City Council Meeting
A special town hall meeting will be held Monday, January 5, at the Florence Events Center to discuss the city’s use of Flock automatic license plate reader cameras. Florence Police Chief John Pitcher says the department tested the technology with a single camera for a year before expanding the program, citing successes including stolen vehicle recoveries and assistance in criminal investigations, without infringing on residents’ rights. Chief Pitcher says the town hall is intended to explain how the system works, address privacy concerns, and allow residents to ask questions directly of city and law enforcement officials. The meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a regular City Council meeting. During that meeting, councilors are expected to deliberate on whether to continue, modify, or discontinue the Flock camera system. The agenda also includes a Martin Luther King Jr. proclamation, public comment, approval of prior meeting minutes, consideration of a new liquor license for 1285 Restobar on Bay Street, and department and City Manager reports.
Winter Music Festival
The last weekend in January is shaping up to be a hot one at the Florence Events Center with the return of the Florence Winter Music Festival. Over two days, seven acclaimed groups will bring bluegrass, folk, and Americana to the stage, along with open jam sessions, workshops, food, and drink. The festival kicks off January 22 with the open mic “Take the Stage!” hootenanny. Friday night headliners include Liam Purcell and Cane Mill Road, with Thunder and Rain opening the festival. Saturday features Tuesday String Band, Midnight45, Tony Furtado and Friends, the Burnette Sisters Band, and a 90-minute closing performance from Authentic Unlimited. A limited number of two day passes are available. Daily passes are also available. Information and tickets can be purchased at wintermusicfestival.org.
Career Fair for High School
Siuslaw High School will host a Student Career Fair for ninth through twelfth-grade students on Friday, March 20, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students will have the opportunity to visit employer booths, submit applications or resumes, and take part in on-the-spot interviews for part-time jobs, seasonal work, and youth apprenticeship opportunities. Organizers say the event is designed to help students practice professional skills while connecting with local employers. Local businesses looking to recruit for the upcoming season are invited to participate at no cost. Tables will be provided, and students will circulate throughout the event to meet with potential employers.