Lane County Tops List For Healthiest Employer
For the 4th year in a row Lane County has ranked at the top of the list for Healthiest Employers in the state. That information released by the Portland business Journal yesterday. The study looks at employers that have 1500 to 4999 employees and assesses the overall culture and leadership commitment, foundational components, strategic planning, communication and marketing, programming and interventions, and reporting and analytics. The county has also recently been recognized as one of the top 100 counties in the nation. Alana Holmes is the Lane County Chief Human Resources officer says Lane County has consistently been investing in the health and wellbeing of its employees. She stated that in order to be able to show up and provide critical services, they need to care for those employees. Lane County has been in the top five of healthiest employers since 2017.
If you formerly paid your city utility bill online, you will have to create a new account. The city, as part of their moving to a different technology platform, has changed the portal that provides online payment and autopay. Information on your current water and sewer bill has all the information needed to create an account. You need your current bill as the website asks for your previous payment amount and your account number. However, if you still wish to pay in person, that option is available at City Hall.
Water Quality
If you are interested in how the water quality in Florence is you can access the most recent report. Water quality reports are required by the Environmental Protection agency on an annual basis. According to the latest report the city’s water system operated well within EPA standards. The report also follows water usage and found that mid-August was the peak of water usage for the city. It also showed a spike on May 14th of 2023 when the temperature reached a rare 94 degrees. A complete report is available on the city’s website at ci.florence.or.us.
HIgh Speed Internet
The stage is set for a massive investment in Oregon’s plans to bring high-speed internet to everyone in the state. The second volume of Oregon’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment proposal has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, laying out its plan for investing nearly 700 million dollars in federal funding. Oregon Broadband Office Director Nick Batz says the goal is internet for all.
“This is a historic investment. We’ve never seen this much money invested in broadband by the federal government before. I’m not sure that we’re ever going to see it again, and if we’re successful, we’re not going to need it again.”
Batz notes that high-speed internet connectivity is crucial, enabling everything from remote work to telemedicine appointments, and is especially important in rural parts of the state.
Lighthouse Volunteers
If you are a person who likes to volunteer, you may look at the Heceta Lighthouse for your next effort. The Lightstation is looking for people who would like to give history tours of the property during the summer. It is an 11 am to 2:30 pm commitment. It also has its perks. Those who rack up 50 hours of volunteering will get a free night stay at the Heceta Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast. Contact Kelly at: Kelly@hecetalighthouse.com
