COTTAGE GROVE – Beloved Cottage Grove cowboy Don Williams celebrated his 90th birthday Wednesday afternoon, surrounded by friends and family – including friends as far away as Washington State – at the Cottage Grove Community Center. “It has been a wonderful life,” Williams said. “I owe a lot to the community.” Williams reflected on a…

COTTAGE GROVE – “Steel Magnolias” is one of those plays that brings in an audience. The play debuted last weekend, and opening night was sold out. Performances continue April 3-4 at Opal Center, 513 E. Main St. The play centers on six Southern women in a small Louisiana town who meet at Trudy’s salon as…

SPRINGFIELD – Six candidates have stepped forward to compete for the vacant role of Springfield’s Ward 4 City Councilor, all with a diverse array of backgrounds and experiences. Council will conduct candidate interviews during an April 6 council meeting, with deliberations on April 20. The selected candidate will take over the position vacated by Beth…

LANE COUNTY – Over $120,000 in grants was recently awarded to Lane County nonprofits through the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund. A total of 25 grants were awarded for workforce development, education initiatives, and community projects throughout Eugene, Springfield, and Cottage Grove areas. Weyerhaeuser employees serve on local advisory committees and help determine funding priorities within several…

By Sid Lelken With Lane County’s ongoing budget challenges, why would increasing our garbage rates become a way to deal with this issue? Last year the Lane County Board of Commissioners, in a 3-2 vote moved forward on a waste processing facility called Clean Lane. Clean Lane has been described as a $150 million “public-private…

DORENA – A rural school with fewer than 100 students has received national recognition as a Promising Practices School. Located just 15 minutes from Cottage Grove at 37141 Row River Road, Dorena School serves students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Last Monday, it was announced that the school was honored by Solution Tree, a professional…

Heather Buch has been a stellar county commissioner for East Lane County, but now she’s being challenged by two extremists. Political consultant Jake Pelroy, who ran David Loveall’s campaign four years ago, has taken some meaty donations from Ed King, the winery king of Lorane who also wants to be the gravel quarry king of…

EUGENE – UO’s University Theatre stages “Radium Girls” by D.W. Gregory, directed by guest director Willow Norton Zolan, April 17 to May 2 at the Hope Theatre, 1231 University of Oregon. “Radium Girls” tells the true story of dial painters in the 1920s who suffered from mysterious illnesses linked to their work with radium. The…

Spring! I love a country morning in the springtime! As I stand in our backyard, I hear the birds sing, the bright yellow daffodils bring joy to my heart, the new green leaves in the trees, and then the call of geese as two pairs fly overhead. The light wind brings a chill as it…

The Row River Fire District is holding a fundraiser to support the construction of a new fire station in Dorena. The initiative aims to engage the numerous bicyclists who frequent the Row River Trail, particularly around the popular parking locations at Mosby Bridge, Cerro Gordo, and Harms Park. As the number of visitors to the…

CRESWELL – Hitting had been a strength for the Creswell Bulldogs during their four-game winning streak, but Thursday, pitching and defense carried the load in a 6-0 victory over South Umpqua to finish the Creswell Invitational tournament 3-0. In the top of the seventh inning with one out, South Umpqua pinch hitter Jackson Causey hit…

■ CRESWELL was 2-0 last week, both games coming on Thursday. In the morning, it defeated Oakridge 8-3. Sophomore Brenna Roat was 2-for-3 with a HR, 3 RBIs, and 3 R, while Savannah Rook was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, and 2 RBI. Elise Thackara threw a complete game, striking out six batters. In…

PLEASANT HILL (2-1, #9) ■ Leading off: The Class 3A Billies will look to get back to a more normal kind of game after winning 44-25 their last time out. On Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1, the Billies travel to face No. 23 Corbett (2-2) and welcome No. 29 Siuslaw (1-2), respectively. On…

■ THURSTON went 2-3 at the Coach Bob Tournament at Desert Mountain High School in Arizona last week. Teams from the western half of the U.S. came to the tournament. The Colts lost to Desert Mountain (Ariz.) 7-0 in their first game on Monday. The home team put up six runs in the fourth inning…

