PLEASANT HILL – The Pleasant Hill Community Theatre (PHCT) is preparing for its Spring production of Concord Theatricals’ “The Wizard of Oz,” running from May 7-9 and May 14-16, with showtimes at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and a 1 p.m. matinee on Saturday. The theatre at 35575 Zephyr Way serves as a platform…

SPRINGFIELD – PeaceHealth on April 23 rolled out the area’s first outdoor automated external defibrillator (AED) “SaveStations” at four sites around the area. These lifesaving devices can be easily accessed by the general public in response to sudden cardiac arrest. A SaveStation is an outdoor, unlocked, monitored and temperature‑controlled cabinet that secures the AED. Program organizers…

LANE COUNTY – The American Lung Association (ALA) recently gave Lane County an “F” for air quality in its annual State of the Air report.  While Lane County’s air quality has steadily improved over the last 20 years when it comes to pollution from everyday sources like wood stoves and vehicles, that progress is being…

2nd Street Project resumes May 1 CRESWELL – Construction on the City of Creswell’s 2nd Street Improvement Project is set to resume on Friday, May 1. This project spans the area of 2nd Street between Oregon Avenue and F Street and is anticipated to conclude at the end of August 2026, weather and conditions permitting.…

SPRINGFIELD – After a nationwide search, Springfield Utility Board’s elected Board of Directors voted to select Vanessa Barbarisi as the utility’s next CEO/general manager. Barbarisi comes to SUB from PG&E in Oakland, California, and will succeed longtime general manager Jeff Nelson, who is retiring after more than 30 years with the SUB. Over the next…

“He (Saul) came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave.  The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands…

You don’t know what you don’t know! There is so much confusion about healthy food choices. Most of us have not been reading peer-reviewed, evidence-based articles on the science of nutrition and the food choices that may lead to the best health. Instead, we generally rely on what tastes good to us, what our family…

Dear Editor, The Springfield Library staff have been patiently waiting for the final decision relative to the next 2026-2027 budget cut of $500,000. Hope now is that the City Council could still mitigate this drastic cut in services and materials, even though before the budget was reviewed by the Budget Committee, the City had removed…

Dear Editor, As the owner of Cottage Grove Garbage Service for over 50 years, I’ve seen administrators and commissioners come and go. I’ve seen policy shifts that worked and many that didn’t. But what I am witnessing right now from Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky is something entirely different – and frankly, it’s a disservice…

From dune lakes in the west to the mountain lakes and rivers to the east, Lane County is an angler’s paradise. The Willamette and McKenzie Rivers run right through the Eugene and Springfield metro area, making them standout locations for fishing enthusiasts. Both rivers are highly regarded throughout the state for their trout, steelhead, and…

SPRINGFIELD –  After 47 years of service to the Springfield community, Brian Conlon is retiring as the Development and Public Works Department’s operations division director. Conlon joined the City in May 1979 as an operations and maintenance field worker and quickly became a vital team member. He was promoted to team supervisor in 1988, maintenance…

SPRINGFIELD – Three incoming Drifters dazzled on the mound last Thursday in Hayesville, with a pitchers duel between future teammates Griffin Scott and Jack Klee in Game One and a strong outing by Lucas Geren in Game Two of a doubleheader between the Chemeketa Storm and the Lane Titans. In the front end of the…

■ THURSTON had a 2-1 week against Eagle Point. Tuesday’s game was a 3-1 defeat to give the Colts four consecutive losses. Eagles senior Braden Nugent threw a complete game with eight strikeouts. The Colts won Saturday’s doubleheader by scores of 8-3 and 16-7. Parker Edwards was 2-for-3, with a HR and 2 RBI in…

THURSTON (10-8, 5-5, #11) ■ Leading off: Saturday, Thurston welcomes No. 1 Crater (14-2, 6-1) for a doubleheader to finish a three-game series. Last season, the Colts swept the Comets, giving them three of the four league losses they had all of last season. Tuesday, the Colts travel to No. 31 Springfield (0-16, 0-10) for…

