Community, Creswell

2018 REVIEW – A year in Chronicle headlines

JANUARY 4
▲ Recounting 365 days of growth
The Chronicle highlighted all the businesses that came to town in 2017, including: Creswell HealthMart Pharmacy, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Camas Swale Medical Clinic and One Gro Investments. One Gro closed up shop in 2018, but all other businesses are doing well and thriving in town!

JANUARY 11
▲ What’s up with One Gro? CEO shares updates for Creswell CBD dispensary
Residents began scratching their heads after noticing the lights had been off at the One Gro building since the November 2017 election. As many will remember, One Gro rocked the boat in town that year in their efforts to bring a marijuana dispensary to Creswell. The measure lost at the polls by a 85 percent margin, and many wondered if One Gro would stick around, despite the loss. In this interview, the chief executive officer assured they would open a CBD dispensary in the building by May 2018. In this interview, One Gro still planned on paying the cost of the November 2017 election bill they promised to the City during their 2016 campaign.
▲ One Dollar Check: Local band drops new album, set to tour west coast
▲ Woman hit in crosswalk; injuries sustained: Sergeant offers safety tips for intersections

JANUARY 18
▲ Creswell versus Pleasant Hill: The rivalry continues on the hardwood
▲ Riding shotgun with the sergeant, part one
▲ Did you know?
Lane County Sheriff’s Office offers free ride alongs to its citizens? Well, they do, and the Chronicle editor went on one with Sergeant Scott Denham and touched on topics such as transients in town, drugs in the city and police programs.
▲ One Gro sued for $455K for alleged breach of contract

JANUARY 25
▲ Remembering Duane Hodges: A tribute to Creswell’s fallen hero Creswell observed the 50th anniversary of a local war hero’s death, Duane Hodges, who was killed on Jan. 23, 1968 after the North Korea Navy fired at a United States Navy ship, the USS Pueblo, in international waters. Hodges, of Creswell, was the only person killed in the attack.
▲ Riding shotgun with the sergeant, part two: Discussing sex abuse, traffic and 24-hour coverage in the City
▲ Creswell man arrested for stabbing incident at mobile home park

FEBRUARY 1
▲ It happened in Oregon…Electric motivation
Our beloved, late Curt Deatherage wrote beautifully about Oregon’s electric railroad roots. Boy, do we miss seeing his byline in our paper.
▲ Creswell station now recycling electronics
▲ Emerald Valley Magazine expanding into Springfie
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FEBRUARY 8
▲ Mike Arnold leaves One Gro
▲ A local twist on Valentine’s Day: Shop local
▲ Creswell Chamber of Commerce announces Award Finalists 201
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FEBRUARY 15
▲ South Lane County Fire & Rescue learns to burn
▲ Creswell Budget Committee a family affair?

▲ Creswell Chamber of Commerce announces award winners. Citizen of the Year: Cathy Morgan; Agribusiness of the Year: Wendy and Nick Vander Sys of Bear Mountain Honey; Volunteer of the Year: Verlean McCoy; Rose Barker Lifetime Achievement: Larry Schrenk; Educators of the Year: Creslane Integral Reading Program (IRC); Business of the Year: Aaron Donley, Sanipac sales manager; Junior Citizen of the Year: Blake Nelson and runner-ups: Benjamin Vaughn and Leah Murphy.

FEBRUARY 22
▲ Ultimate heartbreak: OSAA 3A wrestling state tournament recap
▲ City seeks Cobalt kitchen grants, will install floating floor
▲ CSD, aide sued $275K over alleged sexual assault of developmentally disabled child.
A court-appointed guardian of a special needs child attending Creslane Elementary School sued Creswell School District and a nurse for allegedly sexually assaulting a child in a classroom. That trial is set for May 14, 2019.
▲ Homeowners miffed about vandalism on Emerald Parkway

MARCH 1
▲ Creswell turns the big 1-4-5: A very Creswellian timeline
▲ Police on hunt for wanted man with Creswell ties
▲ Lights now shine bright on Niblock Lane.
A community campaign helped fund street lights for Niblock Lane as a means to reduce close calls between pedestrians and drivers. Then-city council president, soon-to-be Mayor Richard Zettervall helped to spearhead that effort.