THURSTON (3-3, #6) ■ Leading off: The Class 5A Colts are off to a slow start based on their own high standards. However, the last time the Colts started 3-3, two years ago, they won their final 25 games on the way to their second consecutive state championship. This week, they faced West Albany at…

SPRINGFIELD – Bushnell pitcher Austin Wolfe (’25) struck out six batters and held Corban to two hits and one run across seven innings. Bushnell teammate Kai Keamo (’22) also put together a strong outing against the Warriors, throwing six innings with four strikeouts, three hits, and one unearned run. ■ Nick Gimino (2025) continued his…

■ SPRINGFIELD: The Millers return seven golfers from last year when they placed fourth in the Midwestern League. Seniors Joshua Toensing and Weston Hosford lead the way along with junior Jackson Rich. ■ CRESWELL: The Bulldogs return three boys from a sixth-place finish at districts last year. Coach Jesse Thomas welcomes back seniors Parker Russell-Wollheim…

■ THURSTON: Peyton Reed finished second in the league in doubles and fifth at state last year before moving to No. 1 singles this year. Mason Spain, a four-year varsity player, and junior Tyler Jagles take over at No. 1 doubles for the Colts, who placed second at districts last year. Bill Matheus, a state…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 23-00278OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Johnna Sangston and Nonda Gabbard, as grantor, to Cascade Title Company, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Finance of America Mortgage LLC, beneficiary of the…

CRESWELL – National Short Take Off and Landing (STOL) is a competition series for pilots nationwide to showcase their skill in a sport-like setting. On Monday night, the Creswell City Council talked about bringing the event to Creswell’s Hobby Field this summer. “National STOL is really up and coming in the aviation world,” said airport…

CRESWELL – Creswell is going to have its own personal Memorial Day – a few days before the official national holiday. Mayor Nick Smith explained the preliminary details at Monday night’s city council meeting. “On May 25, we’ll do a Proclamation that it’s Col. Richard Heyman Day,” Smith said. “We will fly all the flags…

CRESWELL – The Creswell City Council on Monday night gave a nod of approval for City Manager Vincent Martorello to cut ties with Lane County regarding solid waste fees and terminate an intergovernmental agreement between the two. Lane County and Sanipac are currently engaged in ongoing negotiations regarding the System Benefit Fee (SBF). The County…

LANE COUNTY – It was announced last Friday that County Commissioner David Loveall has officially filed a federal lawsuit against Lane County, County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky, and fellow Commissioners Heather Buch, Laurie Trieger, and Pat Farr for violations of his First Amendment rights, retaliation, and violations of open meeting laws. The 35-page lawsuit filed in…

CRESWELL – During Monday night’s Creswell City Council meeting, Mandy Hoggard, Creswell Chamber secretary, and Kelly Makinson, Chamber president, shared the Creswell Chamber’s annual report that included statistics about last year’s big events, like the Fourth of July and the Winter Lights Festival, and how they hope to expand on those events and more this…

SOUTH LANE – South Lane County residents can expect to see Ballot Measure #20-383 on the May ballot again, after the same proposed fire levy increase was shot down by voters last November. To inform voters of the impact of a yes vote on the measure, firefighters from South Lane County Fire and Rescue (SLCFR)…

COTTAGE GROVE – Maya Burton is stepping into a pivotal chapter of her career as executive director at the Opal Center for Arts and Education, all while continuing her leadership at Storybook Theatre of Cottage Grove and directing the highly anticipated play “Steel Magnolias” debuting this weekend in Cottage Grove. “Steel Magnolias” is a 1987…

COTTAGE GROVE – A lively evening filled with Western flair took place at the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 21, where local businesses and organizations united to honor community excellence and support scholarships. Award recipients included the Cottage Grove High School Key Club (Distinguished Service Award), South Lane…

COTTAGE GROVE – Back on Aug. 25, 2025, Cottage Grove Mayor Candace Solesbee issued a proclamation to honor Dyrol Burleson, a celebrated athlete and historic figure from the city. Burleson, a member of the Cottage Grove High School Hall of Fame, made significant contributions to athletics, including setting the 1500 meters record in 1958 and…

