Food equity programs made a debut in area farmers markets in May, and already, two have yielded nearly $41,000 for small farmers as well as fresh, locally-grown food to over 5,000 people at no cost. This summer, Trillium Community Health Plan partnered with the nonprofit Willamette Farm and Food Coalition[Read More…]
Author: Samantha Sobel
Springfield-Eugene nets $4M wastewater grant for water recycle initiatives
GLENWOOD — Oregon has been given an unprecedented opportunity to secure to propel climate action and invest in communities across the state. In May, the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission (MWMC) was awarded $4 million in federal drought resiliency funds for recycled water development. The money came after the Bureau of[Read More…]
Emergency kits drop into Creswell
CRESWELL — If Creswell is known as “The place to be” on the Fourth of July, then its airport should also be known as “The place to be” in the event of a natural disaster. The Oregon Disaster Airlift Response Team (ODART) recently received a $15,000 grant from the Oregon[Read More…]
Mobile crisis pilot program to roll out next week
A new community-based mobile crisis program is set to launch on Aug. 18 — one that is designed to address the immediate needs of people experiencing behavioral health crises. The Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County will assist folks in “an urgent or emergent, perceived or actual inability to cope,”[Read More…]
Lane wins $19M grant for climate justice
In first funding round, county among earliest in U.S. to receive money for new ‘resilience hubs.’ Lane County’s grant application was among 21 applicants awarded over $19 million in environmental and climate justice funding, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in July. “We feel pretty honored to be in the[Read More…]
Creswell City Council roundup
• On Aug. 12, Creswell City Council was in low attendance, with councilors Kent Clark, Nick Smith, and Mayor Dave Stram on excused absence. • The League of Oregon Cities (LOC) prepared a survey to determine the top five legislative priorities for the 2025 biennial legislative session and sought input[Read More…]
Big Bob, the best dressed 12-foot Skeleton in town, shows Olympic support
SPRINGFIELD — Since last August, a 12-foot skeleton named Big Bob has watched over the corner of E and 5th streets. Residents Megan and Shawn Waite have been decorating Big Bob for every holiday and significant event since Megan originally got her hands on the popular decoration. Last year, Megan[Read More…]
Buzz with the fuzz: National Night Out a ‘community campaign for comraderie’
More often than not, if you’re interacting with a local police officer, you’re likely having an incredibly bad day. That won’t be the case on Tuesday, Aug. 6. This year, Springfield, Creswell, and Cottage Grove communities will celebrate the 41st National Night Out (NNO), an annual community building campaign that[Read More…]
Local NAACP reflects on anniversary of injustice
EUGENE — Earlier this week, the Eugene Springfield NAACP hosted a press conference to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the forced disbursement of the Ferry Street Village settlement. The event honored the 75th anniversary of the five African American families forced to relocate in 1949 in preparation for the Ferry[Read More…]
Local fire service figuring out its future configuration
Springfield and Eugene fire and emergency services have been working side by side for nearly two decades, creating a standard for fire protection throughout the community. Now, both Springfield and Eugene city councils have decisions to make on steps forward, after findings were released from a project analyzing the efficiency[Read More…]