■ THURSTON was swept by Eagle Point last week, by scores of 13-3, 7-4, and 17-12. The Eagles scored nine in the third inning of game one, then had multiple innings of 3+ runs in each of the next two games. Syren Ferguson was 5-for-9, with two doubles and 4 RBI in the two games…

THURSTON (0-18, 0-9, #27) ■ Leading off: Thurston has three league matchups this week. Saturday, it welcomes No. 2 Crater (10-4, 5-1) for a doubleheader to finish a three-game series. Last season, the Colts took two out of three from the Comets, with two games decided by one run. Tuesday, the Colts travel to No.…

RECAPS ■ THURSTON competed at the Medford Rotary Relays this weekend. Addison Nelson and Brooklyn Anderson both broke the long jump meet record, with Nelson having the better mark. Nelson also broke the meet record in the triple jump and won that event. The Colts also broke the girls 4×100 shuttle hurdles meet record, and…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE T.S. No.: OR-26-1035781-SW Reference is made to that certain deed made by, MEGAN MEADOR, SINGLE WOMAN as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, as trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS DESIGNATED NOMINEE FOR MORTGAGE RESEARCH CENTER, LLC DBA VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, BENEFICIARY OF THE SECURITY…

COTTAGE GROVE – Tip Tap Grow, a performing arts preschool based in Eugene, is expanding services to a second location in Cottage Grove’s First Presbyterian Church. The preschool had a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house last Friday, where folks could tour the space and meet instructors. The church at 216 S. 3rd Street has a…

COTTAGE GROVE – The City of Cottage Grove is facing a tight budget year after falling behind on audits and discovering serious accounting errors, leaving the city with a nearly $4.5 million shortfall. In an attempt to get the budget back on track, city manager Mike Sauerwein unveiled a proposed change to the public library.…

LANE COUNTY – South Lane County Fire & Rescue is continuing its efforts to raise awareness and spread knowledge about the District’s proposed fire levy that will be on the May 19 ballot. SLCFR has been making its presence known in the communities it serves by hosting meet-and-greets and speaking at city council meetings. Fire…

SPRINGFIELD – Last Thursday, the Springfield City Club and the League of Women Voters of Lane County hosted a forum for the Springfield seat on the Lane County Board of County Commissioners. The free event featured facilitated and audience questions for all three candidates running for the position. The Board of County Commissioners legislates and…

LANE COUNTY – Lane County Commissioner David Loveall is under investigation by the Oregon Government Ethics Commission for improperly using the State of the County address in January to promote businesses he owns, improperly filling out ethics paperwork, and mentioning religion during his speech. Complaints against public officials can arise from concerns about potential conflicts…

SPRINGFIELD – After six rounds of voting and nearly an hour of deliberating, the Springfield City Council decided to appoint Jill Cuadros as the interim Ward 4 councilor. Mary Bridget Smith, city attorney, facilitated deliberations on the interim position during a council meeting on Monday night that ended at 10 p.m. Councilors were briefed on…

SPRINGFIELD – A Willamette Valley Oregon Temple just opened its doors this week. The property at 300 International Way in Springfield has been under construction since Oct. 2022, and now through May 9 (excluding Sundays), folks can see what lies inside the 30,000-square-foot building. There are 154,000 Latter-day Saints in Oregon, yet only two temples…

■ Register by April 28 for May election ■ Election Day is approaching, and the Lane County Elections office staff encourages residents to register to vote or update their voter registration now, to be election-ready for the May 19 primary election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote or make changes to their party…

EUGENE – Catholic Community Services of Lane County invites the community to Gather & Give: A Night for New Neighbors, a fundraiser benefiting the agency’s Refugee & Immigrant Services Program (RISP) on Monday, April 28, 5-8 p.m. at The Garden on Friendly, 2760 Friendly St., Eugene. The evening will feature live music, raffle baskets, and…

