Homeless Bussing
The Florence area has recently seen an increase in the number of “unhoused” or homeless people. Bob Teter with Siuslaw Outreach Services has pinned down a likely cause.
“Recently we’re actually seeing other counties bussing in homeless individuals here. We just found out about this recently.”
He found out about it when several people came to S.O.S for assistance.
“We’re still kind of investigating so, some are coming from Coos County, some are coming from Lincoln County.”
Teter said he’s still not sure why they were transported here, but he says it’s likely due to a mistaken belief that Siuslaw Outreach Services has far more capability to handle the local homeless population than they actually do. For now, however, Teter will not turn anyone away that comes seeking help.
Power of Florence
Saturday, July 22nd is the annual Power of Florence event and it is headed up by a couple of new volunteer leaders. Giovanna and Luka Flossi have accepted the challenge of motivating and encouraging residents to get involved with local non-profits. Groups will be participating in special events around the community according to Giovanna
“ODOT adopt a highway, do a scotch broom cleanup removal.”
The ODOT event will begin at 9 am on Highway 126 between highway 101 and milepost 2. Participants must be 18 and older. Habitat for Humanity will do a yard cleanup at 2004 highway 101 beginning at 9:30. The Scotch Broom removal will be at the Heceta Dunes from 10 til noon. A Miller Park cleanup will begin at 11. Set up for the event will be at the Siuslaw Middle School parking lot and there will be a party with a food collection contest Duck versus Beavers, face painting and the kids will get to paint a public works excavator. From 1 until 3 people can stop by the Events Center on Quince and help support the Friends of Florence Van Fans for their annual Ice Cream Social. Tickets for that is just $5.00.
National Night Out
The Florence Police Department will host its annual National Night Out Event on Tuesday August 1st. the event will be from 6 until 9 pm and feature hot dogs, hamburgers, sodas and chips and residents will get to meet and interact with our local law enforcement and other city workers and fire fighters, paramedics and coast guard. There will also be activities, games, face painting. There will also be the dedication of the new playground equipment. The event is a family friendly event, no alcohol or smoking allowed.
9-1-1 Calls
Technology has simplified the process of calling 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, that simplification has also led to a 40-percent increase in the number of accidental 9-1-1 calls in the last year. Matt Garrett is the Director of the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and he says something as harmless as a hang-up can impact resources. It can take up the time of a call-taker. Then, if you hang up, they must call you back to make sure there’s not a true-emergency. If you don’t pick up the callback, they may even have to send out an officer, tying up more resources.