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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 2, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021 | 5A IN REVIEW from page 1A The World Health Or- ganization declared the coronavirus contamination to be a pandemic, a recog- nition that the virus has or will soon spread around the globe. “We expect to see the number of cases, the num- ber of deaths, and the num- ber of affected countries to climb even higher. This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector — so every sector and every indi- vidual must be involved in the fight,” said Tedros Adha- nom Ghebreyesus, the Di- rector General of the WHO. Local virus preparation continues Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergen- cy over the virus. Fifteen presumptive and confirmed cases of COVID-19 were re- ported in. Locally, schools and oth- er agencies created plans in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19, working close- ly with other governmental organizations on addressing safety. Notable Mentions: • Siuslaw School District launched a mobile food, schoolwork program to dis- tribute two meals a day to hundreds of children along bus routes • WLAD Operations Chief Matt House becomes operations chief for all of Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority • More than 60 people attend Florence Habitat for Humanity’s 2020 Women Build • Western Lane Emer- gency Operation Center is activated to streamline community response of the pandemic Hoberg’s • Three Rivers Casino Re- sort ceases all gaming, ho- tel and restaurant activities on Tribal property for two weeks • Florence Restaurant Al- liance forms to “keep our small businesses thriving” • Gov. Brown closes Ore- gon school districts starting March 16 • Brown issues strict ‘stay at home’ measures after tourists come to coast for Spring Break APRIL Lane County unable to confirm location of rural COVID-19 cases County Public Health protocols prevent identify- ing rural communities with confirmed cases of the virus. Instead, cases are report- ed as either from Eugene/ Springfield or from “rural areas outside of Eugene/ Springfield.” LCPH said the reason is Complete Auto Repair www.hobergsautorepair.com Kevin McMullen Shasta McMullen Alternators • Starters Batteries • Headlights Belts & Hoses Replacement Cooling Systems • Engine Tune-Ups Oil Changes • Exhaust & Muffl ers Servicing Transmissions • Wiper Blades 345 Hwy. 101 • P.O. Box 357 Florence, OR 97439-0012 • 541-997-2413 Serving Your Auto Needs Since 1945 Western Lane Ambulance We’re here for you 24-7. The Only Emergency Medical Service & Critical Care Transport Service in Western Lane County. Proud to serve the residents of Western Lane Ambulance District, those visiting the District and any others in need of medical attention. patient privacy and safety. Chamber cancels Rhody Festival Florence Area Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of in-person events for the 113th Rhodo- dendron Festival, annually held the third weekend of May. This was the first time since WWII that Rhody Fest has been canceled. Schools close for the remainder of school year Oregon’s public schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, according to an an- nouncement by Gov. Brown. “School, and learning, will continue as best as we can using remote means,” she said. Community gathers PPE for local emergency response Medical first responders in Florence and nationwide are experiencing shortag- es in personal protective equipment of all types, in- cluding protective masks. The City of Florence and WLEOG initiated a PPE do- nation program at the Flor- ence Public Works Facility. What people in the Siuslaw are doing for each other “Helpers” find ways to pay kindness forward during the pandemic, including by sewing masks and feeding people. The Hand family sewed more than 1,000 PPE masks and gowns to fill the gap for local medical and emergency personnel. Cindy Wobbe and her nonprofit The Good Deed Project began the Soup Bri- gade, combining gourmet chefs and bakers with deliv- ery drivers who take meals to housebound or immu- no-compromised people. Trust In Us Business You Can Count On! Doing Business in the Florence Area for over 347 combined years Call 541-997-9614 for more