My name has been familiar in the South Lane area for the past 50 years. I have been a volunteer with many organizations and have chaired committees – fire department, hospital, Bohemia Mining Days, and others. Many young first-time voters in South Lane may not be familiar with me and my support of SLCFR. In…

Editor’s note: Amit Kapoor is a Lane County Circuit Court Judge, serving in the 2nd District, Position 6. Appointed by Gov. Kate Brown in 2020, he is facing a contested election in May 2026 against attorney Katina Saint Marie. Dear Editor, I had the privilege of clerking for Judge Amit Kapoor and witnessing firsthand how…

Editor’s note: Amit Kapoor is a Lane County Circuit Court Judge, serving in the 2nd District, Position 6. Appointed by Gov. Kate Brown in 2020, he is facing a contested election in May 2026 against attorney Katina Saint Marie. Dear Editor, I am writing to express my strong support for Judge Amit Kapoor as a…

PLEASANT HILL – Most of the moments immediately following a tragic car accident remain unclear for Ryan Thomas, but her mom recalled one of the initial worries. “The first thing she asked was, ‘Am I going to be able to run again?’,” Kristi Bryant recalled of the question Ryan would ask from her hospital bed.…

CRESWELL – After an 18-2 run-rule victory in Game One of its softball doubleheader against rival Creswell, Pleasant Hill was looking to continue its offensive dominance. In the top of the second inning of Game Two, Billies freshman Zeta Holmes crushed a ball to dead center field, and it cleared the fence for a home…

SPRINGFIELD – Hunter Dryden has gone from a Drifter to an Emerald.The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher spent the summers of 2022 and ’23 pitching for Springfield at Hamlin Sports Complex before being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 17th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball draft. After a sterling pro debut in San…

SPRINGFIELD – Drifters pitchers, past and present, excelled over the weekend, with several dominant, low-contact performances.Hunter Dryden (a 2022, ’23) fanned five over four hitless innings for the Eugene Emeralds, and future Drifters Griffin Scott and Lucas Geren each had scoreless outings for Lane Community College in wins against Clackamas. Scott struck out seven over…

THURSTON (8-7, 3-4, #9)■ Leading off: Thurston has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, they welcome No. 21 Eagle Point (5-8, 4-2) for a doubleheader after playing Game One of the series in Eagle Point on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Colts play No. 1 in Class 5A Crater (11-2, 3-1). The Comets took two…

THURSTON (0-15, 0-6, #28)■ Leading off: Thurston has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, it welcomes No. 17 Eagle Point (9-4, 5-1) for a doubleheader after playing game one of the series in Eagle Point on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Colts travel to play No. 2 Crater (8-3, 3-0) in the first of a…

■ THURSTON was swept by No. 2 in Class 5A North Eugene last week. In Game One, the Colts lost 7-3. Grady Saunders threw 5 1/3 innings, with only three of his seven runs allowed being earned. He also went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double. In the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, the…

■ THURSTON lost all three games to North Eugene last week. The Highlanders won Game One 10-6. Raygan Litle was 2-for-3, with a HR and 3 RBI. Game Two finished 18-6 Highlanders. Litle was the Colts’ standout once again, with 2 HRs and 4 RBI. The Highlanders took Game Three 14-4. Syren Ferguson was 3-for-3,…

PREVIEWS ■ THURSTON and SPRINGFIELD compete in a dual meet on Wednesday. Expect Springfield to dominate the throwing events, while Thurston likely has the edge on the track and in the jumping pits. RECAPS ■ On April 11, COTTAGE GROVE, PLEASANT HILL, and CRESWELL competed at the Aaron and Marie Jones Invitational, which had 24…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 25-00780OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Ian Matthew Fleming and Derrika Lynn Fleming, as grantor, to Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Mortgage Research Center,…

Kenneth Parramore, 80, of Creswell, OR, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026.  He was born August 29, 1945, in Dothan, AL, to Durward and Inez Starling Parramore.   He graduated from Dothan High School in 1963 and from Auburn University in 1968 with a B.S. in History, a lifelong interest.   Ken set out to see…