MARCH 8
▲ Creswell is the butt of a bad joke: Report: In Creswell, tobacco is seven times easier to buy than fruits, veggies. Youth access to tobacco in town is shockingly high. This report explored some contributing factors including access, advertising, product placement and the increase of electronic cigarettes in Creswell.
▲ Tiered rate design considered for Creswell water.
Creswell heard a lot about tiered rate designs. Not long after Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD) switched to a tiered rate system, the Water Rate Advisory Committee pitched a similar idea to Creswell City Council.
▲ EPUD execs explain tiered rates, ways to save money

MARCH 22
▲ Grange will honor veterans on March 29
▲ Creswell participates in Every 15 Minutes program
▲ City Hands off Old Schoolhouse to Creswell Heritage Foundation.
The City of Creswell officially handed off the Old Schoolhouse at 195 S. 2nd St. to nonprofit Creswell Heritage Foundation. The Foundation is currently in year two of their five year plan to restore the old building.

MARCH 29
▲ Overflowing fulfillment: For foster parents, love is multiplied, not divided. This feature highlights local couple Erin and Steve Derminer as they recount their journey as foster parents who had cared for seven infants and toddlers, age two and younger, in their home over the course of three years.
▲ Emerald Valley Armory relocates, promotes responsible gun ownership. Emerald Valley Armory relocated to 147 W. Oregon Ave.
▲ Randall Jernigan-Wynn arrested in Cottage Grove

APRIL 5
▲ One Gro puts kibosh on Creswell CBD dispensary.
After much speculation, One Gro executives finally said they scrapped the idea of opening a CBD shop in town, despite having a five-year lease on their building. They said it was due to the volatile nature cannabis market, and also said they still indented on paying that pesky November 2017 election bill to the City they pledged. As of presstime, this bill has yet to be paid.
▲ Does the city have a graffiti plight?
▲ Community is being ‘hounded’ by dogs at large
▲ Pleasant Hill robotics team going to First World Championship

APRIL 12
▲ The end of an era: After 35 years, Creswell Christian School will close in June.
After 46 years in education, CCS Principal Becky Lake retired, thus closing down the school.
▲ It Happened in Oregon: Sawdust is found in Creswell’s veins. The Chronicle loved using Curt Deatherage’s stories on the front page whenever possible, as he was a stellar writer, storyteller, and many subscribers commented on how much they enjoyed his work. This story outlined the rich history of Creswell in the wood products industry.

APRIL 19
▲ New park coming to town: After long pursuit, the search is over for park property south of Oregon Avenue
The New Hope Baptist Church accepted the City’s offer to pay $95,000 for a 41,000 square-feet piece of land that will be used as a park. You can read the most recent update on that property on the front page of this week’s edition.

▲ What to expect with proposed water rate changes

APRIL 26
▲ Two more arrested on sex abuse crimes in connection to March 8 arrest of Dustin Stephens
▲ Tractor Supply to open this summer; retailer will serve rural lifestyle
The Tractor Supply Co. store on Emerald Parkway announced construction was underway at the old Ray’s Groceries building.
▲ Food4Kids may fold
▲ Teeing up for a tourney: Emerald Valley Golf & Resort hosts
▲ Oregon Athletic Foundation

MAY 3
▲ Bee aware: It’s swarm season
▲ Hobby Field seeks loan to sustain airport operations
▲ May 15 election ballots mailed out
▲ It Happened in Oregon: It’s beer-thirty in Oregon

MAY 10
▲ North 5th Street getting overhaul; reconstruction begins
▲ City highlights 2018-19 budget, part 1
▲ VOTE! Chronicle Q&A with six in race for East Lane County Commissioner.
The Chronicle asked questions to six candidates in the run for East Lane Commissioner, including Tim Laue, Frank King, Kevin Matthews, Heather Buch, James Barber and Gary Williams. That race was one of the most jam-packed campaign locals had seen since the 2010 Springfield City Council race, which was stacked with seven candidates.
Did you know? Every year, The Chronicle publishes a two-page community-wide yard sale map the week before the sales? In 2017, 77 sales were listed on the map, which included addresses, days and hours for optimum ”saling.”

