Weather Advisory Extended
The wintry weather that impacted the coast continues to be an issue as we roll into the week. The National Weather Service is predicting extremely cold conditions as a Canadian Cold Front takes hold over the next several days. A winter weather advisory has been extended for the coastal areas with the possibility of more snow. There is not expected to be a lot of accumulation, but enough to effect road conditions. Back roads and some areas of highway 101 are slick and conditions along 126 to Eugene continue to receive snowfall. Most of the area locally received a dusting of snow in the overnight hours and rain and small hail fell throughout the day yesterday. The National Weather Service is reporting that 1-2 inches of snow could fall and most of the snow is expected to be overnight tonight. The winter weather advisory will remain in effect until noon tomorrow.
Vaccination Clinics Planned
The Florence Events Center will be the location for daily COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics from Friday December 31st through the entire month of January. The Oregon health Authority along with Lane County Public Health and the City of Florence will coordinate these clinics and will run from Monday through Saturday from noon until 7 pm and on Sunday from 11am until 4 pm. These clinics will be walk-in clinics and no appointment will be necessary. Doses will be available for all approved age groups from 5 years old and up. First and second doses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson&Johnson will be available as well as booster doses. The only day the clinic will not be open is Tuesday January 18th.
COVID-19
Lane County Public Health has not done a COVID-19 update since prior to Christmas eve, but numbers are expected out today. Likewise the Oregon Health Authority has also not released any new numbers.
Elks Christmas Meal
It took about 30 volunteers a day over a three day period to prepare, but the elks Lodge 1858 was able to hand out 700 meals on Christmas day. They handed out 450 meals in just under an hour before experiencing a lull in traffic, but the line began to pick up after noon and the meals were completely exhausted. The lodge’s exalted ruler Ron Tate said they were working from about Tuesday on cooking the turkeys and getting things organized. Early Christmas morning about 30 volunteers packed up the meals for distribution. Tate says covid has changed the way things were done, they normally serve between 700 and 800 individuals on Christmas day inside the lodge.
“We weren’t able to do it because of the Covid this year, but we’re planning on it next year.”
The Elks Lodge provides the Christmas meal to the community free of charge.
Hoagland Properties President Ron Moore has announced the promotion of the company’s general manager for its two properties here in Florence to vice president and chief operating officer. Amy Graham, who has been sharing gm duties with her husband Travis will assume the new role on January first of 2022. Moore says Graham has been dedicated to exceeding guests expectations during her tenure in Florence. Graham says it is important to insure that travelers have a great experience while staying in Florence at the Old Town Inn and Riverhouse Inn and it is equally important for the employees to feel valued and appreciated. She says she is looking forward to her new role. Hoagland properties also owns a Super 8 motel in Utah.