Mapleton Schools Near Selection of New Superintendent
Search for new school boss in Mapleton nears completion. The Mapleton School Board Wednesday met with their top candidate to take over as Superintendent following the retirement of Jodi O’Mara in June. Board Chair Mary Ellen Mansfield said they are moving forward with the vetting process and the potential successor to O’Mara will face interviews with as many as 15 community stakeholders Monday. If those turn out well for all parties, the board could be ready to announce a new hire following their next meeting. The Mapleton School Board is set to meet Wednesday, April 20th at the high school at 6:30 PM.
Pet Grief Counseling Changes Meet Day
The Oregon Coast Humane Society continues to offer their pet grief group meetings, but the meetings have now moved to Wednesdays according Executive Director Elizabeth Thompson. Through a release issued Thompson says the meetings will now be Wednesday’s at 3 pm and will meet at the Humane Society Thrift Store on Bay Street. Thompson says the groups remain small and intimate. They are facilitated by Constance Castaneda a licensed clinical social worker.
Flu Update
The Oregon Health Authority is reporting that the Flu season continues to be relatively mild following a similar path as last year’s numbers amidst the height of the pandemic. Numbers decreased .2% from the previous week but are up slightly from last year. In their latest update 141 cases were diagnosed in the state with the majority of them being in southern Oregon. Overall there have been fewer than 4,000 cases this flu season.
COVID-19
The latest COVID-19 numbers are due to be updated today, Friday’s report from the OHA showed a slight drop from the previous three days. Statewide there were 470 cases reported and 16 new deaths. Hospital numbers dropped below 100 again with 97 individuals in beds as of Friday morning.
Reedsport Schools Reopen
An unspecified threat of violence directed at Reedsport schools caused the cancellation of classes, extra-curricular events and even a school board meeting last week. By Thursday afternoon Reedsport police had taken an unnamed juvenile into custody. In a social media, Superintendent Jon Zwemke said classes would resume today. He said police advised him that no further precautions were needed and that they were working to close the case. Several events were postponed during the closure. Zwemke said they will be rescheduled.
Curb Project Nears Completion (ODOT Update)
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s curb ramp project is due to be finished by mid May according to Oregon Department of Transportation’s Angela Beers Seydel. Seydel listed the portions of the project still being handled including finishing up the retaining wall at Chen’s restaurant, some minor repairs on current ADA ramps to bring them into compliance and finishing touches on new sidewalks. Seydel says they are waiting on a weather window, similar to the one the city is waiting for to complete paving around ramps and also pavement markings. According to Seydel the process is very stringent and undergoes several inspections before approved by ODOT.
