COVID-19 Update
After a review of cases of COVID-19 for Lane County, Lane County Public Health removed one case from the 97439 zip code bringing the Florence total back down to 162 cases. Lane County Public Health also reported 45 new cases for the county and added two more deaths to the total number of fatalities attributed to the coronavirus pandemic. Lane County now has 10,182 total cases with the largest percentage of numbers centered in the heart of the Eugene metropolitan area. There are still 17 people hospitalized. Two individuals are listed in the ICU and no patients are currently on a ventilator. The largest concentration of cases are coming from the 20-29 age population. State totals
City Council Meeting
The Florence City Council will get a break from deliberations on the proposed annexation north of Florence. At their March First meeting the council will decide on a sign adjustment for the Children’s Repertory of Oregon Workshop. C.R.O.W founder and Artistic Director Melanie Heard is requesting that a sign be placed where a previous sign had been erected. The adjustment is required due to distancing requirements from other signs that may be on the property. The Council will also consider a bid for the project that will replace the 9th street water line. The Laskey Clifton Corporation has bid $2,027,015 for the work. The Laskey Clifton Corp was the low bidder. The city received 4 other bids for the project. The city council meets Monday evening at 5:30 through the virtual gotowebinar program. There is no work session planned for Monday morning.
Ban On Concessions Lifted
The State of Oregon and the Oregon Health Authority has lifted the statewide ban on concessions in movie theaters. A move that city Lights cinemas owner Michael Falter says he has been awaiting in order to reopen. The news came down on Wednesday and Falter says he and his staff met Thursday to discuss moving forward. Falter has announced that the theater will reopen on Friday March 5th. He has yet to confirm what the list of movies will be, but social media, upon hearing of the reopening sprung to life. Falter had completely refurbished the theater seating last summer in order to comply with covid restrictions, but had to close before being able to adequately make use of the new space. Theaters in Lane County may reopen with 25% capacity beginning today, but the notice to lift the concession ban came too late to take advantage of this weekend.
Dine In Open
Today is the day that restaurants get to reopen as the county falls from the Extreme Risk category for COVID-19 restrictions. Local restaurants have been in limbo for the most part with only take-out business to keep their doors open. Two restaurants defied the states mandates and received heavy fines for operating through the Extreme risk category. Restaurants can now fill to 25% capacity or 50 patrons whichever is smaller.
