Volunteers Sought
Volunteers are being sought to serve on the Siuslaw Secure Rural Schools Resource Advisory Committee, a 15‑member panel that recommends how Title II funds are spent on projects tied to recreation, maintenance, and ecosystem restoration on or near the Siuslaw National Forest. Title II funding comes from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self‑Determination Act and returns a portion of federal timber revenue to counties with national forest lands. The money supports work such as watershed restoration, road and trail maintenance, habitat improvement, and invasive species removal. Forest Supervisor Becca Brooke says the committee has helped direct more than $2 million toward restoration projects over the past 4 years. Members serve 4‑year terms and typically commit about 16 hours annually. Recruitment will continue through the fall of 2026.
Holiday Travel
AAA projects heavy travel for the 4th of July holiday, with 72.2 million Americans, including 877,000 Oregonians, expected to go 50 miles or more from home. That’s a slight increase over last year, but enough to set a new record. Closer to home, the Oregon Coast remains one of the most popular regional destinations, meaning coastal communities like Florence can expect a noticeable uptick in visitors and traffic throughout the holiday period. Most travelers—about 85%—will be on the roads, with AAA estimating 685,000 Oregonians taking road trips. The busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday, July 2, and Sunday, July 5, with peak congestion in the afternoon and evening. Officials recommend hitting the road in the morning to avoid the heaviest traffic as visitors head to and from the coast.
Unemployment Numbers
Oregon’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.2% in May, unchanged for the first 5 months of the year, while the national rate remained lower at 4.3%. State economists say nonfarm payrolls added 3,600 jobs in May, led by gains in other services and professional and business services. Manufacturing saw the largest decline, losing 1,100 jobs. Despite modest growth in April and May, total employment in Oregon is still down 9,100 jobs compared to a year ago. Over the past 12 months, most major industries have cut jobs, with manufacturing continuing to see the steepest losses.
