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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (March 18, 2020)
THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM WEDNESDAY | MARCH 18, 2020 | $1.00 T o help facilitate official information from county and state health organizations, as well as provide updates on closures and cancelations, we have created a special coronavirus webpage that is being updating through- out the day, every day. It is accessible to everyone in the communities we serve, whether they are a subscriber or not. Visitors to the link (TheSiuslawNews.com/Coronavirus) includes pages for 1) Facts and frequently asked questions with the latest information from Lane County Public Health and the Oregon Health Authority, 2) An ongoing and updated list of event, meeting and activity cancellations in our area, 3) The latest press releases from local, county and state agencies, as well as Siuslaw News reporting related to COVID-19. For those with limited internet access, this page includes some of the more important and timely information available on our webpage. Between this special section and free-access webpage, we are working to provide the community with a platform to find the latest information from health agencies as well as from local government, groups and organizations. — Ned Hickson, editor The following is a list of cancel- lations and postponements that will be updated as we receive them at the Siuslaw News throughout the day, each day. Check back frequently for new additions to the list to see if your event is still taking place: Ongoing: • Children’s Repertory of Ore- gon Workshops (CROW) has can- celled rehearsals and dance practices through May, including the Spring Dance Showcase and the audition scheduled for March 14. Contact crowkids.com for more info. • The Better Living Center, south of town run by the Seventh-day Ad- ventist Church where everything is free to those in need, is closed until April 15. • The Cape Perpetua Winter Speaker Series is postponing its March presentations. For more info, visit CapePerpetuaCollaborative. org. • Siuslaw Public Library made the decision to temporarily close both the Florence, 1460 9th St., and Ma- pleton, 88148 Riverview Ave., lo- cations. The closure will continue through at least March 20. All meet- ings and events scheduled during the closure are cancelled, including AARP Tax-Aide. For more info, visit siuslawlibrary.info. • All group exercises classes at Coastal Fitness, 2285 Highway 101, are cancelled until further notice. For more info, contact www.my- coastalfitness.com. • Effective Saturday, March 14, all visitation at Oregon Youth Author- ity youth correctional facilities and transitional camps statewide is can- celed until further notice. • As of Friday, Children’s Reperto- ry of Oregon Workshops has decid- ed to postpone its spring production of “Mary Poppins” at the Florence Events Center until July 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25, 26. For more info, visit crowkids.com. • All United Methodist churches close for two weeks. The Florence United Methodist church will not be holding services Sunday March 15 or Sunday March 22. • Oregon Coast Aquarium is tem- porarily closed to the public for two weeks, effective March 15, beginning at 5 p.m., through March 27. • The Siuslaw Pioneer Museum will be closed until April 2. • Pregnancy and Parenting Cen- ter is closing the center through March 30. This temporary closure includes scheduled pregnancy and parenting appointments,Wednesday playgroup, and Well Mama’s Coastal Babies support group. We will be available to provide ser- vices on an individual basis in case of urgent need and will be available to schedule appointments for April. For more information, call 541-999- 2427. • American Legion meetings are cancelled for the rest of March. • City Lights Cinemas has sus- pended operations until further no- tice. • March 17 — All restaurants, bars and locations in Oregon where food is served is now limited to takeout and pick-up only. • All athletic contest at Siuslaw High School are canceled through April 10. Email cjohnson@siuslaw. k12.or.us for more info. • The Mapleton Book Group at the Mapleton branch of the Siuslaw Pub- lic Library, 88148 Riverview Ave., is canceled. Visit siuslawlibrary.info for future alerts. See CANCELLED 2B Lynnette Wikstrom Broker Cell: 541.999.0786 Mapleton announces student meal pick-up schedule I n a letter sent to parents and students in the Mapleton School District on Saturday (March 14), school district superintendent Jodi O’Mara confirmed that the school dis- trict will be following Governor Kate Brown’s deci- sion of a statewide closure of Oregon K-12 schools from which began Monday and ten- tatively continues through Tuesday, March 31. “At this point, information is very fluid and we will con- tinue to be guided by the Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority,” O’Mara said in her letter. “We under- stand that this closure can present many challenges to our students and families.” At this time, Mapleton School District will be provid- ing nutrition services that began March 16 and