EDITOR’S NOTE: The League of Women Voters of Lane County published a study in December on “The Evolving Role of Artificial Intelligence in Democracy,” focusing on defining AI, its development, and its impact on democratic institutions and governance challenges. This month, The Chronicle partners with the LWV-LC, as part of a policy-deep dive into the…

In celebration of Sunshine Week next week, The Chronicle is excited to launch a new monthly page called “Policy Periscope,” which examines public policy and its impact on our daily lives. Read the debut page here. Sunshine Week takes place each year in mid-March, aligning with the birthday of our fourth President, James Madison, who…

SPRINGFIELD – The 15th annual Books and Brews event, hosted by the Springfield Public Library Foundation, raised funds for the library and museum through donations, games, and raffles on Feb. 21. A line formed to get through the library doors, and over 150 people squeezed in to party. Chamber members, library and city staff, library…

SPRINGFIELD – Last Saturday, the Springfield Public Library and History Museum hosted a Lunar New Year festival in partnership with the Oregon Multigenerational Community Center at City Hall. Festival highlights included live performances by Hé Lín Chinese Immersion Elementary School, traditional dances by Phi Long Lion Dance Troupe, Hawaiian Hula Dancers, Tibetan Folk Dance, and…

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Public Library has created and maintained long-standing and new partnerships throughout its existence. These partnerships provide community support for an extensive spectrum of folks. “We have a relationship with Catholic Community Services, so we can provide temporary library cards to folks with temporary or no housing,” said Rachel Aronowitz, the cataloging…

SPRINGFIELD – On Monday evening, Springfield City Councilors and the mayor discussed the interview process they plan to follow for Ward 4 applicants on April 6. Mary Bridget Smith, the City’s attorney, said that six applications were received for the interim position and asked how the council would like to proceed with structuring and scheduling…

SPRINGFIELD – Retired and current teachers, concerned members of the community, and a few Springfield School Board members gathered in the city council chambers to brainstorm ways to address Springfield schools’ declining enrollment rate. Sarah Bosch, a former Springfield Public Schools teacher who ran for the Springfield School Board last year, led a Community Alliance…

CRESWELL – Students at Creswell High School (CHS) have the opportunity to explore career technical education (CTE) in grades 9 through 12. During a tour organized by Lane Education Service District, folks from the community and other schools had the chance to explore all eight CTE programs that CHS offers. The tour was led by…

The Oregon legislature has approved increases in fishing license fees for 2026, facing backlash from fishermen who question the rationale given the declining salmon and steelhead populations. The fee hikes, ranging from 4% to 8%, are intended to cover rising operational costs for hatchery fish food, fuel, utilities, and staff and program funding, including biologists…

By Matt Smith I am President of William Smith Properties, Inc. and GI Ranch Corporation. Our companies have owned, operated, and managed working ranchland in Oregon for more than forty years. We currently manage over 200,000 deeded acres and approximately 250,000 acres of leased public ground in central and eastern Oregon, all in active cattle…

PORTLAND – Two weeks ago, Thurston coach Mike Simons said it would be a “disappointment” if the Colts took anything other than first place at both the Midwestern League district meet and the OSAA Class 5A boys wrestling state championships. After coming in second place to Crater at both events last season, the Colts were…

PLEASANT HILL – Pleasant Hill finished second in the state last year in Luke Jackson’s first year as head coach. Now the Billies get a chance to reach the top of the hill. With Doug Green and Landen Melvin combining for 50 points, Pleasant Hill made 10 first-half 3-pointers and steamrolled Neah-Kah-Nie 79-40 on Friday…

CRESWELL – Everything about this heart-throbbing victory was Cres-well-crafted. For several moments during Saturday night’s 3A playoff game against Salem Academy, it appeared that it just wasn’t Creswell’s night. The visiting Crusaders were draining 3s with regularity, and the Bulldogs were struggling to get anything going offensively. Even Creswell coach Jesse Thomas said the thought…