information Governor releases new guidelines Gov. Brown announced a timeline for lifting the ban on business operations and social interactions. The main goal of the initial stage of the reopening plan is based on increasing both the number of tests given and reducing the number of needed tests by limiting which individuals will be al- lowed to take a test. Rhody Days moves to online celebration Rhody Days featured a vir- tual Rhododendron Festival Grand Floral Parade, Photo Contest and Rhody Run and a video presentation of the talents, sponsors and plans for the future of the 2020 Rhododendron Court. Lane County enters Phase I of reopening After two months of stay- at-home orders, 28 counties in Oregon slowly began to reopen as small business owners and their employ- ees learn how to work in the age of COVID-19. The state continued to monitor test- ing rates, contact tracing, isolation of new cases, hos- pitalization rates and other metrics. 68 Years Established 1952 Hunt Family Dentistry Daren T. Hunt, DMD 950 9th Street, Florence 541-997-7181 50 Years Established 39 Years Established 39 Years Established 1970 1981 1981 1736 15th Street Florence Or 97439 4325 Highway 101 541-997-7730 541-997-6700 541-997-7178 31 Years Established 30 years Established 29 Years Established 1989 1990 1991 Carter Bros Const, Inc. 87616 Parkside Drive Florence, OR 97439 Action Realty • CPR/AED • Fall Prevention • Life-Med Membership • Mobile Integrated Healthcare • SAFE Kids • Heart Attack React • Stroke Prevention Notable Mentions: • City Lights Cinemas be- gins to offer streaming ser- vice • Community holds first drive-by parade, this time for longtime resident Blair Sneddon’s 85th birthday • U.S. President Donald Trump approves a major disaster declaration for the State of Oregon • Port of Siuslaw declares emergency, closes indefi- nitely to campers, anglers • Mapleton High School lights up the football stadi- um lights each week for the Class of 2020 • Boards and committees move online, with many meetings held via the Zoom application • PeaceHealth Peace Har- bor creates incident com- mand, increases telehealth options • Restaurants reopen for take-out food options • Dunes City votes to be- come a 2nd Amendment Preservation City • U.S. Census begins, with most responses coming from online • Paycheck Protection Program loans are autho- rized under the CARES Act, which provided $349 bil- lion in small business loans through Small Business Ad- ministration online ordering format and a drive-through pickup for fresh produce, baked goods and canned delicacies. People were able to go to florencefarmersmarket.org to shop individual vendors and place orders. Notable Mentions: • Siuslaw School District serves up 26,500+ meals in 8 weeks • Port of Siuslaw Camp- ground reopens on May 26 • OCHS selects Charles MAY Brown as the new executive Farmers Market returns director with online ordering and • Mapleton School Dis- drive thru trict honors students with The seasonal Florence OSAA cancels all class achievement awards Farmers Market created an remaining spring activities See 2020 page 6A ACR Automotive, Inc. Lofy Construction LLC Les Schwab Tire Center Florence Or 97439 Books ‘N’ Bears Florence Or 97439 2530 Kingwood Street Florence, Oregon 97439 CCB# 221760 541-997-8277 541-590-3691 541-997-5979 19 Years Established 20 Years Established 12 Years Established 2001 2000 2008 Tony’s Garage Chad E. Clement, D.D.S. 1730 21st Street Jack Mobley Construction, Inc. Florence Or 97439 Florence Or 97439 Florence, OR 97439 541-902-1955 541-999-0742 541-997-3423 7 Years Established 2 Years Established 1 year Established 2013 2018 1720 Highway 101 Community Public Education: The Oregon School Ac- tivities Association (OSAA) officially cancelled all re- maining spring sports season activities and state championships. The de- cision came after current OSAA policies enacted in March prohibited the use of school facilities and coaches from organizing or direct- ing workouts and practices. 1255 Bay Street Florence Or 97439 1256 Bay St. Old Town 2020 Coastal Home Services BeauxArts Fine Art Materials Siuslaw Strength & Conditioning 2285 Highway 101 Florence OR 97439 Florence Or 97439 2530 Kingwood Street Florence, Oregon 97439 CCB# 221760 541-991-8213 208-859-4111 541-590-7027 1732 Laurel Place