Youth Services to Transition to LCBH
Lane County Behavioral Health will take over youth mobile crisis and stabilization services previously provided by Riverview Center for Growth starting April 30, citing ongoing and worsening budget constraints. By folding the service into the existing Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County program, officials say youth and families will continue to have access to crisis response seven days a week. Lane County Health and Human Services Director Eve Gray thanked Riverview for more than two decades of service, saying the change is necessary due to limited funding but should not interrupt care. Lane County Behavioral Health has provided mental health services to children and adolescents for more than 50 years and currently serves about 400 young clients. The program currently averages 6-8 crisis calls a day, including about 3 in-person responses. Officials say coverage will expand to 7 days a week from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. by early April, with plans to move to 24-hour service once two additional positions are filled. Riverview will continue providing other mental health services after the transition.
OPRD Rule Advisory Committee
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is extending a Rule Advisory Committee reviewing ocean shore permitting rules tied to House Bill 2925. The committee first met in December 2025 and will now continue meeting through July 2026 to discuss topics such as application requirements, emergency authorizations, enforcement, and fees. Officials say the effort marks the first major update to ocean shore alteration permitting rules in more than 25 years. Draft rules are expected to open for public comment in fall 2026, with possible adoption by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission in spring 2027.
38 East of Reedsport Work
Drivers should expect delays next week on Oregon 38 east of Reedsport as crews begin work on a highway improvement project. Starting Monday, March 16, contractors will build a retaining wall around the inlet of a box culvert at Hinsdale Slough. The culvert is located near milepost 5 at the east end of the Dean Creek Elk Viewing Area. During construction, which is expected to last about one week, traffic on Umpqua Highway will be reduced to a single lane on weekdays during daylight hours. Flaggers will control traffic, and delays are expected to be less than 20 minutes. Salem-based Carter & Company is the prime contractor on the $322,522 project. Drivers can find updates and travel information at TripCheck.com.
Planning Commission
The Florence Planning Commission will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Florence City Hall. Commissioners will deliberate on a petition from Michelle Bertao to annex about 0.19 acres of property at 88179 3rd Avenue and apply Medium Density Residential, or MDR, zoning. The property includes two tax lots.The Planning Commission’s decision will be a recommendation to the Florence City Council, which is scheduled to hold a hearing on the proposal April 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The agenda also includes a subcommittee report on proposed updates to the city’s Vegetation Preservation Code.
