More Kudos for Florence
Since 1994 World Atlas has been a resource for travelers who seek information on destinations around the world. As part of their research they often inform on the best places to travel. Today they released the 9 serene places to visit in Oregon and Florence was on the list. Listed as one of the quaint towns on the Oregon coast and praised for all of its beauty and activities and is listed as the perfect weekend getaway. it lists the dunes and the many hiking trails around the area as some of the many reasons to visit. The website also lists other towns of note including Jacksonville, Joseph and Sisters. World atlas boasts of over 165 million readers worldwide. World Atlas is also used by educators and students.
Board and Committee Positions
The city of Florence is actively looking to fill board and committee positions. Five different entities for the city are looking to add to their volunteers. The Florence planning commission, FURA, EMAC, the Public Arts Committee and the Transportation committee are all looking to fill vacancies. Positions vary in length, but all set to begin on June first. Information on how to apply or what each committee is responsible for is available at the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.
Rhody Run to Only Feature 5K This Year
The 45th running of the Rhody Run during the Rhododendron Festival has been “pared down” for this year. Janelle Morgan, with Habitat for Humanity, says they will only be offering a five-kilometer run this year. That’s because much of what made up the 10-kilometer course is torn up due to the Rhododendron Drive realignment project.
“Rhododendron is closed, and we worked on trying to come up with an alternative route and decided that to keep everyone safe the best thing to do was only offer a 5K this year.”
She and committee members discussed options this week and went with only the shorter run for this year. Online registration is available right now at florencehabitat.org. The race takes place at 9 AM, Saturday May 18th. It begins and ends at the Florence Events Center. A link to that website accompanies this story on our website.
Gas Prices
The price of gas is being affected by conflict around the world according to Marie Dodds with AAA Oregon. the recent escalation in the middle east between Israel and Iran is bringing fear to the already volatile market. Crude Oil prices continue to be elevated and Oregon has gained 3 cents over the past week, less than in previous weeks, but Dodds says more is likely to come from the instability. Oregon is averaging $4.44 a gallon for regular gas and here in Florence the prices are mirroring the statewide trends. The Price in Florence is averaging $4.25 for regular. Prices are averaging about 40 cents more per gallon than at the same time last year. Dodds says prices always rise this time of year but worldwide markets are being heavily influenced by the instability in the middle east.
Oregon lawmakers passed a major housing package in this year’s session, but says easing the state’s housing crisis will take more work. Bills passed during the short legislative session will send a total of 376 million dollars to address the state’s housing shortage. That includes Senate Bill 1530 and Senate Bill 1537, priorities for Governor Tina Kotek. Head of Habitat for Humanity of Oregon, Shannon Vilhauer, says the governor’s housing package is groundbreaking.
“We also see important investments in emergency housing assistance, addiction recovery support and renters protections. So those are all investments that are going to help stabilize Oregonians in need of housing assistance and benefit the communities we all share.”
The housing package includes funds for housing and homelessness projects and to support counties buying land and developing properties.