23 September 2015
Witnesses say trio were passing in no-passing zones
Oregon State Troopers are continuing the investigation today into a crash involving three motorcycles on Highway 101, 16 miles north of Florence yesterday. A 58-year old German man died, two others, ages 53 and 51, were injured. Lieutenant Bill Fugate described the scene.
Lt. Bill Fugate – “Three motorcyclists travelling on 101. They had been making passes in no-passing lanes. And from what I understand these group of three motorcyclists were attempting to pass again in a no-passing lane into oncoming traffic.”
Witnesses told investigators the lead rider, who died, slowed suddenly and the others collided with him.
The highway 17 miles north of Florence was closed in both directions for about two hours following the 2:20 crash. Officials are attempting to notify family members… until then, names are being withheld.
Drug Take Back Planned
Florence police, Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency are teaming up this weekend to get drugs out of the medicine cabinet.
The three agencies are hosting a “drug take-back” at Bi Mart between ten and two Saturday.
Police Chief Tom Turner says the intention is to reduce the possibility of surplus prescription drugs… especially narcotics… from being misused.
Chief Tom Turner – “That’s one of the things that we really want to prevent that these narcotics or other prescription medications wind up in the wrong hands because that’s a totally unpredictable event that we want to prevent from occurring here in our community where somebody misuses it.”
According to Lane County Community Health, more teens abuse prescription drugs than cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine combined. Last year 45-percent of Lane County 11th graders reported that it would be “easy” for them to get prescription drugs not prescribed to them.
Gas prices take sudden plunge
The bottom fell out of gas prices in Florence in the past week. The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas dropped by 28 cents and is currently $2.21.
That’s the lowest price since February of this year when the average dropped briefly to $1.86.
Marie Dodds with Triple-A says the national average price is down just four cents a gallon this week. It’s $2.28. That’s the first time in several years that the Florence average has been lower than the national average.
Dodds also said the statewide average price fell by 11 cents and is at $2.55 a gallon.
Oktoberfest in Florence
Beer, brats and pancakes… along with authentic Oompah music will be the featured items October Third during the annual Oktoberfest in Florence.
Florence Area Chamber of Commerce director Cal Applebee says the day will start at 8:30 with a pancake breakfast hosted by Florence Kiwanis. Music during breakfast will be provided by two musicians well-known in the area, Meg Graf and John Klobas.
At midday, Sam’s Polka Gems and the Tirolean Dancers will perform. Scandia Leikarringen and the Alpine Echoes Band, both new to the festival, will carry on into the evening.
Applebee says it’s a family affair. There is a “Kinder Korner” for kids four and up, and of course the third annual Weiner Dog Races.
Oktoberfest will be offering German Bier and authentic food, including bratwurst at the Florence Events Center.
Razor Clams remain off limits
Razor clamming on Oregon beaches will remain closed for the foreseeable future because of high levels of a toxin that can affect the brain and cause seizures or death in humans.
Wildlife and agriculture officials have barred the digging of Razor Clams since mid May this year. The season had been set to reopen October 1st on the north coast.
But, says shellfish biologist Matt Hunter, levels of Domoic Acid are still too high. He says the toxic acid accumulates in the bivalves and is very slow to be eliminated.
Harvesting of bay clams and mussels is allowed, and taking of Dungeness crab in bays is ok.
