COTTAGE GROVE – Melanie Stuhlmiller wasn’t about to spend her life working 9-to-5s. Despite the familiar pandemic-related challenges, she pushed through to make her small-town women’s boutique, Free Rein on Main, the success it is today.

"Last year at this time, a reader of The Chronicle asked me if 2020, the Year of the Rat, would be a good year for him. He was born under the sun sign Sagittarius during the lunar Year of the Sheep. I was happy to tell him that it would be a good year for his sign. There would be challenges, but they would lead to amazing and wonderful opportunities, beneficial changes in his life and career."

Cottage Grove has a history of reinventing itself. For a while, gold mining dominated the local economy. After the glimmer of gold faded, the Grove became a timber town with small mills up and down the valley and provided the bulk of the local economy before fading in the 1980s. There were hopes at one time of landing an important railway terminus that would put the town on the map, but that didn’t pan out.

"I am heartbroken. The attack on the United States Capitol building and members of our House of Representatives and Senate was too fresh for me to write about last week. As I watched the horrible attack unfold, besides being heartbroken, I was furious that something like this was happening in our country by our own citizens."

This week Dear Bernard’s guest columnist and licensed psychologist Jon Davies offers tips on persevering your well-being through the next six months of the pandemic. Have you been feeling frustrated, irritable, anxious, lonely, depressed or even hopeless? Are you worried about your health or that of your kids or other loved ones? Are you worried about money? You are not alone.

A burglary occurred around 7 a.m. on Jan. 21 in Goshen. The stolen R and D Propane truck was located off Howe Lane in Creswell shortly thereafter. The crane was missing as well as some property from the truck.

Winters on the Oregon coast can get a little wild – a delight to storm watchers. When Pacific storms sweep in, they often bring strong winds, giant crashing waves and heavy rainfall. But the storms pass, leaving weather that even in the winter is mild.

CRESWELL – William Hamann, 38, of Creswell on Jan. 19 pled guilty to sexually abusing a child, and federal prosecutors will seek a 13-year prison sentence.

CRESWELL – William Hamann, 38, of Creswell on Jan. 19 pled guilty sexually abusing a child, and federal prosecutors will seek a 13-year prison sentence.

Cottage Grove Mayor Jeff Gowing gives his exclusive State of the City statement to The Chronicle, "...through the rough year I was so proud of the way the citizens of Cottage Grove responded to all of the challenges."

Leaders share priorities, hopes - former Mayor Christine Lundberg shares her statement exclusively with The Chronicle, "I am proud of Springfield's legacy as a city..."

SPRINGFIELD – Organizations found a safe way for the community to gather together in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. for the 23rd year by hosting a safe and socially-distanced rally on Jan. 18.

CRESWELL – Despite the county’s ongoing status in the “extreme risk” category for the coronavirus, the Creswell superintendent said the district is still moving forward with in-person schooling.

High school players and coaches across all sports began practicing again Monday, Jan. 11, adhering to pandemic-specific safety guidelines, dreaming of actual competition once again. Those dreams are hanging by a thread right now.

It's been nearly a year and a half since Candy Coop lost her husband to a tragic treefall as he drove down Hamm Rd. Mike Coop, a well-known and beloved husband, friend and neighbor, was suddenly gone. Candy was hoping she’d be feeling a sense of closure by now. Things haven’t worked out that way.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Ebbert Memorial United Methodist Church at 532 C St. in Springfield on Jan. 11 broke ground for a new elevator project that will allow Americans with Disabilities Act-approved access to all major building areas.

The coronavirus has certainly changed the habits of many of us. Personally, I have always been an avid reader, but that pastime has probably tripled in the last 10 months. Most of my reading material is history, and some of my favorites are “Good Old Days” and “Reminisce” magazines. A recent story I read reminded me of some of my personal family activities. The story I refer to starts off – a young man writes when he was 4 months old in 1940, his 7-year-old brother received a Lionel train as a Christmas gift.

For people of all generations looking to keep active, supplement their income, meet people and learn new things, the “gig economy” provides opportunities, and many of the jobs can be done remotely. Post your “resume” and contact info in The Chronicle for FREE. The Chronicle is offering classified ad space for job seekers! Send your 25-word ad to [email protected] or call our office 541-895-2197 today!

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is accepting public comments on a Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan that will guide the agency in removing barriers to park access over the next 25 years.

"Dogs and cats seem to have it pretty good in Cottage Grove. I see many dogs being led by their owners on walks all over town. We have LuLu’s Dog Park, where canines can romp off-leash and socialize with their own kind while their owners do the same in small clusters at the benches and tables."

"What we are witnessing in our nation’s Capitol does not represent the United States of America. It is not who we are. The actions of this angry mob amount to nothing short of sedition and an attempted coup against our democracy. It is the direct result of hateful rhetoric and dangerous demagoguery spread through social media instead of thoughtful debate and respect for the constitutional electoral process." - Lane County Board of Commissioners Chair Joe Berney

“We think there is only one way to give a strong signal, both internally and internationally; to reiterate that the overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe in democracy..."

“In all my 90 years out of the 96 I have lived, never did I witness anything to embarrass, enrage me or make me so ashamed as the large numbers of Citizens of our great nation when they took the opportunity to violate the sanctity of all the rules of law and patriotic duty in our great nation." - retired Colonel Richard Heyman