CRESWELL – The Creswell girls put a nice finishing touch on a great evening for coach Tyler Hollingsworth, as he achieved something he’s never done in his tenure as head basketball coach. “We haven’t had both teams go (to the Coast for the state tournament) in my nine years here,” Hollingsworth said after the Bulldogs’…

PORTLAND – Jeffrey Conklin solidified his legacy as one of the Cottage Grove wrestling greats last weekend, finishing off his undefeated (52-0) season. No. 1 Conklin took down Sweet Home’s No. 5 Tytus Hardee 7-5 to win the Class 4A boys 132-pound title at the OSAA State Championships. The title comes after an incredible season…

SPRINGFIELD –Three future Drifters from UC Davis highlight this week’s Drifters Debrief as Evan Gentil, Keenan Anzai, and Zach Story all had amazing performances for the Aggies. Gentil, a catcher from Elk Grove, Calif., had a ginormous week at the plate, going 4-for-13 with three home runs, one double, and 12 RBIs in three games…

PLEASANT HILL (21-5, 10-0) ■ Tipping off: On Thursday, the 5 seed Billies play No. 4 seed Riverside (23-4, 10-0) at 3:15 p.m. at North Bend High School. The Pirates have had quite the turnaround, making at least the second round of state playoffs the past three years after going 2-21 in 2023. The Pirates…

■ THURSTON defeated Churchill 49-24 on Tuesday to clinch their third league title in a row. Churchill’s previous season low in points was 39, in their first matchup against the Colts. This game set a new low by 15 points. Lucas LaBounty led the Colts with 23 points and 13 rebounds. In their final regular-season…

Chronicle Coloring Contest Spring 2026Download

CRESWELL ■ Tipping off: The No. 4 Bulldogs (20-6) face No. 5 Sisters (20-6) in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A OSAA state playoffs on Thursday. The Bulldogs are 1-1 against Sisters this season. One month ago, the Bulldogs beat Sisters by 18 points. If the Bulldogs can outpace Sisters again like they did in…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (22-3) suffered their first Class 5A loss on Friday, going 1-1 on the week. On Tuesday, the Millers beat No. 16 North Eugene (16-16) 80-16 before falling to No. 4 Crater 62-56 on Friday. The Millers have been in close proximity with Crater all season in both the Class…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers sent two wrestlers to state, Vincent Andrews (138) for the boys, and Haley Siders (125) for the girls. Unfortunately for the Millers, neither wrestler placed. Andrews finishes the season 34-13 while Siders finishes 26-9. COTTAGE GROVE: Jeffrey Conklin (132) capped off his undefeated (52-0) season with a state championship on Friday. He…

LANE COUNTY – During a Lane County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, County Commissioner David Loveall voted to approve the board’s statement of unity and support for those reporting discrimination and harassment, but he did not provide an apology that acknowledges the harm to those affected and acknowledge the sustained findings in an investigation…

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…

CRESWELL – A proposal to let Creswell High School students lead a re‑examination of the city’s 20‑year‑old logo sparked a mix of enthusiasm and unease at Monday’s council meeting. Career Technical Education (CTE) teachers Mandy Hoggard and Athena Lawson, joined by several students, outlined a four‑phase, student‑run branding project called “Rooted and Rising.” Hoggard described…

EUGENE – To many onlookers, this might have seemed like Col. Richard Heyman’s grand au revoir, as he was posthumously awarded the Legion of Honor – France’s highest national recognition – during a heartwarming ceremony Monday, Feb. 23 at the Soaring by the Sea Foundation near the Eugene Airport. But to others, this was only…

SPRINGFIELD – After a split board failed to agree on an acting superintendent on Friday, the Springfield School Board during a special meeting on Monday night appointed Jodi O’Mara, who will serve for four months until the end of the school year. But it wasn’t without tension on the board. At Friday’s meeting, board director…

