SPRINGFIELD – Through literacy, learning, and cultural enrichment, the Springfield Public Library holds a cherished place in the community; however, securing adequate funding remains an uphill battle, threatening the sustainability of its diverse programs and services. The Springfield Public Library Foundation (SPLF) is a group of volunteers committed to strengthening not only the library but…

SPRINGFIELD – In August 2025, Bob and Gayle Kramer announced their retirement and the closing of a beloved plant nursery. Little Red Farm Nursery did not stay closed long, though, as former employee Natalie Reeves took over the business under Bob’s mentorship. The nursery shut its doors at the end of October and celebrated a…

CRESWELL – Before it closed down in June of 2023, Dan’s Plants wasn’t just that place where you went to pick up some potted plants, fresh herbs, and assorted gardening supplies. Nope. Stopping by Dan’s Plant’s was more like a ritual, because for many Creswellians, Dan and Peggy Grousbeck operated a Mom-&-Pop store on Davisson…

SPRINGFIELD – A new wine lounge called downtown Springfield home last Friday night, with the opening celebration of Hersch Wine Lounge at 322 Main St. Maddie and David Hersch had been looking for a new route for themselves, one where they could create their own business hours. When they learned Iris Vineyards, the previous wine…

SPRINGFIELD – At the Feb. 9 Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) board meeting, direction was sought for phase one of the infrastructure proposed in the Glenwood Preliminary Master Plan application. Allie Camp, Springfield’s economic development manager, presented the next steps for Glenwood infrastructure to the SEDA board. “There are a lot of moving parts to…

SPRINGFIELD – SUB board members last Wednesday held a monthly meeting and work session: Members went over board self-evaluations, emphasizing organizational elements and board functionality. They reviewed orientation for new board members, timely distribution of meeting materials, and adequate review time. Members also evaluated the board’s relationship with the general manager, Jeff Nelson. Questions in…

CRESWELL – A Creswell woman has been extradited to Lane County after fleeing felony animal abuse convictions in 2019, which was identified by the County as the largest horse seizure in Lane County history. In 2020, Creswell resident Gwenyth Ellen Davies, who was 49 at the time of conviction, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of…

CRESWELL – He fought the good fight. Col. Richard “Dick” Michael Heyman Jr. successfully completed every mission placed in front of him .. except for one. He didn’t live long enough to pick up the crown jewel of his magnificent military career. That being the case, his widow, Barbara, will accept the Legion of Honor…

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is reminding parents and caregivers that the deadline for updating children’s vaccinations is Feb. 25. All children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start, and licensed child care facilities must show documentation of up-to-date vaccinations or have an exemption by this date. Last year, 1,552 cases of pertussis were…

MARCOLA – Greenhill Humane Society is working with Lane County Animal Services (LCAS) to rescue cats from a property after their owner passed away. The rescue operations began Feb. 6, near Marcola. They rescued 21 cats, who were transported from the property to Greenhill for medical care. “It was clear when we arrived on site…

CRESWELL – Fourth-ranked Creswell (18-6) defeated rival Pleasant Hill (16-8) on Friday night 45-20, securing first place in the Mountain Valley Conference standings for the regular season. The Bulldogs were in control against the eighth-ranked Billies en route to their eighth consecutive victory. Bulldogs coach Tyler Hollingsworth said the winning streak has been fueled by…

CRESWELL – Senior Night. Rivalry game. An unbeaten record on the line. The stakes could not have been higher for Friday’s matchup between the Pleasant Hill Billies and Creswell Bulldogs in boys basketball. The defining moment came in the second quarter, courtesy of Billies star Landen Melvin. His wide-open 3-pointer capped a 16-2 run that…

CRESWELL – By sending three wrestlers – juniors Micaiah Cranson and Javier Bautista, and senior Brandon Church – to the state tournament, Creswell’s wrestling team came up big at the most critical time of the season – the OSAA Special District 2 3A meet. The city of Creswell, which hosted the all-day event Saturday, also…

SPRINGFIELD –As the first full weekend of college baseball wraps up, there are 92 former and current Springfield Drifters on rosters at 52 colleges across all levels of competition. It includes 51 baseball players competing in Division I at 28 schools. Former Drifters played key roles during Oregon’s 6-2 opening-day win over George Mason last…

