CGS1120 by C.M.I.

The Cottage Grove entinel

Police warn of phone scam calls

Cottage Grove Police Department administrators have issued a fraud alert following multiple reports from concerned citizens, who said they have been receiving telephone calls from individuals claiming to be representatives of the Cottage Grove Police Department.

“Over the past two days we have received roughly a dozen phone calls from concerned citizens,” CGPD Administrative Assistant Brook Crow said after issuing the alert Nov 7. “The citizens have reported that the caller has gone as far as programming the number to show up on the victim’s phone as the South Lane 911 non-emergency line and on a few occasions, the caller’s name has shown up as a current employee from our department. “ According to Crow, the caller typically states that there is a warrant out for their arrest for a missed court date.

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage

Public

Cottage

C. Ruark / Cottage Grove Sentinel

Jeremy

The CGPD advises anyone receiving these calls or requests to not provide any information to the caller. If you do receive a suspected scam call, report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.

“A few times, they have called requesting additional phone numbers of relatives, stating the relative has a warrant for their arrest,” Crow said. “We would like to remind the community that the Cottage Grove Police Department does not call, text, or email citizens to notify them of

daily.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS

Law enforcement agency in Lane County and across Oregon have repeatedly issued such fraud alerts.

The agencies said the scammers are aggressive, misleading and creative, all in an effort to steal victims’ money and personal information.

The scammers combine the rank with the name of an actual law enforcement officer from a previous media release or social media post so it might be recognized.

After establishing their fictitious identity, the scammers will tell the target of the scam that they have a warrant for their arrest for something that appears to be an oversight: missing a subpoena, jury duty, or nonpayment of fines. The scammers then tell the target of the scam that they will be arrested if they don’t pay money to them via wire transfer, online payment service, or pre-paid cards.

BE ALERT

Law enforcement officials caution that scammers are creative and resourceful. They will try to convince you they are with

The mental health impact facing Oregon’s wildland firefighters

American Legion Post celebrates its centennial

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

recently issued arrest warrants, missed court dates

demand money owed to the courts.”

See SCAM, Page 6

Rehousing for Holiday Farm Fire survivors

“None of us have ever managed a homeless camp before, so we knew that date was a bit aspirational,” Sauerwein said. “We are hoping that this week we will be

expected early in 2025.

Matchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Cottage

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

CINDY WEELDREYER

For The Cottage Grove Sentinel

In 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle and her sister Gail opened The Bookmine they were familiar with The Village Green.

Their father traveled a lot and often brought its matchboxes home as keepsakes for his girls. The sisters were in their 20’s when they opened the Main Street bookstore and, to enhance their income, worked as waitresses at the resort.

“It was a wonderful place to work and, being new in town, it

Lane County and the McKenzie Valley Long Term Recovery Group (MVLTRG) have partnered to provide new manufactured homes for families displaced by the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. In total, 11 new manufactured homes will be placed on properties in the McKenzie River Valley to house families who lost their homes in the 2020 Holiday Farm Fire. The first home was placed on May 14, 2024. Three additional homes were placed during the week of September 16. Two more homes are permitted and will be placed in December. Placement of the five remaining homes is

helped us meet many of our future bookstore customers,” Birdy said.

She shared a humorous memory they made in the formal Iron Maiden Dining Room that drew laughter from the crowd.

The MVLTRG coordinated the process to match fire survivors with homes in this program. Fire survivors who are 62 or older or living with a disability and in temporary housing since their homes were destroyed in the fire were prioritized. The homes were also outfitted with appliances and other furnishings. Ownership of the manufactured homes will be transferred to the receiving families.

insurance payments or financial assistance and what it truly costs to rebuild would be insurmountable for many without this program.”

Group in the effort was “a gamechanger.”

Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort

Robert Campbell, 73, lost his home in the Holiday Farm Fire and recently moved into his new home this fall. Campbell, who will be joined by his grandson, has lived on his property in the McKenzie River Valley since 2003.