SPRINGFIELD – Last week, the Springfield Economic Development Agency (SEDA) invited community members to Roaring Rapids Pizza Company to view the proposed master plan and chat with project leaders of the Glenwood Riverfront Redevelopment. The free event was an informal, drop-in meeting with poster boards featuring site proposals, the project’s evolution, street characters, potential uses,…

CRESWELL – With at least 13 Creswell families currently unhoused, and many more on the brink of losing utilities or housing, city leaders are exploring whether the Eugene-based transitional housing program, Everyone Village (EV), could be adapted to fit this small town’s needs. At Monday’s city council work session, councilors, staff, school district representatives, and…

EUGENE – After weaving in and out of public and closed-door meetings, the Lane County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 18 publicly addressed the investigation into allegations of harassment and discrimination, with Commissioner David Loveall at its center. After approximately three hours of discussion, the board directed staff and attorneys to prepare a “statement of…

COTTAGE GROVE – A plot of land off Pennoyer and down N. 11th in Cottage Grove is owned by Habitat for Humanity of Central Lane and will have a brand new cottage cluster housing development in the next few years. Affordable housing seems far and few between these days, with increasing home and rental prices…

COTTAGE GROVE – By day, Dale Light works in IT. By night, they transform into a swan.  The Swan, written by Elizabeth Egloff, debuted on stage at Opal Center for Arts and Education at 513 E. Main St. last weekend.  As soon as I saw that Light was in this play, I wanted to see…

Did anyone watch the Super Bowl two weeks ago? I admit, I only watched in spurts, finding the crowd noise was triggering my anxiety about my ever-growing, never-shrinking to-do list. Somewhere before halftime, Theresa came to the kitchen, where I was working, her iPad in hand. “You’ve got to see this,” she said, pulling up…

Dear Commissioners, I have been following your discussion concerning the IGA between the County and Cities within Lane County. I have heard Steve Mokrohisky explain when and why it was implemented and how it really hasn’t been enforced. Why hasn’t it been enforced? Because it was legally challenged once and the county dropped the case…

As former Board Chairs of Springfield Public Schools, we understand both the weight of governance and the responsibility that comes with leading a public institution. In moments of heightened debate about leadership and board conduct, it is essential to return to the core purpose of our work: Springfield Public Schools exists to educate and support…

EUGENE – Mike and Kathi Kangas are still recovering from the house fire that destroyed their home on Monday, Feb. 2. The GoFundMe campaign has ended, but financial contributions to their continued recovery can be mailed to their attention at: 27607 Royal Ave, Eugene OR. 97404. The family has said it doesn’t need personal property,…

COTTAGE GROVE – Lane Transit District (LTD) will launch a new Rural Shuttle Pilot in South Lane, Mohawk Valley, Mapleton, and Deadwood along the Highway 36 corridor on March 2. “Rural transit services are a lifeline,” said Jameson Auten, LTD’s chief executive officer. “Without access to affordable and reliable transit, quality of life deteriorates quickly…

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Utility Board (SUB) announced last week that it has received $9.6 million in funding from Oregon’s Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund for the McKenzie River Water Supply Project, which aims to enhance drinking water reliability and resiliency. Of the award, about $3 million is a forgivable loan, while the rest…

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Drifters past and present players popped this past week, highlighted by a historic performance from local standout Dylan Carson (2024, ’25). Carson, a Churchill High graduate, had a record-setting performance for Bushnell on Saturday, going 8-for-9 with 5 home runs, 12 RBIs and 1 steal across two games against Warner Pacific. This…

EUGENE – The parking lots around the Morse Center – a 2,100-seat all-purpose arena on the Bushnell University campus, were packed Saturday for the Mountain Valley Conference Championship boys basketball game between Creswell and Pleasant Hill. Inside the gym, the atmosphere crackled with tension as the rivals met for the third time this season. Besides…