COTTAGE GROVE – Last week, Douglas County Commissioner Tim Freeman, President of the Association of O&C Counties (AOCC), hosted a quarterly meeting at Starfire Lumber in Cottage Grove, attended by AOCC board members and county commissioners. The meeting included a tour of Starfire Lumber’s new timber-built administration building and facilities. The gathering followed pivotal federal…

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its Essential Skills Workshop from April 20-22, at the Holiday Inn Express on Kruse Way. The no-cost program features three half-day sessions, running from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each day, and aims to equip entry- to mid-level managers with practical leadership tools.  Key topics will…

Governor Tina Kotek issued Executive Order 25-09, which bans cell phone use by students during school hours. All of Oregon’s school districts have adopted this policy. “Research tells us that constant cell phone use distracts from learning and can create mental health issues,” Governor Kotek stated. “For our students to thrive, we have to make…

COTTAGE GROVE – The Lane Council of Governments (LCOG) held its annual Member Appreciation Dinner and fundraiser on March 6 at the historic Cottage Grove Armory. Each year, LCOG celebrates regional accomplishments for the prior year and recognizes outstanding work and accomplishments in the region. More than 160 elected and appointed officials, business and community…

EUGENE – On March 21 at 7 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Spencer Butte Park in the 85300 block of S. Willamette Street, south of Eugene. Callers reported a male had been lying in the roadway, then swung a knife and threw a bottle at them when they attempted to make sure he…

VENETA – On March 20 at 2:30 p.m., a Lane County Sheriff’s deputy observed a pickup and trailer parked on private property in the 88000 block of Central Road, west of Eugene near Veneta. The gate was damaged, and the pickup was not associated with the address. Several deputies and K9 Ripp responded to assist…

DEXTER – On March 19, shortly before 1 a.m., the Lane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a tree in the 82000 block of Barbre Road in Dexter. Upon arrival, deputies observed the involved vehicle again on the roadway. Deputies contacted the occupants of the vehicle and…

SPRINGFIELD – On March 28, thousands of residents will gather to demonstrate that “America has no kings” and that power belongs to the people. Dubbed “No Kings 3 – Communities in Alliance,” the event will feature mass protests across the U.S., organized by Indivisible and its No Kings partners. In Eugene, the Activist Coalition of…

SPRINGFIELD – Get ready to have an egg-cellent time at Megga Hunt, Springfield’s biggest annual egg hunt! Willamalane’s 71st annual Megga Hunt is on Saturday, April 4, 2026 from 9 a.m. to noon at Lively Park, 6100 Thurston Rd., Springfield. The event is open to all ages and abilities and will feature a variety of…

SPRINGFIELD – The City of Springfield is now accepting photo submissions for its 2027 Canines for Clean Water calendar. Dog owners can submit one photo per dog from March 20 to April 6 using the official entry form at bit.ly/pickmypooch. Entries via social media or email will not be accepted. Twelve selected dogs will receive…

EUGENE – Longtime Eugene resident Linda Lynch is the recipient of this year’s Annabel Kitzhaber Education and Advocacy Award, presented by the League of Women Voters of Lane County. The award is meant to recognize an outstanding citizen for their significant, effective, and long-term leadership in making local and state government more accessible to the…

Illegal dumping isn’t just an eyesore: it’s a costly, environmentally damaging problem that affects neighborhoods, waterways, and wildlife. Lane County is taking a proactive step to address this issue with the launch of its new Report Illegal Dumping (R.I.D.) tool, an easy-to-use online platform that empowers residents to act. Try the tool at lanecountyor.gov/keeplaneclean. The…

By Theresa Hausser and Kate McMichael Perspective is a funny thing. Kids, too. As members of Oregon Women in Timber, a statewide, all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to forestry education, we were interviewing one of our members, Kit LaBelle, for our Women Who Know the Woods video series (find the YouTube link at orwit.org). It turned…

THURSTON – Grady Saunders has been playing above his age level since middle school, so Dennis Minium knew he didn’t have an average freshman arriving on the diamond in 2023. “Oh yeah, I had high expectations for him after watching him play at the Babe Ruth level,” the Thurston baseball coach said. “I knew he…

