All Drivers Must Stop When Lights Flash…
School bus drivers in the area are saying many drivers are ignoring the warning lights and signs on their school buses as they are dropping off students. That’s prompted Florence Police Chief Tom Turner to answer the question about “who needs to stop when the lights flash?”
Tom Turner – “Everyone. It doesn’t matter what direction you’re approaching from, the back or the front, you need to stop when you see those lights. And if you’re on the same roadway with that bus, in either direction, you need to stop.”
That’s right… everyone. Even on a four lane highway with a center turn lane. Turner says it is essential for the safety of children. He also says a police officer does not necessarily need to see you when you pass the bus.
Tom Turner – “That’s something that I think a lot of drivers have to realize, that, just because the police aren’t there doesn’t mean that they’re not going to get in trouble for it. They need to stop when they see that light.”
Turner has issued citations in the past, based on bus drivers’ statements. And, he adds, if the safety of students isn’t enough to make you stop… the fine for failing to do so might make the difference… It could cost you up to $435.
Remains found near Gardiner
A mechanical breakdown for a fisherman on the Umpqua River Saturday led to the discovery of human remains near Gardiner.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said the unnamed angler broke down while fishing late in the afternoon and was able to make it shore near the former International Paper millsite.
While gathering wood for a warming fire, the fisherman found what he believed to be human bones along the riverbank.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded and confirmed the “skeletonized” remains were human. They’ve not yet been identified, but have been forwarded to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Portland for examination.
Coho limits clarified
Bag limits for wild Coho salmon caught on Siltcoos and Tahkenitch Lakes have been clarified by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The Coho is listed as an endangered species, but wild runs on the two lakes have reached the point where fisheries managers say they can be actively sought by sports anglers.
The bag-limit portion was inadvertently left out of published regulations earlier this year, prompting the clarification.
No more than one wild adult Coho and 1 “jack” Coho may be harvested per day… and no more than five wild Coho may be taken and retained in any single year.
The Coho season on both lakes opened Saturday morning… it will continue through December 31st.
Transfer sites switch to winter hours
Hours at Lane County’s Solid Waste Transfer sites moved to the winter schedule over the weekend.
October First also noted the permanent closure of the county’s transfer site just east of Mapleton. That closure was cited due to cost reductions and hazards related to the highway access at that point.
In Florence, the transfer station is open Monday through Saturday from eight a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Swisshome and Walton stations are open from nine to five Saturdays.
Team Concept could help alleviate physician shortage
One possible long term solution to a nationwide shortage of primary care physicians is currently being explored. It is a “team concept” to care. Instead of a single… or primary… care physician; patients would be paired with a team of care givers that includes other types of practitioners like Nurse Practitioners, RNs and Physician’s Assistants.
Dr. Mark Adams is the Chief Medical Officer, systemwide, for PeaceHealth:
Dr. Mark Adams – “You know there’s great advantages to it, in that it provides better access. No any one patient then is not dependent on an individual, but is actually known by a group of people that can step in at any time to provide care and knows their history and knows about them.”
Adams, along with several other representatives of PeaceHealth will be on this Week’s Our Town on Coast Radio to talk about immediate efforts to recruit and hire additional doctors.
Our Town Wednesday from four to six on KCST; then again Thursday from ten a.m. to noon on KCFM.
Right as RAIN after the first year
The first anniversary of the latest round of economic development efforts in the Florence area will be observed Wednesday night. City Manager Erin Reynolds said the Regional Accelerator and Innovation Network will host a “meetup” of local entrepreneurs in the “Startup Florence Coast initiative”.
Erin Reynolds – “Along with the City of Florence and LCC and the Chamber and a lot of other community partners will be celebrating RAIN in Florence for a year. So it’s the state of the startup.”
Wednesday’s meet up will be from 5:30 to 7:30 at City Lights Cinemas.
