City Council Meeting
With months of work sessions behind them the Florence city Council is ready to bring the information they have gathered to an open meeting. On Monday the council will hear public comment on the proposed changes to city code surrounding sheltering on public and private property. The proposed changes also cover event-based emergency shelters. This is the second opportunity the public has had for input, the first was back on April 29 of this year. A draft of the proposed changes to date is in the information packet provided by city staff on the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us. residents that wish to be heard will have a 3 minute time limit. You can also respond in writing. Questions that are asked will be answered providing the council has information on the specific inquiry.
Mussel Shut Down on Coast
After more than 20 people got sick from toxic mussels last weekend the Oregon Department of Agriculture came back yesterday and closed the entire coast of Oregon to mussel harvesting. ODA’s Judy Dowell called the event “unprecedented. Luckily no one died from eating the mollusk. Paralytic shellfish poisoning can be deadly and is hardest on children. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, mouth and lip tingling and nausea. The closing coincides with other area closings like razor clams. From Yachats to the California border razor clams have shown increases in toxins that make it too dangerous eat. Samples are taken every two weeks by the department. Crab harvesting has not been affected.
Free Fishing
Tomorrow and Sunday are free fishing days in Oregon. several times a year the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife open up the weekend for wannabe anglers to get a taste of the sport. For two days there is no need to purchase a license to fish, crab or any other harvesting not affected by closures. More information can be found at myodfw.com
Pertussis Warning
The Oregon Health Authority has released a health warning after a rise in pertussis cases. Yesterday the OHA reported that there has been a sharp increase in the virus known historically as whooping cough. As of May 29, there have been 178 reported cases in the state. In 2023 there were only 20 reported cases. According to OHA numbers lane county has the highest number of the cases registering 64. OHA says infants are at highest risk of pertussis related complications and death. They say immunization is the recommended path to protect from pertussis and the DTaP vaccine, according to health officials, can protect individuals from contracting it.