MAY 17
▲ With no ordinance, community is the (cat)alyst for ferals and strays.The City of Creswell has no ordinances in place that manage felines in city limits. The Chronicle explored what that means for animal advocates; what it means for the City; what preventative measures can be taken; and offered tips for dealing with unwanted cats in your yard.
▲ School board fills vacant seat, welcomes Kandice Lemhouse
▲ Form Creswell School District administrators reprimanded.
The former Creswell High School principal and vice principal were formally reprimanded by the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission after ridiculing students via text messages in 2017, which made waves and led to their resignations.
▲ Booster auction nest $47K
▲ City highlights 2018-19 budget, part 2

MAY 24
▲ Creswell Prepares… and has fun doing it. The City of Creswell held their first-ever Emergency Preparedness Fair to streamline the conversation on how to be ready, should a natural disaster strike Creswell. The fair, created by the Public Safety Committee, garnered about 250 people and was considered a success by Richard Zetterval, then-chair of the committee.
▲ Restoring Hope… one home at a time. Hoped Restored, through its warriors of volunteers, sets aside one full weekend a year to restore homes of two or three families in town at no cost to the homeowners. The Cruz and the Hern families were grateful to be chosen for this project.
▲ Police seek info on Monday’s armed robbery
▲ Creswell Education Foundation may dissolve; volunteers needed to take over nonprofit
▲ Jazz 1 is No. 1: CHS jazz band wins state championship

MAY 31
▲ Capturing the awe all around us: Shutterbug captures spirit, intensity of Oregon wildlife
▲ Saginaw mill fire cause unknown; investigation launched Tuesday
▲ Creswell Christian School honors final graduating class
Class of 2018 was the last graduating class for Creswell Christian School, including three seniors, one eighth grader and five kindergarteners.
▲ Memorial Day recap

JUNE 7
▲ Pleasant Hill man will fly across the Americas in 45 days
Kyle Bushman planned to take a 45 day-flight spanning 19 countries in the Vintage Air Rally. He took off in November 2018, and The Chronicle is planning a follow-up with Bushman in the new year upon his arrival home. Cool, right?
▲ ‘The Last Footlights’ comes to town June 10
▲ Family’s seed of service sprouts into school

JUNE 14
▲ City OKs new Sanipac rate schedule
A Sanipac representative discussed with council the recycling crisis market collapse – how China no longer accepting recycling from the States has forced cities to make tough decisions on price increases for landfill and recycling.
▲ Where are they now? Greg Menegat: The human race
▲ Deadline looms for 4th of July parade entries


JUNE 21

▲ Creswell man to be featured on ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Monday
▲ CMS secretary Kathi Jackson ‘passes baton’ to Breanna Davis
▲ Eugene Skydivers changes hands, but sky’s still the limit

<span class=plus_one>JUNE 28
▲ Dick Rowe hanging up shears
▲Elite Game Spot to open up shop
▲ Springfield’s new magazine inserted today

JULY 5
▲#XtheTXT campaign features area seniors
▲ Bi-Mart superheroes support fight against cancer
▲ Creswell four compete in All-State Football Games

JULY 12
▲ Stars, stripes and smiles: Friendly City celebration draws thousands
▲ Creswell welcomes Tractor Supply Co
▲ Killingsworth property controversy heats up

JULY 19
▲ Ready, set, cycle: 1,400 bikers ride through Creswell
▲ City: ADUs will help alleviate housing burdens
▲ One dead after shots fired at One Gro marijuana farm

JULY 26
▲ Art is alive: Local sculptor works with imagination, beauty, purity of form
▲ ‘History Here’ project coming to Creswell
▲ Unemployment rate record low last month
▲ School board to hire third party investigator

