Wine and Chowder
This weekend’s wine and Chowder and Glass float festival was a huge success according to Florence Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bettina Hannigan. Hannigan says the conversation that she had with local businesses was one of thankfulness for a summertime like crowd. As was the case with Homegrown.
“There actual comment was thank you for bringing us a summertime weekend revenue in the middle of February.”
Hannigan also said they sold the most wine glasses that the event had ever sold with over 700 glasses purchased. 27 glass floats were given away and Novelli’s was crowned Chowder favorite with the Firehouse a close second according to Hannigan.
Names of Shooting Victims Released
It was late Friday afternoon before the Lane County Sheriff’s Office released the names of the victims of last Tuesday night’s shooting. Killed were 40 year old Brian Lee Harry, 34 year old Shauna Jean Allen and 36 year old Elijah Gabriel Geil. All three were residents of the Deadwood community. The Lane County Sheriff’s department is continuing to investigate the circumstances around the shootings. After a search on Wednesday sheriff’s deputies took into custody 25 year old Jericho Jamison and he is currently being held in the Lane County jail. Charges are pending against Jamison with at least one count of second degree murder. More information will follow when the investigation is concluded.
COVID-19 Numbers
With the Crowds over the weekend it was difficult to tell that there was a pandemic going on, but numbers for COVID-19 are indicating an easing of cases across the state. in Florence the two week running total for the area was down below 100 for the first time in more than a month and a half. Four new cases were reported on Friday for an all time total of 1,444. And Lane County’s daily average is at 194 cases. Numbers per 100,000 residents is also dropping and sits at 355.6 for the 7 day average with Friday’s total at 287.9.
Hospitalizations dropped across the state on Friday. There were 47 fewer patients with 741 individuals remaining in Oregon Hospitals. There are also vaccinations that are still ongoing with the daily average of doses just under 5,500. The state did report 12 deaths and 1,635 new cases with weekend numbers expected out today.
Cold Weather Shelter to Open
The Florence Cold Weather shelter is opening tomorrow evening. The shelter will open at 5 pm and will remain open through Friday morning due to predicted freezing temperatures. Due to the extreme needs the cold weather shelter needs volunteers that can participate as drivers, cooks and intake personnel. Those who would like to help can contact Pat Burke at 541-590-3598.
