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Pizza • Pasta • Seafood Fall in Old Town at 1285 Restobar.

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1285 Bay Street| Old Town Florence 541-902-8338 www.1285restobar.com

Florence, Oregon

Wednesday, November 29, 2023 Number 48 • 133 years

Council unanimously approves warming shelter By TONY REED Siuslaw News

The Florence City Council unanimously approved request to operate an emergency warming shelter, trusting that organizers will have a place to use when the

cold weather hits. The request was submitted by Florence Emergency Cold Weather Shelter Committee and a written request was included in the council packet. “The goal of a warming center is to provide a warm, dry place to sleep

when inclement weather is life-threatening for the unhoused members of our community, especially the unsheltered,” the request states. “We also provide food and sanitation.” Prior to the council meeting, shelter treasurer Kate McLellan estimated that in

prior years, the maximum number of people using the shelter has been about 30, most of whom were from Florence, not transient. McLellan noted that in many coastal towns, including Florence, homeless people aren’t as noticeable as with inland cities because

they take refuge out of sight in thick forestland. She explained that in the past, congregate shelters in local churches were offered, but during Covid, pallet shelters were offered as a way to keep people separated. “This year, we’re going

back to the congregate model,” she said. McLellan said the policy is to offer shelter if the weather is forecasted to be below 40 degrees with wind and rain or during any weather below 34 degrees See SHELTER page 9A

Celebrating the Season by the Sea By BREE LAUGHLIN Country Media

Colors were presented at the start of the Community Stand Down in Florence. Photo provided

Stand Down helps dozens

Siuslaw News staff

A heartwarming display of help and support was shown to a broad range of people at a Nov. 18 at the Florence Elks Lodge with the first Community Wide Stand Down. Pastor Rick Chilton said over 45 guests came to the Stand Down to receive assistance with everything from clean clothing to mental health services. “We had 12 stations that were all well-visited,” he said, listing housing, employment, emergency services, food, clothing, haircuts and community service directories. Health services were offered in many categories, including medical, dental, mental health, spiritual, and social health, which Chilton said was very popular.

A Veterans Services booth offered help to vets and food was served to all. Chilton said that while hot meals were provided onsite, guests were also given packaged food to take with them. Police, Fire and emergency personnel were also onsite to talk to guests and provide support. Chilton noted that some donations came from an unlikely source. He said that when calling around for assistance, he contacted Kelly Kettle, a company specializing in outdoor food preparation equipment. “It turned out that they are in Ireland,” he said, noting that the company sent a two-man tent, valued at about $200 to give away at the stand down. An anonymous donor provided winter jackets

A series of festive events in Florence are giving locals and tourists alike a reason to celebrate the season. The ‘Celebrating the Season by the Sea’ holiday extravaganza features a variety of enchanting events, including the Finding Flo Treasure Hunt, Shop Small Saturday Cookie Trail, and the spectacular Holiday Festival on Saturday, Dec. 2. “The Holiday Festival brings out the child in all of us,” said Mitzi Hathaway, Director of Tourism Development for the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce. “This is a time when visitors feel like locals and locals feel like family,” she said. The Florence Area Chamber of Commerce have The Celebrating the Season by the Sea Holiday Extravaganza will return partnered with the City of Dec. 2 with a variety of fun holiday-themed events for the whole family. Florence to bring “an eveContributed photos ning full of merriment and illumination.” They are inviting the community to help spread joy throughout the coastal community by participating in the flurry of activities. This year’s theme “Celebrating the Season by the Sea” highlights both the town’s history and location alongside the Pacific Ocean. Local organizations will have activities all over town complimenting the Holiday Festival on Saturday, Dec. 2. Florence Regional Arts Alliance will host an Art Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the Florence Food Share will host their annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser at the Florence Event Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Florence Habitat for Humanity and Lofy Construc-

See DOWN page 9A

INSIDE Records — A2 Sports — B1

Gift Guide — A4-A6 Classifieds — B7-8

See SEASON page 8A

Follow us for the latest news: /SiuslawNews@Siuslaw_News TheSiuslawNews.com

Siuslaw News 2 Sections | 20 Pages Copyright 2023


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