South Lane County Fire Chief John Wooten has been under white-hot scrutiny since June 2. Things are about to get even hotter. Based upon its own reporting and documents acquired via Freedom of Information Act requests, The Chronicle has learned: • A letter the chief submitted to the board saying[Read More…]
Author: ERIN TIERNEY HEGGENSTALLER - [email protected]
Update: Wooten still on leave; Chronicle receives documents
SLCF&R Fire Chief John Wooten NOTE: Story updated at 2:15 p.m. SLCF&R Board Chairman Joel Higdon called the newspaper this afternoon to correct an earlier statement regarding Chief John Wooten’s status. COTTAGE GROVE — John Wooten, the embattled fire chief of the South Lane County Fire & Rescue Department, was[Read More…]
Homemade parade
ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLECreswell’s Dusty Harrold, owner of Patriot Tree Service LLC, drives his truck in the community-organized July 4 parade in Creswell, as his wife, Bethany Harrold, stands in the bucket and throws candy to kids. Also pictured is Harrold’s friend Logan Perini, of Cottage Grove. Austin Horter, Tanner Herbert,[Read More…]
Creswell residents make July Fourth a homemade celebration
Parade participants weave through town, hoisting their flags and flashing a smile. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE CRESWELL — This year’s Fourth of July in Creswell is like no other — celebrating patriotism in a pandemic. Coronavirus restrictions have limited gathering sizes and halted traditional events, but have not hindered the city’s[Read More…]
Creswell Chamber reopens award nominations
CRESWELL — The annual Creswell Chamber Awards Banquet was canceled, but celebrating scholarship winners and community leaders remains on the agenda. All it needs now are nominations. Creswell Chamber officials canceled the gala in May, and the board still wants to hand out the awards that recognize volunteers, businesses, community leaders[Read More…]
Wooten ‘sorry’ for posts, residents torn on outcome
SLCF&R Fire Chief John Wooten COTTAGE GROVE — South Lane County Fire & Rescue Chief John Wooten was reinstated June 18 after being placed on paid administrative leave while the board investigated posts on his personal Facebook page, which was not publicly available. “I am truly sorry for all the[Read More…]
Wooten: ‘Truly sorry for posts’
SLCF&R Fire Chief John Wooten last year gives a presentation to Creswell City Council regarding plans for the new fire station in Creswell. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE COTTAGE GROVE — South Lane County Fire & Rescue Chief John Wooten was reinstated last week, after being placed on paid administrative leave while the[Read More…]
SLCF&R board reinstates Wooten
Some board members met at South Lane County Fire & Rescue in Cottage Grove, 233 E. Harrison Ave. on June 18 to consider the fire chief’s reinstatement or discipline. ERIN TIERNEY/THE CHRONICLE COTTAGE GROVE — South Lane County Fire & Rescue Chief John Wooten was reinstated last week, after being[Read More…]
Fire chief reinstated without disciplinary action
SLCF&R Fire Chief John Wooten COTTAGE GROVE – South Lane County Fire & Rescue board members tonight voted to reinstate Chief John Wooten without any disciplinary action, leading to the immediate resignation of vice president Jennifer Radcliffe following the 3-2 vote. The board met in executive session to discuss potential[Read More…]
Creswell Chamber annual awards remain in limbo
CRESWELL — The Coronavirus has thrown a wrench in most plans, Creswell Chamber Awards Banquet included. This time last year, nominations would have been already made, and the Chamber Awards Banquet would have already wrapped up. Creswell Chamber officials announced in May the cancellation of its annual banquet, but still solicited[Read More…]