CRESWELL – The City of Creswell has officially broken the mold, as the council unanimously authorized the city manager, Vincent Martorello, to terminate the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Lane County, citing rising costs and issues permeating the county’s relationship with the waste hauler. Since early 2022, Lane County has been planning the construction of the…

COTTAGE GROVE – Incomplete financial audits and accounting inaccuracies have led the City of Cottage Grove to address budget challenges for the next fiscal year. In January of this year, interim finance director Eric Kytola shared his findings of the City’s budgeting errors with the city council. “There were some problems that surfaced about the…

SPRINGFIELD – A community group called Save Springfield Library is organizing library supporters to attend upcoming budget committee meetings to ensure decision-makers are aware of public support for the Springfield Public Library. The call to action serves as an opportunity for folks who care about the library and its services and do not want to…

Master recycling volunteers help load bagged compost as part of a free giveaway at Rexius on highway 99 in Eugene on April 11, 2026. Vehicles line up to enter the facility for free compost giveaway at Rexius on highway 99 in Eugene on April 11, 2026. GLENWOOD – Each Lane County household on April 11…

When I sit down with my colleague, Lane County Waste Reduction Program Supervisor Angie Marzano, our conversations often drift toward one big idea: companies shouldn’t get to shrug and walk away once a product is sold. Angie’s convinced – and I think she’s right – that businesses have a responsibility to make sure their products…

COTTAGE GROVE – During an April 6 South Lane School District Board meeting, Dorena School was nationally recognized by Solution Tree as a Promising Practices School. A professional development company that publishes educational materials and offers various services and products, including books, videos, consultations, online courses, workshops, and conferences for educators, recognized Dorena for having…

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield is in full bloom, as captured by Chronicle photographer Adon Eccles. The pink-flowering trees that bloom in early spring along Centennial Boulevard and nearby areas in Springfield are primarily ornamental cherry trees (Prunus genus), including deep-pink “Kwanzan” and light-pink “Akebono” varieties. Other common early-spring pink bloomers in the area include flowering plums…

A mild winter and spring-like weather have allowed the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to plant approximately 2 million seedlings in state forests, putting them ahead of schedule for the season. The seedlings, primarily Douglas Fir (74%), are part of a reforestation strategy that includes Hemlock, Western Red Cedar, Noble Fir, and others to promote…

CRESWELL – The Creswell Middle School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter achieved remarkable success at the FBLA State Competition held from April 9-11, 2026, securing 1st place among all middle school chapters. The team earned a total of 47 individual awards, including 18 prestigious 1st Place State Champion Awards for “Top 10 finishes.”…

COTTAGE GROVE – As the Cottage Grove Genealogical Society delves into the rich history of local servicemen and women, a heartfelt tribute is taking shape, honoring their bravery and sacrifice. CGGS is hosting a Military Open House on Wednesday, April 22, from 1 to 6 p.m., in the Shepherd Room at the Community Center, at…

By ANGELINE ROWE and STEWART WINDERFOR THE CHRONICLE SPRINGFIELD – Peeking out above the trees and tucked into a bend of the McKenzie River is a white spire. And at its base? The recently completed Willamette Valley Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to its scheduled dedication this June, there…

EUGENE – Health Care for All Oregon Lane County Chapter is hosting a Town Hall on Sunday, April 19, from 2-4 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 1685 W. 13th Ave. The discussion will center on Oregon’s potential transition to Universal Healthcare, featuring members of the Universal Health Plan Governance Board. Health Care for All…

By Gordon Culbertson Driving the backroads of Oregon, one notices the presence of small woodland owners. Signs indicating “Family Forest Owner” and the green-and-white diamond-shaped “Tree Farm” logo identify forests as well-managed, with a measure of pride. Family non-industrial forests total over 3.5 million acres, more than one-third of Oregon’s private forests. These forest owners…

