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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 16, 2021)
SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 2021 | 7A STORM from page 1A COURTESY OF CENTRAL LINCOLN PUD & (ABOVE) CHANTELLE MEYER/SIUSLAW NEWS Several areas experi- enced flooding this week, including Cushman. In addition, Central Lincoln PUD reported that multiple trees had fallen on lines, which led to some power outages. Most people’s power was restored by Thursday. The Oregon Department of Trans- portation (ODOT) removed more than 2,500 cubic yards of material from the Highway 126 slide, but no damage was done to the road, allowing travel to re- sume in both directions around 11:40 a.m. Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, school was canceled for the second day in a row in the Mapleton School District due to a power outage. In all, Central Lincoln PUD showed nearly 400 outages along the coast, in- cluding Mapleton and its schools. By Thursday, the district was still without power, but virtual classes were able to continue except for grades 1 and 2 and Storytimes. However, food delivery was able to follow its regular delivery sched- ule. Eventually, sunny skies and mild winds over Thursday and into Friday provided some relief in the area, with most power restored in the region and the beginning of lower tides and a re- duction in flooding. Little rain is predicted for the next few days, with mostly cloudy skies and moderate weather allowing the region to recover from the impacts resulting from the mid-week storm. they tracked spread by con- the bright spot of a safe and ments from Lane County to address these needs all tact tracing and analyzing effective vaccine by refining Sheriff ’s Office Search and over the county. At this point, Lane Coun- data. The county also worked our community plans and Rescue Program Supervi- “To help increase the ty Health & Human Services with area hospitals and the partnering to vaccinate the sor Jason Bowman, Deputy number of emergency shel- Director Karen Gaffney University of Oregon to test many people in Lane Coun- Sheriff Russ Olson, Deputy ter beds, Lane County pur- spoke about the emergency for COVID-19 and monitor ty. This has been a tremen- Sheriff Eric Jason Frank- chased and is distributing response the county under- impacts on the county’s four dous effort and I’m so proud lin, Deputy Sheriff Brian 120 pallet shelters across went in February and how hospitals. the county to serve everyone on the team has Schools have also as emergency shelter “This emergency has extended for such a long time, and we aren’t this winter,” Mokro- remained dedicated to the been a focus as Lane safety of all residents. County worked with through it yet. ... We really need everyone to commit to those core hisky said. “We pro- “To say that responding local districts, Ore- public health practices. Wash your hands, physically distance, wear a vided pallet shelters to the COVID-19 pandemic gon Health Authority mask and follow state and local guidance. The negative aspects of this to community orga- on a local level for nearly 11 and the governor’s pandemic are many, but the fortitude, resilience and dedication to nizations in Florence months has been a challenge office. public service demonstrated by Lane County have enriched our com- and Cottage Grove, would be a gross understate- “Every day, the munities and brought us closer to that change that we seek to affect.” and throughout Eu- ment. Like any challenge, COVID team has — Karen Gaffney, Lane County Health & Human Services Director gene and Spring- though, it’s provided Lane shown what we mean field.” County staff, our partners by ‘passion to serve,’ Lane County also and the people of Lane ‘driven to connect’ and ‘solu- of the work of our staff from DeVault and Sheriff Cliff helps fund the Egan Warm- County the opportunity to tion focused,’ working so across the organization,” Harrold. ing Center, operated by St. really demonstrate our com- hard to protect the health Gaffney said. The Holiday Farm Fire Vincent DePaul, and Proj- mitment to community,” she of the community,” Gaffney Next, Buch talked further impacted the McKenzie Riv- ect Turnkey. In addition, it said. said. about the pandemic and the er Valley and included the is continuing to work on its Lane County created an She also talked about the county’s efforts to support communities of Vita, Nim- plans from the Public Shelter emergency operation center, rollout of two kinds of vac- the economy. This included rod, Finn Rock and Blue Feasibility Study and Home- an information center and cine in Lane County, which advocating for resources and River. less Service System conduct- a communication plan as Gov. Kate Brown announced assistance for local business- “The fire was merciless ed in 2019. COVID cases rose. As more at the tail-end of 2020. es and residents. and indiscriminate,” Buch According to Buch, “In information came through, “We’re now focusing on “We were one of the first said. “The face of the region December, we adopted Lane and only counties in the state changed overnight in nearly County’s first ever Hous- to provide $200,000 in grants every imaginable way.” ing Action Plan to increase to small businesses in March, Thousands of residents housing options and to re- Hours: before state-funded oppor- lost homes, businesses and duce homelessness. The plan Monday-Saturday tunities became available, ” ways of life in a matter of includes multi-jurisdictional 10:30am – 9:00pm Buch said. days. Smoke impacted the partnerships and addresses Lane County also part- entire region. The pandem- everything from land use to We are doing take-out and nered with Community ic also made it difficult to finance to affordability. I’m curbside service only! LendingWorks to distribute mobilize aid, though people so excited to continue this You can still enjoy your favorites state funded business grants. found ways to provide food, work in 2021.” from our regular menu The December grant cycle water, clothing