Man Detonates Explosive Device
An incident in Florence over the weekend required the response of the Eugene Police Department Explosive Disposal Unit. Saturday evening at approximately 11:14 pm Florence Police responded to a call of an explosive device that was detonated at a residence in the 3400 block of Rhododendron Drive. The report was that a male had detonated a pipe bomb and was threatening to hurt himself with another explosive device according to Florence Police Chief John Pitcher. The subject was 24 year old George Clifford of Florence. Police were able to effectively convince Clifford to set the device down and took him into custody. Police found gunpowder residue in the house and said that there were more potentially dangerous pipe bombs in the garage of the residence. The Eugene EDU located other dangerous materials in the home and removed them to a safe location where they were detonated. Clifford was placed under arrest for Possession of a Destructive Device and transported to Lane County Adult Corrections. Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority also responded to assist police
Power Outage
This morning about 150 homes in the North Fork stretch were without power. a few homes have been restored but it may be several hours before Central Lincoln PUD has service restored.
City Council Meeting
The Florence City Council has several items on their agenda for this evening’s meeting including the consideration of resolution to allow a Mural on the west all of structure at 1856-2 37th street. The building sits on the corner of 37th and Highway 101. The proposed image would be an image of the U.S. Flag with a silhouette of a kneeling soldier. The application was submitted by Linda Wilcox and would be 424 square feet. The city will also consider authorizing the city manager to enter into a fourth renewal of the existing agreement with the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce for tourism marketing. The agreement is a two-year agreement. The city will also recognize the 52nd anniversary of the exploding whale through a proclamation by Mayor Joe Henry. The City Council meets at 5:30.
Election Day
Tomorrow is election day. Ballots for the November mid-term election are due and will need to be postmarked by tomorrow or dropped off at designated locations across the county. There is a drop box located at the justice center on 9th street in Florence. If you choose to use the drop box option it will need to be delivered before 8pm. If you are mailing, you should check with the post office to see what time their cutoff is to ensure the envelope is postmarked in time.
Farmers Get to Sample Electric Tractors
Adoption of electric vehicles has been slower in rural areas than in urban ones, but a “rideshare” program in Oregon is allowing farmers to try out electric tractors. The program is a partnership between a number of organizations and lets farmers test out electric tractors on their farms for free for as long as several months. Bridget Callahan is with the Oregon-based nonprofit Sustainable Northwest, which is leading the effort.
“Our whole energy system is moving from a centralized grid – from centralized plants to distributed energy – and we’re really here to ensure that this transformation is equitable and provides benefits to rural communities.”
The rideshare program currently has three electric tractors available to farmers and plans to add two more to its fleet next year. Callahan says electric tractors can help farmers avoid the volatility of fuel costs. A study from 2019 found that rural Oregonians drove nearly twice as many daily miles as the statewide average, and travel likely is even higher for farmers. Callahan also notes that farmers are at the whim of many factors they can’t control, such as climate change, pests and international conflict. However, when her organization talks to farmers, they often hear that energy is one of the few things they can control. Oregon doesn’t currently provide any incentives to buy electric tractors, but Callahan hopes this rideshare program can change that.
COVID-19
Across the state the numbers for COVID-19 cases are remaining steady. The Oregon Health Authority released new numbers last week showing cases, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits have been consistent. There were 510 confirmed cases in their latest report and 230 individuals are hospitalized. Emergency room visits account for 2.7% of all cases. There has also been less than expected doses of the bivalent booster used with just over a quarter million doses used.