Dear Editor: This in response to a letter calling some of the commissioners, one issue candidates. My response is the true one-trick pony in the Lane County commissioner race is incumbent Heather Buch. Her single, well-practiced trick is collecting more taxes and fees to pay for the things she wants to spend our money on.…

Dear Editor: I’m tired of politicians who campaign but don’t fight. With my own eyes, I’ve seen how Ky Fireside is different. Ky, running for Oregon House District 7, has shown what real public service looks like. They show up, do the work, and stand with working families when it matters. Ky helped lead Oregon’s…

Event features international author Michael Angelo Caruso COTTAGE GROVE – The Rotary Club of Cottage Grove will host a professional development seminar led by international author and speaker Michael Angelo Caruso. The event, titled “Effective Leadership – Getting People to Do Stuff,” is scheduled for May 14, 2026, at the Cottage Grove Community Center, 700…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 25-00780OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Ian Matthew Fleming and Derrika Lynn Fleming, as grantor, to Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Mortgage Research Center,…

Creswell’s baseball facility hosted a Bulldogs Invitational earlier this season. / Photo by ADON ECCLES This story was updated after print deadlines. Creswell School District Superintendent Mike Johnson posted a letter on the school’s Facebook page in response to coverage and community interest. BY ELI THOMAS THE CHRONICLE CRESWELL – Creswell High School’s baseball field,…

PLEASANT HILL – Jacob Neely and Landen Melvin, two of the Pleasant Hill Billies’ standout senior athletes this past season, have committed to play for George Fox University next year, the largest private university in the state. Attending college together for the Division III Bruins should be a comfortable fit. “It’s just amazing. We’ve been…

■ SPRINGFIELD hosts Churchill in a dual meet on Wednesday. In the Millers other dual meet so far this season, against Marist, it dominated the throwing events, led by Noah Solo and Sailor Hall. ■ On Saturday, THURSTON will be in the John Oliver Invitational. This is one of the biggest meets every year for…

SPRINGFIELD – Keenan Anzai, who will join the Drifters this summer, tossed a complete game one-hitter against Cal State-Bakersfield on Thursday for UC Davis in his best start of the season. The right-hander from Trabuco Canyon, Calif., fanned six batters across nine scoreless innings while walking just two on 102 pitches en route to his…

■ THURSTON lost to Churchill 15-11 in its league opener. The Colts held an 11-9 lead heading into the top of the seventh, when a walk, an error, and two singles with two outs helped the Lancers score five of their six runs in the inning. For the Colts, Ella Wright was 3-for-4 with two…

THURSTON (0-12, #28) ■ Leading off: Thurston has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, it travels to No. 12 North Eugene (5-4, 0-1) for a doubleheader to finish their three-game series. On Tuesday, the Colts welcome No. 10 Eagle Point (5-3, 1-0) for the start of a three-game series. Last season, the Eagles won…

THURSTON (7-4, #7) ■ Leading off: Thurston has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, they travel to No. 8 North Eugene (5-3, 1-1) for a doubleheader to finish a three-game series. Last season, the Colts swept the Highlanders, scoring 31 runs over three games. On Tuesday, they travel to No. 21 Eagle Point (3-8,…

■ THURSTON took two games out of three against Churchill in its first league series of the season. The Lancers won Game One, 6-4. The Lancers’ top five hitters had nine of the team’s 10 hits and all six RBI. In Game One on Saturday, the Colts won 9-3. Grady Saunders had a massive day…

Saturday was a big day for small humans, as spring and Easter egg hunts dotted communities under a sun that cracked the skies, with temperatures rising pleasantly into the mid-60s. In Creswell, Hillside Church organized an Easter egg hunt at Creslane Elementary School. The 6th and Gibbs Church of Christ hosted a hunt at Bohemia…

SPRINGFIELD – City councilors are moving forward with a .1% rate as a proposed employer and employee payroll tax, which was discussed during Monday night’s city council meeting. The proposed rate is estimated to generate $2.45 million within the first year of implementation. The decision is part of a multi-pronged approach to stabilize the City’s…

