Covid Decline Continues
Lane County is reporting another decrease in overall COVID-19 cases, this past week another 39.7 % case drop from the previous week which equals about 6,500 fewer cases. Weekend totals for the county were 580 which was just under 200 less than last weekend’s totals. While cases continue to drop overall for the county and the state, Florence reported 13 new cases over the weekend for a total of 1,429 all time. Over the weekend in the state the Oregon Health authority reported 4,756 new cases and 18 new deaths. Hospitalizations continue to drop with 865 beds now dedicated to COVID-19 patients which is 49 fewer than the previous day’s total. Governor Brown had indicated that she would like to see the number of patients at or below 400 before removing the state’s mask mandate.
Memorial Service Planned
A memorial service is planned for the Mayor of Dunes City who passed away last week. The service for Robert Forsythe will be held at the Florence Events Center on Monday, February 21 at 11 am. organizers are asking that in lieu of flowers a donation to the Siuslaw mat Club be made. Forsythe was an assistant coach for the Siuslaw Viking Wrestling team. Forsythe was 72.
Weather Needed for Paving
It might still be a couple of weeks before the 9th street water line and resurfacing project is completed. The contractors are waiting for the weather to cooperate. While we have had a spell of nice weather along the coast, city manager Erin Reynolds says the weather window has to include Eugene.
“The coordination piece of this asphalt and paving it has to be warm enough all the way from Eugene all the way to hear which is where we get the bulk amount of asphalt and street material.”
Reynolds says it could be into early March before the paving gets done, but again that depends on the weather.
Sidewalk Replacement
ODOT is moving right along with the east side of highway 101 for the sidewalk replacement project. At times the section of roadway from 12th Street to 36th Street is down to one lane for the northbound traffic. Crews are expected to be completed with the project in March.