Expansion Date Set for Early Fall
The proposed expansion of the Peace Harbor Rehabilitation clinic on Highway 101 should begin sometime in the next couple of months according to clinic Director Bruce Huddleston. Construction costs are still being computed according to Huddleston and he hopes the final numbers will be close to original quotes that were done previously. It was projected that the project would cost about 1.3 million dollars to complete. He says the timeline is dependent on a number of factors, but things should begin soon.
“Once the state approves all the plans, and we’ve been getting all the local permitting done, then the construction can start, so we’re hoping late summer early fall.”
Huddleston says the project should take less than a year to complete, but like other any other business, they are subject to supply chain issues within the construction industry. He did say that equipment needed for the center has been coming in in anticipation of the remodel.
Fire Season
As of yesterday all of Oregon Department of Forestry districts are in fire season. You may have noticed the grasses turning brown and the dry weather of late is contributing to fire dangers. Mike Shaw, ODF Fire Protection division Chief warns not to become complacent. Heavy rains in May and June were part of the reason for the delay he says, but July and August historically have higher fire activity. He says grasses have grown tall due to the early rains and as they dry out they become a greater risk for human caused fires. Currently in the Western Lane District fire danger is low. There is no debris burning allowed, but campfires are still permitted in designated locations.
COVID-19 Update
Currently 423 COVID-19 patients are in hospitals across the state with 59 individuals in ICU according to the latest number from the Oregon Health Authority. Weekend numbers of new cases totaled 3,374 and 281 for the same period in Lane County. Lane County’s 7 day average is just under 100 per day at 96.7. the OHA is currently monitoring 5 different strains of the Omicron variant with the newest BA.4 and BA.5 now listed.
Paving Reminder
A reminder that paving begins today on 9th street from Kingwood to Rhododendron and the City is asking motorists to avoid that corridor if at all possible. City Manager Erin Reynolds said provisions have been made for emergency services that use that stretch of road until work is completed early next week.
