March to bring awareness of domestic violence
The issue of domestic violence is far deeper in our community than what most people might realize… or care to admit. David Wiegan is the director of Siuslaw Outreach Services… the non-profit group which provides services to victims.
David Wiegan – “We did a one day count as part of a national survey on September 14th. On that one day we provided services to 9 victims.”
That was just one day… last year SOS aided nearly 200 victims of domestic and sexual assault in our community.
David Wiegan – “Over 170 domestic violence victims and another, I think, 27 victims of sexual assault, which, you know, for a community our size is just way, way too many. I mean one is too many, but it’s just too many.”
To highlight the need to reduce domestic violence, SOS will be observing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. It starts Sunday afternoon with an “awareness” march.
David Wiegan – “It only takes ten or 15 minutes. We’ll go from Veteran’s Memorial Park where we’ll start, down to the boardwalk.”
Wiegan says they will assemble at about 12:30 at the park, next to the River House Inn. Then at one o’clock sharp, accompanied by a bag piper, they’ll make their way up Bay Street to the Boardwalk.
Local and regional gas prices hold steady
Despite issues at refineries in California and disruptions on the Colonial Pipeline in the Southeast part of the country, retail gas prices have been holding steady.
Locally, the average cash price for a gallon of regular gas increased by a penny over the past two weeks. It’s at $2.36 this week… 18-cents below the Oregon statewide average which is holding steady at $2.54.
According to Triple-A the national average price remains unchanged this week. It’s at $2.21 a gallon.
Register to vote on line
There are just three weeks remaining to register to vote in order to participate in the November 8th General Election.
Lane County Clerk Cheryl Betschart says if you want to vote this fall and you are not registered, there are several ways for you to do so.
One of the easiest and fastest ways is by visiting the website maintained by the Oregon Secretary of State. Betschart says it is a “great tool”. If you believe you are already registered, you can also double check your status at the same site. In order to register online, however, you must have an Oregon driver’s license.
If not, you’ll need to complete and submit a voter registration card to the county elections office no later than close of business October 18th.
Registration forms are available online or at many public facilities.
ReVision Florence
The process of designing a “facelift” for the core downtown area along Highway 101 is continuing in Florence. The “Re-Vision” Florence project will take place in conjunction with the Oregon Department of Transportation’s repaving of 101 between the Siuslaw River and Ninth Street in 2018.
Megan Messmer with the City of Florence said they are seeking input from the public in advance of the presentation of the next conceptual design.
A public review of the project is set for October 13th. Prior to that, Messmer says, residents can go to the City of Florence website, find the “re-vision” Florence link… Once there, you can review the project and then you’ll be asked to complete a brief survey.
Moving Wall, Viet Nam War Memorial, in Lane County this weekend
The “moving wall”… one of several touring replicas of the Viet Nam War Memorial… will be in Lane County this weekend.
The half-size memorial will be on display at Eugene’s Skinner Park beginning tomorrow when work crews begin erecting the six foot high, 250 foot long wall that contains the names of all those who died in the Viet Nam War.
Traditionally, when the memorial visits a community, it’s open 24-hours a day. But in Eugene it will be closed between 11 pm and 6 AM. The display will close Sunday afternoon at two.
The Emerald Empire Chapter of the Military Officer’s Association is spearheading the visit.
High school seniors get help planning and paying for college
An evening of information about how to “make it happen” will be offered to juniors and seniors of Siuslaw and Mapleton High Schools… and their families… next month.
The Western Lane Community Foundation, along with volunteers with the ASPIRE program at both schools will host a two hour session on how to apply and pay for college October 18th from 6:30 to 8:30 at Siuslaw High School.
Representatives from several different local groups that offer scholarships will be on hand that evening to answer questions about their offerings. ASPIRE volunteers will talk about how to fill out the required federal financial aid forms.
Each student attending will get a free USB “thumb drive” with local scholarship applications.
