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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2020)
SIUSLAW NEWS | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2020 | 5A CASE from page 1A not requiring use of a venti- lator. The other four cases are reported to be individuals in their 20s, 30s, 50s and 70s. It’s important to note that OHA reporting protocols don’t include individual zip code re- porting for communities with populations of less than 1,000. That means confirmation of COVID-19 cases in Dunes City, Mapleton and upriver communities such as Swiss Home and Deadwood are in- stead aggregated into a single zip code. SUPPORT from page 1A In the past months, SOS has continued to provide mo- tel vouchers for the most vul- nerable in the unhoused pop- ulation, and provided rent Statewide, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases stands at 4,302 as of 10 a.m. on June 2, with 131,508 tests hav- ing been conducted through- out Oregon. While Tuesday’s report by the OHA officially confirmed Florence’s first case of the vi- rus, as far back as April Siuslaw News had reported on infor- mation provided by a local healthcare worker, who asked to remain anonymous, that a Florence resident in their 50s had been confirmed as having COVID-19 following testing at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Eugene. The resident had returned home after being hos- pitalized with the illness, with symptoms dating back to late February. Though LCPH Public In- formation Officer Jason Davis confirmed the case to Siuslaw News on April 2, protocols at the time did not allow geo- graphical confirmation other than as “living in rural Lane County.” The OHA’s new protocol of reporting cases by zip code un- derscores the need to continue following health guidelines and practices aimed at slowing the spread of the virus, particular- ly as Phase One of Gov. Kate Brown’s reopening plan brings more people to the Siuslaw region despite strong recom- mendations for individuals to remain within 50 miles of their primary residence. In an interview May 1 with Siuslaw News, PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Emergency De- partment Medical Director William Foster emphasized, “We don’t really know how much COVID is here in the community. But I’m confident there’s more than 50 cases.” Days later at the May 4 meet- ing of the Florence City Coun- cil, Councilor Ron Preisler im- plored residents to wear a mask in public places, and to follow social distancing recommen- dations. “The health of others in the community is dependent on maintaining safe social interac- tions,” he said. As Oregon State Health Of- ficer Dr. Dean Sidelinger said at a recent press conference, “We won’t eliminate the spread of COVID-19 in Oregon with people being able to infect oth- ers before they have symptoms Editor’s Note: Siuslaw News is confirming further informa- tion with Lane County Public Health. Look for an update on- line and in Saturday’s edition. assistance so those who lost income did not get behind on payments “Then, through grants pro- vided by Lane County, Ore- gon Department of Justice, The Ford Family Foundation, Allstate Foundation, United Way, FEMA, and donations from local businesses, groups and individuals, SOS has raised over $120,000 to help toward rent and utilities,” Teter said. To access this COVID-19 Assistance Fund, people need to contact SOS staff by calling 541-997-2816 and setting up an appointment. Applicants may also stop by the SOS of- fice on 12th Street between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applicants will be required to provide documentation that their loss of income oc- curred after March 1, 2020, and it was directly related to the current pandemic, as well as supporting documents re- lated to their specific need. Other eligibility require- ments stipulate household income, after March 1, must be not greater than 50 percent of the Area Mean Income and applicants must work and or reside in western Lane Coun- ty. Also, bills have to be in a past due status. Another area that concerns Teter is related to housing and the number of local res- idents who might not be able to pay rent in the near future. Executive orders from Or- egon Gov. Kate Brown has put in place a number of re- strictions on property owners and housing rental agencies which limit evictions and foreclosures during these ini- tial stages of the pandemic — but many of those protections are limited. “Although the gover- nor has put a moratorium on evictions until the end of June and Lane County Courts will not allow evic- tion hearing until late July, this does not mean people can live rent free,” Teter not- ed. “They have until the end of the calendar year to pay back any arrears so long as they stay current beginning July 1. For many, their rent is 80 to 90 percent of their regular take home pay. Those individuals cannot afford to pay above their normal rent rate. “Also, landlords and utility companies have bills of their own to pay. It is important for the economy to keep bills paid up. We hope to help with that as best we can.” In addition, SOS has ad- ditional support resources available to assist those in need of support. “SOS has other funds to assist those in need. In ad- dition to rent and utility assistance, SOS provides advocacy for victims of do- mestic violence, sexual as- sault, human trafficking