SIUSLAW NEWS | SATURDAY, MAY 29, 2021 | 3A
Community News
Florence Community PTA distributes Care Kits to Siuslaw teens
D
uring the last week in
May, Florence Commu-
nity PTA (Parent Teacher
Association) put together
and distributed 740 Care
Kits to students at Siuslaw
Middle and High schools.
“The idea for the project
was to let our teens know
that there is a communi-
ty of parents, teachers, and
local businesses that recog-
nize how hard this past year
has been for them due to
the pandemic, and we care
about their well-being,” said
Diane McCalmont, project
coordinator. “We filled gift
bags with snacks, journals,
stress balls, lists of coping
and calming strategies, a
list of resources kids can use
if there is a need to talk or
reach out for help, Dutch
Bros gift cards, Big Dog Do-
nuts coupons for a free do-
nut, and a few other items
for fun.”
Western Lane Health
Network provided free in-
formation to include that
helps kids handle stress,
as well as places they can
contact if they are feeling
overwhelmed, need to talk,
or need other help. The Or-
Getting rid of 'Huh?'
for over 20 years
Call today to schedule
an appointment.
541.991.4475
HEARING
Scott C. Anderson, Au.D.
Steven G. Anderson, Au.D.
ASSOCIATES
of Florence
HearingAssociatesofFlorence.com FLORENCE • 1901 Hwy 101, Ste A
Greetings Florentine Homeowners
Only Florentine Board members are privileged to commu-
nicate to Homeowners via the Florentine Focus monthly
newsletter. Therefore, we are turning to a paid infomercial
route.
We are nearing the time when Florentine Homeowners
choose Board members for 2-year alternating terms. There
are six candidates for four openings. Three are current
board members and three are from the homeowners ranks.
The current Board has canceled “Meet the Candidates”
meeting that has always been a part of our election pro-
cess. The only opportunity for Homeowners to hold cur-
rently, serving board candidates accountable for past ac-
tions!
The following issues would almost certainly have been
mentioned at the now defunct meeting!
1. Resolution to ban flying of Armed Services and
State of Oregon flags? A 6 to 1 vote by the current
board.
2. The present board has been remiss in supervision
of management staff. The result has been the vir-
tual creation of an 8 th non-elected board member
resulting in misinformation and unnecessary con-
frontations with Florentine Homeowners. All kinds
of “Catch 22” issues!
3. Maintenance staff, so important to the physical
appearance and operation of Florentine. Unable
to hire and retain! Rapid turnover! An indication
of problems.
4. Board does not encourage participation by home-
owners. Most of the Adhoc committees have been
made up of only board members.
The Current election is important! The open board posi-
tions are not for the aggrandizement or longevity of any
board member. It is time to reestablish a culture of placing
the bill paying Homeowner in first place above the Floren-
tine Board and Florentine employees.
Paid for by Florentine Estate Owners.
egon YouthLine organiza-
tion also provided rubber
bracelets and a quick ref-
erence sticker with con-
tact resources for teens.
PTA is so thankful for
the local businesses that
wanted to get behind this
project and support our
teens: Dutch Bros donated
free drink gift cards and
an encouraging “you got
this” sticker and Big Dog
Donuts also came through
with coupons for free do-
nuts.
“Our volunteers were
superheroes in putting
together the bags and
personally distributing to
students at each school,”
McCalmont said.
These included Cathy
Ball, Liz Hughes, Mike
Blankenship, Becky Hol-
brook, Jaime Snider and
Florence Police Depart-
ment School Resource Of-
ficer Hailey Coons.
Many students, teach-
ers, admin, and parents
have expressed apprecia-
COURTESY PHOTOS
tion for the timeliness of Members of Florence Community PTA worked with Western Lane Health Network
this project and for these to create and distribute 740 Care Kits to Siuslaw Middle and High school students.
to show support and care for around.”
CommuntiyPta.
gifts of support.
People can also email
For more information
One parent said, “Thank the students…I asked him if
you for the care packages for he read any of the literature about Florence Commu- florenceoregonpta@gmail.
the SHS students! That was and he said, ‘YES!’ Good nity PTA, check out www. com to find out how to join
so cool and such a great way (and important) stuff all f a c e b o o k . c om / F l ore n c e and/or get involved.
Plan ahead for Memorial Day weekend travel
As more people get vacci-
nated and pandemic restric-
tions ease, more travelers are
anticipated to hit Oregon
roads this Memorial Day
weekend and over the sum-
mer.
Travelers need to plan
ahead, add travel time, and
pack their patience for ex-
pected congestion and delays.
Plan routes carefully, consid-
ering the many wildfire re-
covery areas around the state
and continued wildfire risk.
The usual holiday cautions
are also in place to help re-
duce risk: pay attention, put
down the cell phone, and of
course, drive sober.
