Firework Traffic To Get Assistance; Suspect in Deer Poaching Posted; LCC Remodel; OSU to Participate in Hydroelectric Upgrade; COVID-19

Firework Traffic To Get Assistance

If you have experienced the fourth of July traffic in Old town following the fireworks celebration, you know it can be a bit strenuous.  For the first time in recent history the Florence Police Department and West Lane Fire and EMS will assist in the flow of traffic while exiting the event.  Florence Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bettina Hannigan told Coast Radio news.  Fire and police Officials will be stationed at corners on Nopal and 2^nd streets sending the flow westbound toward Highway 101.  The Fireworks are expected to be completed by 10:30 pm.

Suspect in Deer Poaching Posted

Following a report last week of a deer being poached near the Reedsports boat launch, Oregon Hunters are offering a $500.00 reward for information on the shooter.  The shooting happened on June 17^th at approximately 3am.  the deer had been shot with a handgun.  The crime occurred during a weekend full of visitors for the annual chainsaw carving.  Duane Dungannon the Oregon Hunters Association State Coordinator and publisher of Oregon Hunter Magazine says incidents like this seem to be increasing of late, but the fact that it took place near a boat launch with campers nearby was even more disturbing.  Deer often encroach on public settings in early morning hours looking for food.  Reedsport police do have an image of a man carrying a handgun and what looks like a beverage can from the night of the shooting.

LCC Remodel

Lane Community College in Florence is currently undergoing a major renovation project as the campus gears up for the summer schedule.  Through August 12^th staff will be available via phone or email and will be on site limited times with the North building being open to the public on Wednesday s from 9-6 with an hour lunch closure from 1-2 pm.  The campus will be closed completely from August 15^th through September 5^th..

OSU to Participate in Hydroelectric Upgrade

Oregon State University Professor of electrical engineering and computer science Ted Brekken will lead a team to assist the Department of Energy in an effort to improve the operation of the nation’s hydroelectric generation systems.  The refit of the nation’s roughly 100 year old system will cost about 8 million dollar and Brekken will lead the team for the University’s 1.9 million dollar portion of the project.  The team will guide the construction of a 200 Kilowatt lab bases hydroelectric-storage generation unit which will serve as a testing site for performance analysis.

COVID-19

Weekend cases of COVID-19 totaled for the state were 3,838.  There were 246 cases for Lane County reported.  The county also reported 2 deaths from the virus.  565 Lane County residents have died since the beginning of the pandemic.