SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MARCH 13, 2021 | 7A Red Cross offers PeaceHealth eases visitation restrictions free virtual classes PORTLAND—The dev- astating winter storms our region just experienced, and this past summer’s wildfires, serve as a painful reminder that disasters can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime — even during a pandemic. So, in honor of March be- ing Red Cross Month, the Red Cross Cascades Region is hosting a series of free emergency preparedness presentations throughout the month. All presentations are virtual, and everyone is welcome to attend. Red Cross volunteers are avail- able for virtual media inter- views today. Taking place every Tues- day in March from 6 to 7 p.m., classes will cover the most common disasters we face in the Pacific Northwest and how to prepare for them. Whether you’re motivated to start building your pre- paredness kit, or need a re- fresher course, these classes are designed to help families and individuals learn how to be better prepared. Information and links can be found at redcross.org/ cascades. Classes are March 16: Earthquake Safety; March 23: Flooding Safety and March 30: Home Fire Safety. Red Cross recognizes that preparing for emergencies looks a little different right now, but the three basic ac- tion steps remain the same: Build a Kit, Make a Plan and Be Informed. In addition to the preparedness series, the Red Cross Cascades Region has a free downloadable “Prepare! Guide” available in English, Spanish, Vietnam- ese and Russian. For nearly 80 years, U.S. presidents have proclaimed March as Red Cross Month to recognize people giving back through its lifesaving mission — which is powered more than 90 percent by vol- unteers. They include people who volunteer to provide emotional support, psycho- logical first aid and referrals to community assistance for families coping with disas- ters during the pandemic. You can help ensure that families don’t face emer- gencies alone — especially during a pandemic: • Donate: Support our Disaster Relief efforts at red- cross.org/GivingDay. A gift of any size makes a differ- ence to provide shelter, food, relief items, emotional sup- port and other assistance. Your donation will be part of our annual Giving Day on March 24 to aid families in need across the country. • Volunteer: Visit red- cross.org/VolunteerToday for most-needed positions and local opportunities. • Give blood: Make an appointment at RedCross- Blood.org. • Learn lifesaving skills: Take a class in skills like CPR and first aid to help in an emergency at redcross.org/ TakeAClass. With COVID-19 trans- mission falling in Lane County, PeaceHealth will ease its temporary “no-vis- itor” policy at all four Ore- gon hospitals to allow one visitor per day, per patient, with some limited excep- tions. For patients suspect- ed or confirmed to have COVID-19, the no-visitor policy remains, with limited exceptions. This change was effec- tive March 8 and applies to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend; PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Cen- ter, University District; PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Cen- ter; and PeaceHealth Peace Harbor Medical Center. PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics will contin- ue to limit visitors to only those accompanying pa- tients needing assistance. The change in hospital visitation aims to balance safety with patient, care- giver and visitor well-being and satisfaction. Peace- Health will continue to dil- igently monitor the local prevalence of COVID-19 and will tighten these rules again if necessary, as the health and safety of our caregivers, patients and community remains our top priority. While most patients will be allowed only one desig- nated visitor per day, two may be allowed for patients at end-of-life as well as mi- nors, including infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Patients with disabil- ities may be allowed up to three support persons. Most hospitalized pa- tients with confirmed COVID-19 are not allowed visitors. Minors, Labor & Delivery and end-of-life pa- tients may have one visitor. Any exceptions to the policy will be made at the discretion of PeaceHealth clinical care leadership. Also effective now, Peace- Health will no longer ac- tively take the temperature of caregivers and visitors upon entry to any Peace- Health Oregon facility, in alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention infection pre- vention recommendations. However, anyone enter- ing a PeaceHealth facility will still be asked to confirm that they do not have a fever or other common symp- toms of COVID-19. There will still be thermometers available at screening sta- tions for those who request a check. Visitors must wear a mask at all times and will be asked to limit their move- ment throughout the hos- pitals. They will be issued a dated bracelet identifying them as a visitor. While they can purchase food in the cafeterias, they must return to eat in the room of the patient they are visiting. All gift shops will remain closed to visitors. Visitors will be instructed to clean their hands frequently, avoid touching surfaces and practice physical distancing by remaining at least six feet away from caregivers and others whenever possible. With the virus still cir- culating in our community, we encourage everyone to remain vigilant about mask wearing, social distancing and limiting gatherings. Visit peacehealth.org/ coronavirus for more infor- mation about safety mea- sures at PeaceHealth, as well as other education and pre- vention resources related to COVID-19. OCHS Thrift Shop has special sale today The Oregon Coast Hu- mane Society (OCHS) Thrift Shop, 1193 Bay St. in Historic Old Town Flor- ence, is