Flags Missing
One of the events that makes Florence so special is the flag program that is initiated by the Florence Kiwanis club and sponsored by individuals and businesses in the Florence community. Recently over Rhody days and again on the 4th of July, several of the flags were stolen. Jean Murphey with Florence Kiwanis says over the two holidays there were 11 flags that were taken.
“It takes about 24 volunteers approximately 3 hours a day to do the flag route so it is disappointing when we put forth that effort 11 or 12 times a year to have someone steal the flags.”
Flags cost about $25 dollars each and sponsors are only charged $30 dollars. Murphey says there is not a lot of profit in the flag program but it is more than the money that is represented here. Florence Kiwanis puts out about 500 flags for all of the major holidays. They are also asking for information on the stolen flags. Three flags were taken from in front of Regency on Spruce and 21st and another 2 were taken from in front of the Travel lodge and one is missing from Rhododendron Drive. Florence Police does have an active case number for those calling in with information.
Estuary Plan
Oregon’s estuaries – the wetlands where the ocean meets rivers and streams – are rich habitat for wildlife, and they even store carbon from the atmosphere to help fight climate change. But the state’s plans to manage them are now decades old. That’s why Oregon is setting out to update them. The Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development is piloting this revision project beginning with the Yaquina River estuary management plan. Katie Ryan heads The Wetlands Conservancy, which is part of the update project on the Yaquina River.
“These estuary management plans are outdated and they just don’t take into account the current challenges that land managers have in these estuaries.”
Oregon’s estuary plans were developed in the 1980s. However, some vital elements were left out of the original process, including the involvement of tribal nations. This time around, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians is part of the steering committee and advisory group on the first revision of the Yaquina River plan.
West Lane Fire and EMS Chief Michael Schick said there was little in the way of 4th of July incidences. Tuesday morning there was one smoldering fire that had to be extinguished as an apparent result of fireworks and earlier on Friday evening a small grass fire had to be extinguished north of the firework launch area with the assistance of the Oregon Department of forestry which had been patrolling the area. Schick says even with the recent rains people still need to be cautious as we head into the warmer, dryer months of summer.