Infrastructure project updates; Community health fair; Ecumenical weekend

Coast Radio News
Local News

19 February 2013

Council to hear infrastructure reports

An update on two major construction projects in Old Town Florence will be delivered this evening to the Florence City Council.  Public Works Director Mike Miller says one of those, the third phase of a water and sewer improvement project, is moving quickly down Bay Street.

MIke Miller – “That project, we’re hoping, goes very quickly.  The contractor is on board, basically going to work four tens so they won’t work on Fridays, but Monday through Thursday.”

Crews will not be working on Bay Street during Spring Break and are expected to wrap up work by mid May.  That’s about the same time that work on the other project, the Siuslaw Bridge Interpretive Center, should be done.

Mike Miller – “Contract says until the end of May, but we’re pretty sure they’re going to be ready for, hopefully we’ll keep our fingers crossed, a ribbon cutting for Rhody Days.”

Work on concrete footings and retaining walls should wrap up this week with decking and installation of the storm-water demonstration project beginning.  Miller will deliver his update to the City Council this evening beginning at seven pm.

Community Health Fair

Exhibitor space at next month’s Community Health Fair is still available.  The fair is expected to bring together several health care experts across a variety of fields and disciplines April fifth from one to six pm at the Florence Events Center.  It will cover a variety of traditional and alternative medical disciplines, as well as nutrition, dental health, massage, and physical therapy.  Several health issues will be addressed as well, including sleep disorders, and chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.  Information on the health fair is available at the Florence Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Lenten Renewal

Members of five area congregations will come together this weekend to hear a message on unity.  It’s part of the local Lenten Renewal Weekend observances.  The keynote speaker is Father David M. Knight, a Jesuit missionary from Memphis, Tennessee.  He’s spoken to groups in 12 different countries around the world and calls Lent “a season of joy and real life”.  He’ll speak at three separate sessions Saturday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church south of Florence.  Then, he’ll lead a combined ecumenical worship at the St. Mary’s Sunday morning.