Man Rescued from Surf
A new resident to the Florence area is being heralded this morning after a daring rescue. Two visitors to the Oregon Coast are lucky to be alive today after being caught in a riptide yesterday afternoon. Florence Area Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Bettina Hannigan heard two men yelling for help in the water while she and her husband Jack were visiting Driftwood Shores Resort. Hannigan immediately called 911 to report it. While on the phone her husband noticed a man coming from the resort dressed in a wet suit with flippers and a boogie board. And asked as he rushed past, if the men could still be seen in the water. He then rushed through the brush and ran the 2 hundred yards to the water. One of the men had made it safely to shore, but the other was disappearing in the water. The rescuer located the second victim and was able to bring him to shore safely. The Rescuer was newly appointed Executive chef at the Driftwood shores resort. Ryan McCarty had been at his new position for just two weeks. He spotted the men in trouble from a 4th floor unit and was fortunate enough to have the proper gear to enter the water. After getting the man to shore members of Western Lane Fire and EMS showed up to give aid to the man. They were assisted shortly after by Lane County Search and rescue and the Oregon State Police. The man was transported to Peace Harbor hospital where he was treated for hypothermia. Riptides and sneaker waves are very dangerous and is responsible for many deaths over the years.
Food Banks Responsibility
Food banks are helping to significantly decrease carbon emissions, according to a new report. The Global FoodBanking Network’s annual impact report finds food banks around the world stopped one-point-eight million metric tons of carbon emissions last year by preventing food from going to waste in landfills. The Network includes food banks in more than 50 countries. Rachael Lucille with Oregon Food Bank says food waste is the result of food that’s both inaccessible and unaffordable.
“When we, as in food banks, work with local growers to intercept perfectly good, edible food before it’s thrown out, that helps to mitigate harmful greenhouse gas emissions created by food waste.”
Food waste in landfills is a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that captures heat at a higher rate than carbon dioxide over a twenty-year period. About one in eight Oregonians faces food insecurity, meaning they aren’t sure where their next meal will come from. The Florence Food Share Serves more than 700 families and individuals.
Movies in the Park
The threat of rain will give way to sunshine this afternoon, which is good news for the City of Florence’s plans to host the return of Movies to the Park. This evening the city plans to show “How to Train your Dragon” at Miller Park. The event is free for the whole family and there will be concessions of popcorn, candies and sodas available. The once popular event used to allow for cars to drive in and watch, but this event is a bring your blanket and chairs event as there is no longer parking allowed on the park grass. The event will open at 7:30 and Mayor Rob Ward will welcome guest followed by the movie at 8:30. No glass containers are allowed, nor is alcohol or pets.