Hospital Shows Support for Soroptomist Event; COVID-19 Update; Council Meeting Monday

Hospital Shows Support for Soroptomist Event

The Soroptomist International of Florence will have its distribution of food baskets for the Holiday on Saturday, December 19th.  Carol Bennett, project chair says the 2020 Community Christmas Basket Project received a large donation from PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center in the amount of $8500.00.  this year the program is making an additional 100 food baskets for a total of 500 and needed to raise $30,000 to be able to complete their goal.  Peace Harbor’s Chief Administrative Officer, Jason Hawkins says he hopes that this year the many families that will receive the baskets will have one less thing to worry about.  Hawkins says that family and childhood nutrition is part of the mission of the hospital and a top priority.  The Soroptomist International of Florence continues to accept donations.  The distribution will begin at 10 am on the 19th at Siuslaw Middle School.

COVID-19 Update

Lane County reported another 117 cases of the coronavirus yesterday and added 3 new deaths to the list as well.  two women in their early 80’s and a 97 year old woman all who had underlying health conditions.  The Florence area continues to hold at 54 cases. There are nearly 5,300 cumulative cases in Lane County since the pandemic began.  427 persons are currently considered infectious.  Statewide there were 1,586 new cases and 13 deaths reported from the OHA.  Hospitalization rates continue to fluctuate with 576 currently admitted.  At its current rate Oregon could reach 100,000 cases by Christmas.

Council Meeting Monday

The Florence City Council will meet in Executive session on Monday at 4pm to go over the annual evaluation of the City Manager.  The council will meet virtually and the public is not permitted in executive session.  Afterwards the City Council will hold its final meeting of the year.  During the meeting they will consider application for a Community Development Block Grant from Business Oregon to consider grant opportunities for rehab of owner occupied housing.  The Council will also consider a resolution for well rehabilitation, and consideration of a resolution that could provide a grant to enhance the safety of Florence’s transportation system.  The Council will also be certifying the 2020 election results.  That meeting will begin at 5:30 pm and the public can participate through the city’s gotowebinar site.