The Oregon Health Authority reported Sunday 756 new cases for the state and three new Covid 19 related deaths bringing the state’s virus related death toll to 2,501. Lane County reported 204 new cases between Friday and Sunday according to the Oregon Health Authority of those cases the Florence area added another two, to bring the community total Covid case count to 234 as of Sunday. 17 are currently hospitalized with Covid 19 in Lane County with 6 in ICU and 2 are on Ventilators.
Oregon continues to administer the three Covid 19 vaccines. The Oregon Health Authority has administered a total of 1.63 million first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 1,315,255 first and second doses of Moderna and 96,938 single doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.
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Area eateries continue to evolve in the face of Lane County’s return to an Extreme Risk designation by the State. In response the City of Florence has accepted an additional four restaurants’ interest in expanding into the right-of-way to seat additional patrons. Florence restaurants approved for outdoor seating are Nosh Eatery, Mari’s Kitchen, Lovejoy’s Tearoom, Homegrown Public House, Bridgewater Fish House & Zebra Bar, Beachcomber Pub, Waterfront Depot and 1285 Restobar, who’s owner Kurt Hagens says having just rehired his staff this keeps him from having to let them go again. Additionally, Off Bay Street Bistro has been approved to use a parking space as a designated pick-up space for take-out. Extreme Risk guidelines prescribe that restaurants must only serve customers outside or through take-out.
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As of today the Small Business Administration is accepting applications from restaurants hard-hit by the current coronavirus pandemic closures. $28.6 billion fund has been set up to help businesses make up some of their lost revenue. Restaurants and other food establishments can seek funding, the money must be spent by 2023 and is designed to help offset their business losses when they were forced to shut down or otherwise curtail their operations due to the pandemic. Business accounts can be set up at restaurants dot sba dot gov. The Restaurant Revitalization Fund was included, along with $1,400 checks to most Americans, in President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus law.
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Several individuals are running for two contested seats on the Siuslaw School District School board. The general consensus during recent interviews is that candidates want to support the students in paving a pathway to success whether it is through higher education or well paid jobs in Skilled Trade Careers. Larry Martindale is running for position 6 on the Siuslaw School Board.
He says the key to a successful school setting is having a highly trained, well educated faculty.
“Education definitely has changed in the last few years, but I still believe that the magic is with the teachers.”
Martindale is one of 3 individuals vying for the 6th seat on the Siuslaw school board along with Kady Sneddon and Jesse Chapman. You can hear more from the candidates on this week’s our town.