■ PLEASANT HILL defeated Sisters 65-61 in double overtime. Landen Melvin led the Billies with 26 points and Noah Johnson scored 16 and made four 3-pointers. Will McDonnell led the Outlaws with 21 points, but the Billies held him to one point in the two extra periods. ■ CRESWELL lost to Elmira 63-58 on Tuesday.…

PLEASANT HILL (20-4, 10-0) ■ Tipping off: On Saturday, the Billies host the winner of Wednesday’s league playoff matchup between Creswell and Elmira. The Billies have won both matchups this season against Creswell (and seven in a row overall against their rivals). In Friday’s matchup between the two, the three Melvin brothers combined for 45…

SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (19-2) won their only game last week, beating No. 16 Eagle Point (11-9) 66-32 on Thursday. The Millers have not lost to a Class 5A opponent this season. Springfield has been battling No. 1 Redmond (19-1) for the top spot in the state rankings all season. The Millers are still…

SPRINGFIELD (19-2, 8-0) ■ Tipping off: The No. 2 Millers have two games this week. Tuesday, the Millers host No. 18 Thurston (8-13). The Millers then travel to No. 29 Ashland (4-16) on Friday. In their last meetings with Thurston and Ashland, the Millers beat them by 28 and 81 points, respectively. It’s likely the…

THURSTON – As the wrestling postseason comes into focus, coach Mike Simons Colts’ boys and girls continue to dominate the picture. The Thurston boys’ only loss this season came vs. Crater – the defending state champions. “It just kind of shows where you’re at as a team. It shows kind of the depth that you…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers girls competed in the Class 6A and 5A Special District 4 regionals last weekend, finishing in 13th place with 48 points. Haley Siders (125) was the Millers’ top placer, getting fourth. ■ THURSTON: The Colts competed in a dual vs. Crater last week, winning six matches and losing eight. Samuel Greenstreet…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers boys compete in the Midwestern League Districts on Saturday at Ashland HS. Competing alongside the Millers will be Ashland, Churchill, Crater, Eagle Point, North Eugene, and Thurston. ■ THURSTON: The Colts boys compete in the Midwestern League Districts on Saturday at Ashland HS vs. Ashland, Churchill, Crater, Eagle Point, North Eugene,…

Donald Ray Stevens, 81, a longtime resident of the Cornelius community, passed away peacefully at his home in North Plains, Oregon, on Sunday morning, May 11, 2025. Private cremation rites were held at Hoyt Crematory in Forest Grove. Donald was born on January 9, 1944, in Hillsboro, Oregon, to the late Albert Stevens and Dorothy…

Joan Alice Mattoon (Metcalf) Peniston passed away in Cottage Grove, Oregon, on February 1, 2026, at the age of 95. Born on August 13, 1930, in Eugene, Oregon, to parents Harry K. and Grace Lilly Metcalf, Joan’s spirit and kindness touched the hearts of all who knew her. Joan graduated from Cottage Grove High School…

Irene Lois Bauder was born April 19, 1928, in Cottage Grove, Oregon, to John and Bonnie Schaffer. She went to school in Cottage Grove and graduated from Cottage Grove High School in 1946. It was in high school that Irene met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Bauder. She knew right away that he was something…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 25-00783OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Michael D. Dibos and Theresa M. Dibos, as grantor, to Fidelity National Title, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for First Franklin Financial Corp., beneficiary of the security instrument, its…

The Springfield Public Library was formed in 1908 by the Ladies of Springfield. Relying on purchased and donated books and a year’s subscription to Oregon Monthly Magazine, the library has since transformed into a vital free resource for the community. A wide array of volunteers and staff members help make the library feel like a…

SPRINGFIELD – A pro-immigration enforcement protestor who attended an anti-immigration protest two days prior in Springfield was arrested on Feb. 2 for allegedly pulling a gun on two people during a road rage incident on the 300 block of Pioneer Parkway East. According to the police report compiled by Sgt. James Wilson, Joseph Douglas Alford,…

COTTAGE GROVE – On Feb. 4, students from Cottage Grove High School took to the streets to protest federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). An organized walkout was scheduled for the last class of a short day, something freshman Kimberly Trueax said was intentional to minimize disruptions to the curriculum. At its…

