SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020 | 5A
LETTER from page 1A
Many of these are under
the guidance of the Centers
for Disease Control, with
the minimal mandate en-
couraging social distancing.
“This includes limiting
public and private gather-
ings, restricting restaurants
to take-out and delivery ser-
vices and extending school
closures,” said Henry, who
added that now wasn’t the
time to point fingers or dis-
criminate against those who
may become infected.
“The virus does not dis-
criminate. We cannot com-
bat COVID-19 if we turn
on each other or stigmatize
people who test positive
and become ill,” Henry said.
“That only puts sick people
and the broader community
at-risk because it discourag-
es people from getting test-
ed, getting care and staying
home.
“We are all afraid of the
unknown and how this virus
will end up impacting our
lives. It is our job to remain
kind and supportive during
these uncertain times.”
Henry’s letter to the com-
munity comes on the heels
of yet another major closing
in the area the day before,
Three Rivers Casino Resort.
“These are very uncertain
times and tough decisions
have to be made to ensure
the health and safety of our
tribal members, team mem-
bers and guests,” said Tribal
Chairman Doc Slyter with
the Confederated Tribes of
the Coos, Lower Umpqua
and Siuslaw Indians. “We
will cease all gaming, hotel
and restaurant activities on
tribal property … for the
duration of two weeks.”
Slyter said the casino’s
plan is to reopen April 1,
with the tribe providing
emergency paid leave and
benefits for Three Rivers
employees in both Florence
and Coos Bay during the
temporary closure period.
“We will continue to mon-
itor the situation nationally
and locally,” he added.
Updates on casino opera-
tions will be posted at www.
threeriverscasino.com
as
new information becomes
available.
In his March 19 letter,
Henry was clear in request-
ing that citizens not only
take the pandemic serious-
ly, but also to consider the
source of the information
that they are listening to and
do their best to determine
the validity of the source.
“Please educate yourself
through trusted and offi-
cial resources to reduce the
spread of misinformation.
Much of what is shared on
social media does not have a
reliable or trackable source,”
Henry said. “We urge our
community to be diligent
in ensuring the information
they consume and share is
from official sources.
“I urge you to stay safe
and healthy, stay informed,
and continue to be the car-
ing and compassionated
community I know we are.
And, may God bless the City
of Florence.”
The city has also an-
nounced a change to the for-
mat for an upcoming special
meeting of the Florence City
Council set for Monday,
March 23, beginning at 5:30
p.m. The city will consid-
er updating public meeting
procedures and making an
emergency declaration.
“These actions will be
considered in response to
recent executive orders from
Siuslaw Outreach Services
implements COVID-19 changes
To address safety con-
cerns for its most vulnerable
population and continue to
provide services to those in
immediate crisis, Siuslaw
Outreach Services (SOS)
has made the following
changes:
• The Service Center and
clothing room is closed to
“drop-ins” through March
31.
• Anyone experiencing
domestic or sexual violence
can call the SOS crisis line at
541-997-4444.
• For all other services,
call 541-997-2816, message
SOS on Facebook or email
SOS at exec@florencesos.
org.
“We are working with
government and private
funding sources to secure
funding for rent and utili-
ties for those who have been
laid-off or hours reduced
due to COVID-19 respons-
es,” said SOS executive di-
rector Bob Teter. “We know
this is difficult times for all.
The current situation is un-
precedented.
“Please stay safe, be con-
siderate for all, especially for
those who are most vulner-
able to the effects of this vi-
rus. We will get through this
together.”
Faith – Friendship - Fellowship – Fun
CHURCH DIRECTORY
To include your organization in this directory,
please call us @ 541-997-3441
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
Located at Munsel Lake Road and North Fork Road
Worship Services 10:00 AM Sunday
All are welcome! 541-997-7268
FLORENCE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
2nd & Kingwood • (541) 997-6025
Sunday Services: as of 3/13/2020, cancelled for
at least 2 weeks for COVID-19 spread prevention.
Please check back for updates.
COMMUNITY BAPTIST CHURCH
FOURSQUARE CHURCH
4590 Hwy. 101, Across from Fred Meyer –- 997-7418
1624 Highway 101 (next to A&W) –- 997-6337
Sunday School, 9:30a.m. – Worship, 10:45
Pastor George Pagel – Something for the entire family.
