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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 2020)
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL | DECEMBER 10, 2020 Driver Education instructors needed | 3A ‘Oh, Christmas Tree...’ Lane Education Service District is in need of individuals interested in becoming Oregon Department of Transportation Certified Driving In- structors. Though the winter training course began Saturday, Dec. 5, future courses are available. There remains a much-needed ser- vice in the community to train new drivers the skill to operate vehicles safely. Those interested in becoming a cer- tified trainer may visit online at triwou. org/projects/tse for more information. Toys for Tots distribution set for Sunday in CG South Lane County Fire and Rescue (SLCFR) is partnering with the U.S. Marines Corps Reserve to host one of four toy distribution sites in Lane County. Due to COVID-19, this year’s distribution will work differently than past events. Toys for Tots will distribute in Cot- tage Grove on Sunday, Dec. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Harrison Avenue SLCFR Fire Station. Unlike the metro area sites, no tickets are required for the Cottage Grove distribution. However, no one will be allowed out of their vehicles to pick out toys as in years past. Once the toys have been received, organizers will not be able to take anything back. The age limit for Lane County kids is 14 years and younger. Pre-registra- tion is required for the Eugene/Spring- field area distribution. After confirm- ing the required paperwork is in order at the car, including proof of residency in Lane County, proof that the child lives with the applicant and proof of the child’s age, toys will be bagged for each child. Outside Cottage Grove, this year’s distribution dates are Dec. 12 and 13 in Eugene/Springfield, Dec. 12 in Oakridge and Dec. 8 in Florence For specific information about the program, visit eugene-or.toysfortots. org online or call 541-600-4483 or 541-463-7297. Photos by Chantelle Meyer/for The Sentinel win Timbers Christmas Tree Farm, 82234 Highway 99 in Creswell, was among the first area tree farms to open to the public. The farm started the holiday sea- son Nov. 15 and offers Nobles, Douglas Fir and Grand trees in both a “you-cut” and “we-cut” option, as well as holiday wreaths. T Are you ready? D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS Don’t miss a beat during a power outage Short-term power outages can be a minor in- convenience. A long-term power outage can cause a major disruption to daily life. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Annual Electric Power Industry Report says interruptions in electric service vary by fre- quency and duration across the many electric distribution systems that serve the country. In 2016, the most recent year for data, cus- tomers experienced an average of 1.3 inter- ruptions and went without power for around four hours. When a storm strikes or an accident knocks out electric power lines or other infrastruc- ture, it may take much longer for power to be restored. During Superstorm Sandy in 2012, more than eight million people lost power and outages lasted for days in some major cities. Outlying areas were without power for weeks, according to National Geographic. It’s important to know how to handle a power outage to keep everyone safe and comfort- able until power can be restored. Invest in a generator If you live in an area that is affected by fre- quent power outages, a power generator may prove a worthwhile investment. Generators come in two basic types. A portable genera- tor can be rolled into place and uses gasoline as fuel. Plug in a set number of household items, depending on the amount of power the appliance can accommodate. A whole-house genera- tor can be hard-wired to a home’s electrical system and automati- cally engage should a power outage occur. Prepare in advance In anticipation of a power outage, stock up on battery-powered devices like flashlights, lan- terns and radios. Charge mobile phones and other devices so they’re at 100 percent power. Keep a cache of nonperishable food available and plan to use any perishable items that are in the refrigerator first. A refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours after power has ceased, states Ready.gov, while a freezer can keep the temperature for about 48 hours if full. Packing these appliances with ice or frozen bottles of water can help. Purchase books, board games and puzzles to have activities to pass the time until power resumes. During a power outage Report the power outage to the power com- pany if it seems localized; otherwise, wait for updates to see who is affected. Try to remain cool or warm if the HVAC system is not functioning. Pool resources by having everyone in the family gather in one room of the house. Older adults and children are especially vulnerable to extreme tem- peratures. Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration, including two gallons of bottled water per individual. People who take refrig- erated medications should only ingest drugs that have been at room temperature until a new supply is available, advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Power outages routinely occur and require planning and safety precautions until power is restored Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster. • Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions. • Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home. • Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster. For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center. South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506 Twitter: @southlanefi re Facebook: southlanecountyfi reandrescue