LANE COUNTY – PeaceHealth hospitals in Lane County are ending their contracts with Eugene Emergency Physicians (EEP), which supplies emergency clinicians. The contracts will terminate on May 30 at PeaceHealth Cottage Grove and June 30 at PeaceHealth RiverBend. Nearly 50 emergency physicians will be affected by this change. These clinicians currently staff the hospitals’ emergency…

SPRINGFIELD – Grief encompasses a wide range of feelings and experiences. How we choose to navigate those feelings is dependent on various factors. When Michael Glownia lost his daughter, Erika, from fentanyl poisoning in 2023, he channeled his pain and gave it a purpose. In June 2025, EF5 was established as a nonprofit grassroots organization…

SPRINGFIELD – It was announced last week that a lawsuit between Black Unity and the City of Springfield, along with several named current and past Springfield Police officers, is advancing to court. In the summer of 2020, Black Unity led a protest after the sighting of a skeleton hanging from a tree with a noose…

When Rachel Lewman (formerly Donaldson) was 17 and a student at Cottage Grove High School, she played the character “Steele,” an army intelligence officer, in the play “A Piece of My Heart.” At the time, Janet Rust was a high school theater teacher, directing the play. Now, 16 years later, Rust is directing the play…

■ Question: I got my flu vaccine in September, but now there is a newer, more contagious strain of flu… how will my old-style flu vaccine stack up? ■ Answer: Flu viruses change over time, and a newer variant called influenza A (H3N2) subclade K is going around this season. The good news is that…

Check your blood pressure: High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Oregon Health Plan (OHP) covers routine checkups and screenings. You may also be eligible for a blood pressure cuff to monitor your blood pressure at home. Know your cholesterol numbers: OHP covers lab tests to check cholesterol and other heart health risks.  Quit tobacco for good: OHP offers free support,…

PublicHouse at 418 A St., Springfield announces its Annual Bourbon Street Fest from Wednesday, Feb. 11, to Fat Tuesday, Feb. 17. This event celebrates the spirit of New Orleans with a weeklong immersive experience featuring New Orleans-style food specials, Bourbon Street cocktails, specialty bourbon barrel-aged beers, and live music. Guests can enjoy a variety of…

■ Holiday birthday: Oregon celebrates its 167th statehood anniversary on Feb. 14. ■ Researchers from InvestorsObserver compared the most popular gifts and their costs in 2016 and 2026, and found that champagne dropped off the list, while a full celebration now costs $774.39, up 51% from $512 in 2016. ■ In 2016, the most popular…

VENETA – On Jan. 29 at 7 a.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s sergeant assigned to Veneta stopped a pickup truck towing a box trailer in the area of Territorial Highway and Jeans Road for a traffic violation. Deputies discovered that the trailer contained stolen property, including several firearms. Deputies cited the driver, Brian Joseph Mitzel,…

■ On Jan. 24 at 12:30 p.m., LCSO deputies responded to a two-vehicle crash with minor injuries in the 74100 block of London Road, south of Cottage Grove. Investigation indicated that the driver of a pickup, James Britton Hurst, 51, of Creswell, failed to navigate a corner and struck a delivery van in the oncoming…

GOSHEN – On Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., Lane County sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 33900 block of W. Peebles Road, south of Goshen, to serve a restraining order to Jason Speed McLaughlin, 53, of Goshen. The court order required McLaughlin to leave the premises. Deputies contacted McLaughlin in a house on…

THURSTON – On Feb. 4 at 12:30 p.m., Springfield Police arrived at a vehicle-pedestrian crash in the parking lot of Waypoint Church, across the street from Thurston High School. Investigators learned that a dispute between two juveniles preceded the crash. Investigators developed probable cause to arrest the driver of the vehicle on multiple charges related…

Oregon officials warn residents about a new wave of phishing scams posing as ODOT and DMV communications. These unsolicited text messages claim you owe money for traffic fines or tolls, often using urgent language. Oregon DMV Public Information Officer Chris Crabb advises against clicking links or sharing personal information. Instead, delete the messages and block…

