E-Bike Safety Florence Police are reminding residents about electric bicycle and scooter safety as injuries continue to rise. According to the Oregon Health Authority, e-scooter-related hospital and emergency room visits more than doubled between 2021 and 2024, reaching 418 statewide. The first nine months of 2025 saw another 509 injuries. […]

Health Insurance Premiums Likely to Rise Oregonians buying health insurance on the individual market can expect fewer choices and significantly higher premiums next year. Average premiums are expected to rise more than 21 percent, as PacificSource and Providence leave the market, leaving consumers with as many as four carriers. Health […]

Police Help Reunite Missing Children Florence Police helped reunite two missing children with Oregon Department of Human Services custody after receiving a Flock camera alert tied to a vehicle connected to the case. The alert came Saturday morning, October 3rd, leading officers to stop the vehicle in the Bi-Mart parking […]

Legislation Possible for Surveillance Pricing Oregon Democrats plan to introduce legislation next year banning so-called “surveillance pricing.” The practice uses personal information—including purchase history, location and online activity—to determine how much an individual consumer might be willing to pay. Portland Representative Willy Chotzen says companies could potentially charge someone more […]

Land Use Proposal Discussion Continues The Florence City Council will revisit a controversial land use proposal Monday night as it considers the second reading of Ordinance 7, Series 2026. The measure would redesignate and rezone about 5.85 acres near Rhododendron Drive from Business Industrial Park to Medium Density Residential. The […]

Burn Season on Hold Lane County residents are being reminded that fire season is still in effect, despite recent rain and cooler temperatures. The Oregon Department of Forestry, along with the Lane Fire Defense Board, says current conditions suggest fire season could continue until at least mid-October. That means backyard […]

Oyster Big Economy Potential for Coast The oyster industry in Oregon is dominated by a non-native species, but a new report finds cultivating native oysters as well as other shellfish and seaweed that are from the region would benefit coastal ecosystems and economies. The Spatial Assessment for Mariculture Suitability looked […]

Mapleton Water District Town Hall Mapleton residents will have an opportunity next month to discuss the future of the community’s water and sewer infrastructure. The Mapleton Water District is holding a town hall October 12th as the district looks at infrastructure needs, funding, and the cost of maintaining and improving […]