“My sister and I were budding feminists at the time and were quite shocked by the sexism practiced in the dining room,” she said. “The menu given to a woman had no prices on it and foot pillows were provided so ladies’ uncomfortable shoes could be removed while dining. It was a very different era.”

“It has been a struggle for many families to stay on the river after the Holiday Farm Fire,”

MVLTRG Project Manager Mary Ellen Wheeler said. “For four years since the fire, they have had to live in RVs due to a lack of any affordable housing alternative. The gulf between available

Nearly 50 people attended the Cottage Grove Historical Society’s “Farewell to the Village Green” at the Community Center, Saturday, Sept. 21. The internationally famous resort was created by Walter A. Woodard (W.A.) and his son, Carlton. Some members of the family attended and shared personal memories.

THROUGH THE LENS

“I don’t know how to thank everyone who helped me,” Campbell said. “I have never been one to ask for help, but somehow I found myself standing in line and getting more help than I deserved.”

the way” during the construction project.

“Lane County received the state’s funding, but the Long Term Recovery Group had deep connections with fire survivors and a community network that allowed them to reach out to people who could most meaningfully benefit,” Buch said.

Funding was provided to Lane County by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) as part of its Oregon State Wildfire Recovery Funding, which was allocated by the Legislature for housing-related wildfire recovery.

He said he was given an important job of opening the boxes delivered to the guest rooms and recalled how cool he felt driving the orange golf cart around the property for assigned errands. Years later, another special memory was seeing the famous football player, O.J. Simpson, running on one of the resort’s paths.

HOLIDAY FARM FIRE HISTORY

To the delight of those gathered, Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard,

The Holiday Farm Fire ranks

Members of the Calvin Funk American Legion Post #32 are proudly celebrating a significant milestone this year.

Oregon’s wildfire season is expected to continue through this month, but the mental scares and impact of the season on the firefighters who battle blazes in Lane County and across the state, and their families, may last a lifetime, according to Jeff Dill, the founder of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA).

Dill established the FBHA in 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. He was than a Battalion Chief for a fire department in northwest Chicago.

In 1924, the post was established in Cottage Grove and its name honors the first Grover who died in World War 1. The life-size painting of Calvin next to the front door and the colorful mural catches the eye of motorists as they whiz by the one-story building at 826 W. Main St.

““I saw our brothers and sisters struggle from the devastation that they saw, so I went back and got my degree and became a licensed counselor,” he said. “We started tracking EMS and firefighter suicides across America.”

Behavioral Impact

According to Dill, firefighters often don’t recognize the behavioral impact of their work.

“I WANTED TO JOIN A GREAT ORGANIZATION AND HELP THE COMMUNITY AND OUR VETERANS. I’M VERY GLAD I JOINED THIS POST.” ~ STEVE WESOLOWSKI, POST #32 COMMANDER

COMMUNITY

GATHERING SPOT

“We become cultural brainwashed,” Dill said. “Whether it’s structural or wildland fires. So, we are meant to believe we are supposed to act strong, brave, be help, don’t ask for help, and we don’t want to look weak and not ask for help.”

Dill added that while firefighters are on the front lines battling the wildfires, one of the biggest challenges they face is the unknown.

“It’s how rapidly theses fires can move, and the unknown is where is it going to end? Where will this fire go to and how long will it last? And that is a struggle,” he said.

“So, when you are fighting that fire, you’re trying to do your best to stop it, and yet the wind kicks up at 60 miles an hour and it drags it further and further behind them. That aspect of the unknown is very difficult in wildland fires. The firefighters have that stress and anxiety, and that struggle to protect is a very difficult challenge for the wildland firefighters.”