Wed. Prayer - 6:00 p.m. –
Sun. Services: 10:45 a.m., Wed. Bible Study 6pm-7pm
Wed. Ministries 1-8 Grade 7 p.m.
Website:florence4square.com
CROSS ROAD ASSEMBLY OF GOD
Corner of 10th & Maple –997-3533
We will be live streaming from
Facebook at 10am Sunday morning.
Link to our website
https://www.florencecrossroadag.org/church-online
All other platforms will be update after the service.
florencecrossroadag.org
office@florencecrossroadag.org
NEW LIFE LUTHERAN CHURCH, E.L.C.A.
21st & Spruce Street – 997-8113
Pastor Rachel Simonson – All are welcome
Church leadership has decided to cancel
all worship services (Wednesdays included)
between now and the end of April.
Sermons are on YouTube at
https://youtu.be/jcTJVWp_6ps.
www.florencenewlife Lutheran.org
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH - SBC
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF THE SIUSLAW
1935 25th St. – 997-7660 • Pastor, Ron Allen
3996 N Hwy 101 997-7136
This morning the Leadership Team met and
Traditional Worship Service 10:00 a.m. ,
discussed how God would like his Church to follow
Reverend Greg Wood
the laws set forth while serving him.
Worship services and all group meetings
This weeks update:
in the church have been temporarily
Sunday 11 AM and Wednesday 6PM will be
suspended at least until the end of March.
on Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.
Our 10am Sunday worship service will be available
com/pg/First-Baptist-Church-Florence-
via Zoom using your phone, tablet or computer.
OR-262800031046006/posts/?ref=page_internal
Church members and friends will be called
All Bible studies held at the church including
this week and given phone in/logon information.
Sunday morning, Thursday Ladies study, and
You can also call the church office for this
Children’s Programs are suspended.
information.
Blessings on you and your family.
All Welcome. Come as you are.
FLORENCE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
2nd & Ivy – 997-2961 –Non-Denominational
Services suspended this week. We will continue
to meet as The Church through our Community
Groups. We are working on options for you and will
communicate that with you soon.
FLORENCE CHURCH OF CHRIST
Pre-Denominational (Romans 16:16)
1833 Tamarack Street
(2 blocks east of Hwy. 101 on 18th St.)
Bible Study: Sunday 10 a.m.; Worship: Sunday 11 a.m.
www.churchofchristflorence.org
FLORENCE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
12th and Nopal – 997-9020
Services will be available via YouTube.
Follow the link at http://florencenaz.church/
FLORENCE EVANGELICAL CHURCH
1318 Rhododendron Dr. • 541-997-2523
Sunday Service 11am ( Children Sunday School)
Mid-Week Activities, all ages.
FLORENCE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
4445 Hwy 101 (South of Fred Meyer) – 997-3951
Worship on Saturday 10:30 A.M.
Adult/Children’s Sabbath School 9:15 A.M.
FLORENCE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
87738 Hwy 101 at Heceta Beach Road
All are welcome to explore the answer.
In lieu of our regular service, we will be
videotaping the sermon and have it available from
YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/
UC1h3s3lhuRKRCXNxbF8H3Nw).
www.FlorenceUUF.org - (541) 997.2840
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
“War is still not the answer.” FCNL
We worship in homes at 11am Sundays
Call 997-4237 or 902-9511 for locations.
Governor Brown concern-
ing COVID-19 and social
distancing requirements,”
the city said in a press re-
lease on Thursday.
The meeting will occur
via a conference call and be
shown live on Charter Ca-
ble Channel 191 and lives-
treamed online.
“It is strongly encouraged
that the public not attend
the meeting in person,” the
release said. “To protect
safety and ensure social dis-
tancing, only a limited num-
ber of audience members
will be allowed to attend the
meeting. In person meeting
attendance will be subject
to applicable regulations
in place at the time of the
meeting, which are subject
to change.”
For details regarding the
upcoming City Council
meeting, contact City Re-
corder/Economic
Devel-
opment Coordinator Kelli
Weese at 541-997-3437.
