New Protections For Coastal Areas
Oregon has added new protections to unique areas along the southern coast teeming with life. Protections are already in place along the coast for the Snowy Plover who nests along several points on Florence’s coast. The state Land Conservation and Development Commission has added the Coquille Point Marine Garden near Bandon and Cape Blanco Marine Research Area near Port Orford. Mary Garrett is head of Shoreline Education for Awareness, which proposed the Coquille Point protections. She says the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds and seals with their pups, and that it’s beloved by locals and tourists alike.
“We identified Coquille Point because of the fragility of the rocky habitat there. There’s a lot of wildlife there that is impacted by heavy human traffic, dogs off leash, that sort of thing.”
The Land Conservation and Development Commission also updated its Rocky Shores Management Strategy for the first time since 1994.
126 Accident
Highway 126 continues to be one of the most dangerous stretches of Oregon highway. Several crashes over the weekend were reported by Oregon State Police. On Saturday a crash at milepost 46 claimed the life of two travelers. 54 year old Kristi Rose and 74 year old James Esch, both of Veneta died from injuries sustained when Rose left her lane of travel and collided head on into a white Ford Explores operated by Linda Coy, 54, of Eugene. Coy survived the crash but was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The crash caused the closure of the highway for about 5 hours.
Flu/COVID
Oregon is seeing slight increases in Flu Cases in the latest report from the Oregon Health Authority. Last week the state reported 187 cases. The majority of those cases were located in southern Oregon with 105 cases reported. Cases are still down significantly from what the average has been prior to the pandemic. Changes in COVID-19 reported takes effect this week. The OHA had been issuing daily briefings for media, but will now move to twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday. Cases continue to drop around the state including in Lane County where there were 36 cases reported on Friday. No new cases were reported for Florence (1506). Hospitalizations have yet to drop below 100 (109). 20 individuals still remain in Lane County Hospitals.
Rhododendron Festival Planning
After a two year hiatus, plans for the annual Rhododendron Festival are well under way. The theme of the 115th annual Rhododendron Festival is Back in Bloom and it will take place once agin on the third weekend in May. Florence Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Bettina Hannigan says with the two year absence a lot of people are excited to get out and have a party. This year’s festival gets underway Thursday the 19th of May with the annual king and queen coronation. Along with that will be the annual Rhododendron Society Rhody Show; the Davis Carnival; the Rhody Run; the car Show and Shine; the Maple Street vendor fair in Old Town and the grand floral parade capping all off on Sunday, May 22. Complete festival information can be found on the chamber of commerce and website florencechamber.com. Just click on the events tab and scroll down to the rhododendron festival schedule.