■ Post Offices close Monday, Feb. 16, for Presidents Day, but usps.com and 24/7 self-service kiosks remain available for postage, shipping, and tracking. Regular service resumes Feb. 17. LTD Buses on Regular Schedule for Presidents Day ■ Lane Transit District (LTD) will operate regular weekday bus service on Presidents Day, Monday, February 16, 2026. The…

LANE COUNTY — The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County (SVdP) faced significant challenges this winter with the Egan Warming Centers program, which offers emergency overnight shelter for unhoused individuals when temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Recently, the program completed an intensive 12-night activation, providing shelter for over 1,100 clients. Staff and…

Let me dwell in Your tent forever;Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.For You have heard my vows, God;You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.Psalm 61: 4-5 “You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.” My father was one of my heroes. He…

Dear Editor: In the Feb. 5 article regarding Creswell’s waste management contract, the article stated tipping fees at Short Mountain were $112 per ton while Sanipac Medford were $97 per ton. How is it possible to transport trash from Creswell to Eugene, reload for bulk transport, 120+ miles to Medford at a total cost lower…

Dear Editor: Since 2023, when the IMERF was discussed as a real possibility, Lane County has spent $274,931.20 in legal fees paid to Beery, Eisner, and Hammond LLP (BEH). An attorney from that firm, Joshua Soper, has represented Lane County in the County Commissioner’s land use dispute (Goshen property) with Lane County. The county approved…

Dear Editor In the upcoming race for East Lane County Commissioner, voters are fortunate to have Jake Pelroy running. Jake is a former Marine, a family man, and pro-business and pro-jobs. Jake is the good, solid, responsible, and thoughtful leader we need at this time. His opponent, Heather Buch, has not lived up to the…

Dear Editor Don’t vote for David Loveall in May 2026. A commissioner’s most basic job is to exercise sound judgment. It seems every recent story published about Lane County Commissioner David Loveall reveals a catastrophic lack of these qualities. From reportedly carrying a rifle on Springfield’s Main Street during a Black Lives Matter protest in…

Nonprofits are the backbone of many essential services in our communities – from tackling food insecurity to providing housing and healthcare. However, the nonprofit sector is facing serious challenges, and sustainability-focused organizations are no exception. I recently spoke with some local nonprofit partners to better understand what they’re experiencing and how our community can help.…

PLEASANT HILL – One could say that Pleasant Hill senior Landen Melvin has a flair for the dramatic. Or, that he’s incredibly clutch. More evidence came last Friday against the La Pine Hawks in the Billies’ home gym for Senior Night. Late in the game Melvin jumped into the passing lane, intercepted an opponent’s pass,…

THURSTON (15-5, 7-1) ■ Tipping off: Class 5A No. 4 Thurston welcomes No. 9 Crater (16-4, 5-3) on Friday. The Colts beat the Comets 68-45 earlier this season, but Crater just defeated North Eugene in the same week the Colts fell to the Highlanders. The Midwestern League is tight, with four teams at 5-3 or…

■ THURSTON fell to North Eugene 48-46 in overtime to snap its 11-game winning streak. Lucas LaBounty led the Colts with 22 points, including nine of his team’s 10 in the fourth quarter. Zack Fisher scored all 10 of the Highlanders fourth-quarter points to send the game to overtime, where Jordan Gray took over and…

SPRINGFIELD (18-2) ■ Tipping off: The No. 2 Millers have one game this week, at No. 14 Eagle Point (11-8) on Friday. The Millers have dominated every Class 5A team in their path this season, and this should be no different. The duo of NuNu Filipe and Darissa Romero-Ah Sam has been dominant this season.…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (18-2) went 1-1 last week as their 17-game-win-streak came to an end. The Millers beat No. 30 Churchill (4-18) on Tuesday 76-19 before falling to No. 1 in Class 6A West Linn (16-2) on Thursday 57-27. This is the Millers’ first loss since Dec. 9, 2025, which came at…

■ COTTAGE GROVE: The Lions travel to regionals on Saturday in Newport.They’ll finish their season in a battle against their fellow Class 4A Special District 2 teams, Cascade, Junction City, Newport, and North Marion. Jeffrey Conklin has yet to lose a match this season (45-0) and it’s unlikely he will start here. Boston Kent (135)…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers competed in the Cottage Grove Invitational last week. Here, the girls got 14th place with 50 points while the boys were 41st with no points. For the girls, Haley Siders (125) was the sole placer, getting second in her weight class. ■ THURSTON: The Colts took on Roseburg in a dual…

