Short-lived Heat Wave
Scorching heat blazed through the Oregon Coast yesterday with temperatures flirting with 100 degrees. The Florence police department reported several calls for animals left unattended in vehicles. Temperatures were predicted to be in the upper 80’s, but that quickly proved to be less than accurate as the morning hours began with mid to upper 70’s around sunrise. By mid-afternoon the mercury had risen to 98 degrees along the coast. Normally, inland temperatures are even warmer, but yesterday it was the coast. As quickly as the temperatures rose they dropped off sharply with temperatures returning to the 70’s by 8pm. Today the national weather service is predicting mid 70’s again for the coast with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon hours.
Future First Citizens
The List of Future First Citizens was released on Friday. Siuslaw High School Seniors Gillian Norton, Alex Goss, Jacob Blankenship and Ian Sissel were chosen for their academic achievements and contributions to the community. The winner is the recipient of the Marteen Wick Future First Citizen Scholarship for $2500. This year the winner will be announced prior to the annual Siuslaw Awards in time for the Rhododendron Festival later this week.
Coronation
Saturday night was a night fit for a King and a Queen. Queen Gillian Norton and King Lucian Murphy were crowned at the annual ceremony. Prince Ian Sissel and Princess Michaela Butchart wont the talent portions of the evening with Ian performing a piano piece and Michaela performing a celtic dance. Norton, Murphy and the prince and princesses will be attending events around the city for the Rhododendron Festival.
Parking Premium
If you are headed for old town this week there will be a little less parking available as the Davis Family shows will be setting up for Thursdays opening of the annual carnival. The port parking lot adjacent to the boardwalk will once again be the site of the long running festival favorite. This along with street parking taken up by some of the local restaurants for extra seating will make parking a premium.
Banners and Baskets
The new banners promoting Florence are up along highway 101 along with more than 100 hanging flower baskets in time for the 116th annual Rhododendron Festival. It all came together last week as Florence prepares to greet thousands of visitors to the coast this week. The festival signifies the beginning of the summer tourist season in Florence that brings in more than $200 million dollars to the city and businesses in the surrounding communities.
Crabbing Reopens
The Oregon department of Fish and Wildlife has announced that the entire coast of Oregon is open again for crabbing. It had been closed partially from Tahkenitch to cape Blanco, but levels of the toxin Demoic Acid have dropped in the last testing making the crab safe for consumption. ODFW tests twice a month for toxins and two consecutive tests are required to reopen crabbing. Ocean, bay and estuary areas are all open.