Community urged to get behind May’s Police Week:

Coast Radio News
Local News

Local observance planned.

President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th, 1962 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week surrounding it as National Police Week.

Local supporters say they want to express their support and appreciation for all area law enforcement next month, and they’re inviting residents to join them.

Angie Brog  said she and others will recognize Florence Police officers, Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies, Tribal Police, and Oregon State Troopers in Florence May 15th through the 21st.

Community involvement, she says, could be as simple as thanking an officer if you should come face-to-face with him or her.

Blue ribbons and blue lights are also used to show support for officers.  She suggests maybe decorating your front door or porch with those during that week.

Last year during that week, police supporters lined both sides of 9th street and several locations on Highway 101 with blue ribbons of support.

Gas prices on the rise, but not much

The average cash price for a gallon of regular gas in Florence held steady this week at $2.07.  Statewide, the average went up by three cents, it’s at $2.22; while the national average price, as measured by Triple-A, jumped a nickel to $2.11.

Marie Dodds said “record high fuel demand, declining refinery production and rising oil costs are pushing retail gas prices higher.”

Prices are expected to continue their climb this spring.  But adds Dodds, most drivers in Oregon will likely pay the cheapest summertime gas prices in 12 years.

West coast averages are the highest in the country.  California and Hawaii lead the market… the Golden State has the highest average price in the nation at $2.78 a gallon.  Mississippi has the lowest statewide average at $1.89.

Marijuana merchants making banking headway

Banking remains a major hurdle for the legal marijuana industry, but new federal data suggest that’s beginning to change.

The number of banks and credit unions telling the government they’re handling marijuana money has jumped five-fold in the past two years, from 51 in March 2014 to 301 last month. And in Washington state, most marijuana businesses are paying taxes electronically – not in cash.

But the progress is still relatively slight, and it’s still tough for marijuana businesses to get loans, even in Washington, Colorado and Oregon, where regulated sales are legal.

Because so many pot dealers pay taxes in cash, those states have turned government offices into mini-fortresses to safely handle payments. It’s an issue facing California, Arizona, Nevada and other states considering legalizing marijuana this year.

Mills named permanent Dunes City Administrator

The Dunes City Council hired a permanent administrator last week.  Jaimie Mills has been serving as the interim administrator since last fall… Mayor Rebecca Ruede said now it’s a permanent situation.

Rebecca Ruede – “Jamie has been a long time resident of Dunes City, tireless worker for Dunes City.  On the council, she’s been council president; she has a good background knowledge of what’s going on at the city and her resume came out far and above the other applicants and we’re just so pleased to have her on board.”

Mills resigned from the council last fall to step in after former administrator Fred Hilden suddenly retired.  Ruede had high praise for the new administrator.