Maralyn Ann Coop passed away on January 30, 2026, in Creswell, Oregon, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on April 21, 1941, in Olympia, Washington, to proud parents Clyde and Wanlyn “Billie” (Lennon) Curtis, Maralyn’s life was one of devotion to her family, her faith, and her community. She married the love of her…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed (the “Trust Deed”) made by Julien Investment Properties LLC, an Oregon limited liability company, as grantor (the “Grantor”), to Fidelity National Title, as the trustee, in favor of PacWest Funding, Inc., an Oregon corporation, dba Precision Capital, as beneficiary, dated June 10, 2024,…

Lane County on Tuesday afternoon released a “condensation” of a months-long outside investigation regarding claims of Commissioner David Loveall retaliating against Lane County staff. The condensation found that Commissioner Loveall engaged in multiple incidents of retaliation against three staff members. FULL DOCUMENT: The investigation concluded that Commissioner Loveall violated county policies by retaliating against three…

SPRINGFIELD – Superintendent Todd Hamilton has resigned from Springfield Public Schools, as announced during Monday’s school board meeting. This news comes after a series of recent challenges in the district, including the previously announced resignation of the assistant superintendent at the end of the school year, a recall petition targeting three board members, a tort…

CRESWELL – If you were to Google the phrase “A life well lived,” it’s unlikely that Richard Heyman’s profile would pop up. It would make perfect sense, though, if it did.  Because Col. Richard “Dick” Michael Heyman Jr., who died Sunday, Jan. 25 at the age of 101, checked off all the boxes.  Service to…

SPRINGFIELD – Hundreds of residents gathered peacefully outside Springfield City Hall on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest federal immigration enforcement and to express solidarity with fellow citizens in Minnesota. “What are we doing here today? Minnesota called, and we answered,” said Rob Fisette of the Party for Socialism and Liberation at the start of the…

SPRINGFIELD – On Jan. 29, Springfield city leaders, officials, and members of the public gathered inside the Richard E. Wildish Theater to listen to Mayor Sean VanGordon deliver the Springfield State of the City address. He highlighted the city’s accomplishments and talked about its challenges over the past year, and mentioned a few things to…

CRESWELL – The Creswell City Council is edging toward a break with Lane County over solid waste fees, signaling interest in leaving an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) that councilors fear could drive up garbage rates for residents. City Manager Vincent Martorello, at a January work session, outlined the stakes of the county’s “system benefit fee” and…

CRESWELL – City manager Vincent Martorello reviewed an unsigned 2020 land‑swap agreement between the City of Creswell and South Lane County Fire and Rescue at January’s work session.  Under that proposal, the fire district would have received the Community Center parcel at 99 S. 1st St. and parking area to build a new “hub” fire station,…

LANE COUNTY – PeaceHealth is bracing for a significant shift in healthcare in Lane County, anticipating that the recent enactment of “H.R. 1” could leave approximately 25,000 local residents without health insurance. Changes to healthcare have been a concern among healthcare officials and residents since the signing and implementation of H.R. 1, also known as…

SPRINGFIELD – The discussion around a payroll tax is still in the talks at Springfield city council meetings. At Tuesday night’s meeting, finance director Nathan Bell requested council feedback on the proposed payroll tax ordinance and proposed amendments to the Springfield city code. The Mayor’s Fiscal Stability Task Force recommended a shared employer-employee payroll tax…

SPRINGFIELD – If you love chocolate, hazelnuts, and want to buy local, check out this entrepreneur selling his products at farmer’s markets and local stores. Kay Farms, a family business, specializes in hazelnut spread under the brand name Hazelmaus (chocolate, white chocolate, or plain and creamy or crunchy), hazelnut chocolates, as well as other chocolate…

According to St. Vincent de Paul and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), more than 92% of the people it served in 2025 were from Eugene or Springfield. Specifically, 80% were from Eugene, and 12% were from Springfield. Additionally, 7.7% were from Lane County but not from Eugene or Springfield. This data aligns with broader…

SPRINGFIELD — On Jan. 29, at approximately 4:45 a.m., the Springfield Police Department responded to a traffic hazard report on Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway near Riverbend Hospital. A caller reported that a man attempted to jump in front of her vehicle, but she was able to swerve around him. Upon arrival, officers found a…

