Lane County Added To Watch List
On Friday the office of the Governor along with Oregon Health Authority placed Lane County on their COVID-19 watch list due to the high number cases in Lane County. Included in this weekend’s total were two more cases in the Florence area. The total for the area is now at 30. Lane County Public Health reported 134 new cases for Friday through Sunday. The increase in cases for the area and for Lane County has public health officials warning of the dangers of gathering in large numbers. Oregon Health Authority reported 1026 new cases for the same three day period. There were also 9 new deaths over the weekend raising that total to 617. Lane County joins Benton, Clatsop, Malheur and Umatilla on the county watch list.
City Council To Hear Appeal to Planning Commission Ruling
Tonight the Florence City Council will look at a proposed Planned Unit Development that has some local residents concerned that the scope of the development will alter the landscape of the area. The city expects to hear public testimony in opposition to the development proposed for the plot of land at the corner of 35th and Rhododendron. Last month the Florence Planning commission gave conditional approval of the project after requesting that the development include a turn lane from Rhododendron southbound onto 35th street. The planning commission also requested an additional traffic study. The development is planning on providing a total of 126 units consisting of single-family attached, single-family individual, and multi-family units. There will be a public hearing on the matter this evening where residents for and against the housing development will have an opportunity to be heard by the city council. The City council meeting begins at 5:30 pm.
Accident Stifles 101 Traffic
Early yesterday afternoon traffic on 101 near Heceta Beach Lighthouse was backed up in both directions after a car attempted to enter southbound traffic from the lighthouse parking area. The vehicle was struck by another vehicle traveling northbound on Highway 101. Oregon State Police responded to the accident. There was no report of any injuries nor did OSP release any details on the accident.
Flu’s Mild Start
The Oregon Health Authority released its second Flu update and statewide there have been only 3 cases reported for the week ending October 10th. It is still early in the season, but OHA is recommending that people get their flu shots early in order to stem the possibility of a flu outbreak that could cause more problems in conjunction with the coronavirus pandemic.