New Scam for Businesses
Several Florence businesses have reported receiving scam emails pretending to be from the City of Florence. The email, titled “Important Update – City of Florence Oregon Business Owners,” appears legitimate but includes a link claiming to contain updated documentation. City officials confirm it is not an official communication, but rather a phishing attempt from a malicious source. According to Chantelle Meyer, the city’s Economic Development and Communication Analyst, the City has shared warnings on social media to protect local businesses and notified Florence Police of the scam. The City’s legitimate business license renewal process will not begin until mid-November. Business owners are urged not to click on any suspicious links and to report the message to authorities.
Great Pumpkin Giveaway
Today is the 37th annual Original Great Pumpkin giveaway. The event was started 37 years ago by Coast Radio to commemorate their anniversary. General Manager Jon Thompson said the annual event is a way to give back to the community and to celebrate the company’s success. For almost half of the tenure the Lemhouse family who owns True Value Hardware, the Saw Shop and Old School Furniture have been presenting the event along with Coast Radio. The event supplies thousands of pounds of free pumpkins to the youth of the community along with candy, hotdogs, A&W RootBeer, along with activities for the kids. The celebration will be from 3-5 pm today.
WLFEA Bids Farewell to Longtime Deputy Chief
Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority has announced the retirement of Deputy Fire Chief Matt House, who officially concluded his 27-year career on October 21st. Deputy Chief House began as a volunteer firefighter with the City of Florence Fire Department in 1997, later serving as District Manager for Western Lane Ambulance District, and most recently as Deputy Chief after the merger that formed Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority. Fire Chief Michael Schick called House “an exceptional leader and a cornerstone of the department,” praising his commitment to professionalism and public service. A retirement celebration was held at Fire Station #1, where colleagues and community members honored his many contributions. House thanked the community for their support, saying it had been “the honor of a lifetime to serve.”
Pounding Date Set
The 25th annual “Pounding” to benefit Florence Food Share will take place Saturday, November 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grocery Outlet. Founded by local businesswoman Cindy Wobbe, the drive-through food donation event helps fill the food bank’s shelves with canned, boxed, and frozen items ahead of the holidays. Modeled after an old community tradition of giving a “pound” of food to neighbors in need, the event has collected more than 220,000 pounds since 2000. KCST Coast Radio will broadcast live, and donations of any commercially packaged food are welcome.
