Memorial Bike Ride
Radio personality Dr. Scott Donaldson, host of I’m Just Sayin, was in town on Friday to begin a memorial trip from the Oregon coast to Baker City. Donaldson had promised his deceased son Seth that he would take him to Bend when he became and adult, but Seth was tragically killed three years ago. Donaldson decided to
make the trip on his bicycle and added the names of loved ones of some Florence residents for the memorial trip. He included more than 30 names from the Florence area before beginning his trip Sunday. Donaldson had planned on leaving Saturday, but decided to see if the rain would die down and left out on Sunday morning. because of the delay Donaldson was able to attend the Rotary Auction on Saturday with his wife Amy in Attendance. Names he placed on his bicycle included Chief Tom Turner, Frank Eisele, Linda Miller-Wilson and Rosemarie Creek. Donaldson made it to Eugene by 5pm last night. Taking the route through Triangle Lake on Highway 36 to Junction City and finally Eugene. he sent this update.
“legs collapsing in front of the Willamette River on the beautiful manicured lawn drinking a drink, just looking reflecting on what I’ve done it felt phenomenal, completed, but I think this margarita I am about to drink is going to feel better.”
Donaldson says hopes to be in Sisters by this evening.
Impact of Chinook Season Cancellation
With the fall Chinook season cancelled there will be an economic impact for the Florence area and possibly for the port. So far port manager David Huntington says they haven’t seen a rush of cancellations, and he is optimistic that the allure of the area will supersede the fishing moratorium. Huntington says the ocean forecast is still good and the RV park is mainly filled with travelers and tourists. What angler they do lose he hopes to make up with other travelers that would not have otherwise have gotten a spot. The rv park is normally completely booked for 3 months straight.
City Council Meeting Cancelled
The Florence City council meeting scheduled for this evening has been cancelled along with their morning work session. The next scheduled meeting will be in two weeks on June 20th. no other meetings are scheduled for this week. Next week the Florence planning commission will be in session on Tuesday as well as the Community Economic Development committee on Thursday.
COVID-19
COVID hospitalizations grew to 316 after Friday’s report from the Oregon Health Authority. New cases were 1117 with 112 belonging to Lane County. New numbers are expected out today.
Gas Prices Continue to Spike
Oregon’s gas prices continue to climb reaching an average of $5.21 a gallon across the state with Florence prices rising above the state average for the first time in many years. Florence is historically below the state average, with some of the lowest prices in the state. this past week the average price rose to $5.26 a gallon. Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon says the current prices are record highs for the state. she says the current prices have not curbed the desire of travelers to get out after being pent up from the pandemic. A recent survey suggested that travelers would likely stop traveling if prices rose above $4.50 a gallon, but Dodds says that has not happened and it remains to be seen if it will.
