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…

COTTAGE GROVE – Early in the third quarter of Friday’s boys basketball game between No. 24 Cottage Grove and No. 3 Marist Catholic, Spartans junior guard Brodey Drennan went for a reverse layup. Lions junior Trevor Cooper attempted to block the shot, but Drennan made the shot. The much bigger loss came from Cooper landing…

COTTAGE GROVE – The No. 15 Cottage Grove Lions lost to No. 4 Marist 67-50 on Friday night, falling to 10-6 on the season and third place in the Sky Em League. The Lions struggled from long range on Friday, managing to make 1-of-12 3-point attempts. Marist’s defense played a significant role in those shooting…

THURSTON defeated Springfield 83-20 on Tuesday. Thurston had six players with seven or more points, led by Lucas LaBounty’s 22. The Colts took a 24-7 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Noah Solo scored 15 of the Millers 20 points. Thurston defeated Mountain View 72-21 on Thursday. The Colts led 41-8 by halftime. LaBounty and…

SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (15-1) continued their dominance last week. The Millers took down No. 15 Thurston (6-9) 63-35 on Tuesday before beating No. 30 Ashland (3-12) 96-15 on Friday. The wins extended the Millers’ winning streak to 14 games. The Millers continue to fight for the top spot in the Class 5A state…

THURSTON (12-4, 4-0)■ Tipping off: Thurston, No. 4 in Class 5A, has two league matchups this week. The first is on Friday, at 7 p.m. against No. 13 Ashland (11-5, 2-2), who is hoping to snap the Colts’ nine-game winning streak. The Colts have won four games in a row against the Grizzlies, although Ashland…

SPRINGFIELDTipping off: The No. 2 Millers (15-1) travel to No. 17 North Eugene (9-8) on Tuesday before hosting No. 3 Crater (14-3) on Friday. Friday’s matchup against the Comets will be particularly interesting as the two teams have been neck-and-neck in the Midwestern League all season. This is the first of the teams’ two matchups…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers will face off in the Tod Surmon Tournament this Saturday. The Millers will face Beaverton, Central, Churchill, Dayton, Glide, Marshfield, McMinnville, McNary, Mountainside, Newport, Philomath, Sheldon, South Albany, South Eugene, and Thurston. Vincent Andrews (138) and Haley Siders (125) have been dominant all season long, and this is another chance to prove…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers girls took second (84.5) while the boys finished sixth (116) at the Willamette Invitational last Saturday. All eight of the Millers’ girls placed within the top four of their weight class. Haley Siders (125), Jules Starnes (130), and Sadie Garcia (170) were all standouts, each earning second place. For the boys, Vincent…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE LLG 22-127423 A default has occurred under the terms of a trust deed made by Melody D Morgan, whose address is 3251 W 18th Avenue, Eugene, OR 97402 as grantor to First American Title, as Trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. as nominee for Summit Funding, Inc., its…

EUGENE – Around 1,000 people met up on a cold Monday morning at Autzen Stadium to join the Eugene-Springfield National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s (NAACP) march and celebration. What started as a few hundred people gathered outside the icy X’s and O’s on Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. grew into nearly 1,000…

SPRINGFIELD – Salon services have expanded in the strip mall on Mohawk Blvd. and Marcola Rd. in Springfield. Founder Isha Dhalla, along with friends, family, neighbors, and Springfield Chamber ambassadors, welcomed the new Foxy Brows Threading Spa and Beauty Salon last Thursday. This is not Dhalla’s first rodeo by any means. She has been involved…

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Chamber celebrated Dr. Matthew Collins on his first solo gig as a dentist at his office last Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Two Rivers Dental, 1717 Centennial Blvd., Suite #3, is a classic oral healthcare facility, with a receptionist desk at the front door, a waiting room with a fish tank,…

SPRINGFIELD – A group of seventh graders in the Springfield area has been building a functioning robot out of Legos, motors, and a sensor since last August. Last Saturday, they put their work to the test for the 2025-26 Intel Oregon FIRST LEGO Challenge Championship Tournament in Hillsboro. The six children in the Springfield Robotics…

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Utility Board (SUB) general manager Jeff Nelson is retiring at the end of June after serving 30 years with the community-owned water and electric utility. The board is now faced with the task of recruiting a new general manager. During SUB’s January board meeting, it was confirmed that a new manager will…

EUGENE – The Oregon State University Extension Service in Lane County is offering a nine-part workshop series titled “Adulting 101” for youth ages 13-18. The program covers topics such as self-defense, budgeting, and career readiness. Adulting 101 will be held on Monday evenings and Saturday mornings from Feb. 9 to March 9 at the OSU…

