City Faced Attempted Fraud
The City of Florence recently faced an attempted fraud when an unknown individual impersonated a valid city vendor to redirect a payment into a fraudulent account. Upon discovery, the City swiftly intervened, working with local law enforcement to recover the funds. No financial losses occurred, and the City has since implemented new vendor verification policies to prevent similar incidents in the future. While the investigation is ongoing, officials are not releasing further details. However, they emphasize the importance of public awareness around ACH fraud, encouraging practices like verifying payment requests through a second channel, regularly reviewing account statements, and educating employees on phishing attempts. The City is committed to protecting public funds and enhancing its security measures. For tips on preventing cyber fraud, visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov or contact local law enforcement at 541-997-3515.
Slash Burns
With cool, damp fall weather arriving, firefighters on the Siuslaw National Forest began pile burning on Friday. Trained crews will continue these burns through spring, igniting and monitoring slash piles created by brush clearing and restoration efforts to reduce wildfire risk. Burning will only occur under ideal weather conditions to ensure safety. Operations are planned for the Hebo and Central Coast Ranger Districts, and while smoke may be visible in nearby areas, impacts should be minimal. For concerns about smoke or fire, contact local fire authorities or a nearby Siuslaw Ranger Station.
State Parks
As Election Day approaches, Oregonians and people around the country can see how their members of Congress voted on issues related to national parks. The National Parks Action Fund’s 2024 Congressional Scorecard grades members based on votes on things like an amendment to cut park funding by 13-percent. Don Barry was assistant secretary of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in the Interior Department under President Bill Clinton, and lives in southern Oregon. He says the state has an abundance of public lands that are important to residents, and thinks cutting the park service by 13-percent would be devastating.
“People move to Oregon now not to cut timber and make two-by-fours – they move to Oregon because of the beauty of the natural resources that are here. And so, how Congress votes on the funding for the federal land-managing agencies – the Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service – matters.”
Barry says, unfortunately his representative, Republican Cliff Bentz, received a failing grade on the scorecard. Republican Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Central Oregon received a ‘C.’ The rest of state’s representatives – all Democrats – received ‘A’s’. House Republicans proposed national parks cuts in government spending negotiations to decrease the national debt.
Concert Series
The Oregon Coast Chamber Orchestra will present its fall concert series, “Gold Medal Music,” featuring pieces inspired by world-class athletes and sports. The concerts include selections by composers like Franz Schubert, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Howard Shore. There are three performances: Sundays, November 17 and 24, at 3 PM in Florence’s Presbyterian Community Church, and Friday, November 22, at 7 PM at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church. Admission is free. For more details, visit occorchestra.org.