I publicly want to commend and thank the Creswell City Council for unanimously voting to give staff the direction to terminate the Inter-Governmental Agreement, System Benefit Fee, with Lane County. The council was given a lot of information from staff, a Lane County staff member and a representative from Sanipac regarding the financial implications of…

Dear Editor: Most folks don’t pay much attention to local government until something feels off. When a decision hits close to home, when opinions clash, or when change feels uncomfortable – that’s usually when we look up. Funny enough, that’s a lot like life. You don’t really notice the highs without knowing the lows. Contrast…

EUGENE – The League of Women Voters of Lane County hosted Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read Jan. 27 as part of their speaker series. He discussed his role in protecting voter data in the federal court, the success of mail-in voting, and the importance of public participation in maintaining democracy. Read also noted the…

Three veterans enjoy a waterfowl hunt near the Tualatin River on Veterans Waterfowl Hunt Day. The Oregon Hunters Association, OR Department of Fish & Wildlife, and others hosted a waterfowl hunt for eight veterans and active military personnel on Jan. 31 at Sill’s waterfowl property on the Tualatin River. Oregon’s general duck season ended Jan.…

PLEASANT HILL – In their first showdown of the season, Class 3A powerhouses Pleasant Hill and Creswell showed up at less than full strength.The No. 4-ranked Billies were without all-state senior guard Landen Melvin and standout freshman forward Cole Jackson, who were both out with a flu bug. Likewise, the visiting Bulldogs, ranked No. 7,…

SPRINGFIELD – The No. 1 Springfield Millers took down the No. 4 Crater Comets on Friday night 73-52 in a girls basketball game. This victory extends the Millers’ winning streak to 16 games, and puts them firmly at the top of the Midwestern League. “It’s big. The girls know I don’t smile a lot and…

DEXTER – This Saturday, Feb. 7, the Ice Bowl returns.No, not another NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys played in -13-degree weather. The Eugene Disc Golf Club (EDGC) is hosting its 15th annual Ice Bowl at Dexter Park Disc Golf Course, with proceeds benefiting Food for Lane County (FFLC). The event…

■ THURSTON (14-4, 6-0) Tipping off: No. 4 in Class 5A Thurston has one game this week. On Tuesday, the Colts travel to face No. 31 Eagle Point (2-16, 0-6). The Eagles are the only team without a win in Midwestern League play and have lost 12 in a row. In contrast, the Colts have…

BOYS BASKETBALL RECAPS ■ THURSTON defeated Churchill 60-39 on Tuesday. The Colts were dominant defensively, holding the Lancers to a season-low 39 points. Leo Filipe and Lucas LaBounty led the Colts with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Logan Piquette had arguably his best game of the season, with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists, and…

■ SPRINGFIELD boosted its winning streak to 16 games and moved into the top spot in Class 5A with two wins last week. The Millers (17-1) routed No. 16 North Eugene (9-9) on Tuesday 88-33 before taking down No. 4 Crater (14-4) on Friday 73-52. Nuari “NuNu” Filipe was a standout on both nights, scoring…

■ SPRINGFIELD (17-1, 6-0) Tipping off: The No. 1 Millers have two games this week. First at No. 30 Churchill (4-16) on Tuesday – past The Chronicle’s deadline – then at No. 1 in Class 6A West Linn (15-1) on Thursday. Thursday’s game against the Lions will be a clash of the titans, as this…

SPRINGFIELD competed in the Tod Surmon tournament last Friday. The boys and girls teams both finished in 18th place, scoring 15.5 and 14 points, respectively. Aleida Martinez Contreras (235) and Jules Starnes (130) got fifth and sixth place, respectively for the girls. THURSTON’S boys and girls teams both won the Tod Surmon tournament last Friday…

■ SPRINGFIELD competes in the Cottage Grove Invitational this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Competing alongside the Millers is Butte Falls, Central Linn, Churchill, Creswell, Douglas, Elmira, Glide, Gold Beach, Junction City, Klamath Union, Lakeview, Madras, Marshfield, McMinnville, Myrtle Point, Nestucca, North Bend, North Lake, North Valley, Oakridge, Philomath, Pleasant Hill, Scappoose, Siuslaw/Mapleton, South Umpqua,…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 25-00818OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Jacob Michael McIntosh and Amanda McIntosh, as grantor, to CTC Escrow Company, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Summit Funding, Inc., beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and…

