Change for Traffic Pattern Date
The city of Florence public Works has had to postpone the traffic pattern change at Rhododendron and 35th street due to the possibility of rain that is forecast for today. According to an update released by assistant City Manager Megan Messmer the striping of the lines that was scheduled for today cannot occur if there is any wetness on the roadways. Striping will be rescheduled and the proposed traffic pattern change will be moved to Monday August 5th. the change was to occur on Thursday of this week. The city will be putting up portable signs announcing the change. The Rhododendron realignment project has caused the closure of Rhododendron drive from Wildwind to 35th street with the exception of local traffic and access to the County Transfer site and the Oregon Coast Humane Society..
Transportation Commission to Visit Florence
The Oregon Transportation Commission is a five-member board, appointed by the governor, that guides the planning, development and management of the statewide transportation network. They meet regularly to discuss state policies and to oversee the activities of the Oregon Department of Transportation. This week they will be in Florence for several activities. Wednesday afternoon, they will meet with local staff and others to tour the maintenance yard on 15th Street and the Siuslaw River Bridge. The commission will also get an up-close look at the Florence Re-Vision project, the makeover of Highway 101 between the bridge and Highway 126, as well as the recently completed “Safe Routes to School” project. The Florence municipal airport, the US 101 North growth impacts and the 9th Street/Rhododendron Drive are also on the list. A no-host dinner is planned for 6 pm Wednesday evening at Driftwood Shores but there will be no business discussed. The official Commission meeting is open to the public on Thursday, August 1st, beginning at 9 AM at the Florence Events Center.
Schools to Focus on Financial Requirements for Graduation
Oregon high schoolers in the class of 2027 can expect a new financial literacy course on their schedules. The class on personal finance, along with a class on career preparation, will be required for graduation, after the Oregon School Board sided with legislators this summer. Opponents of the requirement included teachers’ unions and school boards, who wanted these lessons to be integrated into other classes. Proponents like Pam Leavitt with GoWest Credit Union Association, say these skills are important enough to focus on in separate courses.
“It’s not an area of focus within the schools that should be done in an elective. Every single student should graduate and understand their personal finances.”
Leavitt cites a 2023 survey from the National Financial Educators Council that found more than 60-percent of adults in the U-S had lost at least 500 dollars that year alone due to lack of knowledge about personal finance, with the average lost over 15-hundred dollars. She says the required courses should help students avoid mistakes that she often sees working with financial institutions. Oregon joins more than two-dozen other states in requiring a financial literacy course to graduate.
Burch’s Celebrates 50
A family owned and operated business in Florence recently celebrated a half century. Burch’s Roofing began in April 1974 when Wayne Burch completed an apprenticeship program and opened up shop in Florence. Over the years, Burch’s Roofing has played a part in several local “landmark” projects, including roofing the Florence Events Center in 1996. A son-in-law, Kevin Van de Hey joined him in the business about 40 years ago and since 2012 Kevin and his son, Wayne’s grandson have been continuing the operation. Aaron Van de Hey said growing up, he didn’t think he wanted to stay in Florence.
“I kind of had the idea of moving to a big city and seeing things. And then I went to college in Idaho and after I graduated, kind of saw some areas, and bigger cities and I was like, ah, I like Florence and I miss Florence so I ended up moving back.”
Aaron says while the technology of roofing may have changed in the past 50 years, the basics of providing a high-quality product with a “personal” touch have not.
“I like the fact that we’re a small company, just so it’s more hands on with the customer. Not very many companies do the owners are out on every single job site.”
He noted they did an anniversary celebration with employees and family members over the fourth of July and other than that, they’re not planning on anything.
Wreck Closes 126
126 between Cushman and Tiernan was closed for about 6 hours yesterday due to a crash. Crews and law enforcement were on the scene beginning at 6:20. Details of the crash have not yet been released by Oregon State Police.