Vax Rates Declining/Numbers
The Oregon Health Authority is reporting that vaccination rates are still steady across the state and they are still being driven by third doses and booster doses. Primary dose numbers have been decreasing with just 793 reported yesterday and 732 second doses reported. There were just under 2,800 booster doses recorded on October 18th. The OHA’s latest report includes 41 new deaths associated with the coronavirus. Here on the coast there were 3 more cases reported for a total of 683 to date. And Lane County reported 124. Statewide there were 1,366 new COVID-19 cases
OSP Releases Vaccination Information
The Oregon State Police have released their vaccination numbers as the deadline passes for individuals under the state mandate. OSP reports that 78 percent of their “in-scope” employees are fully vaccinated. 15% have been approved for exemption status and 7% are awaiting a review of their exemption request. Most of the approved exemptions were based on religious exceptions with 4% of approvals for medical reasons.
Aquarium To Start New Construction
The Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport has begun construction on a new Children’s Nature Play area, Outdoor Amphitheater, Great Hall and Headwaters feature. Donations from several foundations are funding the project which is expected to be completed by next spring. The Children’s Nature area will highlight the connection between Oregon’s nature and timber industry and will feature massive logs, a climbing tower, and a mock river chute. The headwaters feature will include a circulating stream representing the relationship between watersheds and the ocean. The aquarium’s CEO and president Carrie Lewis the construction is the culmination of a 5 year fundraising campaign and has been a long road after 8 months of a closure due to the pandemic.
Gas Prices Still Rising
Oregon gas prices are still going up and the rise is due mainly to the steady rise in crude oil prices as they top the $82 mark this week. That’s a 70% increase since the start of the year. Oregon prices are averaging about $3.78 a gallon statewide and Florence is averaging $3.79 a gallon. Marie Dodds with AAA says demand for gasoline has been going down which would normally result in a decrease in prices but crude oil is keeping it from coming down. Dodds is still reporting that Oregon is below its highest numbers for the year which were $3.80, but that could change this week. Oregon ranks 5th overall for highest prices in the nation.
Coast Radio Celebrates 33 Years
Tomorrow Coast Radio will celebrate its 33 year in service along the Oregon Coast. The annual great pumpkin signifies the anniversary of stations under the direction of owner and general manager Jon Thompson. Tomorrow beginning at 4 pm Coast Radio in conjunction with True Value Hardware and other community sponsors will hand out candy and pumpkins to the community’s youth at the Old School furniture/Saw Shop parking lot. Due to COVID-19 concerns the event will be a drive thru event for the second year in a row.
