Mapleton Power Failure
The latest from the Power outage in Mapleton from Central Lincoln PUD is that repairs are estimated to be completed by 2 pm today. Mark Freeman with CLPUD says they still do not know what caused the problem and that Bonneville Power’s sub station nearby the Mapleton sub station also experienced problems. About 750 customers are without power. Crews have been working since 1:30 yesterday to fix all of the damage which according to Freeman was extensive. He says it has taken longer than expected to complete the repairs due to the amount of damage. Coast Radio will continue to provide updates as they are submitted.
Hipkiss Announces Retirement
Oregon Pacific Bank has announced that their director of Human Resources Mary Hipkiss will be retiring after 24 years of service. Hipkiss joined the OPB family in 1999 and has been the Director of Human Resources since 2001. In a press release OPB President and CEO Ron Green says Mary’s commitment has been to see success in each employee at the bank. The release also said that her role was pivotal in allowing the bank to grow, expanding to multiple locations including Eugene, Coos Bay, Roseburg and now in Portland.
Gas Prices Still Going Up
The cost to drive your motor vehicle continues to increase with more news from the Olympic Pipeline. Maintenance on the pipeline continues and has limited the amount that is flowing. The line sends gas, diesel and jet fuel from refineries in Puget Sound to Portland. The increases in price have mainly affected the west coast driving prices in Oregon up another 9 cents this past week to $4.91 a gallon. The average price in Florence for a gallon of regular is $4.32 with some places charging as much as $4.41.
Ice Cream Social
Oregon Pacific Bank will hold their annual Ice Cream Social on Friday June 30th. From noon until 4pm that day they will be scooping up BJ’s Ice cream to the public as a way to express their gratitude and support that the community has provided. The event is open to the public and not just OPB customers.
Voter Registration
Oregon makes it easy to register to vote. A bill in Salem is looking to make it even easier. Oregon has a “motor voter” system of automatic registration that registers voters and keeps election rolls current through the Department of Motor Vehicles. House Bill 2107 would add another agency to automatically register and update voter information – the Oregon Health Authority. Head of Common Cause Oregon Kate Titus says it could aid thousands of unregistered voters.
“By having one more agency that’s working to keep eligible Oregonians registered to vote, it helps close that gap of people who are not registered and don’t have the option, then, to vote.”
Titus says thanks to mail in voting, Oregon already has a high participation rate in elections, and at 62-percent, had the nation’s highest voter turnout in the 2022 midterms. H-B 2107 has passed the House and is in the Senate as the session winds down this week.
