Wood Cutting Permits; Coastbusters Walk; Pulse Point; Vintage Trailer Rally; Rhody Logo Contest

Wood Cutting Permits

The US Forest Service will soon be issuing permits for wood cutting in the Siuslaw National Forest.  Commercial and personal use permits will be offered beginning on Monday, October 2nd. At the Central Coast ranger station in Reedsport and in Waldport. Personal use permits will be offered free of charge and households are limited to a maximum of 6 cords. Permits are issued on a first come, first served basis and are not transferrable. A valid government issued ID is required at the time of issuance.  Persons interested in receiving a permit are encouraged to visit the cutting areas before requesting a permit. A map of the cutting area is available at fs.usda.gov.

Coastbusters Walk

With October being breast cancer awareness month an event to raise awareness and money will be taking place on Saturday the 7th of October.  The Coastbusters Walk first began in Newport with founders and breast cancer survivors Jeanette Campagna and Sonia Graham.  With the success of the Newport event, they decided to add and event in Florence. It will be held at the Siuslaw Middle school.

“Registration starts at 9 am and the walk begins at 10 am with a  survivors lap taking place first. The local pep band from the High School is going to be here playing to cheer on those breast cancer survivors.”

Campagna says they hope to match the success of the Newport walk which raised $45,000 in the first two events.

Pulse Point

There is a new program that has been introduced in Florence and has been operative for almost a year now, Pulse Point is an emergency ap that was developed to assist with patients that are experiencing a cardiac arrest.  It is not yet widespread in Florence.  But the popularity is growing according to Dr. Willie Foster with Peace Harbor hospital.

“it is an ap that you can download on your phone and I can tell you right now in the Florence area there are 800 people that have downloaded this ap and have it on their phone.”

The ap will alert individuals that are within a quarter mile of a cardiac arrest with the hopes that the ap holder would be able to get the site and begin CPR until emergency vehicles arrive.  Foster says they have had one instance so far in Florence where a call was initiated, but hopes that as the popularity increases it will bring life-saving results.  The ap also can alert of other emergencies including car accidents and fire and you can customize it to alert you of them as well.  CPR trainings are offered by Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority and you can contact them for dates and times.

Vintage Trailer Rally

The Goin with the Flo Vintage Trailer rally will be in town tomorrow at Heceta Beach RV Park.  35 vintage trailers will be available to tour beginning at noon and ending at 3 pm. The event is free.

Rhody Logo Contest

The Florence area Chamber of Commerce is looking for the next rendition of the Rhododendron Festival Logo for the 2024 festival. Board Chairman Al Rojas says you can submit your ideas to the Chamber, but there is a time window.

“The cut-off time is November 1st and the Theme is High Tides and Good Vibes.”

Rojas says the theme was chosen out of many submissions and the logo should incorporate many aspects of Florence life and of course the Rhododendron Flower.  The winning submission for the logo contest will receive $250.