Seasonal Flu
The seasonal flu has been hanging on over the past 90 days but the Oregon Health Authority is reporting a decreasing trend over the past three weeks with numbers dipping slightly while positive test results drop significantly. Cases were their most virulent at the end of April and showed a steady decline through May until dropping sharply over the past two weeks. Statewide the average is 2.6% positive test rates while areas like the Columbia Gorge region are raising the average with a 6.6 positivity rate. As reported on Friday, COVID-19 cases are still the biggest concern for individuals with breakthrough cases over 52%. The state is reporting that more than 14,000 of the cases from May were in individuals that were fully vaccinated and boosted. COVID-19 cases also more than doubled from April to May.
City Council Meeting
The Florence City Council will meet this evening. it will be their first time in session since May 2nd. The meeting will include a public hearing on State Shared Revenue Sharing that will effect the next fiscal year. The council may vote to declare the city’s eligibility to receive Shared Revenue funds. As a formality the council will also have a public hearing on the proposed street closure of Bay Street on July 15th for the city’s Block Party. The city is proposing the closure from 2pm until 10:30 pm. The city has several other items on the consent agenda. This evening’s meeting may be attended in person, but the city is continuing its online option as well. information on the full agenda and how to stream the meeting is available on the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.
Preserving Historic Places
In a collaborative effort between historic preservation representatives, Tribal Nations, and federal, state and local agencies, the US Army Corps of Engineers Friday signed an agreement that strengthens protection of historic and cultural resources across the Willamette Valley. The 1966 National Historical Preservation Act requires agencies to consider potential project impacts on historic properties. The newly signed programmatic agreement streamlines the Corps’ decision-making processes. The Corps operates 13 dams across the Willamette River Basin, each of which provides flood-risk management, power generation, water quality improvement, irrigation, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation. The Corps estimates that around 1,000 cultural and historical resources are located within its jurisdiction in the Willamette Valley.
School Board Meeting
This Wednesday the Siuslaw School District will hold a board of director’s meeting to discuss the direction of future school improvements. The board will discuss the recent Facility Advisory committees findings from their April 19th meeting led by School superintendent Andy Grzeskowiak. The board will go over options for expanding, renovating, and or remodeling of the current facilities for all three campuses.
