21 January 2015
Commissioners adding limits to registration fee proposal
Lane County Commissioners will hold off on referring a vehicle registration fee proposal to voters.
But only temporarily.
Following a hearing on the matter earlier this week, commissioners expressed support for the fee that would generate about $11-million a year.
Commissioners agreed that the original language of the proposal did not specify the money would be used only for maintenance and repairs of roads. They wanted to make sure voters understood money raised from the fee would not be used for new construction, nor for sheriff’s patrols.
They held off on making a final decision to send it to voters until they could add the limitation.
40-percent of the money raised would go to cities in Lane County. They would not have the same limitation.
Florence City Councilors endorsed the proposal last week. If referred to voters it would be on the May 18th ballot.
Charleston Marine Life Center to open later this year
A new marine museum and aquarium is set to open on the south coast.
The Charleston Marine Life Center will include five separate galleries on two floors. The galleries will focus on coastal ecosystems, deep water habitats, marine mammals, the local fishing industry and diverse sea life.
Construction is nearly complete on the six-thousand square foot center that sits on the Charleston Marina next door to a fish processing plant.
The University of Oregon Institute of Marine Biology spearheaded the effort to build the museum that is expected to draw visitors to the small fishing town. It’s set to open later this year.
LIHEAP Round Two
Low income individuals and families who need help with their heating costs this winter can sign up for assistance beginning Monday morning.
Siuslaw Outreach Services will be taking names beginning at Nine AM February 2nd. Housing Assistance Manager Bob Teter says anyone who has received aid through the “Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program” in the past three months is not eligible this time.
So far this winter, SOS has helped 337 households with nearly $90-thousand. The amount available this time around will be considerably less. Teter says he anticipates a list of only 70 names next week.
Noyes Creek to go on the map
After a 15-year effort to name a small stream in honor of her parents, a Florence woman finally fulfilled that dream this month.
Future maps and records will reflect the name of the stream that flows into the Siuslaw River, seven miles east of Florence as “Noyes Creek”.
Harold and Edna Noyes bought the property around the stream in 1948. 15-years ago, their daughter and son-in-law, Ron and Char (SHARR) Shelton began the process of officially naming it, but were was told it could not be named after a living person. Shortly after that, Harold Noyes passed away, so they tried again… only to be told the person had to be deceased at least five years.
After waiting five years they started again. After a lengthy process it was finally approved. Future maps and documents will now include the name of Noyes Creek.
Homeless Counted in Lane County
A number of public service groups and agencies in Lane County were out in force last night to count homeless people.
The annual census is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which provides nearly $3-million in housing and services to the homeless in Lane County.
Last year’s count included only those who seek refuge in shelters. It tallied 649 individuals. Two years ago a more comprehensive count included people sleeping under bridges, in parks and other non-traditional shelters. It totaled 1,102.
Siuslaw Outreach Services, Siuslaw School District, the Helping Hands Coalition, the Veterans Administration and Florence Food Share participated in last night’s count.
The total figures for the homeless in Lane County will be tabulated and released in March.
