16 September 2015
Florence Food Share to get emergency power
Two coastal food banks got an important boost from a federal agency this week. Speaking at the “Closing the Hunger Gap” conference in Portland Tuesday, USDA Senior Advisor Max Finberg made the announcement.
Max Finberg “The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding two grants, in excess of $50,000 total to the Oregon Coast Community Action Agency, as well as the Florence Food Share.”
ORCA will get just over $40-thousand for a refrigerated truck to provide fresh food to the hungry in Western Douglas, Coos and Curry Counties.
Max Finberg “Food Share is getting $12,200 as a grant from USDA’s Rural Development in order to purchase a generator.”
That generator will provide emergency power to the Florence Food Share freezers and coolers in the event of an extended power outage. The organization does not currently have backup power.
Florence Food Share distributes about 50-thousand pounds of food each month to as many as 600 area households.
Rain signals likely increase in salmon run
Anglers on the Central Oregon Coast are welcoming today’s rain.
Jay Cable- “This rain is what brings the scent of the estuary out into the ocean. And that’s what attracts the fish and tells them… you know, that’s what rings the bell and tells them it’s time to go up and spawn.”
Jay Cable owns the Bridgeport Market next to the boat launch on Old Town. He keeps his finger on the pulse of sports fishers. They’ve had success with Chinook in the past few weeks. Coho season opened yesterday and he says the rain is coming at the perfect time.
Jay Cable – “Should be hotter than a fire cracker from now, you know, until the middle of October.”
Sport fishing in the ocean will dwindle as fish move into the rivers and bays. But, there will be lots of boats on the Siuslaw River over the next several weeks.
Gas prices plunge
The average cash price for regular gas in Florence plunged 22-cents a gallon in the past week. At $2.52, the local average is the lowest it’s been since late February.
It’s nine cents a gallon less than the statewide average according to Triple-A… that’s $2.61. It’s also 20-cents higher than the national average price which is also at its lowest point in the past seven months.
Neighborhood heroes
An effort to recruit new volunteers to help fight fires and respond to other emergencies is in full swing this week.
Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue is seeking men and women, at least 18 years old, who live in the immediate area. They’ll provide all the training, skills, and necessary equipment… all you have to provide is your time.
Siuslaw Valley Fire Marshall Sean Barrett says communities like Florence rely heavily on volunteers to take care of emergencies. They respond not only to fires, but car crashes, boating accidents, medical emergencies, and a variety of other situations.
Applications for the firefighting academy are being accepted at the main fire station through October 9th. Classes begin November 14th.
Firewood permits available next week
Permits to allow gathering of firewood for personal use are going to be available soon at ranger stations across the Siuslaw National Forest.
Firewood season on federal forest lands runs from early October through the end of February.
Permits are $10 per cord with a two-cord minimum. Households can collect up to six cords per calendar year.
Commercial permits are available, but they are $20 per cord with a six-cord minimum.
Maps of approved firewood harvesting areas can be reviewed before purchasing permits… and you can take one with you. Preview packets are available beginning next week.
