28 August 2015
Unmarked vehicles with blue and red lights reported
Florence police say there are drivers in the area who have reported they have been followed by cars or vans that resemble police vehicles.
The latest reports are of a tan colored van with dash mounted blue and red flashing lights.
Lieutenant John Pitcher they are not aware of any local law enforcement agency that uses an unmarked van.
He said if you are followed by a suspicious looking vehicle that tries to pull you over… don’t do it in an area where nobody else is around. He also suggested that you simply drive to the Florence Justice Center off Ninth Street.
The complaints come after news last week that a black Ford Crown Victoria, resembling a police cruiser, had been in the area. Two Portland men in the vehicle were arrested in the Dallas, Oregon area earlier this week for impersonating police officers.
Pitcher says it is illegal to impersonate a police officer. If you encounter someone who you suspect is doing so, report that activity to police immediately.
Bridge project open house set for September 9th
Another round of preservation work will begin next month on the Highway 101 bridge over the Siuslaw River. Oregon transportation officials will be holding a special meeting in two weeks to give more information about the project to area residents.
The meeting will be Wednesday, September 9th from 5:30 to 6:30 at Florence City Hall.
Work will begin in September on a “cathodic protection system”. It applies a low level electrical charge through a thin zinc layer that will be applied to the bridge. That will help stave off corrosion of metal structural elements of the bridge. Repairs to damaged concrete, and a complete replacement of the bridge railing system will also be done at the same time.
The work will restrict traffic on the bridge for more than a year.
State parks campfire restrictions remain
In spite of the smattering of rain we received this morning, a ban on campfires and open flames in Oregon State Parks remains in effect. That closure will remain in place for at least one more week.
Fires are not allowed on any property owned or managed by Oregon State Parks… that includes the open beach.
Propane cooking stoves and charcoal fires are still permitting for cooking at most locations, although parks officials say there may be stricter requirements in some areas of the state.
Move to revive QCCF could end with an ELF
An effort to revive toddler-focused child care in Florence has changed direction slightly.
Instead of trying to acquire and reopen the former Quality Child Care of Florence, local publisher Rob Spooner says he has formed a new non-profit group called “Early Learning Florence”… also known as ELF.
Rob Spooner – “From what I can see is likely to be able to be self-sustaining without any regular subsidy, but I believe it would work certainly for the three and four year olds.”
Spooner has begun the non-profit organization filing process. He is also working on meeting city and state regulatory obligations. A lease agreement on a vacant highway 101 storefront is also in process.
ELF will have a capacity of up to 30 toddlers when it opens… hopefully this fall.