PLEASANT HILL – Pleasant Hill will show off a new field as it looks to make the state softball playoffs. The Billies’ booster club raised funds to provide a new turf facility for the softball team while looking to do the same for the baseball team soon. “We could not be more excited and thankful…

SPRINGFIELD – The 5th annual Harvey Lewellen Throws Invitational took place on Saturday, March 21. Springfield, Thurston, Cottage Grove and Creswell were among the schools represented at the meet. Lewellen is a former Thurston track coach who has set a number of world and American masters records and is a member of the USA Track…

CRESWELL – With a few returnees – including a state champion – and a talented transfer, Creswell will take a shot at defending its Class 3A girls track and field championship. The Bulldogs bring back three scorers from last year’s group that totaled 56 points to edge runner-up Banks by one to claim the first…

THURSTON ■ Coach: Jeff Litle■ Last year: 23-6, 15-3 in Midwestern League, second place. Defeated West Albany 15-13 in the first round of playoffs and defeated Wilsonville, 12-2, in second round of playoffs. Defeated Crater 18-15 in state semifinals before losing 9-0 to Ridgeview in the state title game.■ Outlook: The Colts return five all-league…

THURSTON ■ Coach: Dennis Minium■ Last year: 26-4 overall, 18-0 to win Midwestern League title. Lost to Canby, 2-0, in the state semifinals.■ Outlook: The Colts have won seven straight league titles dating to 2018 and are favored to add to that list. The Colts won state in 2023 and ’24 before falling one game…

THURSTON ■ Coach: K.C. Gillespie■ Outlook: The Colts placed sixth at state last year in the girls competition led by Brooklyn Anderson, who won the state title in the 100 hurdles in 14.93 seconds. She already topped that time as a senior by running 14.44 to tie for 16th in state history. Anderson placed third…

SPRINGFIELD – Drifters alum Austin Wolfe (2023) broke the Bushnell baseball record for strikeouts in a game, fanning 13 Oregon Tech batters across eight innings on Saturday. He walked only one batter and allowed two runs en route to his fourth victory this season. Wolfe has four games with eight or more strikeouts. Danny Womack,…

WRESTLING 5A BOYSFirst Team■ Samuel Greenstreet, 10, Thurston, 1st in Midwestern League, 108■ Michael Salas-Sanchez, 11, Thurston, 1st in Midwestern League, 120■ Bill Matheus, 12, Thurston, 1st in Midwestern League, 150 Second Team■ Lukas Salas-Sanchez, 10, Thurston, 2nd in Midwestern League, 113■ Tanner Brumble, 10, Thurston, 2nd in Midwestern League, 126■ Emmit Distefano, 11, Thurston,…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE T.S. No.: OR-25-1031052-RM Reference is made to that certain deed made by, MONIQUE MARIE MOYA as Grantor to FIDELITY NATIONAL TITLE INSURANCE, as trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., AS NOMINEE FOR VILLAGE CAPITAL & INVESTMENT LLC., ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS, as Beneficiary, dated 3/20/2025, recorded 4/3/2025, in…

Darlene Phyllis Bates Workman was born on June 10, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, to Edgar and Erma Bates and was the thirteenth of fourteen children. Darlene passed away in her sleep on March 7, 2026, from Leukemia in the Pete Moore Hospice House. She was 88 years old. Darlene spent her younger years growing…

CRESWELL – Over 20 years ago, the Creswell Library moved from the historic Old Schoolhouse across from Creswell Bakery on 2nd Street to an old clinic at 64 W. Oregon Ave., and has since undergone extensive renovations and expanded to become the library folks know today. Today, the library owns its own building and has…

CRESWELL – On Monday afternoon, a few dozen folks gathered at Creswell High School to turn the soil for the school’s new career and technical education building. The 20,000-square-foot building was donated to the school by R&M Steel, a company based in Idaho. Bethany Scovil showed attendees to the school’s commons area, where the school…

