Mapleton Lockdown
Students at Mapleton Schools say they saw a figure at the campus’ edge yesterday afternoon and it looked like they were dressed all in black and holding a rifle. That sent the school into lockdown as law enforcement searched the area. Witnesses say they saw the person along the tree line and thought they heard a shot after the man disappeared behind trees. The incident also caused Florence police to increase visibility around Siuslaw schools and began patrolling Oak street as a precaution. Mapleton students were taken inside the building and secured while Lane County Sheriff deputies and other law enforcement officers searched the area around the school. By 4:30 students were released and taken by bus to the old Banner Bank location where they were reunited with family members. By 6:30 LCSO has lifted the threat to the public, but continued their investigation. During the incident some local Mapleton social media sites were rampant with comments, some misleading, causing one administrator to delete them and ask members not to post comments unless they had factual information.
EBT Skimming
The Oregon Department of Human Services has reported that some of their EBT card holders had experienced theft of their benefits from card skimming, card cloning and other similar methods. ODHS says it has begun replacing those benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and beneficiaries should start seeing the funds by May 22nd. People that know they were victims of the theft have until June 23rd to file for replacement funds.
Telephone Scams Aimed At Businesses
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of a telephone scam that targets businesses and their employees. The scammers commonly identify themselves to employees over the telephone as managers or owners of the business. The scammers will then attempt to convince the employee to deposit cash from the registers into a 3rd party financial system such as bitcoin machines to pay official business bills. The scams seem to be centered around the Eugene/Springfield area but LCSO wants all county residents to be aware. The LCSO says scams such as this commonly originate from outside of the country and are very difficult to investigate. And to please use caution and trust your instincts if you believe you are falling victim to a scam.
Infant Book Program
PeaceHealth has announced a free book program to parents of newborns to 5 years old. The Imagination Library, founded by country music’s Dolly Parton sends out free books to children each month until the child reaches the age of 5. Parents who have delivered at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical center are eligible, but according to Sherri Buri McDonald it also is extended to families that deliver at Peace Harbor Hospital. Parents can register at imaginationlibrary.com.
Suicide Prevention Seminar Success
Organizers of the recent Suicide Prevention Seminar are happy with the turnout for the event. A press release says more than 100 members of the public attended the one day seminar. The success prompted organizers to hold a similar seminar in Coos County in the near future.