THURSTON (17-5, 9-1) ■ Tipping off: The Colts have their final regular-season game on Friday against No. 16 Ashland (13-9, 4-6) at 7 p.m. The Colts will honor their four seniors: Lucas LaBounty, Logan Piquette, Rylan Sharp, and Malachi Perez. If the Colts beat Churchill on Tuesday, they will have clinched a league title before…

SPRINGFIELD Tipping off: The No. 2 Millers (21-2) complete their regular season this week with two games. First, the Millers host No. 16 North Eugene (12-11) on Tuesday, past The Chronicle’s deadline, before traveling to No. 3 Crater (20-4) on Friday. Friday’s match against Crater is the game to watch, as the two teams have…

■ SPRINGFIELD lost to Ashland 67-59 on Friday. Lejhaun Henderson, Noah Solo, and Brady Lo’ser combined for 47 points with 17, 16, and 14, respectively. Henderson was efficient, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free throw line. . ■ THURSTON defeated Springfield 78-35. Lucas LaBounty led the Colts with 25 points and…

Millers still unbeaten; Creswell wins title ■ SPRINGFIELD: The No. 2 Millers (21-2) went 2-0 last week. On Tuesday, the Millers beat No. 18 Thurston (8-14) 57-23 at home before traveling to No. 28 Ashland (4-17) on Friday to win 79-14. Despite the Millers remaining undefeated in Class 5A play (21-0), they remain at No.…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers boys competed in the Midwestern League Districts in Ashland last weekend. They finished sixth out of seven with 43 points. Two wrestlers placed for the Millers at districts – Vincent Andrews (138) who placed fourth, and Dominic Jacobson-Marshall (150) who placed sixth. THURSTON: The Colts boys competed in the Midwestern League Districts…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers competed in the Midwestern League Districts two weeks ago on Friday, Feb. 13. The Millers boys earned second place and the girls took third. The team scores combined together to give the Millers an overall placement of second. Mateo Buhr was a standout for the Millers, earning first in the Male 400…

SPRINGFIELD: The Millers competed in the Class 5A Coed Cheerleading State Championships two weeks ago on Saturday, Feb. 14. The Millers finished ninth out of 10 with 51.5 points. The Millers got 12 points for their band dance & fight song, 24 points for crowd leading, and an 18.5 composite score. They then received a…

EUGENE – Bushnell University officials announced that the Beacons will add men’s and women’s wrestling programs in the fall of 2027. The participation rates among high school wrestlers was a driving force behind the decision, school administrators said. High School wrestling participation nationally is at its highest level in over 50 years with nearly 375,000…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE T.S. No.: OR-26-1032952-SW Reference is made to that certain deed made by, MITCHELL R. BRANCH, JR. AND JESSICA BRANCH, HUSBAND AND WIFE, AS TENANTS BY THE ENTIRETY as Grantor to EVERGREEN LAND TITLE COMPANY, as trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS DESIGNATED NOMINEE FOR SIERRA PACIFIC MORTGAGE…

Proposed bill would allow city councils to work behind the scenes Oregonians are increasingly losing faith in their government and institutions. All too often, it feels like actions are taken without any notice or public input.  A bill racing ahead in the current legislative session would only heighten that unease. It has the potential to…

The Springfield Public Schools (SPS) Board of Directors will interview three candidates for the role of acting superintendent on Friday, Feb. 20 at 5 p.m. The interviews will be conducted in open session, with each candidate scheduled for a 20-minute interview. Following the interviews, the Board will deliberate in open session and is expected to…

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…

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 – Lane County on Feb. 10 released a “condensation” of a months-long outside investigation regarding claims of Commissioner David Loveall retaliating against Lane County staff. The report outlined how Loveall allegedly engaged in multiple incidents of retaliation against several staff members. Loveall rejects these claims, saying that the investigation is “a brazen attempt to…

SPRINGFIELD – In August 2025, Bob and Gayle Kramer announced their retirement and the closing of a beloved plant nursery. Little Red Farm Nursery at 1020 S. 42nd St. 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…

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 – 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…