Unhoused ordinance in effect as July 1: Lane County Creswell Sheriff Alex Speldrich said, “We’re trying to approach the ordinance… with a level of compassion. We’re not actively seeking to move people or tell them they have to be out of one specific area. As we become aware of people, we are telling them, ‘You can’t camp here. Here’s the acceptable rules.’” Speldrich added that he has not seen a difference in the unhoused population, though, as nobody has been camping in the new camping area.
Construction alert: On July 28-30, the Public Works department will be conducting chip-sealing work through the Sierra Santa Fe company on Oregon Avenue, specifically from Front to 10th streets. As a result, parking will be prohibited along this stretch during these dates to ensure smooth operations and facilitate the construction process. To help redirect traffic, detour routes will be implemented to guide motorists around the affected area.
Meeting times moved: A resolution was passed unanimously on July 10 regarding the time in which Creswell City Council regular meetings would be held. Meetings will now be held at 6 p.m. rather than 7 p.m.
High fire danger results in specific hours people can mow their lawns: People should only mow their lawns before 10 a.m. or after 8 p.m. – unless their lawn is well-watered, green, and not a fire danger.
Roundup Saloon approved to extend noise ordinance for one hour: A motion was passed so Roundup Saloon can have a live concert that will go until 10 p.m. on Aug. 19 – one hour past Creswell’s usual noise ordinance.
— Amanda Lurey, reporter
South Lane supported through United Way grants
This month, 28 Lane County organizations that help kids and families will receive a total of $600,800 in United Way grant funding. As two- and three-year grants, full funding totals over $1.4 million in investments over the next few years. Five of the programs are based in South Lane County:
• Bohemia Food Hub: Funding will support hands-on programming for high school youth to explore workforce and entrepreneurship in the food sector. Students will start with basic kitchen skills and can advance to creating a business plan and innovating new products.
• Creswell Family Resource Center: Funding will support the FRC’s relocation to a centralized and equitable space where everyone feels welcome.
• South Lane Mental Health Services: Funding will be used to support eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy training for youth clinicians to assist rural youth. EMDR has been shown to help negative thoughts transition into healthier beliefs by focusing on the present, supporting the increased ability to succeed in school.
• Community Sharing Program: Support to provide emergency food and basic needs for families in South Lane County. Supportive services include rental assistance, energy payment assistance, a community garden, and a food pantry.
• Family Relief Nursery: Funding will support increased outreach and intervention to families in rural South Lane County, connecting high risk populations to vital programs and services.
The Creswell Family Resource Center is one of the funded organizations and will receive a $19,500 grant to relocate to a centralized and equitable space to better serve families.
“Creswell Family Resource Center is renovating a modular building next to Creslane Elementary School in order to remove barriers and expand programming in the next two years,” said Kathryn Dumas, Creswell Family Resource Center coordinator. “We provide basic needs resources for families, parenting education, early learning activities, holiday gift programs, and more. Having this space will allow us to offer expanded programming and give families the ability to access clothing, food, diapers, a washer and dryer, and whatever else they may be needing.”
Funded organizations and Initiatives
United Way will distribute two types of grants. The most substantial “Community Transformation” grants ($63,000-$70,000 per year, over three years) will fund cross-sector, multi-agency collaboratives working to create systemic change in Lane County:
• School Food Security Coalition (FOOD For Lane County, 15th Night, The Arc of Lane County)
• Violence Prevention Coalition (Hope and Safety Alliance, 90by30 Initiative, Kids FIRST, Sexual Assault Support Services, Siuslaw Outreach Services)
• Greatness Rediscovered In Our Time (LCC Foundation, Lane ESD, Lane AABSS program, NAACP, LCC)
The additional 24 “Community Support” grants ($5,000 – $20,000 per year, over two years) will fund individual organizations addressing needs of children and families over the next two years:
• Black Cultural Initiative
• Bohemia Food Hub
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Lane County
• Community Sharing Program
• Creswell Family Resource Center
• Daisy C.H.A.I.N.
• Eugene-Springfield NAACP
• Family Relief Nursery
• Florence Food Share
• FOOD For Lane County
• Friends of the Children – Lane County
• H.O.N.E.Y. Inc.
• Junction City Local Aid
• Mapleton Food Share
• Oakridge Food Box
• Ophelia’s Place
• OSLC Developments’ 15th Night initiative
• Our Community Birth Center
• Parenting Now
• Pearl Buck Center
• Relief Nursery
• SMART Reading
• South Lane Mental Health Services
• Xcape Dance Company’s Tip Tap Grow Preschool
In total, 81 requests for funding were submitted, totaling $3.4 million in requests, more than five times what was available in funding.
Vida/McKenzie receives grant
AARP Oregon announced six organizations will receive 2023 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.6 million awarded among 310 organizations nationwide. Of those six organizations, one is local, including:
• Vida McKenzie Community Center is granted $10,045 to install a combined AV and Hearing Loop system at the rebuilt Vida McKenzie Community Center to support all persons, regardless of hearing ability, to enjoy events and meetings equally.