and shelter. This was followed by a & Cocktails to go will see $3.6 million in fund- “While the resiliency of brief overview of the rest of Give us a call to place your order. ing going to 239 small busi- this community is inspiring, Lane County Government’s From our family to your family, nesses. they cannot, should not and departments, and how thank you! Besides businesses, the will not face rebuilding and COVID-19 changed how the We appreciate your support and hope county has worked with recovery alone. Lane Coun- county conducts business. you are all doing well. community-based service ty is working to do our part Next, District Two Com- organizations to distribute in supporting the recovery missioner Joe Berney, who 2825 Hwy 101, Florence • 541-997-1144 more than $6.4 million in process,” Buch said. “We’re was selected to be the 2021 rental assistance. still at the beginning stages Chair of the Board of Com- “We will continue to work of recovery. But with the grit missioners, talked about closely with our state and shown by this community, Lane County’s Climate Ac- federal lawmakers to advo- and advocacy and assistance tion Initiative it passed in cate for more financial assis- from Lane County and many October. He also talked tance for both businesses and others, we will rebuild the about the county’s green- 280 Hwy. 101 M 541-997-8996 residents, including making McKenzie corridor and it house gas emissions. business grant programs will thrive.” “Emission reduction is more easily accessible to our Next, the state of the coun- now measured, monitored Try our canned tuna in small businesses,” Buch said. ty shifted to the rest of the and built into county plan- variety of flavors! The second large-scale im- county. ning and operations,” he said. pact to Lane County was the Lane County Administra- “And a great group of smart Open Daily September fires that blazed tor Steve Mokrohisky spoke diverse residents now form 10-6pm through the McKenzie cor- about housing, and how peo- the county’s first Climate ridor. Buch introduced the ple are working to find solu- Advisory Committee. It’s my topic, calling it “the largest tions for both the housed and honor to be the county com- and most horrific natural unhoused population during missioner on this spot.” disaster ever experienced in the current housing crisis. Berney also mentioned Lane County.” He talked about partner- the County Strategic Plan, She was followed by state- ing with local communities which prioritizes living wag- COUNTY from page 1A KRAB KETTLE Fresh Seafood Market Since 1983 Alva Bracey Broker Your goals are my top priority. Let’s get together! LES SCHWAB TIRE CENTERS Tires • Brakes • Shocks Alignments 4325 Highway 101 Florence, OR 97439 541-997-7178 Call, Text or Email Cell: 541-505-1180 Alva@CBCoast.com 541-997-7777 100 Hwy. 101, Florence, OR COAST REAL ESTATE ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE FURNITURE!!! We buy, sell and consign quality estate/heirloom jewelry & furniture. Gold, silver, platinum jewelry with precious & semi precious stones. Call 541-997-8104, Florence Antiques & Coast Jewelers Insect & Pest Removal Trapping • Mole/Gopher Dead Animal Removal • Honey Bee Removal Crawl Space Cleaning • Exclusion Work Fumigation of Antiques and Commodities. (541) 997-4027 MODEL TRAIN ENTHUSIASTS Auto, Home, Life, Business Flood, Antique Auto, RV’s Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Supplements Health Insurance Phone (541) 997-9497 1234 Rhododendron Dr / Florence Over ars 50 Ye ce! rien Expe CALL ME TO BUY, SELL OR TRADE! I’M LOCATED HERE IN FLORENCE. 541-255-9822 - Larry landl316@live.com Us TOO Florence Prostate Cancer Education Support on the Oregon Coast www.ustooflorence.org BOTH MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD. WATCH SIUSLAW NEWS FOR RESUMPTION • Tuesday Evening Group (2nd Tuesday) 5-7 p.m. - Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Bryan Mehlhaff attends. • Tuesday Lunch Group (3rd Tuesday) 12 noon – 1:00 p.m. – Ichiban Chinese/Japanese Restaurant • Urologist Dr. Roger McKimmy attends. Contact Bob for more information: (H) 541-997-6626 • (C) 541-999-4239 maribob@oregonfast.net es, employer-paid family health benefits, apprentice- ship training, women- and minority-owned businesses, supporting the local econ- omy, energy efficiency and renewable energy. As the state of the address ended, Buch said, “In spite of the challenges we have faced this year, it is exciting to see so many important firsts ac- complished. These are plans and processes that will help improve the lives of our resi- dents now and in the genera- tions to come.” However, even though 2020 is over, its effects are ongoing, including the COVID-19 pandemic. “This emergency has ex- tended for such a long time, and we aren’t through it yet,” Gaffney said. “While the vaccine is a bright spot, it will take time to get through 2021 protect our hospitals and get our schools and busi- nesses open. We really need everyone to commit to those core public health practices. Wash your hands, physical- ly distance, wear a mask and follow state and local guid- ance. The negative aspects of this pandemic are many, but the fortitude, resilience and dedication to public ser- vice demonstrated by Lane County have enriched our communities and brought us closer to that change that we seek to affect.” For Buch, she said she wanted the county to reflect on the past as it faces 2021. “It’s important to acknowl- edge everything that we’ve been through in 2020,” she said. “The new year holds promise and recovery, new opportunities that we never knew were possible, a new way of life. The county is here to figure that new world out with you, support you and do the hard work. Thank you for all that you’ve done. We’ve got more strength, courage and heart than we know.” To watch the com- plete State of Lane Coun- ty Address, visit vimeo. com/496113857 or view the complete Jan. 4 meeting at lanecounty.org/how_do_i/ view/webcasts. 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