AUGUST 2
▲ Alleged rape under investigation at Super 8
▲ Sex crime cases make way through court
The Chronicle frequented the Lane County Courthouse more often this year to better provide court coverage as Creswell cases make their way through court.
▲ Revised transportation plan will change the way Creswell moves
This article outlined 78 transportation projects for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit, airport and safety improvements in the City. Those projects are part of the City’s Transportation Systems Plan and have a year 2040 timeline for completion.
▲ Parking rules revamped: Changes go into effect Aug. 9
▲ National Night Out is Aug. 7

AUGUST 9
▲ You have GOAT to be kidding me: Herd wanders into Hobby Field
▲ Mayor, three council seats up for grabs; filing deadline is Aug. 28
▲ Cottage Grove Carousel project is 85 percent complete
Don Williams keeps The Chronicle updated on progress being made with the Cottage Grove Carousel restoration project. Their objective is to preserve, maintain and operate the classic carousel on permanent loan from the Cash Family in a suitable location within Cottage Grove for the benefit of the community, and it’s been quite a journey so far.
▲ Lane County Parks unveils master plan

AUGUST 15
▲ National Night Out recap
▲ Deputy Sheriff Chris Gardner is on patrol
▲ UPDATES: Whistle Stop, Killingsworth properties
▲ School board to hire attorney
▲ School board OKs committees, communication changes

AUGUST 23
▲ Taking the leap: 80-year-old CG resident skydives with family
▲ Mounce, Zettervall running for mayor
▲ New drone class sparks opportunities
▲ Council discusses policing, urban renewal, evaluations
▲ Visitor Guide free inside

AUGUST 30
▲ City needs safer routes to school
▲ Labor Day Salute: Cathryn Rowdon, My Boys Pizza; Cameron Burke: Creswell Dairy Queen; Jessica Landstra: Farmlands Market
▲ Cottage Grove hosts panel to build ‘hate-free community’
▲ School board implements recommended actions

SEPTEMBER 6
▲ Higgins elected VFW state commander
▲ Council talks more park options
▲ Community recollection: Back to school in 1969

SEPTEMBER 13
▲ Opal Center presents: ‘Under the big top’ with local cast
▲ No ‘explosion’ at Hobby Field
▲ Lots of activity at Cobalt Center; council OKs tobacco licensing, airport loan, more
▲ August cop log, by the numbers
▲ Creswell’s speed radar signs: What they do, how they work

SEPTEMBER 20
▲ SLCF&R Movie Night, Safety Fair: Having fun with first responders
▲ Hughes pleads guilty to attempted sex abuse; Stephens case makes way thru court
▲ Family Relief Nursery kids ‘granted’ outdoor play
▲ Enrollment up at school district

SEPTEMBER 27
▲ You reeka! Territorial Seeds gives harvesting insight at garlic forum, tasting
▲ South Lane County Fire & Rescue fire season, so far
▲ Creswell man arre sted for alleged sex abus
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OCTOBER 4
▲ Teacher misconduct report surfaces; Staff, parents question school’s transparency
▲ Analysis shows land deficiency, price disparity for housing growth
An analysis had shown that Creswell does not have enough land to accommodate expected housing growth in future years, and the article explored the concern for affordable housing.
▲ Urban renewal update, in brief

OCTOBER 11
▲ National Newspaper Week: On reporting the tough stuff
▲ Creswell homecoming recap
▲ Board evaluation shows improvement
▲ Teen CERT grads recognized

OCTOBER 18
▲ Come one, come all: Creswell Christian Academy hosts nostalgic outdoor fall carnival
▲ Frightful delights at Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm; Local Halloween roundup
▲ Creswell School Board: Lice policy changes

OCTOBER 25
▲ Remember to vote on Nov. 6; Mayor, councilors, Lane commissioners on ballot
▲ Mayor’s race 2018: Q&A with Gary Mounce and Richard Zettervall
▲ Creswell School Board: Curriculum assessment data trends upwards
Creep it real: Listing of local Halloween events

