Cybersecurity Awareness
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation is reminding businesses and consumers that cybersecurity remains one of the insurance sector’s biggest concerns. The campaign, led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, encourages steps like using strong passwords, multifactor authentication, and phishing awareness to prevent attacks. Florence Police Chief John Pitcher says scammers often exploit fear and trust —
“They find a name, a voice, especially at tax time or with Social Security — things that tug at somebody. People think, ‘My family’s hurting,’ or ‘I must’ve done something wrong,’ and scammers use that to take advantage.”
Chief Pitcher says it’s important to contact local law enforcement if you believe you’ve been a target. Cybersecurity incidents continue to rise, with the cyber insurance market now valued at nearly $9.8 billion nationwide.
Reedsport Fall Festival
The 2nd Annual Reedsport Fall Festival returns Saturday, November 8th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reedsport Community Center. Families can enjoy games, pumpkin decorating, fresh apple cider, and live music from the Beautiful Savior School of Music. The event also features local artisan vendors, Dr. Win’s Pop-Up Fossil Museum, a mobile planetarium from SWOCC, and emergency preparedness demonstrations. Visitors can enter raffles, vote in the scarecrow contest, and grab a bite from Salty Dogs or the Foursquare Church Bake Sale. All proceeds benefit the Reedsport Main Street Program’s holiday and community projects.
Nonprofit Training
Nonprofit board members, volunteers, and staff in the Siuslaw region are invited to a half-day Board Leadership and Financial Stewardship Training hosted by the Nonprofit Association of Oregon on Thursday, November 7. The workshop covers governance, leadership, and financial oversight for nonprofits, with sessions focused on board roles, budgeting, and fraud prevention. Participants will leave with practical tools to strengthen their organizations and support community impact. The training costs $75 for members, $125 for nonmembers, and just $25 for Siuslaw-area residents using the code “SIUSLAWV25.”