Keep your distance from baby seals

Submitted by KVAL News
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 2:49pm

COOS BAY, Ore.- They may be cute but people do more harm than good when getting close to baby seals.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning people to stay away from seals and sea lions.

Marine biologist warn that the baby sea lions are often just resting and should not be fed or approached by people.

"Basically what the young one is doing is taking a break, resting and warming up," said Stuart Love, a marine biologist with ODFW. "They don't know to be afraid of predators, so they are just going to lay there."

"Now at some later time the mother will come back, quite often the mothers will leave them for a long time period."

Love said that the mother will often leave the baby on the beach for as long as an entire day while she is out eating.

There's a risk she will abandon the pup if she sees a crowed of people around it.

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Solar eclipse Sunday visible from Oregon

Submitted by KVAL News
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 2:12pm

Something strange is about to happen to the shadows beneath your feet.

On Sunday, May 20, the Moon will pass in front of the sun, transforming sunbeams across the Pacific side of Earth into fat crescents and thin rings of light.

It's an annular solar eclipse, in which the Moon will cover as much as 94 percent of the sun. Hundreds of millions of people will be able to witness the event. The eclipse zone stretches from southeast Asia across the Pacific Ocean to western parts of North America.

In the United States, the eclipse begins around 5:30 p.m. PDT. For the next two hours, a Moon-shaped portion of the sun will go into hiding. Greatest coverage occurs around 6:30 p.m. PDT. The partial eclipse ends just before 7:30 p.m. >>> Animated Map | Share Your Photos

Because some of the sun is always exposed during the eclipse, ambient daylight won't seem much different than usual.

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It's not just any old full moon this weekend; it's a 'Supermoon'!!

Submitted by KVAL News
Friday, May 4th, 2012, 1:07pm

The biggest and brightest full moon of the year arrives Saturday night as our celestial neighbor passes closer to Earth than usual.

But don't expect any "must-have-been-a-full-moon" spike in crime or crazy behavior. That's just folklore.

Saturday's event is a "supermoon," the closest and therefore the biggest and brightest full moon of the year. At 11:34 p.m., the moon will be about 221,802 miles from Earth. That's about 15,300 miles closer than average.

That proximity will make the moon appear about 14 percent bigger than it would if the moon were at its farthest distance, said Geoff Chester of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The difference in appearance is so small that "you'd be very hard-pressed to detect that with the unaided eye," he said.

The moon's distance from Earth varies because it follows an elliptical orbit rather than a circular one.

Like any full moon, the supermoon will look bigger when it's on or near the horizon rather than higher in the sky, thanks to an optical illusion, Chester noted. The full moon appears on the horizon at sunset. On the East coast, for example, that will be a bit before 8 p.m. Saturday.

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Costly vandalism in Miller Park

Submitted by Tony Gist
Tuesday, April 24th, 2012, 2:22am
Costly vandalism in Miller Park

FLORENCE, Ore. - Taxpayers will be paying more than $3,500 in repairs in Miller Park.  Vandals kicked down doors, damaged fixtures and even destroyed urinals.  The act of vandalism happened in March, but the city has since been forced to close the restrooms indefinetly.

The recent damages were the result of one incident, but officials have been dealing with problems for some time.  During the last year, the city has been forced to replace several safety signs, each one costing around $250.  The public works department says that whether it is graffiti or destruction, vandalism affects everyone.

If you see someone vandalizing property you are asked to call the Florence Police Department at 541-997-3515.

Read more about the vandalism in the City of Florence Newsletter.

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Lane County Household Hazardous Waste Roundup

Submitted by David
Tuesday, April 17th, 2012, 10:52am

From News Release sent to KVAL News

LANE COUNTY SPRING CLEANING

 

What: Household Hazardous Waste Roundup. The collection is free for hazardous waste that is from household sources, up to 35 gallons total per customer. Hazardous waste from businesses, schools, churches or non-profit organizations may be subject to disposal fees.

When: Friday, April 20, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Florence Transfer Site, 2820 N. Rhododendron Drive, Florence

Who: All community members are welcome to participate in the roundup.

What to Bring
Paint, household cleaners, lawn and garden chemicals, car care products, arts and crafts products, and other household hazardous waste. Check labels for words like flammable, corrosive, poison, caution, and danger.

Please Don't Bring
Empty containers, drums, radioactive waste, asbestos or explosives. Any empty containers can be safely thrown in the trash.

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'If I were Mayor ...'

Submitted by Tony Gist
Friday, April 13th, 2012, 3:21pm
'If I were Mayor ...'

FLORENCE, Ore. - What would you do if you were the mayor?

There is still time for kiddos to weigh in by entering the "If I were Mayor ..." contest.  The deadline is April 20th.

Contest Rules, Official Entry Forms and Contest Flyers can be downloaded below. Contact Shawn Penrod at 541-997-3437 if you have additional questions.

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Rhody Preview

Submitted by Tony Gist
Wednesday, April 11th, 2012, 3:09pm
Rhody Preview

FLORENCE, Ore. - Believe it or not spring is here.  With the changing of the seasons comes colorful blossoms.

On Saturday April 14th, Swing by the south side of the Florence Events Center to check out some of the plants that are going to be up for sale.  There will also be a bonsai show.

The event lasts from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

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