having a sale that will floor you. Well, it’s more like it will floor them. With new flooring. “We need to clear out as much inventory as we can since we’re getting new floor coverings, so every- thing in the store is 50 per- cent off on Saturday, March 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said store manager Lynne Dixon. People will find every- thing from new and gently used clothing, household goods, tools, furniture, ap- pliances and more. “We even have a wood- en armadillo, for exam- ple, which shows just how unique are some of the finds in our store,” Dixon added. All goods have been do- nated by the community and all proceeds from the shop help fund OCHS’ shelter at 2840 Rhododen- dron Dr., the thrift shop and OCHS’s many services such as spay/neuter clinics, microchipping services, a pet food pantry and more. After the sale, the shop will be closed through Fri- day, March 26, with a grand reopening on Saturday, March 27. The store will be unable to receive contribu- tions of salable goods until after March 27. In 2020, OCHS found new fur-ever homes for more than 600 dogs and cats, provided more than 400 spay/neuter surgeries, distributed nearly two tons of pet food to pets in need and saved more than 1,000 animals. The humane so- ciety adopted out 308 cats and dogs, reunited 104 lost pets with their humans, held medical clinics that treated 233 pets, received 340 strays and 252 pets that were owner surrenders. Its mission is funded by contributions from the community of pet food, bedding, toys, cat litter, bleach and cleaning sup- plies and cash. For more information on OCHS, visit www.Oregon CoastHumaneSociety.org. Evaluation from page 1A dent evaluation every year cuss the evaluation and the in February and March. process to gather data. Siuslaw School Board The directors met in sever- “We utilized an outline conducts the superinten- al executive sessions to dis- and format provided by Oregon School Board As- sociation, which includes performance standards and the Siuslaw School District Board and Superintendent Goals,” Sneddon said. The directors created an evaluation summary, which is available to view in full at www.siuslaw.k12.or.us/ school-board--169, and the standards and goals they surveyed. “Regarding the eight professional standards, we determined that Super- intendent Grzeskowiak is accomplished in perform- ing in the areas of effective financial management as well as policy governance and advocacy,” the docu- ment stated. “The board found the superintendent effective in the standards of visionary district lead- ership, ethics and profes- sional norms, inclusive district culture, culturally responsive instructional leadership and improve- ment, communication and community relations, and effective organizational management.” Grzeskowiak was also considered “effective” in his efforts towards his goals. During the meeting, the motion to approve Resolu- tion 031021-6.5 was made by Director Dennis King, seconded by Director Paul Burns and was passed unanimously by those in attendance. Director John Barnett was absent, and Director Diana Pimlott arrived in time for the vote. “Mr. Grzeskowiak, thank you very much,” Sneddon said once the motion was passed. The consent agenda from the meeting includ- ed past meeting minutes and the second reading of policies concerning school counseling, graduation ex- ercise and charter schools. Action items included the 2021-22 school year calendar and policies on interdistrict student trans- fers. All of these were passed unanimously by the board. In addition, Sneddon read a proclamation about April as Child Abuse Pre- vention Month. The proclamation was submitted by 90by30, a nonprofit working to re- duce child abuse in Lane County 90 percent by 2030. “The public cares deep- ly about child abuse and a majority report that child abuse is a very important moral issue to them,” Sned- don stated. “I call upon all citizens, community agen- cies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase their partic- ipation in our efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the commu- nities in which we live.” People can learn more by going to 90by30.com. NOTICE We’re buying used cars, trucks and SUV’s. Any make or model, paid for or not. Please call today for quote. All quotes by appointment only. Visit us on the web T HE S IUSLAW N EWS . COM Johnston Motor Company Since 1939 S IUSLAW N EWS 2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence (541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475 Rick Yecny, CPA Karla D. Holloway CPA o w l l o Rod McCulloch ay & Associ Write off Tax Time Stress! H Andrea Dexter CPA CPA Buying or Selling? I can help. New Listing e s 238 Oak St – Fantastic location in Old Town and just a block from the river! Home features 3 bdrms, 2 baths, plus 2 bonus rooms for a total of 5 possible bdrms! Bring your ideas and turn this unique, turn of the century home into your home or an income property. $359,000. #3181- 21194032 Curbside pickup is here! Call 541-997-3132 Mon-Fri, 10 AM - 1 PM, or go to siuslawlibrary.org any time to request up to five items. Holds are usually available the following weekday. Crystell Wise Broker, SRS, SRES 541 991-9487 Siuslaw Public Library 1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200 Since 1983 Alva Bracey Broker HOLLOWAY & ASSOCIATES, LLC Certifi ed Public Accountants 733 Highway 101, Florence • Ph #541-997-3434 For the safety of our clients, staff & our community, we are not open to walk-in visitors. Call us to discuss alternative options. We can conference call or video chat with you about your tax situation. Call us at 541-997-3434! Th ank you for your understanding, Holloway & Associates, CPAs. We are here for you. 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