NOVEMBER 1
▲ City council candidates: Q&A with Alonzo Costilla and Kevin Prociw
▲ Ew, what’s that smell? Strange odor in town explained
Creswell smelled…unpleasant, and people wanted to know why. Apparently the lingering stank emanating from the City-owned Wastewater Treatment Facility was a result of the wastewater layers switching from top to bottom. The unusual wind conditions and a prolonged heating period caused bacteria to flourish in the sunshine of the lagoons and winds spread the smells far and wide.
▲ Along the campaign trail: Richard Zettervall and Gary Mounce
▲ Creswell School District: Advisory committees uphold policy, labor, community relations

NOVEMBER 8
▲ Honor Flight: A heartfelt ‘welcome home’ after 50 years
▲ Bazaar proceeds to help prevent human trafficking
Proceeds from this Pumpkin Spice Holiday Bazaar in Pleasant Hill went to help prevent orphan Belarusian children from becoming victims of human sex trafficking.
▲ Potential housing policies drafted
▲ Reaping the benefits of a Harvest Dinner
Bonus: Veterans Day edition: Proudly, we salute! Readers sent in photos and write ups of their favorite local veterans, and with such high community participation, we made a special edition out of it.

NOVEMBER 15
▲ Zettervall wins mayor spot; Write-ins may lead to third councilor
Creswell has a new mayor!
▲ What do you do with yard debris?
▲ Veterans Day 2018 recap
▲ Annual Turkey Shoot at Creswell Clay Target Sports ‘bags some birds’

NOVEMBER 22
‘Tis the season to be giving: Scouts work hard to fill Food Pantry
▲ Holidays kick off in Creswell on Dec. 1
▲ Just desserts: Mini pie-making class sparks appetites
▲ Transient arrested for burglary, other charges
▲ Creswell School District: Report cards released

NOVEMBER 29
▲ From street project to annual celebration; The evolution of the Tree Lighting Ceremony
▲ City calls ‘fowl’ on roaming chickens
▲ Park design input opportunity is Saturday
▲ Safley steps aside
Lloyd Safley retires after serving 36 years on the Planning Commission
▲ Connecting cultures: A drummer’s journey from Guinea to Creswell
▲ Thanksgiving blaze: Super 8 catches fire, twice

DECEMBER 6
▲ ‘And now, here’s your host, Drew Carey!:’ Creswell woman is contestant on ‘The Price is Right’ Dec. 14
▲ African Children’s Choir graces Creswell Dec. 9
▲ Council write-in candidate revealed
▲ Creswell ‘harvests the magic’ for Family Relief Nursery

DECEMBER 13
▲ Johnnies-on-the-spot save couple from house fire
Three fellas were in the right place, at the right time that had the boldness and courage to do what needed to be done to save an elderly couple from a house fire.
▲ Creswell, state populations keep climbing
▲ City gets feedback on yard debris proposal
▲ Stram’s last hoorah, other council biz
Creswell Mayor Dave Stram bid adieu to council and his supporters at his last city council meeting serving at the helm. Stram gave a thoughtful speech on how far council has come in the last six years, how instrumental many were to his time serving as mayor, and expressed his confidence and best wishes to Mayor-Elect Richard Zettervall.
▲ ‘Emotion Poverty’ book inspires CMS staff

DECEMBER 20
▲ 5Cs Christmas program, yuletide cuties
▲ Super 8 Motel owners charged with arson
As it turns out, those two fires that broke out at the Super 8 in Creswell within a couple days of each other in November we not accidents; the two owners of the motel were arrested and charged with arson. The Chronicle is working to to find out what the next step for that property is, and will publish an update in an upcoming edition.
▲ School board sees new printing project
▲ Christmas spirit in spades at Village Green

DECEMBER 27
▲ To InZanity and beyond
▲ ‘Hit list’ found at middle school
▲ Analysis: Land will accommodate economic growth

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