVID-19 tests were performed. The positivity rate was about 6% — the World Health Organization recommends the rate be 5% or less.
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Lane County Assessment & Taxation is reopening its service counter beginning today. Twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 3pm the Lane County service counter will offer face to face, hands off of contactless options according to Lane County Assessor Mike Cowles who said, “Not everyone has access to online services, and not every question or issue can be resolved from a distance. We are doing everything we can to provide services in a safe way.” Lane County is accepting tax payments by phone at 833-819-5119 as well as online at Lane County dot org / AT or in person. By the end of July, Assessment & Taxation will also have completed the installation of a permanent property tax payment box on Pearl Street in Eugene allowing residents to make their payments without entering the building.
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The Oregon Joint Committee on Ways and Means released their budget rebalance proposal prior to the open of Wednesday‘s three day special legislative session. In the face of the Covid 19 pandemic induced economic and public health crisis, their proposal was purportedly drafted to maintain essential services including critical investments in public education, health care, child welfare, housing and more. The committee said their proposal judiciously uses a portion of the Education Stability Fund to avoid devastating program cuts, while preserving a strong level of reserves to help weather upcoming budget cycles when state revenue is projected to further decline due to the dramatic impact the of the pandemic on the state’s economy. Public testimony before the subcommittee’s proposal begins Wednesday, July 22nd on Natural Resources and General Government; Thursday, on Education and Human Services; and Friday, July 24 on Public Safety and Transportation and Economic Development.
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Oregon Employment Department launched a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) online form that will make it easier for Oregonians to apply. The form will also allow the more than 100,000 mostly self-employed Oregonians who have applied for PUA to get their weekly benefit payments faster. The Website touts the three major improvements: Speeding up weekly benefit processing; improved submission success; and ensuring all required information is complete prior to submission. People can resubmit their weekly claims through the new form if they have not already been paid for those weeks. In addition to the new application, the Department launched a new informational website on July 10, Unemployment dot Oregon dot gov.
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The Heceta Water Public Utility District Board of Commissioners will hold a meeting 4pm this afternoon. Their agenda includes rate increase information and financial report. Today’s meeting will be held at the Heceta Water PUD Building on North Highway 101.