Sign Your Envelop
We’re just over a week away from election day and the person who oversees elections in Lane County, Dena Dawson, says be sure you sign the back of the ballot envelope before dropping it in the mail or a ballot drop box. That signature is one way of verifying the person listed on the envelope is actually the one voting. That’s why all ballot envelopes go through a verification process as they are received.
“If the signature doesn’t match what we have on file we will reach out to you and know, please return this letter to our office so that we can cure that discrepancy.”
If you don’t receive this notification until after election day, Dawson says not to worry.
“They have up until the 21st day after the election to cure that.”
Ballots received by 8 PM Election Day, or if mailed, with a November 8th postmark will be counted. Initial results will be posted shortly after 8 PM election day, but won’t be final until every vote received by the deadline is counted.
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Two area Special Closets will benefit from a youth clothing collect effort between November 7th and December 7th. Florence In Bloom, Siuslaw Valley Fire and EMS, Florence Habitat REstore and the Rhodie Cruisers are teaming up to raise dollar and new clothing donations for area students in need. Donations barrels will be set up at both Florence In Bloom and The Habitat REstore according to organizer Gary Cargill…
“The items that we are looking for are going to be new for boys and girls 5 to 18 of course new clothing items and cash donations.”
Cargill said both the Siuslaw and Mapleton School Districts Special Programs need sweatpants, sweatshirts, socks, underwear, pajamas, jackets, black leggings and fleece blankets. Along with the donation barrels and live collection event will be held at the Habitat REstore on Saturday, December 3rd from11am to 1pm.
“And of course, if you need more information on the clothing collection you can call me at 41-999-6913.”
Collection barrels for the2nd annual Youth Clothing Collection will be available at Florence In Bloom and the Florence Habitat REstore from November 7th through December 7th.
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Trick or Treat
Excited children will be out and about celebrating Halloween this evening. We are offering up a few safety tips for parents and trick or treaters a like beginning with visibility. Kids can carry glow sticks or flashlights to help making them more visible, use reflective tape or stickers on costumes and bags, and wear light colors to help kids see and be seen by drivers. Parents should join kids under age 12 for trick-or-treating. Drivers slow down and be alert! Kids are excited on Halloween and may dart into the street. Turn on headlights early in the day to spot kids from further away. Parents remind kids to cross the street at corners or crosswalks. Plus when selecting a costume, make sure they are the right size to prevent trips and falls. Choose face paint over masks when possible. Masks can limit children’s vision.
For parents interested in alternative Halloween opportunities several area organizations are offering options. From 3 to 5pm the Florence Kiwanis Club is offering drive through trick or treating at the Florence Events Center. Kids can trick or treat participating merchants in Old Town Florence from 3 to 5pm according the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. Crossroad Assembly will host a trunk or treat from 3:30 to 5:30. The Florence First Baptist Church is offering parking lot trunk or treat between 4 and 6pm. The Florence Christian Church has curb side treats from 5 until they run out.