Helicopter Ordered to be Returned
A federal judge has ordered the Coast Guard to return its rescue helicopter to Newport just days after it was relocated to North Bend. U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken issued a 14-day preliminary injunction on Monday in response to a lawsuit filed by Newport Fishermen’s Wives, a Lincoln County nonprofit. The group argued that moving the helicopter more than 90 miles away endangers fishermen, boaters, and coastal visitors who rely on rapid search-and-rescue access near Yaquina Bay. The helicopter had been based in Newport since the late 1980s. The judge cited the life-and-death risks associated with cold Pacific waters and hazardous bar conditions as justification for restoring local coverage. Earlier, Senator Ron Wyden called Coast Guard officials to a meeting in Newport, saying the community deserved answers about the sudden relocation and its impact on public safety. The injunction requires the Trump administration and the Coast Guard to temporarily reinstate the aircraft while the case proceeds.
Gas Prices
Gas prices are holding relatively steady heading into Thanksgiving, though the Oregon average has inched up following this month’s outage on the Olympic Pipeline. BP says the line has now been partially restarted after crews located a leak on the 20-inch segment near Everett. Testing found no issues with the parallel 16-inch line, which returned to service earlier today. The national average is down two cents to $3.06 a gallon, while Oregon’s average is up three cents to $3.82. Here in Florence, drivers are paying about $3.59. Officials in both Oregon and Washington declared emergencies to help maintain fuel deliveries, but AAA says impacts so far are minimal and pump prices should resume their seasonal decline.
Holiday Travel
AAA says Thanksgiving travel will be the busiest on record, with nearly 82 million Americans expected to go 50 miles or more from home. About 1.17 million Oregonians will be part of that rush, with roughly a million traveling by car. AAA says drivers should expect the most congestion Wednesday afternoon, and again on Sunday and Monday as people return home. Air travel is also up, with about 120,000 Oregonians flying for the holiday. Despite some lingering uncertainty around flight schedules, demand remains strong for both domestic and international destinations. AAA recommends leaving early, planning extra time, and preparing for winter weather impacts across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Kiwanis Thanksgiving Meal
Tomorrow is the Florence Kiwanis Thanksgiving free meal at the Florence Elks Lodge. The event is from 11:30 to 1:30 and is open to the public. The annual event feeds up to 500 people each year.
