Art Display to Add Highway 101
A popular public art program in Florence is moving uptown next spring. Chantelle Meyer is the Economic Development and Communications Analyst for the city. She says they’ve issued a “call-for-artists” through December 15th for pieces that would be installed in April and remain in place for two years.
“So we’re looking for vibrant, large-scale pieces that will be visible from both the highway and pedestrians and cyclists going by.”
The program began in Old Town Florence in 2018. That art is remaining, but Meyer says the “Art Exposed ReVision Florence” program is being expanded to Highway 101.
“It’s a fun stretch between the Siuslaw River bridge and highway 126.”
Selected artists will each receive a $1,500 stipend for the two-year period. Information can be found at the City of Florence website under the public art committee tab.
Fee Free Day
The Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service will waive most day-use fee sites on National Forests in the region on Veterans Day, November 11. This fee-free day is in recognition of our nation’s veterans and is the last fee-free day for the USDA Forest Service in 2023. The fee waiver applies to recreation fees charged for amenities such as picnic tables, developed trailheads, and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, or other permits still apply, and fees will continue to be charged at day-use fee sites operated by concessionaires, unless individual managers choose to participate.
Veteran’s Parade
Veteran’s Day is tomorrow and there will be a parade honoring the veterans here in Florence. Cal Applebee is one of the organizers of the annual event. He says this year there will be an addition to the procession that will stroll through old town.
“We’re doing a hybrid version, we’re doing both the traditional parade and then following the parade vehicles only can then participate in the veteran’s honor cruise that goes up around the three primary living facilities.”
The Honor Cruise came to be during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applebee says there are many veterans that do not get to see the parade so brining back the Honor Cruise was a way for that to happen. Community members that would like to participate in the parade can meet at the Florence Christian Church at Ivy and Second Street at 11:30. Parade begins at 1 pm through Old Town.
Election Results
As of this morning Lane County Election Results have not been posted to the Official elections site at Lanecounty.org. Election Officials promised an update would be posted yesterday after the offices were shut down on November 8th following the receipt of a threatening letter containing a white powder. Initial findings on election night showed a significant lead for the Siuslaw School levy, but a final tally is not yet available.
Water Line Break
A main water line break yesterday has caused the City of Florence to ask some residents to flush their pipes. The break occurred at 11th Street near Rhododendron Drive at approximately 8:53 am. The break was releasing about 750 gallons of water per minute. It took about 2 and a half hours to repair the pipe. Officials say that sediment did get in the lines but that the water should be safe to use. You should check your water hourly until the lines become clear.
Flu Numbers
The seasonal flu continues to hold at bay with numbers release this week mirroring last week’s numbers. While there was an increasing in testing for the flu, about 1700 more tests were given, the percentage of positive tests climbed only slightly to 1%. There were 40 overall cases reported for the week with half of them being in the Portland Metro area. There were fewer cases reported for central Oregon than there were in the previous week.