Bingo lovers flock there on Friday nights from 5-7 p.m. to enjoy the company of other bingo players and hopefully leave with some winnings. In the last century, there were several Boy Scout troops in town. Today, the American Legion Post is the home of Cottage Grove’s last scout troops, which are now co-ed. It also serves as a meeting place for Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups and can be rented for special occasions. Several years ago, post members donated their parking lot behind the building to Lane County’s Homes for Good to establish the Legion Cottages for local veterans.

It is often very difficult for family members of the firefighters to understand what emotions there are, and that many firefighters don’t express their emotions, according to Dill.

HISTORY

The American Legion was established in Paris, France, on March 15-17, 1919, by a thousand commissioned officers and enlisted men, delegates from all the units of the American Expeditionary Forces to an organization caucus meeting, which adopted a tentative constitution and selected the name “American Legion”.

Kris Woodard’s introductory remarks included personal memories he made through the lens of a 12-year-old who was often “in

Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch said partnering with the Long Term Recovery

“We ask the family members to try to understand the cultural,” he said. “Be direct. Challenge with compassion when something doesn’t look right or doesn’t sound right, and do an internal size up, which we ask the firefighters to do as well,” he said.” Internal size up means asking why am I acting this way, and why am I feeling this way? The best thing we can do is

On Sept. 16, 1919, it was officially chartered by Congress as a patriotic veterans’ organization.

See CENTENNIEL, Page 6

CINDY WEELDREYER / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Courtesy photo from McKenzie Recovery

In the end, the fire consumed more than 173,000 acres and ripped its way through small communities along the McKenzie River, including Finn Rock, Vida and Nimrod. Blue River was burned to the ground.

Courtesy photo

Holiday Fire survivor Robert Campbell and Cassidy Campbell in front of Robert’s new home.

Courtesy photo

The Calvin Funk American Legion Post #32 is located at 826 W. Main Street in Cottage Grove.

Jeremy C. Ruark / Cottage Grove Sentinel Lane County Sheriff’s Office deputies and fire personnel responded to the crash at the 34500 block of Row River Road.

Fatal crash victim identified

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Lane County Sheriff’s Office investigator have released the identity of the person killed in a single vehicle crash on Nov. 5. The deceased has been identified as Dale Alan Whitlock, 59, of Cottage Grove.

At approximately 9 p.m. Nov. 5, Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies and fire person -

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Cottage Grove Police

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

00:48: Welfare check, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.

nel responded to the single vehicle crash in the 34500 block of Row River Road.

A 1992 Toyota pickup had left the roadway, overturned, and came to rest on top of the driver in a field. The driver, Whitlock, appeared to have been ejected and died at the scene of the crash, according to a release from the LCSO.

The cause of the crash was had not be release as of Nov. 13.

block W. Harrison

06:04: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99

09:18: Suspicious condition, N. 16th/Gibbs

09:30: Abandoned vehicle, 1000 block S. 8th St.

09:35: Illegal camping, 1200 block S. 8th St.

09:53: Business check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

10:28: Juvenile, 1300 block S. River Rd.

12:43: Abandoned vehicle, 20th/Harvey

13:30: Warrant service, 900 block Row River Rd.

15:00: Trespass, 700 block N. River Rd.

Unlawful lights on motor vehicles

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

Law enforcement agencies are advising drivers to beware of the law concerning lights that can lawfully be displayed on vehicles.

“There can be confusion about the color of lights vehicles can lawfully displayed while travelling on Oregon’s public highways,” a release from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) states. “Although there may be after-market headlights, bulbs, and light bars available at local shops, including those with a blueish or greenish color, many are not legal to use in Oregon.”

Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 816.050 states that headlights shall show a white light described in Standard Number 108 of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

ORS 816.360 also addresses the use of prohibited lighting equipment for motor vehicles in Oregon. The penalty for not complying with this law, should a motorist be cited, is a Class C infraction.

The fine imposed by a court can range from $80 to $500.

The law states the following:

• All headlamps must be white in color as defined by Society of Automotive Engineers and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 108. White lamps have been tested to meet all headlamp requirements.