continu- ing through Thursday, March 19, and again Monday, March 30 through Tuesday, March 31. If the statewide school clo- sure continues beyond March 31, “the district will look for guidance from the Oregon Department of Education regarding options to provide educational opportunities to our students,” O’Mara said. The district’s current plan is to provide opportunities and locations for families to pick up breakfast and lunch for students each afternoon. The following are locations and times for pick up: • Deadwood Store — From 2:30 to 3 p.m. March 16, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 31. • Swisshome Church — From 3:10 to 3:40 p.m. March 16, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 3/31 • Richardson Bridge (near the tracks) — From 2:10 to 2:40 p.m. March 16, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 31 • Sweet Creek Road at Bernhardt Creek pull out — From 3 to 3:30 p.m. March 16, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 31 • Mapleton High School — From 2 to 4 p.m. March 16, 17, 18, 19, 30 and 31 “During the break, we encourage everyone to follow recommended practices by avoiding large gatherings, washing hands frequently and covering mouths when cough- ing or sneezing,” said O’Mara. “Those experiencing fever, flu or cold symptoms should stay at home until well after they are symptom-free without the use of medication. If you are concerned about symptoms, please consult with your healthcare provider.” District staff members will be working during the closure to ensure a clean environment for all students and staff upon return to school. “We will continue to moni- tor this very dynamic public health situation and will pro- vide updates, as available, during this extended break,” O’Mara said. “We all hope this closure will be successful in helping to combat the corona- virus, and we look forward to being able to return to our normal school routine, with our students and staff healthy and ready for learning.” For more and updated information, check the Mapleton School District website at www.mapleton.k12. or.us City of Yachats initiates protective actions “The safety of our commu- nity and visitors are our high- est priority,” said Yachats City Manager Shannon Beaucaire. “The city will continue to assess this evolving situation on a regular basis and imple- ment additional measures as needed.” The City of Yachats is taking the following protective actions effective immediately: • The Yachats Commons will continue to be open from 8 a.m. to noon. Disinfecting will occur every afternoon after the building is closed. • Yachats City Hall will be closed to the public. Team members will continue to pro- vide essential services to the community and be present to answer phones. • The Yachats Library will be closed to the public. The city is investigating options for a pos- sible online ‘order’ with a pick- up or delivery service. • The Little Log Church is closed to the public. • All non-essential meetings in Yachats city buildings are cancelled until at least April 8. • The Community Food Pantry has temporarily moved to the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, 360 Seventh St. in Yachats, East Door. Hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. How to help, get help related to COVID-19 Siuslaw Vision has put to- gether a webpage called “How to Help and How to Get Help During COVID-19” to help the Siuslaw region. Find it at www. rivercal.org/covid19/. “As our community faces the uncertainties of COVID-19, it’s important for us to work to- gether and support each other,” wrote Siuslaw Vision Coordina- tor Stephanie Sarles. The page includes links to local information and news sources — Siuslaw News, the- siuslawnews.com/coronavirus; Coast Radio KCST/KCFM, kcfmradio.com; and Siuslaw Public Library, www.siuslawli- brary.info/covid19 — as well as tips for taking action or access- ing resources. These include ways to sup- port local organizations and businesses, ways to support the arts, how to help nonprofits and community members and fur- ther resources for nonprofits. “Even as we’re socially dis- tancing from each other, our community building work con- tinues,” Sarles said. She acknowledged that rec- ommendations on social dis- tancing are changing rapidly, so people should follow advice from public health officials on what kind of interaction is safe and healthy. People are welcome to con- tribute ideas for the page by contacting siuslawvision@ gmail.com. More information on the Siu- slaw Vision is available at www. rivercal.org/covid19/. At this time of a major pandemic, the Corona virus is at the top of everyone’s mind. In a vastly older community, it is even more thought of; I’ve washed my hands so many times they’re starting to chap! You’re probably not thinking of real estate, but just of day to day living. If you do want to buy or sell a home, Coldwell Banker is open. Remember that we CAN do business over the phone and by email. We will get through this devastating time. Be safe and take care! lynnette@cbcoast.com 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR • 541.997.7777 “We’re next to the Bridge.” COAST REAL ESTATE