JUNCTION CITY – The Oregon State University Extension Small Farms Program will host Rural Living Day on March 7 at Junction City High School. The event for rural landowners includes sessions on weed management, soils, tree identification, and more. Check-in starts at 8:30 a.m., with programs beginning at 9 a.m. Registration is $20, and scholarships…

GLENWOOD – On Jan. 13 at 7 a.m., deputies from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a physical dispute at the intersection of East 14th and Lexington avenues in Glenwood. They spoke with several individuals involved in the incident and witnesses, and reviewed surveillance footage from a nearby business. Deputies have established probable cause…

COOS BAY – On Jan. 14, at 11:46 a.m., Oregon State Police received information regarding a possible sighting of Marcquis Andrew Lee White, 33, who was wanted in connection with an assault on Jan. 12 in Springfield. Bandon Police Chief Cory Dhillon arrived at the location, near milepost 7 on Seven Devils Road, and identified…

COTTAGE GROVE – 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 on the ground, unconscious and bleeding in the 1500 Block of Hwy 99. When officers arrived, they found an adult male with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers attempted…

SPRINGFIELD – Willamalane officials announced last week that Board of Directors member Greg James has retired from the board after 23 years of service. This resignation was effective Jan. 14. Over more than two decades of board service, James served as president and vice president, and on numerous committees, playing a central role in guiding…

COTTAGE GROVE – The Chronicle and Habitat for Humanity of Central Lane combined forces at last week’s Business After Hours event hosted by the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce at the Bank Building on Main Street. Participants learned more about the planned development of up to seven new homes in Cottage Grove. The project…

Oregon Parks Forever is hosting its sixth annual Happy Little (Virtual) 5K race, inspired by the late “happy little trees” artist Bob Ross, to raise money for tree planting. Participants can walk, run, paddle, or roll to complete a 5K anywhere outdoors from April 18-26. Registration is open until April 15 or until participation caps…

THURSTON – Thurston Colts sophomore Brody Corgain rotated in help defense, picking up the rolling North Eugene Highlanders player who was headed to the hoop. Corgain rejected the layup attempt, and a Colts teammate picked up the ball. Three passes later, the Colts’ Treyson Hill made an easy layup to give his team a 43-31…

CRESWELL – Creswell lost at home 57-56 in overtime to Cascade on Saturday in its final non-league game of the season. The Bulldogs trailed 24-17 at halftime; it was the largest lead for either team. The Bulldogs made a 9-0 run to start the third period to make it a game. But poor rebounding troubles…

■ PLEASANT HILL defeated Elmira 57-46 on Tuesday. The Billies have won seven straight league games over the Falcons. … On Friday, the Billies defeated Harrisburg 54-52 to come out 2-0 in the first week of league play. Pleasant Hill has won eight of its past nine games. During that time, all but one team…

THURSTON (10-4, #4)■ Tipping off: The Colts moved from No. 8 to No. 4 after defeating two Top 5 opponents in North Eugene and Crater last week. The Colts’ recorded an 18+ margin of victory in both games. This week, the Colts travel to No. 24 Mountain View (4-9) on Thursday for a non-league matchup.…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (13-1) went 2-0 last week in their first Midwestern League games. First, they beat No. 28 Churchill (4-12) 70-13 on Tuesday then No. 19 Eagle Point (7-7) 56-21 on Friday. While the Millers still haven’t lost since early December, they were overtaken in the Class 5A state rankings this…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (13-1) have two games this week. On Tuesday, the Millers travel to their rival, No. 18 Thurston (5-8). On Friday, the Millers host No. 29 Ashland (3-11). It would be a shock if they were to lose their perfect Midwestern League record, and their 12-game win streak this week.…

RECAPS ■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers competed in the Nick Lutz Invitational last weekend. The girls placed 11th with 60 points and the boys placed 16th with 53. Haley Siders (125) was the lone first placer for the Millers last weekend. Michael Christie (126) placed second and Vincent Andrews (138) placed third for the boys, while…

Michael Roy Archer, 76, of Eugene/Springfield, died Jan. 2. Arrangements: Sunset Hills.   Janet Marie Smith, 84, of Cottage Grove, died Jan. 3. Arrangements: Smith-Lund-Mills.   Sherri Jolen Kronberger, 61, of Cottage Grove, died Jan. 5. Arrangements: Smith Lund Mills.   Jefferson Grosso, 86, of Eugene, died Jan. 5. Arrangements: Sunset Hills Funeral Home.   David Edgar Drake, 90,…

SPRINGFIELD — Flock Safety has begun removing all automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras in the City of Springfield, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) announced Wednesday, Jan. 21. The removal process is underway, and all ALPR units are expected to be taken down by the end of this week. This action follows SPD’s earlier decision…

