This table can be used to help customers determine if they fall within income guidelines for this program.
SUB establishes $250k fund to help with ice storm damage
SPRINGFIELD — In response to the recent catastrophic ice storm, Springfield Utility Board (SUB) is offering funding to ease part of the burden of unexpected expenses created by prolonged power outages.
Through a partnership with Catholic Community Services (CCS), SUB is offering one-time aid of up to $250 for qualifying SUB electric households. The application window opened Monday and will close when all funds are allocated. CCS will be reviewing applications on behalf of SUB and will distribute funds by April 5.
These are supplemental funds and that customers can continue to pursue other reimbursement options for storm-related expenses.
Calling all Springfield dogs: clean water calendar contest underway
SPRINGFIELD — The Development and Public Works Department is launching the 13th annual Canines for Clean Water calendar contest to increase awareness of the importance of picking up after pets to protect local water quality. Springfield residents can enter their dog into the contest for a chance to be featured in the 2025 calendar.
The calendar contest will run from March 22 through April 5. To enter, dog owners must live in Springfield, submit a photo via Facebook or email, and pledge to “scoop the poop” of their canine family. Contest details will be posted at: bit.ly/caninecal. The 2025 calendars will be available to community members for free in November 2024. The objectives of the calendar contest include increasing understanding of how individual actions help protect local waterways, and providing a community engagement opportunity with a goal of at least 200 books. More info: Brooke Mossefin, 541-214-5304.
County seeks temporary election workers for May Primary Election
The Lane County Elections Office is hiring temporary election workers to assist with the May 21 Primary Election.
“We want to build a more diverse pool of people that is representative of our community,” said County Clerk Dena Dawson. “Retirees are always welcome, but so are students, stay-at-home parents, gig workers, and anyone who just wants to learn more about elections or earn a few bucks.”
Available positions include customer service, data entry, ballot processing, and ballot collection. Some positions require a few weeks of availability and others only require a few days, or even just one night. Lane County does not use volunteers to conduct elections; all temporary election worker positions are paid.
Temporary election workers are hired before each election cycle. Another round of hiring will begin in August for the Nov. 5 Presidential Election.
Detailed job descriptions, instructions, and more details for applying can be found at LaneCountyOR.gov/elections under the “Election Temporary Jobs” section.
Community book drive needs help reaching goal
SPRINGFIELD — Children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading and SELCO Community Credit Union have banded together to celebrate National Reading Month with a community book drive.
The goal is to collect new and gently-used children’s books, which will be sorted, cleaned and given away to local children. The book drive is part of a larger effort for SMART Reading to increase book ownership for local kids.
For over three decades, SMART Reading has paired volunteers with students for one-on-one reading sessions and given participating students two new books to keep each month. Now, as the result of a merger with Portland-based nonprofit the Children’s Book Bank, the organization is in the early phases of setting up a book bank to source and redistribute even more books to students in Lane County.
“Access to books is so critical for kids as they’re developing their reading skills,” says SMART Reading Area Director, Laurie McNichols. “Adding a book bank in Lane County will be a multi-year process, but we’ve already had great success with inviting the community to rehome books their families have outgrown.”
Research shows that having 25 books in the household produces on average an additional two years of total educational achievement. Already this school year, SMART Reading has given away more than 5,200 books to local children. Book drives like this one will allow the organization to expand its impact to additional students. From now until March 29, books can be dropped off at all SELCO branches in Eugene and Springfield during business hours.
Senior companion volunteers needed
The Senior Companion Program in Lane County is calling for volunteers to enhance the lives of disabled and isolated adults through companionship and supportive services. As part of AmeriCorps Seniors, this initiative benefits from both national government funding and local community support.
According to the organization, with Lane Community College as its sponsor, the program has contributed over 1.5 million hours of service, providing assistance and companionship to the community’s citizens. Each year, around 65 Senior Companions volunteer monthly to support over 500 seniors and disabled adults in various cities including Springfield, Creswell, Cottage Grove, in addition to Eugene, Junction City, Florence, Veneta, and Oakridge.
Eligibility and Volunteer Commitment: Senior Companions are essential volunteers aged 55 and over who commit to volunteering 15-40 hours weekly. Eligible volunteers, particularly those meeting low-income guidelines, can receive a stipend of $4 per hour, meal, and mileage reimbursements. The program ensures all Senior Companions receive extensive training and support, equipping them to offer the best possible companionship to clients alongside professional staff.
Benefits of Volunteering: Studies have shown that volunteering can help individuals live longer and foster a positive outlook on life. Through their service, Senior Companions gain self-esteem and experience the fulfillment that comes from making a tangible difference in the community.
Application Process: Visit lanecc.edu/scp to complete and submit an application or learn more about the program.
Creswell park: Name input sought
As the City of Creswell continues working on the development of 2nd Street Park, building permit technician Angela Keppler wrote that it “became clear that restrooms are a critical element to make the park user-friendly and attractive to the community.”
“The City of Creswell has funded the development of 2nd Street Park through the Parks System Development funds (SDC) so far,” Keppler wrote. “However, the Local Government Grant Program (LGGP-Development) is now offering a grant opportunity for Park Development Projects, which would allow us to fund 60% of the restroom facility and speed up the park’s development.”
Councilor Nick Smith asked Keppler what a non-gendered bathroom was, and she compared it to a family bathroom.
Currently, 2nd Street Park has a porta-potty serving as a temporary restroom. Keppler said she has spoken with a handful of manufacturers for estimates, and to answer Councilor Shelly Clark’s question, Keppler said this grant would support the creation of a permanent restroom structure at 2nd Street Park.
The estimated cost for this project is around $160,000.00.
“We have a budget of $255,000 in the Parks SDC Fund allocated for the purpose of improving the 2nd Street Park. Up until now, we have spent about $48,000. This means that we have around $200,000 remaining in the budget to continue with the improvements,” Keppler wrote. “As part of the requirement for obtaining grants, we need to match 40% of the funds from the city’s budget which would be approximately $64,000. The remaining $100,000 will be funded by the grants that we are hoping to receive.”
The resolution to allow City staff to apply for this grant was passed unanimously.
A public hearing will be held next month to name the newest park in the City — 2nd Street Park. Council is considering calling it Robinette-Hughes Park in memory of the man who gave property to create the City of Creswell. The park is located on South 2nd Street and currently has a play area installed. This year we will be opening a splash pad. The meeting will be held on April 8 at 6 p.m.
City manager Michelle Amberg also announced that representative Charlie Conrad lobbied for and was successful in obtaining a $1,000,000 grant from the State for wastewater treatment facility upgrades and connections to a regional treatment facility.
“That’s an extra million dollars. We can put it in our reserves, and hopefully make it easier on the pocketbooks of Creswell,” Amberg said.
— Amanda Lurey
Willamalane weekly roundup
• Ruff Park Volunteer Clean Up Event. A volunteer park clean up event will be held Thursday, March 21, from 1-5 p.m. Magnolia trees are beginning to bloom throughout Eugene and Springfield, marking the start of the most popular season to visit Ruff Memorial Park and Magnolia Arboretum. Ruff Park was hit hard by the January ice storm, and this event will help get it some love before the magnolias are in full bloom.
• Camp Putt opens on Friday for the season. We’ll have special hours over spring break and then will be open on weekends as weather allows until summer. We also have expanded daily swim hours.
• Preschool Expansion Update. Chambers Construction was picked as Willamalane’s construction vendor for the preschool expansion project. Construction began in February.
