Rhododendron Festival Concludes
The 118th Rhododendron Festival is officially in the books. Thousands of visitors from across Oregon came to Florence to experience the annual tradition, which culminated with Sunday’s Grand Floral Parade at noon, featuring marching bands from Siuslaw, Marshfield, and Oregon City High Schools. The Davis Shows Carnival wrapped up at 8 p.m. Sunday. While a few showers passed through, none disrupted the festival’s key events, including Saturday’s Show and Shine Car Show and Classic Car Cruise. Official attendance numbers haven’t been released, but organizers say crowds felt slightly smaller than in past years. The final measure of success will likely depend on the financial impact, which is still being assessed.
PeaceHealth Riverbend Announces New COO
PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend has named James Roundtree as its new chief operating officer. He begins June 2 and will oversee key departments including surgical services, imaging, lab, and facilities. Roundtree brings over 20 years of healthcare leadership, most recently serving as vice president of Surgical and Cardiovascular Services at Washington Regional Medical Center in Arkansas. A U.S. Army veteran and former nurse, he holds degrees in nursing and business from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Free Camping Day
Oregon State Parks will celebrate State Parks Day on Saturday, June 7, by offering free camping and waiving day-use parking fees at all 25 parks that normally charge them. The annual event, which began in 1998, thanks Oregonians for their support. Special events will be held statewide, including BBQs, a star party at L.L. Stub Stewart, and the Festival of the Land at The Cove Palisades. For a full list of activities and to check campsite availability, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.
State Park Enacts Fire Restrictions
Fire restrictions are now in effect on all Bureau of Land Management public lands across Oregon and Washington, following a May 15 implementation. The BLM urges visitors to follow active restrictions as warm, dry weather increases fire danger across the Northwest. Prohibited items include fireworks, exploding or metallic targets, tracer rounds, and sky lanterns. Violators face fines up to $100,000 and possible jail time. Officials say most wildfires are human-caused and urge everyone to use caution. Details are available at blm.gov/orwafire.