• Maximum wattage allowed in a headlight or accessory light is 70 watts.

• FMVSS 108 disallows any color coating on headlights and/or headlight

POLICE BLOTTER

20:35: Disturbance, 1000 block Hillside Dr.

21:07: Business check, 900 block E. Main St. 21:18: Bike stop, 100 block Hwy 99

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

02:56: Agency assist, 1500 block Village Dr.

07:15: Dog at large, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

08:40: Found dog, W. Main/North M

08:46: Dog at large, 1500 block E. Main St.

11:15: Disturbance, 77000 block Quaglia Rd.

10th St.

11:34: Disturbance, 800 block S. 6th St.

11:48: Juvenile, 1500 block S. 4th St.

12:48: Info, 1500 block Hwy 99

13:59: Theft, 1300 block S. River Rd.

14:55: Juvenile, 1500 block Village Dr.

15:03: Vehicle impound, 900 block Row River Rd.

16:44: Citizen assist, 800 block S. 6th St.

16:56: Disturbance, 800 block S. 6th St.

17:20: Welfare check, 1400 block Daugherty Ave.

bulbs.

• Blue and green lamps are designated for use on emergency vehicles only.

• Red lamps to front are reserved for emergency vehicles and school bus warning lamps.

• Colored bulbs give a distorted headlamp pattern, which may prevent the driver from seeing a person or object at the road edge or starting to cross the road.

• Blue or other colored lights in the taillights of a motor vehicle are also prohibited, unless the vehicle was manufactured before 1959.

block E. Madison Ave.

18:24: Info, Gateway/ Main

18:33: Disorderly subject, 100 block S. 10th St.

18:38: Reckless driving, E. Main/Gateway Blvd.

18:47: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.

19:05: Juvenile, 2600 block E. Main St.

20:37: Disorderly subject, 6th/Taylor

22:55: Agency assist, 3rd/ Quincy

23:17: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Markings on headlights and their packaging typically indicate if the product is Department of Transportation (DOT) approved. If the bulb or headlight packaging doesn’t include this information, more research should be conducted before making your purchase, the LCSO release advises.

For more information and tips visit www.lincolncountysheriff.net

800 block E. Whiteaker Ave.

12:56: Abandoned vehicle, 16th/Main

13:08: Suspicious condition, 700 block S. 8th St.

13:41: Suspicious subject, 1500 block E. Main St.

13:47: Suspicious subject, Gateway/Row River Rd. 14:59: Warrant service, 100 block Gateway Blvd. 15:31: Illegal parking, 1000 block Chestnut Ave. 16:50: Juvenile, 100 block S. 10th St.

01:33: Disorderly subject, 100 block Crestview Terrace

03:10: Suspicious vehicle, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

03:29: Disorderly subject, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

08:56: Found dog, W. Main/M St.

11:16: Found dog, 1500 block S. 4th St.

11:27: Abandoned vehicle, 400 block J St.

11:29: Illegal camping, 1200 block E. Main St.

11:49: Warrant service, 400 block North J St.

12:30: Found dog, 3rd/ Harrison

13:32: Alarm, 700 block N. River Rd.

CresswellChronicle (Weekly)6weeks+1 bonusweek Eachadruns1x

14:29: Welfare check, 300 block Coop Ct.

16:12: Motor vehicle crash, E. Main/Gateway

16:55: Agency assist, Main/99

17:28: Fire, Hillside Dr/ Cambria Pl.

17:31: Welfare check, 100 block N. 9th St.

Starting:Oct17

17:36: Abandoned vehicle, 1200 block S. 8th St.

Ending:Nov.30

17:45: Suspicious subject, 400 block N. 14th St.

18:35: Animal info, N. 16th/Gibbs

18:40: Abandoned vehicle, 100 block N. 16th St.

19:04: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

22:02: Disturbance, 1700 block S. 5th St.

