COTTAGE GROVE -- James Blame isn’t joking when he says comedy saved his life.

CRESWELL – Wise Woman Herbals, an all-natural herbal and botanical supplements company, is looking to expand its footprint in Creswell. In fact, one might say the proposed growth is Bigfoot-sized.

As readers know, my columns contain nostalgia and history. And hopefully, things that might suggest a happy family outing.

I was in a local big box sporting goods retailer earlier this spring. I met a friend to help him select a couple of bass fishing rods and matching reels.

A close friend of mine likes to say that, “Life is a zero-sum game,” meaning things tend to balance out. Such was certainly true May 29, when news came to track and field aficionados that fans could attend the upcoming Olympic Trials in Eugene.

A recent survey conducted by the Eugene City Council investigated the impact of the pandemic on our community’s mental health.

Meet Tim Olguin, educator, affordable housing advocate, homebuilder, and entrepreneur.

COTTAGE GROVE -- The flyers at the Brewstation proclaimed that none of the five major vaccine manufacturers are as effective as JaSkaMon – especially when dealing with rare tropical disorders such as Raskanitis.

Imagine taking a fitness test to get into college. And needing a nomination from a congressman or senator just so a school will even look at the application at all. And, having to begin this process the moment high school begins.

Flexibility is key for a Cottage Grove teen graduating in the Class of 2021 from Willamette Connections Academy, a tuition-free, online public school for K-12 students.

CRESWELL – The Fourth of July Celebration that has been promoted for Sunday, July 4, at TJ’s Restaurant and Lounge appears to be over after the restaurant’s current owner told The Chronicle on Thursday afternoon that “there will be no organized event of any kind in the TJ’s parking lot, and the police are going to enforce that.”

Saturday, June 19, between noon and 9 p.m., the Applegate Regional Theater (ART, Inc.) campus will be the venue for boxing matches put on by the West Eugene Boxing Academy and visiting clubs from out of the area.

A year has finally passed since the initial shutdown of our economy, school system, and government offices.

CRESWELL – Six graduating seniors across Oregon – including Seth Handman of Creswell High School – won scholarship money through a special program partnership between OnPoint Community Credit Union and the Oregon School Activities Association.

This is the story of two school years, two schools, and two very special graduating classes paired with one very lucky day to celebrate our graduates in the small, close-knit town of Cottage Grove.

PLEASANT HILL – The Creswell boys hit some dramatic buzzer-beating shots as they returned to the basketball court after taking a forced two-week hiatus.

CRESWELL – The school district is encouraging high school students ages 16 and older to apply for summer employment opportunities through the district.

CRESWELL – Residents can expect rate increases for public safety, water, sewer, and trash beginning July 1. All increases were approved by the city council at Monday’s meeting. There was no public comment.

GLENWOOD – Development interest keeps building in Glenwood as a minor league baseball team flirts with the idea of a riverfront stadium, and the city’s economic development leaders approve a process for developing their own riverside property.

CRESWELL – A celebratory “shot and a beer” could have a different meaning this July 4 holiday.

Libraries aren’t supposed to be too quiet. But in the age of Covid … “We were not a quiet library. It’s disturbingly quiet now,” said Nick Caum, Youth and Community Services Librarian at the Creswell Library.

COTTAGE GROVE – The final curtain has fallen on one of Cottage Grove’s finest citizens and his name is no doubt in lights on Heaven’s marquee announcing his appearance there. Frank Long passed away Thursday, June 10, after a long, active life of service to local theater, Cottage Grove High School, and the community at large.

COTTAGE GROVE – Gregg Biller has been in the guitar-repair business for 39 years, so he knew his move from Eugene to Cottage Grove five years ago would be costly – but also something he needed to do.

COTTAGE GROVE – Faced with all of the difficulties of trying to plan and organize a traditional community-wide event that draws thousands of people over an entire week, the leaders of Bohemia Mining Days turned to a tried-and-true tactic: They revived a feud.

Deb Henderson has had a long career in the South Lane School District, 35 years and still going.