SVFR Fire Captain Retires
An 18 year fire fighting veteran has decided to hang up her gear. Captain Liz Iabichello was presented with a plaque documenting her many years of service as a volunteer and as an officer with Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue. Fire and EMS Chief Michael Schick
“Every fire chief is always looking for the type of firefighter that’s willing to help out whatever’s asked. And Liz was absolutely that type of person. I mean it didn’t matter if it was helping with an open house with people or performing as a duty chief for a week. She was the first one to step up and we could always rely on Liz.”
Iabichello will continue her work with Western Lane Ambulance District and Peace Harbor Hospital. SVFR is planning an open house on October 18th to allow the community to offer congratulations. Details on the event will be released closer to the date.
Boosters Roll Out
The Oregon Health Authority says there are enough vaccines and boosters for every Oregonian as they begin to roll out the booster for certain groups of individuals. The OHA is following CDC recommendations and offering the Pfizer Booster to individuals 65 and older, those who live in long-term care facilities and people 50-64 with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, cancer and chronic kidney disease. Vaccine boosters are also recommended for individuals that are 18 and older that may also suffer with certain medical conditions or at a higher risk of transmission due to occupational or institutional settings. Vaccine provider information is available online or by dialing 211.
Lane County Reduction
While COVID-19 is far from being over Lane County Public Health is reporting a 10% reduction in cases for the past week. Weekend numbers for Friday thru Sunday are 381 which is actually an increase from the previous weekend, but overall there has been a decline. The OHA reported 3,606 new cases while deaths continue to mount. 27 new deaths were reported over the three day period. There has been little change in bed availability over the same period. Florence added 4 more cases yesterday as the total number of cases rises to 647 since the beginning of the pandemic.
Pet Blessing
St Andrews Episcopal Church will hold the Feast Day for St. Francis this Sunday. People can bring their animals from 1-3 for a special blessing. The celebration will be held at the church on 2135 19th street at their labyrinth next to the Memorial Garden on the north end of the church parking lot. There will be activities for children, ice cream and pet treats for the animals. The church asks that your pets be reasonably well-behaved and on a lead or in a carrier. A picture will suffice if necessary.
Woman and Child Perish in Boating Accident
A woman and a young girl have perished after a boat capsized in the waters near Winchester Bay just outside of the Umpqua River Bar. Yesterday morning around 9:30 rescue teams responded to a report of a boat in distress. Three people were rescued that were afloat outside of the boat, but a woman and a young girl were inside the boat. A rescue swimmer was able to get to the two individuals but the woman was pronounced deceased in the rescue boat. The child was airlifted to EMS onshore and later passed away.
