Suspect Arrested in Connection withThanksgiving Stabbing
Florence Police this morning arrested Robert Bowers in connection with from a stabbing of two people on Thanksgiving Day. This morning the Florence PD received a tip from an area resident that Bowers was at a storage facility in the 3300 block off Highway. 101. Officers responded and arrested 40 year old Robert Gavin Bowers. The suspect in a stabbing assault that occurred November 25th allegedly became involved in a verbal altercation with two people on an ATV before attacking them with a knife. Bowers is believed to have slashed the male victim in the abdomen and face, then stabbed the female victim in the face. Both victims are recovering from their injuries and did not know Bowers before the assault according to Lane County Sheriff’s Public Information Officer, Sergeant Tom Speldrich
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office said a cooperative effort between the Florence Police Department, Oregon State Police, and the citizen that provided tips in this case was essential in locating and safely taking the suspect into custody.
Board of Commissioners select new district maps
The Lane County Board of Commissioners Wednesday night chose a revised map that roughly divides the county into five districts. An independent redistricting committee was given the task of evaluating the boundaries of each district that determine the constituency for each of the five commissioners on the board. The review was triggered by the results of the 2020 federal census. Several different options were explored and Commissioners went with the version that kept the population of each district within one percent of an equal five-way split of the population while keeping similar communities together. The new map does not significantly differ from the one used since the last update in 2011. It can be viewed at Lane County dot Gov.
Florence Numbers Rise Again
Florence Covid 19 numbers reach 808 with a total 39 cases reported local in the last two weeks. Lane County reports 70 new cases, with 28 currently hospitalized according to the Oregon Health Authority, three are in ICU and on ventilators.
Empty Bowls Fundraiser Returns Tonight
After a Covid 19 hiatus in 2020, the Florence Food Share’s annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser returns tonight in a new format and will fete it’s 25th year anniversary. Empty Bowls fundraiser for Florence Food Share features more than a thousand handcrafted bowls by area artisans and students. This year features four days over two weekends beginning at 4 this afternoon, Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Weekend two begins Friday December 10th from 4 to 7pm and Saturday, December 11th from 10am to 5pm. Covid protocols will be observed with one-way traffic through the five show rooms flowing through the event. Florence Food Share’s mission to alleviate hunger in western Lane County. Empty Bowls at the Florence Events Center beginning at 4 this evening.
The City and Chamber kick of Merry & Bright Campaign
Tomorrow (Saturday) the City of Florence along with the Florence Area Chamber of commerce begin the Making seasons Bright campaign and will kick it off with a celebration through old town culminating at the interpretive center with the city’s annual tradition according to Florence City Manager Erin Reynolds:
Reynolds says they are waiting until there is enough darkness to take hold. Seasonal activities for the Florence area are often available through the many organization’s facebook pages. Information can also be found at flrorencechamber.com.