CROW Investigation Completed
The Childrens Repertory of Oregon Workshop or CROW has recently been under scrutiny for accusations of abuse. During the initial breaking of the news two CROW board members resigned. Director of CROW, Melanie Heard said the organization sought an outside source to investigate the accusations and that the final report from the independent investigation has been completed and that the information will be shared with the community this week.
City Council Meeting
The Florence City Council will recognize local achievements and announce key appointments at its upcoming meeting. Winners of the 2025 “If I Were Mayor” contest will be honored, and a proclamation will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Additionally, new members will be appointed to the Florence Urban Renewal Agency board and budget committee. Other agenda items include a public hearing on a reimbursement district for intersection improvements at Rhododendron Drive and 35th Street, as well as discussions on a flexible service maintenance agreement with ODOT.
The Florence City Council will hold a final public hearing on the proposed annexation of a 0.36-acre property at 4760 S. Harbor Vista Drive, requested by Kathryn and Alan Socea. The Planning Commission reviewed the petition in February and recommended approval, which the council will now consider. If approved, the property will be zoned Medium-Density Residential in line with the city’s Comprehensive Plan. The council will also review public input, agency referrals, and findings of fact before voting on the annexation and zoning ordinances. No public testimony has been received to date, and the council has multiple options, including approval, denial, or extending the hearing. Council meets this evening at 5:30 at City Hall.
OPB Recognized
Oregon Pacific Bank has been recognized as one of the best places to work in Oregon. The community bank ranked 21st in the “large company” category in Oregon Business magazine’s annual 100 Best Companies to Work For list. Now in its 32nd year, the rankings highlight businesses with the most satisfied employees. One Oregon Pacific Bank employee praised the workplace, saying, “I have never felt more at home than working here.” Other Oregon banks also made the list, including Summit Bank and First Federal. The full rankings were announced early last week.
Population Grows Older
Oregon’s population, along with the rest of the country, is getting older. Within 10 years there will be more Oregonians age 65 and older than children younger than 18. New legislation would establish a task force to create a blueprint for the state to prepare for this massive change. A-A-R-P Oregon state director Bandana Shrestha says having an older population will impact every sector of the state including housing, transportation and health. She says the task force would bring representatives from many of these sectors to the table.
“And it’s not just the needs that we’re going to be responding to. People talk about aging as a net deficit in some ways. Aging also can be very positive.”
Shrestha points out that older adults benefit the state by contributing billions of dollars in unpaid care to other adults and children, as well as volunteer hours to schools and nonprofits. Public testimony for the bill has been overwhelmingly positive.
