Rhododendron Festival Week The 119th annual Florence Rhododendron Festival is officially underway following Saturday night’s coronation ceremony. Seniors Sylvia Hand and Camden Linton were crowned Queen Rhododendra and King of the Coast to lead this year’s festivities. Activities begin Thursday as Davis Shows Carnival opens for four days of rides […]

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive The U.S. Postal Service and the National Association of Letter Carriers are once again asking Florence residents to help “Stamp Out Hunger” tomorrow during the nation’s largest single-day food drive. Residents should have received a blue donation bag in their mailbox this week. People are […]

State Chamber Releases Legislative Report Card The Oregon State Chamber of Commerce has released its 2025–2026 Legislative Report Card, outlining proposals that could directly affect Florence’s visitor‑driven economy. Among the key issues are multiple bills that would raise the state transient lodging tax to 2.75% and allow cities and counties […]

Ballots in the Mail Ballots are now arriving for Oregon’s May 19th primary election, following Tuesday’s voter registration deadline. In Lane County, voters will see a mix of state races and local measures, including a Republican primary for Oregon House District 9. That race features candidates Troy Cribbins and Claire […]

Plans for Airport Upgrades The City of Florence City Council is considering a federal grant application for safety upgrades at the Florence Municipal Airport. City councilors are scheduled to discuss the proposal Monday, April twentieth. The project would replace the airport’s beacon and wind cone, with the Federal Aviation Administration […]

Hydration Stations to be Deployed at City Events The City of Florence Public Works Department has launched a new program designed to support sustainable community events while helping residents stay hydrated. The program, called Florence H2O On The Go, introduces two portable water bottle filling stations for use at City‑sponsored […]

News Brief It’s a relatively quiet news day along the central Oregon coast, with no major incidents reported in Florence, Reedsport, Mapleton, or Yachats. Looking ahead, the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program is preparing to resume its seasonal testing, which tracks water quality at popular coastal beaches during the warmer months. […]

Heavy Pollen Season Ahead This pollen season is expected to be the longest on record in Oregon, with warmer temperatures causing more plants to release pollen at once. Experts say simple, low-cost steps at home can improve indoor air quality and reduce energy bills. Jami Seymore with Energy Trust of […]