CRESWELL The year began with the swearing in of newly elected government leaders, but Creswell lost some along the way.  Judge R Scott Palmer began the year with optimism. “In contrast to what we’ve been experiencing at a federal and state level, we are blessed in the City of Creswell[Read More…]

PHOTO PROVIDED Dwight and Barbara (back); Jim and Pat Edwards (front) on board a train in Alaska. LORANE – In the summer of 2018, my sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (I call her B.J.) and Dwight Isborn, moved from their beautiful home above Cottage Grove Lake to an equally beautiful home[Read More…]

The raging fires moved swiftly and intensely. Wildfires destroyed parts of Lane County, threatened others, and delayed the start of school as thousands of Oregonians were evacuated. Those who fled to safety were in shock from the loss of their homesteads, their pets, their missing neighbors and loved ones.  Recovery[Read More…]

Photos: Two women counter-protesting the “Black Lives Matter” rally include “White Power” messaging on a sweatshirt; the July 4 parade included an equestrian team; and Creswell’s City Hall was the scene of protesters. When Covid guidelines that were issued by the governor’s office kept the usual Creswell Fourth of July[Read More…]

Springfield Public Schools graduated 644 students and hosted a staggered ceremonial approach. Gateway High School graduated 39; Springfield High School graduated 292; Academy for Arts and Academics graduated 47; and Thurston High School graduated 266 students. Over the course of two weeks, graduates were called to walk across the stage[Read More…]

Former Creswell mayor Richard Zettervall/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO CRESWELL – It was a term cut short for former Creswell mayor Richard Zettervall in 2020 after he resigned in September amid adversarial community reactions to an equity resolution he and city councilors were discussing. He had three months left to serve.  It[Read More…]

The Year 2020 has culminated into an historic year – from a global pandemic, to calls for social justice and equity in our local cities, to destruction by wildfires on the outskirts of town.  The pandemic effectively shut down much of the southern Willamette Valley in March, and local businesses,[Read More…]

The pandemic was felt across the southern Willamette Valley, and while cases and deaths were not as high as other regions, the economic impact was real.  Two of four partners, David Barclay, left, and master brewer Nate Sampson, inside Covered Bridge Brewing Group. Johnny Saldana III of Bigfoot Fudge. Emily[Read More…]

CHS senior Jenessa Mallory with mom Lori Leavitt shared their stories of overcoming obstacles to make the best of a tough year. Jenessa Co-Valedictorian; her mom helps lead the Bulldogs athletics boosters.  A Pleasant Hill grad holds a bouquet of flowers After schools shut down in the spring, graduation was[Read More…]

Baby Gramps was featured in the Feb. 20 edition, after he played a Valentine’s show at the Axe & Fiddle in Cottage Grove.He’s made a career out of employing that characteristic Popeye voice of his; then he morphs into other deep, gravelly voices reminiscent of Tom Waits or Capt. Beefheart.[Read More…]