SPRINGFIELD – Pickleball is gaining momentum in Lane County, and to keep up with the fast-growing popularity, Willamalane is teaming up with Emerald Valley Pickleball Club (EVPC) to offer monthly classes. No, pickleball is not played with any actual pickles. The game is a hybrid of badminton and table tennis. It is a paddle-racket sport…

CRESWELL – Creswell will appoint a new municipal judge and city attorney, replacing Attorney Ross Williamson, who began serving as the City Attorney for Creswell in 2011, and municipal judge R Scott Palmer, who has served in Creswell for over 40 years. Mayor Nick Smith said he and city manager Vincent Martorello will negotiate an…

SPRINGFIELD – At a March 9 Springfield Economic and Development Agency meeting, board members approved an offer from the Oregon Department of Transportation that includes construction of sidewalks around the old US Bank building at 437 Main Street. Jeremy Sherer, the city surveyor, said the acquisition is part of ODOT’s statewide effort to upgrade approximately…

Imagine being able to temporarily time-travel and escape modern distractions, exhausting work situations, and stressful politics. Which time period would you choose to visit? While we may not have a time machine, we do have a unique opportunity to take a break from modern life. When you visit the Barony of Adiantum in the Kingdom…

In these turbulent times, the impact of current events is widespread, affecting people of all ages and sectors of society. We are constantly bombarded by media across all platforms with often negative news. As a baby boomer born in the mid-20th century, I have witnessed incredible changes and advancements – from the mere dreams of…

Radio is one of our oldest forms of electronic mass communication. While its concept is quite old, radio itself didn’t enter most American households until the late 1920s. Once introduced, it caught on quickly. Mass communication has been multiplied and honed unceasingly in the last century, but, through it all, simple little radio remains largely…

“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumbline in the hand of Zerubbabel.”– Zechariah 4: 10 He replied, “…because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here…

Oregon’s older residents can access free tax preparation services this season through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, the largest volunteer-based tax assistance program in the nation. Operating until April 15, Tax-Aide has helped over 82 million people since 1968, with volunteers assisting over 1.7 million taxpayers last year alone in the 2025 tax season. Oregon volunteers completed…

DEAN’S LIST ■ Hannah Fackler, of Creswell, Music Performance, Biola University in La Mirada, California.■ Allison Palluck, of Cottage Grove, Psychology, Manchester University, Indiana.■ Lynzee Halcott, of Springfield, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.■ Maria Batey, Arts, of Springfield, Humanities & Soc Science, Interdisciplinary Studies, Eastern Oregon University.■ Tiffany Sanderson, of Springfield, Education, Early Childhood Education, Eastern Oregon…

SPRINGFIELD – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission, during a meeting in Springfield in late February, voted 6-1 to deny a petition aimed at modifying crab fishery rules to reduce the risk of whale entanglement further. While rejecting the petition, the Commission urged the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to continue its planned…

SALEM – New research — the largest dataset ever conducted on shared book reading — affirms that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library significantly strengthens early literacy skills for children in Oregon alongside children across the United States and in four other countries, reinforcing the power of shared reading in the earliest years of life. The study,…

SPRINGFIELD – Singing Creek Education Center – a nonprofit that provides hands-on history and nature programs that connect children to the heritage and ecosystems of the Willamette Valley – will soon host a lineup of hands-on spring break and summer camps for participants of all ages. “We are thrilled to have this new space, and…

Dear Editor, I first met Heather Buch on a warm, late-summer day in 2018 while weeding my yard in Cottage Grove. She was walking door-to-door, canvassing. She introduced herself and told me she was running for the East Lane County Commissioner seat. We were both more than happy to take a break from the hot…

Dear Editor, East Lane County voters need better representation on the Lane County Board of Commissioners than the tax-and-spend ideas of the incumbent running for re-election. Candidate Jake Pelroy has extensive experience in policy matters and wants to bring a pro-business, pro-private-property-rights perspective to the board. It is very difficult in Lane County for business…

The American Red Cross and Bloodworks NW are urging residents to schedule blood donations amid blood supply shortages. Donors of all blood types are needed, especially with the possibility of severe weather this spring. To book your donation, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS, or contact Bloodworks at (541) 484-9111 or visit bloodworksnw.org. Additionally, A1C testing…

