Jan 11 2021 thru Jan 17 2021

The coronavirus has certainly changed the habits of many of us. Personally, I have always been an avid reader, but that pastime has probably tripled in the last 10 months. Most of my reading material is history, and some of my favorites are “Good Old Days” and “Reminisce” magazines. A recent story I read reminded me of some of my personal family activities. The story I refer to starts off – a young man writes when he was 4 months old in 1940, his 7-year-old brother received a Lionel train as a Christmas gift.

SPRINGFIELD – Members of the Ebbert Memorial United Methodist Church at 532 C St. in Springfield on Jan. 11 broke ground for a new elevator project that will allow Americans with Disabilities Act-approved access to all major building areas.

For people of all generations looking to keep active, supplement their income, meet people and learn new things, the “gig economy” provides opportunities, and many of the jobs can be done remotely. Post your “resume” and contact info in The Chronicle for FREE. The Chronicle is offering classified ad space for job seekers! Send your 25-word ad to [email protected] or call our office 541-895-2197 today!

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is accepting public comments on a Americans with Disabilities Act Transition Plan that will guide the agency in removing barriers to park access over the next 25 years.

"Dogs and cats seem to have it pretty good in Cottage Grove. I see many dogs being led by their owners on walks all over town. We have LuLu’s Dog Park, where canines can romp off-leash and socialize with their own kind while their owners do the same in small clusters at the benches and tables."

"What we are witnessing in our nation’s Capitol does not represent the United States of America. It is not who we are. The actions of this angry mob amount to nothing short of sedition and an attempted coup against our democracy. It is the direct result of hateful rhetoric and dangerous demagoguery spread through social media instead of thoughtful debate and respect for the constitutional electoral process." - Lane County Board of Commissioners Chair Joe Berney

“We think there is only one way to give a strong signal, both internally and internationally; to reiterate that the overwhelming majority of Americans continue to believe in democracy..."

“In all my 90 years out of the 96 I have lived, never did I witness anything to embarrass, enrage me or make me so ashamed as the large numbers of Citizens of our great nation when they took the opportunity to violate the sanctity of all the rules of law and patriotic duty in our great nation." - retired Colonel Richard Heyman

“I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic ...” – U.S. Army Oath of Enlistment and Commissioning I took this Oath when I was commissioned into the US Army in 1970, and have participated in many re-enlistments when it was re-committed by a number of soldiers over the years. For those of us who have served our country, our hearts swell with pride as we recite this sacred patriotic Oath.

CRESWELL – Residents have voiced concern around bright orange tents across the undeveloped property across from BiMart on Melton Rd.

SPRINGFIELD - At its Jan. 11 meeting, the Springfield Economic Development Agency authorized City Manager Nancy Newton to pursue an agreement to purchase Glenwood property for up to $260,000 from the Albany-based domestic limited liability company, Golden Emerald.

It's been nearly a year and a half since Candy Coop lost her husband to a tragic treefall as he drove down Hamm Rd. Mike Coop, a well-known and beloved husband, friend and neighbor, was suddenly gone. Candy was hoping she’d be feeling a sense of closure by now. Things haven’t worked out that way.

Oregon Health Authority has expanded its multilingual Safe + Strong education-and-outreach campaign to help communities find simple, culturally specific information on safely connecting with family and friends this winter. Led by the theme “Love Finds a Way,” resources are available in 12 languages and provide recommendations on preventing the spread of COVID-19. “Oregonians continue to show their resilience through this pandemic by finding new ways to stay connected while physically apart,” said Oregon Public Health Director Rachael Banks.

SPRINGFIELD – Main Street is consistently ranked as one of the most unsafe city streets in Oregon, and several infrastructure solutions were made at a recent forum. On Thursday, Jan. 7, the Main Street Safety Project stakeholders held a virtual public forum to address 2019 feedback on persistent rear-end crashes along the corridor in order to save lives, reduce injuries and lessen property damage between 20th st to 72nd streets.

Leaders at the helm of Creswell and Cottage Grove governments were sworn into office at Jan. 11’s city council meetings. Amy Knudsen was sworn in as Creswell mayor, and Shelly Clark, Joe Medina and Jerri Hutchinson were sworn in as Creswell councilors, while Kevin Prociw was elected council president. In Cottage Grove, incumbents Mayor Jeff Gowing, councilors Greg Irvin and Ken Roberts, as well as newly-elected councilor Jon Stinnett were sworn in. With an optimistic tone, Creswell municipal judge R Scott Palmer swore in the new mayor and councilors on Monday.

Local government leaders came together to issue a statement Wednesday, Jan. 6, denouncing the rioting at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. – which included the murder of a Capitol Hill police officer among five deaths – and called for communities to “come together to participate in civil democracy.”

Educators have been bumped up on the vaccine distribution list, as state leaders and health authorities work to get students back in classrooms as soon as possible. So far, in the first group, 1a, people who have been vaccinated include healthcare workers, and staff and residents at nursing facilities. Educators are now listed as “essential workers” and have moved up in the vaccine distribution list to the second group, 1b. The Oregon Health Authority is developing a plan for rapid on-site testing to be available in schools, but that timeframe remains unclear.

Oct. 24, 1956 – Dec. 2, 2020

Feb. 16, 1932 – Dec.1, 2020

Aug. 26, 1943 – Dec. 3, 2020

Sept. 23, 1933 – Dec. 29, 2020

May 1, 1927 – Dec. 25, 2020

Jan. 5, 1932 – Nov. 27, 2020

Aug. 25, 1932 – Dec. 29, 2020