This year was anything but ordinary. The unnerving combination of war, inflation and social unrest wasn’t what anyone expected as life was just beginning to move forward from the Covid-19 pandemic.
But 2022 has proven to be a year of resilience, too.
The Southern Willamette Valley emerged from isolation to reopen and reinvent itself— and as we turn a new corner, we are reminded of this year’s pivotal moments and their lessons
Marquee events were back in full force: Graduates crossed stages to cheers from roaring crowds. The Fourth of July in Creswell was once again a sea of red, white and blue. Bohemia Mining Days in the Grove brought prospectin’ and summer fun back to Main Street. To top it off, downtown Springfield restarted its September BLOCK Party.
High School Sports Zone premiered in The Chronicle — taking on the challenge of covering five communities worth of hard-won victories and crushing defeats.
Workers too, banded together to demand equitable pay at PeaceHealth, Weyerhaeuser and Starbucks.
Creswell made headlines, “looking at all those chickens,” as the city continues to court the possibility of Foster Farms returning to town, and Cottage Grove banded together to debate and discuss how to care for the unhoused, building an innovative shelter unlike any other in Lane County.
The landmark U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade tasked local organizations to brace for the impact of out-of-state travelers seeking family planning services and enraged activists.
Challenges in local law enforcement were brought to the forefront of community discussions – resulting in increased accountability and oversight. In Springfield, Chief Andrew Shearer took up the mantle, leading the city through protests and funding efforts. In Creswell, long-time Sheriff Scott Denham retired to join his family in Texas , replaced by Sgt. Tom May, and in Cottage Grove the sudden resignations of the chief and captain resulted in a changing of the guard.
Cheers to a happy, healthy and productive 2023, from all of us at The Chronicle.
PHOTOS BY BOB WILLIAMS & BOBBY STEVENS