SALEM –Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has declared 2026 the Year of the Woman Farmer, aligning the state with the United Nations’ designation of the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This initiative, supported by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, acknowledges the vital contributions of women in agriculture. Women represent 44% of all…

SPRINGFIELD – At the March 11 board meeting, Veronica McCauley was sworn in as the newest board member of Willamalane Park and Recreation District. ​She will fill the vacancy left by the departure of former Director Greg James and will serve until the end of the current term, June 30, 2027. McCauley was selected through…

SPRINGFIELD – NAMI Lane County, a grassroots, peer-led organization focused on supporting individuals with mental health conditions and their families, provides free resources, education, and advocacy in Lane County. The NAMI Lane County Resource Center at 129 9th St. in Springfield is open Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In-person meetings■ NAMI Connection Recovery…

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has awarded $25 million in public health equity grants to 125 nonprofit organizations to support community-led programs. The funding through OHA’s Partnerships for Community Health Program will support the work of community-based organizations from Jan. 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, across nine program areas. Local grant recipients: ■ Family…

McMINNVILLE – The “stars” just didn’t line up in Springfield’s favor in this year’s Class 5A Girls Basketball State Championship game. Payton Starwalt scored 26 points and extended her all-classification record for 3-pointers in a season with 136 as West Albany – fittingly a long shot as the No. 5 seed – held on for…

McMINNVILLE – Defense has been the story all season for the Thurston Colts. They held five opponents to season-low point totals, and allowed the fewest points in Class 5A during the regular season. When they were down 13 points in the fourth quarter of their quarterfinal playoff game against Summit, they needed their trademark defense.…

SPRINGFIELD – Three 2025 Springfield Drifters – Cesar Chavez, Andrew Gauna, and Sonny Pena all had their best week of baseball this season. Chavez, an outfielder at Cal State Los Angeles, went 10-for-15 at the plate in four games against Cal State Stanislaus. He batted .900 with 9 hits over the final three games of…

BOYS BASKETBALL THURSTONALL-MIDWESTERN LEAGUE■ Player of the year: Lucas LaBounty (second consecutive year)■ Defensive player of the year: Logan PiquetteFirst team■ Treyson HillSecond team■ Leofatu FilipeHonorable mention■ Logan PiquetteALL-STATE TOURNAMENTFirst team■ Lucas LaBounty SPRINGFIELDALL-MIDWESTERN LEAGUEHonorable mention■ Noah Solo■ Lejhaun Henderson COTTAGE GROVEALL-SKY EM LEAGUEFirst team■ Trevor CooperAll-Defensive Team■ Cade MayHonorable mention■ Cade May■ Tai Lam■…

In these turbulent times, the impact of current events is widespread, affecting people of all ages and sectors of society. We are constantly bombarded by media across all platforms with often negative news. As a baby boomer born in the mid-20th century, I have witnessed incredible changes and advancements – from the mere dreams of…

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 23-00278OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Johnna Sangston and Nonda Gabbard, as grantor, to Cascade Title Company, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Finance of America Mortgage LLC, beneficiary of the…

COTTAGE GROVE – During a tour organized by the Lane Education Service District, community members and other schools had the chance to explore the career technical education (CTE) programs that Cottage Grove High School (CGHS) offers. Five CTE student ambassadors led a tour of the school through nine classrooms with CTE programs. The programs are…

SPRINGFIELD – As this special Springfield Public Library series comes to an end, one relationship that is deserving of a mention – arguably the most important one – is with city departments. Security and custodial staff help the library operate smoothly every day to guarantee its functions for the community. “We really couldn’t offer all…

SPRINGFIELD – On Monday night, Springfield Public Schools board members appointed Robert (Bob) Brew as a new board member, but only after deadlocking on the decision three times. From a pool of 13 applicants, board members narrowed the selection to three candidates who might fill the vacant seat left by Heather Quaas-Annsa. Matthew Brandt is…

CRESWELL – University of Oregon students and Habitat for Humanity of Central Lane officials hosted a public meeting on March 4 at the Creswell Grange to share their designs for an affordable housing Cottage Cluster in Cottage Grove. Habitat is building the cluster of homes at 676 N. 11th St. and will contain five multi-generational…

