Future First Citizens Announced; Park Playground Upgrade; COVID-19

Future First Citizens Announced

Six Siuslaw High School Students have been named as nominees for Future First Citizen.  This announcement and selection usually is associated with the annual Siuslaw Awards but instead has been moved up to Rhododendron Festival Weekend.  The Siuslaw Awards will be in July of this year and organizers wanted to make sure that the students were honored prior.  The students were selected for their leadership and academic success.  Florence’s Future First Citizen will be awarded the Marteen Wick Future First Citizen Scholarship of $2500.00.  This year’s nominees are Chad Hughes, Ava Glowacki, Rylee Colton, John Corser, Camp Lacouture and Winnie Zhen.  Each student has been nominated by a teacher, coach, or community leader.  The selection committee consists of several of Florence First Citizens including its current First Citizen, Steve Olienyk.

Park Playground Upgrade

The City of Florence has announced that they will be replacing and upgrading equipment at Miller Park. The city will be soliciting public input and will have regular updates on the process through the city’s website, social media, and newsletter.  The existing play structure has been in use since 1987.  The new structure will be inclusive providing play for children of all abilities and will be constructed to meet ADA standards.  It will be designed with children ages 5-12.  The city is estimating that the cost for the new playground will be in the vicinity of 130 to 170 thousand dollars and will be looking for community support for about ½ of those costs.  More information regarding the project is available at ci.florence.or.us.

COVID-19

The Oregon Health Authority reported 1150 new covid-19 cases on Friday.  Hospitalizations have decreased by 12 to 171.  Florence’s COVID-19 numbers have increased by 4 as of Friday (1559 all time) and Lane County reported 88 new cases.  Numbers have shown a slight decrease from the previous 3 days.  New numbers are expected to be released today.  Lane County currently has 14 persons in their hospitals.  Lane County’s daily average of cases is at 88 with the state averaging 1,164 cases per day.