Yellow Wood Stove Advisory ContinuesEugene, Springfield, Oakridge, Westfir & UGB’s Possible end Friday (1/23) morning   Yellow Wood Stove Advisory Continues for Eugene, Springfield, Oakridge, Westfir & UGBs: Due to a strong stagnant air mass that is not expected to clear until Friday (1/23), the yellow wood stove advisory continues for Eugene, Springfield, Oakridge, Westfir and their urban growth boundaries (UGB’s). We are…

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF REGULAR PUBLIC HEARING The City of Creswell’s Administration and Finance Committee will be meeting on January 27, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the conference hall upstairs of city hall 13 South 1st Street Creswell, Oregon 97426. Published only: 1/23/26 TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TS No. OR09000078-25-1 APN 1264207 | 1704153208400 TO No…

Jeannie Alexis Williams, 81, passed away January 4, 2026. She was born Marilyn Jean Morris to Thomas and Dorothy Morris on August 23, 1944 in Comanche, Oklahoma. Her family moved to California then Oregon when she was young so she grew up in Drain, Oregon. Jeannie married David Edward Williams on September 1, 1961 in…

COTTAGE GROVE – Downtown Cottage Grove is the historic, social, and economic heart of the town. Main Street is dotted with entrepreneurs whose shops enhance its vitality and unique character. This vibrant area offers a variety of attractions, including thrift stores, coffee shops, salons, bookstores, and restaurants. BOB WILLIAMS / THE CHRONICLE You might even…

CRESWELL – It was a slam dunk for youth in Creswell on Monday, after the Creswell City Council approved an amendment to allocate $15,000 for the installation of a half-court basketball court at the Cobalt Activity Center at 364 Cobalt Lane. This initiative follows community feedback that stressed the need for more sports facilities in…

A bank-robbing crime spree in South Lane has resulted in a five-year jail sentence for Clarke Chaos Zyz, 38, of Eugene. He was sentenced on Jan. 7 by the Lane County Circuit Court to serve 70 months – about five and a half years – in the custody of the Department of Corrections, according to…

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) held its annual meeting on Jan. 12 to elect new officers as mandated by its board bylaws. Kori Rodley, who previously served as Chair, was succeeded after Victoria Doyle’s resignation in August 2025. Alan Stout temporarily held both the Vice Chair and Secretary positions after Beth Blackwell’s…

SPRINGFIELD – At the Jan. 5 Springfield City Council meeting, finance director Nathan Bell asked the council for direction on whether to proceed with the process for the city’s Municipal Court becoming a court of record. Under Oregon law, the main difference between a municipal court and a court of record is the permanence of…

CRESWELL – The City Council on Monday night approved a contract with Westech Engineering for engineering services, sewer collections, and infiltration improvements – a top priority for a city stuck in a building moratorium. This initiative arises from a 2023 mutual agreement between the City of Creswell and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)…

SPRINGFIELD – In its search for housing shortage solutions, the City is looking to convert a parking lot on Main Street into a several-story apartment complex. In mid-September last year, the Springfield City Council entered an agreement with a Eugene-based developer, Obie Companies Incorporated, for a new downtown apartment complex. At a Jan. 12 Springfield…

After a little time off for the holidays, it’s good to be back. I hope your holiday season was full of joy and memories. As the parent of an 8-year-old, I can assure you ours was especially fun. As the holidays wrap up and we look to the new year, it’s a good reminder that…

SALEM – The Oregon monthly Jobs Report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) found that 33% (seasonally adjusted) of small business owners reported job openings they could not fill in December, unchanged from November. Unfilled job openings remain above the historical average of 24%. “Small business owners are still struggling to fill their…

Lane County will not conduct its Point-in-Time Count (PIT) to track homelessness this year, as announced last week. The PIT count, initiated in 2005, includes an annual sheltered count and a biennial unsheltered count. Due to technological advancements, the Lane County Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and its By Name List now provide a more…

EUGENE — Lane County is establishing a seven-member task force to develop a new land-banking program to increase affordable housing. The program was created by the Lane County Board of Commissioners in 2025 as part of its effort to support affordable housing development. “We desperately need housing in Lane County,” said Eric Mongan, Lane County…

The Lane County Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has received its federal fiscal year 2026 funding, which was delayed due to the recent government shutdown. However, the program will begin with a $1.2 million reduction compared to last year. In December, applications were mailed to senior residents (aged 60 and older) and to individuals…

On Jan. 2 at 9 p.m., a deputy observed a pickup run a red light westbound on Main Street in Springfield, then straddle both lanes. The deputy initiated a traffic stop; however, the vehicle did not stop until it was in Eugene. The driver, Bryan Richard Like, 47, of Eugene, was arrested for DUII. On…