The city has also provid-
ed an extensive list of rec-
ommendations and actions
taken to reduce the spread
of the pandemic locally in
addition to the strategies put
in place by Oregon’s gover-
nor and to help slow the
spread of COVID-19. The
City has implemented the
following:
• Suspended all city com-
mittee meetings until fur-
ther notice.
• Suspended all program-
ming and gatherings at the
Florence Events Center, as
well as closed the facility to
the public, through April 13,
along with the Florence Se-
nior Center
• The Public Works Op-
erations Facility is closed to
the public. City staff contin-
ue to operate essential func-
tions from that facility.
• As of March 18, Flor-
ence City Hall began limit-
ing its front counter service.
• Senior Meals formerly
provided through Florence
Senior Center’s Café 60 can
still be obtained by calling
541-682-3353 or visiting
lcog.org/160/Senior-Meals.
The City of Florence has
outlined the measures be-
ing taken locally that are
COVID-19 related and pro-
vided links to Lane Coun-
ty Public Health and the
Oregon Health Authority
at
www.ci.florence.or.us/
covid19.
TAXES from page 1A
to file by April 15. Now, the
deadline will be extended
into the summer.
Earlier in the week,
Mnuchin said that individ-
ual and small business filers
would be able to defer pay-
ments of up to $1 million
and corporations can defer
up to $10 million without
incurring interest or penal-
ties.
This relief only applies to
federal income tax (includ-
ing tax on self-employment
income) payments other-
wise due April 15, 2020,
not state tax payments or
deposits or payments of any
other type of federal tax.
Taxpayers also will need to
file income tax returns in
42 states plus the District of
Columbia. State filing and
payment deadlines vary and
are not always the same as
the federal filing deadline.
The IRS urges taxpayers to
check with their state tax
agencies for those details.
Taxpayers can still re-
quest a six-month exten-
sion to file returns, like they
could in any other year.
The new deadlines an-
nounced by the adminis-
tration apply to federal tax
income payments only. It’s
up to states to set their own
deadlines.
More information is
available at www.taxadmin.
org/state-tax-agencies.
all entities other than
C-Corporations, such as
trusts or estates. IRS will
automatically provide this
relief to taxpayers. Taxpay-
ers do not need to file any
additional forms or call the
IRS to qualify for this relief.
Penalties and interest will
begin to accrue on any re-
maining unpaid balances as
of July 16, 2020. If you file
your tax return or request
an extension of time to file
by April 15, 2020, you will
automatically avoid interest
and penalties on the taxes
paid by July 15.”
This relief only applies to
federal income tax (includ-
ing tax on self-employment
income) payments other-
wise due April 15, 2020,
not state tax payments or
deposits or payments of any
other type of federal tax.
Taxpayers also will need
to file income tax returns in
42 states plus the District of
Columbia. State filing and
payment deadlines vary and
are not always the same as
the federal filing deadline.
The IRS urges taxpayers to
check with their state tax
agencies for those details.
The White House had
announced previously they
were deferring tax pay-
ments for 90 days, but that
Americans would still need
Siuslaw
News
+
Western Lane
Ambulance District
Invites You to
LEARN
CPR
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH,
L.C.M.S.
Every Sun., Bible Class 9 a.m., Worship Service 10 a.m.
85294 Hwy. 101 S. – 997-8038
DVD of Weekly worship service available.
Pastor Randy Benscoter
ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
2135 19th St. –- 997-6600
8:30am, Tuesdays, Morning Prayer
Sunday Services: 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - Wed, 11 a.m.
Everyone Welcome – Come walk our Labyrinth.
SAINT MARY, OUR LADY OF THE DUNES
CATHOLIC CHURCH
1.5 miles south of river on Hwy 101 – 997-2312
No Mass schedule until further notice.
Give us a call
541-997-3441
to get us your updates or
email to:
mberg@thesiuslawnews.com
CPR Certifi cations
Adult CPR - $50.00
Child Infant CPR Supplemental - $25.00
Total - $75 for both
2nd Saturday of every month
9am to 1pm at Western Lane Ambulance District
Call
541-997-9614
www.westernlaneambulance.com
TheSiuslawNews.com
www.shoppelocal.biz