SPRINGFIELD – Sabrina Hightower moved to Oregon 15 years ago and changed her life. She transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom for 12 years to running a family business with her husband and children involved. Charcuterie Bar Creations offers a personalized selection of individually served charcuterie creations. Relocating from California, Hightower initially moved to Oregon…

SPRINGFIELD – On Feb. 2, the Springfield City Council adopted an alternate contracting method for repairs of the historic Springfield Depot and railcar, advancing the renovation process on track. At the Jan. 12 work session, the council provided direction to proceed with a design-build contracting method for deferred maintenance at the depot. A public hearing…

SPRINGFIELD – Sometimes you meet a real-life Wonder Woman. Such is the case of Melissa Green, a Renaissance woman in the arts, a teacher, advocate, and artist who has done so much for environmental conservation and arts education, and is the new director at the Emerald Art Center at 500 Main St. Green is a…

COTTAGE GROVE – Despite a new pilot in rural South Lane County from Lane Transit District (LTD) that launched on March 2, South Lane Wheels (SLW) continues to operate. The nonprofit based in Cottage Grove has served as a transportation lifeline for rural residents in the area. For more than 40 years, SLW has been…

THURSTON – Community leaders, project partners, and residents gathered on Feb. 28 for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of the Joyce A. Langeliers Family Center in Thurston. Developed by the Thurston Life Foundation, the center at 5807 A St. aims to foster connection and support for youth and families.

SALEM – Oregon Department of Transportation officials said they will avoid layoffs and significant service cuts following the passage of legislation to address a $297 million budget shortfall in the agency’s maintenance and operations. The measure redirects $218 million from existing state transportation funds, allowing highway maintenance crews to remain on the job, while safety…

SALEM – In response to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) monthly Jobs Report, Oregon State Director Anthony Smith voiced concerns about the state’s economic climate. The report indicated a slight increase in the Small Business Employment Index, rising nearly 1 point to 103.5, surpassing both the 2025 average of 101.2 and the historical…

CRESWELL –The Creswell School District has officially kicked off construction on its new Career and Technical Education (CTE) Building at Creswell High School, thanks to strong community support for the district’s bond measure. The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, March 16, at 4:30 p.m. at Creswell High School, 33390 Niblock Lane. Attendees will include…

LANE COUNTY – Lane County residents are once again being targeted by phone scammers impersonating employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. These scammers typically present themselves as sergeants and claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unresolved legal issues. They may even offer to assist with bail for family members in jail. The…

CRESWELL – LCSO deputies responded to a report of a disorderly subject in the 200 block of Creswood Drive in the early hours of Feb. 23. Upon arrival, deputies found 25-year-old Aiyana Elizabeth Roy of Creswell naked and allegedly injured. Roy reportedly broke into a nearby home and assaulted an elderly resident, causing significant injuries.…

LANE COUNTY – Lane County residents are once again being targeted by phone scammers impersonating employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. These scammers typically present themselves as sergeants and claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unresolved legal issues. They may even offer to assist with bail for family members in jail. The…

SPRINGFIELD – On Feb.18, the Springfield Police Department received a report alleging that a man attempted to kidnap an 8-year-old child in the area of Gateway Street and Harlow Road. Officers responded promptly and initiated a thorough investigation into the allegation, including interviewing the involved child and their parent, canvassing for potential witnesses, and reviewing…

VENETA – On March 1 at 9:30 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a vehicle trespassing in the 25100-block of East Broadway Avenue, Veneta. The vehicle description matched a vehicle that had recently fled from Eugene Police officers. The suspected driver, David Johnathan Guggenmos, 41, of Springfield, had a felony warrant…

SPRINGFIELD – On March 5 at 12:20 p.m., Springfield Police responded to a house call in the 600-block of Lochaven Avenue regarding a disorderly subject. Initial investigation determined there was probable cause to arrest the suspect, Kevin Wayne Downs, 60. Downs left before officers arrived and could not be located. Around 6:30 p.m., an officer…