First Citizen Nominees
The List is out on the potential Florence First Citizens. This year there are three nominees for the heralded award. Jenna Bartlet, Dan Lofy and Bonnie McDuffie. Jenna Bartlet is the owner of Siuslaw Consulting Services and has served on numerous committees and organizations, including the Florence Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Florence, Peace Health Foundation, Veterans Day Parade Committee, and the Boys and Girls Club. Dan Lofy of Lofy Construction has also served on numerous boards and committees, including Helping Hands Coalition and the Florence Chamber of Commerce. Bonnie McDuffie has served as a volunteer at the Florence Events Center. She has become a cornerstone for the success of the Friends of the FEC (now called F.A.C.E.) through her commitment and leadership skills. There is a more comprehensive list of each individuals’ efforts for the community attached with this article online at the coast radio website. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce also released the names of the nominees for the various business awards which is also available on the website at kcst.com. The Siuslaw Awards will be on the 25th of July at the Florence Events Center.
Boil Water Notice – Mapleton
Along with dealing with an excessive heat warning with temperatures in the triple digits today and tomorrow, Mapleton is also contending with yet another boil water notice as a leak and low water pressure has caused the potential of bacteria in the water system. According to a press release a leak on Maple avenue in the City has been isolated and repairs are being coordinated. They are expecting repairs to be made in the next several days. Maple avenue residents currently have no water and the rest of the area is under notice. Customers should boil water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, brushing teeth, making ice, baby formula or cleaning food contact services.
Food Share Grant
The timing of a $5,000 “community benefit award” from PeaceHealth Peace Harbor “couldn’t have come at a better time” says Florence Food Share Executive Director Colin Morgan. He said Florence Food Share has been “experiencing an increased demand” recently for services and called the cash gift will help provide emergency food to people in Western Lane County from the emergency food pantry, as well as the adjacent Food Share Garden. The pantry and garden are at 2190 Spruce Street, next to New Life Lutheran Church. It is open weekdays from 9:30 AM to one PM; Mondays and Wednesdays in the afternoon from four to six, and then between ten and one on Saturdays.
Keeping Cool
Weekend temperatures in much of Lane County will reach into triple digits today through Sunday. The only exception is the coastal strip in Florence and Dunes City where it will still be quite warm; in the mid 80s. The forecast has prompted Lane County Health and Human Services to issue a reminder for residents to be aware of the signs of heat related illness and stay safe by staying cool. Lane County spokesperson Devon Ashbridge points out that H-H-S has put together an online resource.
“I would encourage people to take a look at lane-county-dot-org-slash-cooling and see that list. We’ll continue to update it throughout the week as cooling centers become available.”
In addition to information on how to keep cool, the website has a list of air-conditioned spaces where you can go to cool off. On that list is Siuslaw Public Library. The main branch in Florence will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 to 6, then again on Sunday between one and five. The Mapleton Branch on Riverview Avenue will be open Friday and Saturday only from noon to five. The County and St. Vincent de Paul are teaming up for a “low barrier” daytime cooling space in Eugene at the Lane Events Center Saturday and Sunday from ten AM to 8 PM.