and stalking, a 24/7 crisis line, peer support group meet- ings, self-sufficiency classes and basic need vouchers,” Teter said. “In the past three months, SOS has received a significant increase of re- quests for advocacy services. Nearly triple for this same time last year.” He acknowledged and wanted to reach out to both women and men who might find themselves in emotion- ally charged situations, which may lead to instances of in- creased domestic violence. “The stress the pandemic has placed on households has resulted in instances of do- mestic violence for some. Al- though statistics show women are predominately victimized by abusive acts, domestic vi- olence does not discriminate. For many, the pandemic has created a sense of doubt and uncertainty and a feeling the world is out of control,” Teter said. “In some cases, individ- uals have committed acts of domestic violence in an at- tempt to gain control. Thank- fully, SOS has the resources to provide advocacy and con- nection to other resources to help those abused reach a point of safety.” For more information on the services offered by SOS or to volunteer or provide fi- nancial support, call 541-997- 2816 or visit SOS at 1576 West 12th St. in Florence. Visit on- line at florencesos.org. Scholarships from page 1A created areas of positivity to highlight. career aspirations,” said Siu- “This was the first year for slaw School Counselor Steve the Siuslaw Regional Applica- Moser, who co-hosted the tion, a system created to sim- even with Bob Orr, Dunes plify and streamline the ways City Councilor and volunteer students can consolidate in- for the schools Aspire pro- formation to submit to local gram. providers,” he said. “Instead Moser stated that although of filling out 50 individual this year presented unique applications, students this challenges for seniors, it also year had the opportunity to use the new, one stop, all in- clusive application that, once submitted, applied to all local scholarships. This is the key to opening the door to more than 120 individual scholar- ships.” Moser also pointed out this year would have a focus on regional scholarships. “This would include stu- dents graduating at Mapleton High School as well,” he said. “Tonight we will be honoring Mapleton seniors who are excellent candidates in their own right, and deserving of recognition.” Moser stated that seniors will be remembered this year for more than just being the “Class of COVID.” “It may sound cliché, but this is one of the most ded- icated, most dynamic, and easily one of the most deter- mined groups of young peo- ple to ever grace the halls of Siuslaw High School,” Moser said. “Not the largest group out there, although they may be one of the highest achiev- ing. Graduation rates and test scores aside, this class will have the number of students receiving an honors diploma ever.” He also pointed out that students have turned in more work and volunteer hours than classes from the past, which is why so many differ- ent students are being hon- ored. “Each honored student has plans for the future, and to- night those plans take a step closer to becoming a reality,” Moser said. “The costs asso- ciated with their future goals and career aspirations will be challenging. The sacri- fice of time, energy, freedom and money will become well known to these students.” After thanking scholarship providers, donors and or- ganization for giving to stu- dents. As much of the world changes, he said, there will always be expenses for con- tinuing education. Only with the support of generous do- nors could those challenges be met. The video link is at www. youtube.com/watch?v=YT- v2Gq6LxG4&feature=youtu. be. “Without further ado, let’s get to the fun,” Moser said. The recipients include: LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes Shocks • Alignment 4325 Highway 101, Florence 541-997-7178 HOME OF THE BEST TIRE VALUE PROMISE Hours: M-F, 8am-3pm 541-997-2422 Summer Fun complete in this package! 16 NEW LUXURY TOWNHOMES On sale this week, come in and take a look. 32ND & OAK STREET OAK STREET COMMONS - New TownhomeS! Great-room open floor plan, quartz kitchen counter tops, Medallion Cabinets, all kitchen appliances included. Ductless heat pump, waterproof laminate + carpeting. Covered balcony. Attached finished garage. Interior Laundry Closet. Two have sold. Two units completed and ready to purchase. OPB Special Financing Offer! Showings by appointment ONLY. $279,000 each #11959 MLS#20407030 “We’re next to the Bridge” 100 Hwy. 101 See all Florence Listings at cbcoast.com COAST REAL ESTATE 541-997-7777 SunChaser Geneva Pontoon boat powered by Honda 100. Regular price $36,000. NOW $31,500 Hoberg’s Complete Auto Repair www.hobergsautorepair.com See AWARDS page 6A New Service d Offere New and Used Boats and Engines Duckworth • North River • Hewescraft • Stabicraft Arima • Smoker Craft • Yamaha For more great boat deals… 541-590-3313 2520 Highway 101, Florence OR (Next to Taco Bell) Cel 70 ebrat + Y ing ear s! — or even those who never have symptoms. But we hope to slow it as much as we can.” With Florence’s first con- firmed case of the virus, the rate of spread will depend on community members’ willing- ness to continue practicing so- cial distancing measures, wear masks and sanitize hands and contact surfaces as the Phase One reopening continues. 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