Florence Protest for Democracy
A group of more than 200 protesters gathered on both sides of Highway 101 Monday afternoon in front of City Hall. They held signs protesting what they see as a lack of oversight and control in the Federal government; specifically related to Elon Musk and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency. Co-organizer Nora Kent put it succinctly.
“We are here to stand up for democracy.”
The other co-organizer, Lisa Walter-Sedlacek, added.
“And we’re here because there’s no kings on Presidents Day.”
Walter-Sedlacek summarized the position of her and nearly everyone joining in the protest.
“We feel that there’s a lack of control going on in the government and the three branches of government are not being followed and I think that’s the big concern right now.”
The protest was part of a nationwide organization called “Indivisible” which sought to have 50 protests in all 50 states all on one day. Darlene Norwood is the head of “Florence Indivisible”. She said Monday’s protest is just the first of what she and others in the group expect will be an ongoing effort to raise awareness and call for action against the slew of executive orders and seeming lack of congressional and judicial oversight. Norwood said there will be an “informal coffee and conversation” Friday morning, ten AM at the Bridgeport Market in Old Town.
126 Closure
Travelers on Oregon Route 126W near milepost 19, approximately five miles east of Mapleton, should prepare for closures and delays on February 19 and 20 due to rock and debris removal from the east side of the Pederson Tunnel, also known as the Knowles Creek Tunnel. On Wednesday there will be a full closure from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Following the closure, flaggers will manage 20-minute traffic holds until 5 p.m. then on Thursday, Work continues with 20-minute traffic holds throughout the day, weather permitting. An additional one-hour closure is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to remove heavy equipment upon completion of the work. Motorists are advised to plan for delays or consider alternate routes. Please stay alert, follow flagger instructions, and watch for crews in the area. Weather conditions may impact the schedule. Heavy rain is expected on Thursday. For the latest updates, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation’s TripCheck website.
Legislation to Consider Cardiac Emergency Plans in Schools
New legislation backed by the American Heart Association would require all Oregon schools to have cardiac emergency response plans in place. Research shows that one in 3 hundred youth has an undetected heart condition that puts them at risk. Mary Taft’s daughter, Nina, owes her life to C-P-R and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED. Taft, a Bend resident, was watching 13-year-old Nina play soccer when the young athlete suddenly collapsed, unconscious. Since Nina had no history of heart problems, Taft didn’t know what was going on.
“My husband just launched into action. He immediately started doing CPR, which he had not done since he was a lifeguard in high school, so over 30 years ago. “
Taft says it was thanks to her husband’s quick thinking and the soccer coach who knew there was an A-E-D nearby that saved Nina’s life. House bill 2529 would provide funding for Oregon schools to conduct regular cardiac emergency drills and have A-E-Ds accessible within 3 minutes from any location.
