Casino Toy and Food Drive
Three Rivers Casino Resort is in the midst of its annual Food and Toy Drive, running now through December 14th. The drive benefits local families in need and strengthens partnerships between the casino, the Florence Police Department, and community organizations. Guests can bring a new unwrapped toy or three nonperishable food items to Player Services to receive five dollars in free play once a week — or up to ten dollars if they donate both. Florence Police School Resource Officer Hailey Coons says the partnership with Three Rivers Casino plays a big role in supporting local families during the holidays. She says it’s incredibly rewarding to help make sure every child in the community experiences a joyful season. Popular toy donations include Legos, sports equipment, and books, while coffee, cereal, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, and macaroni and cheese are among the most needed food items. Over the past five years, Three Rivers Casino Resort has helped distribute more than twenty-five hundred toys and food items to families in need.
Gas Prices
Gas prices in Oregon continue to decline, even as prices rise in much of the nation. AAA Oregon reports the state average has fallen to $3.82 a gallon, the lowest since late March, while the national average has inched up two cents to $3.07. AAA’s Marie Dodds says Oregon drivers are enjoying the lowest prices in eight months, but Thanksgiving travel could push prices higher as more people hit the road. Refinery issues in California, Nevada, and Arizona continue to keep prices elevated in those states. Locally, Florence drivers are paying an average of about $3.69 a gallon.
Transportation Funding Bill Signed
Governor Tina Kotek has signed House Bill 3991, a major transportation funding package aimed at preserving Oregon’s roads, bridges, and transit services. The bill will raise about $4.3 billion over the next decade through higher gas taxes, vehicle fees, and a temporary increase in the payroll tax for transit. Kotek says the measure will keep highways and local roads safe, prevent layoffs of essential transportation staff, and maintain public transit service. Republican lawmakers have signaled plans to challenge parts of the bill through a voter referendum.