Colonel Richard “Dick” Michael Heyman Jr.: May 25, 1924 – Jan. 25, 2026

This story was first published on Jan. 28 and has been updated as more reporting has been conducted. Fighter pilot extraordinaire Colonel Richard “Dick” Michael Heyman Jr., 101, of Creswell, died on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, following a short illness. …

SPRINGFIELD – Due to a $2.34 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year, Springfield Public Schools (SPS) will implement a massive staffing reduction effective Jan. 30, eliminating 36 positions, including 27 certified full-time equivalent employee layoffs. The news has prompted student protests during lunch breaks and petitions circulating by former students to recall the…

SPRINGFIELD – Voters can expect to see Willamalane’s first-ever property tax increase on this year’s ballot in May. Willamalane Park and Recreation District was created by voters in 1944. Today, it maintains and operates recreation facilities, community centers, pools, parks, trails, and natural areas, offering over 500 programs annually for residents of all ages. As…

CRESWELL – The Creswell Area Historical Society received a $5,000 grant from the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund to go toward the museum’s new roof.In late 2025, the building at 55 N. 5th St. underwent significant roof repairs. Museum volunteer Amy Sierzega said there were some places in the ceiling where she could see straight through to…

Frost has been coating the southern Willamette Valley, with a record low of 18 degrees on Jan. 25. High temperatures have been hovering around the mid- to high-40s. Chronicle photographer Bob Williams captured the frozen fog at Mount Pisgah during a morning hike over the weekend, enjoying the solitude of the area at dawn. Although…

DRAIN – The Sheriff’s Office responded to a fatal two-vehicle traffic crash on Elkhead Road during the early morning hours of Jan. 14. An investigation indicated that Donald Lawrence Brown, 89, of Drain, was traveling westbound on Elkhead Road when the vehicle drifted into the eastbound lane. Brown was not wearing a seatbelt at the…

On Jan. 16 at 9:30 p.m., Josua Ryan Diocson, 20, of Springfield was driving recklessly in the area of E. Hunter Road and Lindsay Lane, Veneta. Three passengers were in the vehicle, including a juvenile. Diocson was arrested for DUII and other charges. On Jan. 22 at 8 p.m., deputies responded to milepost 20 on…

SPRINGFIELD – On Jan. 26 at about 3:25 p.m., Springfield officers responded to a single-vehicle crash near the intersection of Gateway Street and International Way. Multiple callers reported a vehicle crashed into a tree and was on its side with occupants. Officers, first on scene, found several people assisting the entrapped occupants. One juvenile occupant…

COTTAGE GROVE – The victim in the shooting death from last week has been identified as Eusebio Pablo Pablo, 50, of Cottage Grove. The death is being investigated as a homicide. On Jan. 20 at about 5:30 a.m., officers with the Cottage Grove Police Department responded to a report of a man who was found…

LANE COUNTY – The Federal Emergency Management Agency last week announced it has revised preliminary flood maps for Lane County and the Cities of Creswell, Cottage Grove, Eugene, and Springfield. The maps identify revised flood hazards along Amazon, Fall, and Silk Creeks; Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River; and the Row River. Before…

Many years ago, I walked home irritated with my spiritual director (my professional training is as a minister). Her sin? She had said that she thought I’d be a lot happier if I were a little less judgmental. I was irritated because I had worked very hard for my self-righteousness. I had been doing faith…

Springfield School Board needs a reset Dear Editor: In a close 3–2 vote, the Springfield Board of Education approved a $2.34 million midyear reduction-in-force that will eliminate 27 licensed full-time-equivalent positions after semester break. Board Chair Heather Quaas-Annsa and members Nicole De Graff and Ken Kohl cast the deciding votes. No one denies that budgets…

The Oregon Department for Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) has kicked off its annual trout stocking program. The hatchery tankers, filled with feisty rainbow trout, have hit the road, making the rounds like they do every year, initially to small- and medium-sized water bodies all up and down the Willamette Valley, along their way planting trout…