Listeria Update
A recent foodborne illness outbreak linked to deli meats is putting the spotlight on how these foods are regulated. The listeria outbreak in Boar’s Head products has led to ten deaths and at least 59 people sickened across the country. Jovana Kovacevic is a listeria expert with the Oregon State University Food Innovation Center. She says it’s important to know that listeria is prevalent in the natural environment. Kovacevic says the United States has a zero tolerance testing system for listeria, which is different from other countries and, counterintuitively, might do more harm than good than a system that tests for certain levels of the bacteria.
“It would encourage industry to sample more and once they find positives, it would help them act before the food becomes contaminated and before any contaminated foods end up in the commerce.”
Kovacevic says listeria is most harmful for vulnerable populations, such as pregnant people, older people and those with compromised immune systems. Members of Congress recently wrote a letter to the U-S Department of Agriculture over its concern that the agency wasn’t able to prevent the outbreak.
Speed Study
During an open house on March 6 for the Rhododendron Drive Realignment Project, City of Florence officials clarified details about House Bill 2909. While the new legislation allows cities to reduce statutory speed limits by 5-10 mph, this does not apply to Rhododendron Drive, which is a designated speed zone. Lowering speeds in such zones requires a formal speed study. The City acknowledged an earlier misunderstanding regarding their authority to change speeds on Rhododendron Drive. They have since requested that the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) conduct a speed study for the stretch between Greentrees Village and Heceta Beach Road. The study is expected to be completed in 2025, after which the results will be shared with the community.
FloGro
FloGro is still in stock and will be available on Tuesdays and during the Yard Debris Disposal event on Saturday, October 19. You can pick it up at Florence Public Works, located at 2675 Kingwood Street. FloGro is a Class A biosolid compost created from yard debris and biosolids, providing a sustainable compost option for the community. For more details on FloGro, visit the City of Florence website at ci.florence.or.us.
Bus Stop Moved
The Link Lane Florence-to-Eugene bus has moved its Mapleton stop to a new location near Alphabit Cafe in the Mapleton Commercial District on Highway 126. The stop is no longer at Mapleton School. The bus runs twice daily, seven days a week, with an additional midday trip on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Fares are $5 one-way between Florence and Eugene, and $1 between Florence and Mapleton. The driver accepts cash, or tickets can be purchased in advance on Amtrak.com.