Beachcomber Closing for Rhody Days
One of Florence’s popular destinations for the Rhododendron Festival weekend will be closed. Due to a lack of available security options the Beachcomber will be closed on Friday and Saturday during the festival. Owner Scott Weiss said it was not something that he wanted to do, but due to the tremendous amount of people that come through the doors he felt without adequate security it was taking a chance that was just not affordable.
“it would be a very unsafe environment for our staff and for the customers that are there if we tried to open up on Friday and Saturday without security.”
Weiss said that the company that normally supplied security for the weekend had suffered staffing shortages due to the COVID pandemic. At first the City of Florence offered to help find a replacement, but the only available company was out of Portland and the price according to Weiss was 4 times the amount that they normally paid. He said that they would be open for the parade on Sunday at 11 am.
Rehab Grants
The City of Florence has announce that they will participate in housing rehabilitation grants in conjunction with St. Vincent De Paul of Lane County. Households that make less than 80% of the area’s median income can qualify. For instance a family of 4 that makes below $63,700 combined qualifies. Appropriate projects include roof repairs, dry rot, plumbing, electrical, adding ramps or bathroom upgrades. The loans are offered at a very low interest rate and repayment of the loans are not due until the home is sold or there is a transfer of ownership. Median income limits have recently been updated for 2022 which means those that did not previously qualify may now. Information on the program can be found at the city’s website: ci.florence.or.us.
COVID-19 Updates
Updates on Lane County DOVID-19 numbers are expected out early this week. It has been 10 days since LCPH updated its numbers. They initially reported that they would be producing numbers weekly, but did not specify which day of the week the numbers would be published.
Glowacki Chosen for Future
Siuslaw High School Student Ava Glowacki has been announced as this year’s recipient of the Future First Citizens award and scholarship. Glowacki was chosen among her peers for her outstanding class work and her community volunteerism leading the Power of Florence for the past 6 years. She plans to attend UC Santa Cruz and Oregon State University while she pursues a degree in the field of Restoration Ecology. She has maintained a 3.9 gpa.
Sheriff’s Vehicle Stolen (update)
On Saturday thieves broke into the US Forest Service work center at Siltcoos and left with a 2021 can am Maverick 4 seater ATV. Alarms went off at about 1am in the morning. Lane County Deputies and OSP troopers responded to the alarm. the ATV belongs to the Lane County sheriff’s Department and is used in dune safety and rescue operations. The vehicle was subsequently recovered after a watchful citizen texted a photo of the ATV to the Lane County Sheriff’s office. Deputies converged on the area where the ATV was located and made an arrest of 29 year old Jessy Anthony Robles. Law enforcement also recovered a stolen truck at the time. Robles was taken to the Lane County Jail. Deputies are still searching for a second subject 48 year old Denver Vollie Bell described as 5’06” and 150 pounds with green eyes and brown hair.
Show and Shine Back
The Rhody Festival Car Show and Shine is back this year, but in a new location. After a pandemic induced two-year hiatus the classic cars so familiar during the annual Rhododendron Festival will make an appearance again this year. But, it’s in a new location. This year cars will be on display in the north parking lot of Siuslaw Middle School on Oak Street. “The participants come on 27th street off of 101 and the spectators can park in the south parking lot of the middle school.” That’s Show and Shine organizer Gary Cargill who says judging results will be announced with trophies presented at two pm. There is a $25 registration fee to show a vehicle… $5 of that goes to Siuslaw Valley Firefighters who do the traffic control Saturday evening for the Coast Radio Classic Car Cruise. Cars not in the show may also sign up for the cruise but they still need to stop by the firefighter’s booth at the middle school.