SPRINGFIELD – PeaceHealth is set to open Oregon’s first traumatic brain injury (TBI) unit this summer once construction is complete on the facility’s new inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The specially designed 67,000-square-foot hospital will include an open dining area, an apartment, two gyms, nursing units, and an outdoor area. ALL PHOTOS BY BOB WILLIAMS / THE…

SPRINGFIELD – Library supporters filled the City Council Chambers at City Hall in Springfield on April 6, after a social media post circulated online over the weekend claiming that library positions have been terminated and programs and services are expected to be reduced. According to the post by Ariel Sexton, the City of Springfield quietly…

COTTAGE GROVE – In a bold artistic endeavor that intertwines entertainment and activism, Cottage Theatre’s production of “Cabaret” captivates audiences with its haunting portrayal of love and defiance amidst the rise of fascism. Set in 1931 in Berlin during a turbulent political era, the play is a semi-autobiographical novel about Christopher Isherwood, an English and…

COTTAGE GROVE – An annual Cottage Grove arts event will not take place this year after an unsuccessful search for a director. Trashion at the OPAL Center for Arts and Education has been a fashion show for folks to flaunt unique upcycled materials turned clothing for nearly 20 years. “I decided last year that I…

EUGENE – Think you could take care of a horse? Many horses have their own chiropractors, their own team of doctors, their own dentists. Many wear braces. They need to be fed around the clock, groomed, exercised, cared for … and basically welcomed into the family. “We would be having dinner, and my girls would…

Bohrer’s work all about ‘Plants and Animals of Oregon’ SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Arts Commission invites the community to experience Plants and Animals in Oregon, a photography exhibition by Twyla Bohrer, on display throughout April at the City Hall Gallery inside Springfield City Hall, 225 Fifth Street. An opening reception will be held Friday, April…

Lane Transit District has filled two executive-level positions, following an intensive search, company officials said. LTD’s new chief financial officer is Pamela Strutz, and its new general counsel is Carmen Jackson-Brown. Strutz brings over 45 years of expertise in finance and accounting to her role. Starting as LTD’s controller in 2020, Strutz then became LTD’s…

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Utility Board (SUB) last week announced it has identified four finalists in its search for the utility’s next CEO/general manager. The selected candidate will succeed Jeff Nelson, who will retire this summer after 14 years in the role and more than 30 years of service to SUB. SUB worked with an executive…

COTTAGE GROVE — On April 2, just after 2:30 a.m., officers with the Cottage Grove Police Department were on patrol in the 1200 block of N. Hwy. 99 when they observed flames and smoke coming from the Relax Inn, located at 1030 N. Hwy. 99. PHOTOS BY BOB WILLIAMS / THE CHRONICLE The officers immediately…

Dear Editor, Sean VanGordon cares. He cares about the Springfield area community and the individuals, families, and businesses that make it up. And, because he cares, no matter who you are, he listens. Sean and I served together on the Springfield City Council from 2011. During the last 2 years I served, 2021-2022, Sean began…

People are encouraged to learn the warning signs of child abuse and to confidentially report any child safety concerns they have to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). The Oregon Child Abuse Hotline receives calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Three warning signs Physical signs…

Lane County Community members are invited to participate in the 2026 Community Needs Survey, which evaluates the essential services offered by Lane County Housing and Community Action (HACA). This survey focuses on housing, shelter, basic needs, education, employment, transportation, and health. As part of its mission to support low-income families in overcoming poverty, Lane County…

SPRINGFIELD – What if dessert was dinner — and eating it helped a neighbor in need? Catholic Community Services of Lane County (CCS) and Springfield Mayor Sean VanGordon invite the community to join the seventh annual Dessert for Dinner fundraiser, running now through May 9. This initiative aims to help local families in need by…

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in January and 5.3%, as revised, in December. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in January and 4.4% in December, according to a news release last week issued by the Oregon Employment Department (OED). In January, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 2,000 jobs, following a gain of…

PHOTOS PROVIDED / WILLAMALANE
Employees of Willamalane Park and Recreation District celebrate their 20-plus years of service as new trees are planted in their honor at local parks.