Set expectations
Traffic rates are nearly back
to typical levels on all state
roads. AAA estimates 485,000
Oregonians are planning a
trip to kick off summer. Near-
ly 93% will go by car. This is
up 60% from last year when
people stayed home due to
the coronavirus pandemic.
Know road conditions be-
fore heading out by checking
Tripcheck.com or calling 5-1-
1. An Oregon Department of
Transportation summer con-
struction map shows major
planned projects throughout
the state. To reduce risk to
drivers and crews while help-
ing traffic flow, most ODOT
construction crews will pause
roadwork projects between
Friday, May 28 and Tuesday
morning, June 1.
On Interstate 5, south of
Ashland over the Siskiyous,
drivers should expect single
lane traffic in both directions
throughout the summer. This
includes all weekends and
holidays until paving and
bridge work is completed.
Destination reminders
• Parking lots can fill up
quickly at popular recreation
areas. Plan ahead, get there
early and have back up places
to visit.
• Park only in designated
areas.
• Local law enforcement
may ticket or tow cars parked
along a roadside or another
undesignated area.
• Most recreation destina-
tions may be open, but some
roads to get there could be
closed.
Wildfire Recovery Areas
Debris cleanup from last
September’s devastating wild-
fires complicates the holiday
and summer road picture.
Work continues in key cor-
ridors connecting the Willa-
mette and Umpqua Valleys to
Central Oregon and the coast.
“We know that traffic de-
lays can be frustrating and
difficult to navigate. To help
ease congestion this holiday
weekend, hazard tree and
debris removal operations
will pause work on ODOT’s
highways from noon on Fri-
day, May 28 until Wednes-
day, June 2,” said Mac Lyn-
de, ODOT’s Delivery and
Operations Deputy Division
Administrator and Lead for
the Debris Management Task
Force.
Travelers should use extra
caution while traveling in
wildfire recovery areas, and
take alternate routes if possi-
ble. Speed limits are reduced,
areas look different and land-
marks may be gone. Expect
numerous work zones and
long delays when crews are
working, which may include
weekends throughout the
summer.
Wildfire impacted routes
include: OR 138 in Douglas
County, OR 22 in the San-
tiam Canyon, OR 18 east of
Lincoln City, and OR 126
along the McKenzie River.
OR 224 in Clackamas
County remains unsafe due to
extreme wildfire damage and
will be closed through the fall.
“We are all eager to get out
and about to enjoy Oregon’s
beauty but we also need to
respect the ongoing recovery
efforts in these communities.
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
MAY 29
MAY 30
MAY 31
JUNE 1
Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Mostly Sunny
63°F
47°F
69°F
51°F
73°F
54°F
We appreciate the public’s
understanding and ask folks
to stay clear of closed areas
for their safety and others,”
said Lynde.
Wildfire Prevention
2021 comes with extra
concern about early wildfire
dangers. Much of the state
is currently experiencing
drought. Some regions are
already in fire season and
have fire restrictions in place.
Know and follow fire restric-
tions before traveling.
Motorists can help prevent
wildfires:
• Stay on paved surfaces
whenever possible. Avoid
roadsides where flammables
such as dry grass can come
in contact with a vehicle’s hot
exhaust system or catalytic
converter.
• Prevent throwing off
sparks by ensuring that all
parts of your vehicle, from
mufflers to chains, are secure
and tires have correct pres-
sure.
• Never toss a lit cigarette
or flammable materials from
a vehicle.
• Extinguish all smoking
materials completely and
thoroughly, away from dry
grass and fuels.
• Carry a fire extinguisher
in the car and know how to
use it.
• Know local wildfire dan-
ger and restrictions.
WEDNESDAY THURSDAY
JUNE 2
JUNE 3
FRIDAY
JUNE 4
Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy
73°F
53°F
67°F
53°F
64°F
49°F
63°F
50°F
Health is our #1 Priority!
At Shervin’s we are taking extra precaution in order to ensure that our customers and staff are kept safe
and healthy during this quickly changing situation.
1 Car Sanitation – All cars are wiped down with a sanitizer before and aft er the service. We wipe down
any areas in the interior where employees have touched, such as door handles, the steering wheel, keys,
shift ers and power window panels.
2 Hand Sanitation- Our staff will continue to wash their hands throughout the day and change gloves
aft er each car they service.
3 Give Customers Options- We will pick up and deliver your vehicle to your home. You may also drop
your key in our secure mailbox for drop-off s to avoid or minimize contact.
4 Employee Illness is Serious- We are encouraging employees
not to shake hands. We are practicing “personal distancing” and
encouraging employees to stay home if they feel under the weather.
5 Wipe Down High Touch Points- We wipe/spray counters, credit
card machines, door handles, phone handles, kitchen areas, and
chair arms and tables in waiting area multiple times a day.
We continue to be focused and committed to working with each
of you to ensure we continue to meet and exceed your expecta-
tions. We are here for you. 
We thank you for your business and more importantly, your
friendship. Please be safe and exercise extra precaution during this
challenging time.