EUGENE — Over the sounds of silverware meeting plates and eager applause, Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Val Hoyle took the stage at CASA Lane County’s Voices for Kids Luncheon on Oct. 16 in front of nearly 300 people. The free event aimed to inspire prospective volunteers to get involved[Read More…]
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Morgans move in: First Story unlocks future for couple
SPRINGFIELD — “I’m going to sing from the rooftop,” Marie Morgan, 25, said. Her brand new rooftop, that is. Marie, her husband Kees, 26, and their baby Everette, 6 months, moved into their newly finished home on Oct. 23, which comes with a zero-down, zero-interest mortgage. This success story, as[Read More…]
Breast cancer awareness golf tournament raises $100,000+
SPRINGFIELD — Pine Ridge Golf Course was a sea of pink during Lithia & Driveway’s Second annual Play for a Cure to Drive Out Breast Cancer Golf Tournament on Oct. 19. The 120-participant event was held in honor of Emilie Bean, a Lithia & Driveway employee fighting breast cancer. In[Read More…]
NAMI gifted $500 in books after ice storm destroyed library
SPRINGFIELD — Nine months after an ice storm froze the Pacific Northwest until tree branches snapped, community organizations are still recovering from the damages. One of those organizations was National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lane County, which suffered from its roof collapsing and causing nearly $20,000 of damage coming[Read More…]
Creswell, Lorane granges earn national award
In September, two Lane County Granges — Creswell Grange #496 and Lorane Grange #54 — were named National Distinguished Granges by Christine Hamp, National Grange president. In November, they will be recognized during a ceremony at the 158th National Grange Convention in Bettendorf, Iowa. They are among 36 community granges[Read More…]
Springfield Public Library remodel one for the books
SPRINGFIELD—Springfield Public Library got a makeover and celebrated its reopening last Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the morning and a drop-in celebration in the evening. Children ran a scavenger hunt, looking for all the new changes, while their parents entered raffles for different prize baskets. Volunteers brought sweet treats[Read More…]
United Way’s ‘Days of Caring’ a perpetual inspiration for volunteers
SPRINGFIELD — Life is like the yellow brick road, as Alma Fumiko Hesus described. It is a paved path for some people, but there are holes and challenges for others. “As we go down that pathway, to me, we should all be laying more bricks down,” Hesus said as an[Read More…]
Local poker run to benefit Wheels 4 Warriors
CRESWELL – After hearing a friend talk about motorcycles during their military days, P.J. “Road Runner” Johnson was certainly curious what all the excitement was about. “I didn’t get my first bike until I got back from Afghanistan,” said Johnson, Chapter Commander of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. “That came[Read More…]
Here to Help: Local youth helps nonprofits with his own cat toy business
SPRINGFIELD — Who doesn’t love watching a playful cat? The way they wind up their hind legs and… POUNCE! At 13, Brett Boehme began making and selling cat toys for a school project, and hasn’t had the heart to stop. Not only does he make creative catnip toys, he donates[Read More…]
Here to Help: Catholic Community Services report strong numbers helping unhoused, others in Lane
SPRINGFIELD — After Gov. Tina Kotek’s state of emergency declaration regarding homelessness in January 2023, Lane County received roughly $18.5 million to work toward three initiatives: preventing homelessness, rehousing unhoused citizens, and increasing the number of available shelter beds. Nonprofit Catholic Community Services (CCS) of Lane County has made significant[Read More…]