THURSTON – After leading Thurston to three straight Midwestern League boys basketball titles for the first time in more than a half-century, Blaine Liberatore is leaving on top. Liberatore, who led Thurston to the 2018 Class 5A boys state basketball title, announced his resignation as coach during a team banquet on Monday night after 12…

THURSTON – The conditions for the Colts’ meet against Churchill on Wednesday, April 1, were as far from ideal as it gets for track athletes. Wet surfaces made everything difficult, and a direct headwind on the home stretch made it nearly impossible for short distance runners to have a chance at setting a personal best.…

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Drifters alum Hunter Dryden delivered in his Eugene Emeralds debut, striking out six over four scoreless innings against the Hillsboro Hops on Saturday. The Deer Valley, Wash., product allowed only two hits in his Class-A Advanced debut, as the Emeralds beat the Hops 10-4 to secure a series victory. Dryden, who pitched…

■ THURSTON defeated West Albany 6-0 at Linn-Benton Community College on Tuesday. It scored five runs in the 6th inning. Each of the Colts’ top-seven hitters had at least one hit. Grady Saunders pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits and striking out seven batters. On Saturday, they defeated Caldera 6-2, with another five run…

■ THURSTON (5-3, #8) has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, they travel to No. 16 Churchill (3-4) for a doubleheader to finish their three game series. On Tuesday, they welcome No. 4 North Eugene (4-2) for the first of a three game series. Last season, the Colts swept the Highlanders, holding them to…

■ THURSTON (0-9, #28) has three league matchups this week. On Saturday, it travels to No. 11 Churchill (4-3) for a doubleheader to finish their three game series. On Tuesday, the Colts welcome No. 6 North Eugene (5-3) for the start of a three game series. Last season, the Colts swept the Highlanders, scoring 31…

■ THURSTON lost to West Albany 16-1 in five innings on Tuesday. The Colts held a 1-0 lead until the third inning, but allowed two runs in that inning, six in the fourth, and eight in the fifth. Amelia Kidd was 2-for-3, with a triple and 6 RBI for the Bulldogs. On Friday, the Colts…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 25-00960OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Serena Charmian, as grantor, to First American Title Insura, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Freedom Mortgage Corporation, beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, as beneficiary,…

By Steve Mims The Chronicle THURSTON – After leading Thurston to three straight Midwestern League boys basketball titles for the first time in more than a half-century, Blaine Liberatore is leaving on top. Liberatore, who led Thurston to the 2018 Class 5A boys state basketball title, announced his resignation as coach during a team banquet…

Sims “Bud” McFall, age 92, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, passed away January 21, 2026. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium. A Celebration of Life will be held on April 11, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Pennoyer Avenue Church of Christ.

Michael Lane Hougan passed peacefully away on February 23 at the age of 76. He was born in Bellingham, WA, to Arnold and Dorothy Hougan on May 4, 1949. He graduated from Ferndale High School in 1967 and then attended WSU, earning a BS in Forestry Management in 1973.  Michael moved to Oregon with his…

Joseph Vern Cooper, 71, of Creswell, OR, passed away Wednesday, March 18, 2026. He was born on May 7, 1954, in Cottage Grove, OR, to Vernon Cooper and Mildred Clark. Joe grew up in several local communities in Oregon and graduated from Creswell High School in 1972. He married his high school sweetheart and love…

Gary Kenneth Zimmerman Winnop passed away on March 11, 2026. Born in Portland, Oregon, he grew up along the McKenzie River and remained deeply connected to its outdoors, enjoying hunting and fishing with his brothers. He served in the U.S. Air Force, later working in Alaska’s logging industry and with his family’s business. Gary built…