EUGENE – On Jan. 7 at 3 a.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy observed a vehicle driving west on Irving Road, Eugene, at more than 60 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone. The deputy initiated a traffic stop; however, the vehicle continued to Northwest Expressway and accelerated north to over 100 miles per hour.…

SPRINGFIELD – On Jan. 11 at 1:32 p.m., Springfield Police responded to a report of a traffic accident involving a vehicle and an electric motorcycle in the 6400-block of Thurston Road. According to police, the preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle’s driver did not see the electric motorcycle as he turned southbound onto 64th Street from…

COTTAGE GROVE — The Cottage Grove Eagle Midwinter Count will take place Jan. 18 at two locations. Participants can start at Dorena Reservoir at 9:30 a.m., with morning parking available in the Walmart lot near Outdoor Living. The count is expected to last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the afternoon, the count will…

Lane County Emergency Management is urging residents to participate in a brief survey to assess household-level actions taken to reduce wildfire risk. The survey, available in English and Spanish, aims to identify both community initiatives and barriers to wildfire preparedness. The survey is open until Jan. 30. Participation is estimated to take 15-20 minutes. English…

EUGENE – During its first regular meeting of 2026, the Lane County Board of Commissioners appointed a chair and a vice chair. District 1 Commissioner Ryan Ceniga, who represents West Lane, was appointed as chair, while District 5 Commissioner Heather Buch, representing South Lane, including Creswell and Cottage Grove, was appointed as vice chair. Ceniga…

Girls basketball team begins league play with loss Seth ThompsonThe Chronicle THURSTON – Thurston faced Eagle Point in both teams’ Midwestern League opener on Thursday night, with the Colts falling to the Eagles 51-41 in girls basketball. Both teams entered the game at .500 – the Colts 5-5 and the Eagles 6-6 – hoping to…

ELI THOMASThe Chronicle COTTAGE GROVE – Aaron Merrill, a 37-year coaching veteran who led South Eugene High School’s junior varsity team the past two years, has been hired as Cottage Grove’s new coach, athletic director Garrett Bridgens announced Dec. 19. Merrill was head coach at Springfield High School from 2018-22. Bridgens said the hiring process…

RECAPS ■ CRESWELL defeated Cottage Grove 71-32 on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Mason Schartz showed what his return means for the Bulldogs, as he scored 20 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field, 2-of-2 from 3-point range and 6-of-6 from the free throw line. The Bulldogs shot a season-best 63% from 3-point range. No Lions player…

RECAPS ■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 1 Millers (11-1) went 2-0 last week, propelling them to the top spot in the Class 5A rankings. On Tuesday, the Millers beat 4A No. 12 Cascade (4-7) 57-52 to push the Cougars’ losing streak to five games. On Monday, the Millers took down 4A No. 1 Stayton (9-2) 56-31.…

RESULTS BOYS BASKETBALL Tuesday, Jan. 6 ■ Creswell 71, Cottage Grove 32■ Cascade 60, Springfield 48 Thursday, Jan. 8 ■ Thurston 91, Eagle Point 39 Friday, Jan. 9 ■ Marshfield 67, Cottage Grove 52■ Pleasant Hill 66, Oakland 45 Saturday, Jan. 10 ■ Creswell 100, Coquille 26■ Pleasant Hill 79, Toledo 44 GIRLS BASKETBALL Tuesday,…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers boys and girls travel to the Nick Lutz invitational at Siuslaw to compete on Friday-Saturday. They’ll face off against Amity, Churchill, Coquille, Cottage Grove, Dayton, Elmira, Gilchrist, Gold Beach, Junction City, La Pine, Mohawk, Newport, North Lake, Pleasant Hill, Sheldon, Sheridan, Siletz Valley, Siuslaw/Mapleton, South Eugene, South Umpqua, Triangle Lake, and…

BOYS WRESTLING Tuesday, Jan. 13 ■ Pleasant Hill at Tri-Dual at Pleasant Hill HS, 5 p.m.■ Thurston at JV/Novice Match Night at Harrisburg HS, 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 ■ Thurston vs. Springfield Dual BWR Meet at SHS, 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 ■ Pleasant Hill at Nick Lutz Invitational at Siuslaw HS, TBD■ Springfield…

RECAP ■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers competed at Sheldon HS last week in the Sheldon Invite. Here, Matteo Buhr was a standout, getting first in the Male 500 Free, and second in the Male 100 Fly. Ben Cook took first place in the Male 200 IM, while Rachel Hurley placed first in the Female 100 Breast.…

COTTAGE GROVE – Living with a chronic condition can be challenging, especially as people age. But learning some practical skills can help older adults better navigate life’s “ups and downs.” Senior & Disability Services (S&DS) will help seniors embrace their age and increase their health knowledge through a free workshop, bringing it back to Cottage…