Revision Old Town?
Florence is taking the first steps toward a major reimagining of Old Town, following approval of a state transportation planning grant. The Florence Urban Renewal Agency will examine traffic flow, parking, sidewalks, pedestrian access and possible utility improvements. Assistant City Manager Megan Messmer says the project will take a comprehensive approach.
“You can’t just look at one item. So this project will help us look at a comprehensive Old Town update.”
City Manager Erin Reynolds says the planning process will include traffic engineering and extensive community involvement.
“No decisions have been made yet. You would do all that community engagement, look through all that data, and then make decisions from that.”
The planning process is expected to take approximately 18 to 24 months, with construction potentially following once designs and funding are finalized. Residents and business owners will have opportunities to participate as the project moves forward.
Deadwood Man Suffers Fatal Injuries
A 47-year-old Swisshome man died Sunday following a single-vehicle crash on Highway 36 near milepost 5 in Lane County. Oregon State Police say Jarod Layne Upham was traveling westbound in an Audi Q3 when his vehicle left the roadway, traveled up an embankment, struck a boulder and rolled over. Upham was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene despite lifesaving efforts by bystanders. Investigators believe he was not wearing a seatbelt. The crash remains under investigation.
Veterans Day Parade
Florence will honor those who have served in the military with its 21st annual Veterans Day Parade on Wednesday, November 11th. The parade begins at 1 p.m. and travels through Historic Old Town Florence, along Bay Street. This year’s Grand Marshals are 92-year-old Leo Stapleton and retired Coast Guard Captain Sharon Armstrong. The annual tradition began in 2006 and features veterans, military organizations, community groups, emergency responders and the Siuslaw High School Marching Band. Participants will begin staging at Florence Christian Church at 11:30 that morning. Residents and visitors are encouraged to line the parade route and show their appreciation for local veterans.
Ballot Counting Glitch
A mechanical problem at the Lane County Elections Office delayed ballot counting Wednesday. County officials say a clogged inkjet line caused high-speed ballot sorting equipment to stop working, temporarily halting processing and delaying updated election results. County Clerk Tommy Gong says technicians were working to repair the equipment, with the next round of results expected today. Officials say the number of ballots remaining made manual processing impractical. An updated schedule for reporting election results will be posted once operations resume. All election results remain unofficial until certification on November 25th.