22:32: Dog at large, 1500 block Village Dr.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

00:10: Info, 1100 block Lord Ave.

00:16: Disturbance, 1800

15:25: Welfare check, 1100 block Lord Ave.

18:58: Trespass, 1700 block E. Main St.

19:20: Business check, 1500 block E. Main St.

20:26: Disturbance, 100 block North I St.

20:51: Motor vehicle crash, 34000 block Row River Rd.

23:05: Shots fired, 32000 block Lynx Hollow Rd.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

03:09: Abandoned vehicle, 700 block Hwy 99

04:14: Suspicious vehicle, 900 block Row River Rd.

07:00: Business check, 1200 block E. Main St. 08:46: Found dog, 200 block S. 10th St. 09:33: Info, 800 block E. Main St.

10:23: Illegal camping, 1300 block E. Main St.

11:25: Agency assist, Mosby/Main

11:55: Found property, 3000 block Row River Rd.

12:53: Criminal mischief, 300 block N. J St.

14:39: Hit and run, 900 block Row River Rd.

15:52: Assault, 900 block W. Main St.

16:17: Disturbance, 170 block S. 5th St.

16:37: Abandoned vehicle, 100 block N. 16th St.

21:08: Bike stop, Hwy 99/Pennoyer

22:01: Suspicious subject, N. 5th/E. Whiteaker

23:21: Suspicious vehicle, 1300 block S. River Rd.

18:32: Harassment, 500 block Grant Ave.

00:26: Nuisance, 500

HWY58Herald https://highway58herald.org/ -6mo.banner(mid-Octoberthrumid-March)

19:00: Found property, 900 block W. Main St.

20:23: Reckless driving, Sweet Ln/99

21:58: Nuisance, 8th/ Arthur

22:08: Business check, 1500 block E. Main St. 23:25: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

01:01: Alarm, 700 block Row River Rd.

04:49: Suicide, 100 block W. Main St.

07:15: Suspicious vehicle, 3000 block Row River Rd.

block E. Madison Ave.

00:29: Welfare check, 600 block S. 5th St.

01:04: Disturbance, 500 block E. Madison Ave.

03:17: Suspicious condition, 100 block Sweet Ln.

06:48: Suspicious vehicle, 1200 block Hwy 99

08:20: Warrant service, 200 block N. 12th St.

11:04: Suspicious condition, 1100 block S. 2nd St. 11:15: Dog at large, 8th/ Taylor

12:14: Business check,

17:35: Found property, R/ Harrison 18:36: Welfare check, 100 block Andrew Dr. 19:04: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd. 19:43: Stolen vehicle, 31000 block Gowdyville Rd. 20:29: Suspicious condition, 1200 block E. Jefferson Ave.

CoosBay 13weekstotalineach Repeatcycle2x=12 weeks. Runad1againon13th week.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8

00:53: Welfare check, 130 block S. 4th St.

00:58: Agency assist, 300 block E. Oregon Ave.

01:36: Child abuse, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

11:11: Info, 35000 block Row River Rd.

12:51: Abandoned vehicle, 100 block S. 10th St. 14:14: Disturbance, 1600 block E. Grover Ave.

02:27: Alarm, 1700 block E. Main St.

Starting:Oct.17 Ending:MidJan.

14:57: Fraud, 1500 block E. Main St.

15:15: Welfare check, Gateway/Taylor

16:56: Suspicious vehicle, 1000 block Hillside Dr. 16:57: Agency assist, 77000 block Quaglia Rd.

17:37: Abandoned vehicle, 600 block S. 7th St.

17:57: Suspicious condition, 500 block Grant Ave.

18:16: Disorderly subject, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

18:46: Juvenile, 1000 block S. 10th St.

07:59: Illegal camping, 200 block N. 12th St.

08:33: Fraud, 800 block S. 6th St.

09:00: Found property, 100 block S. 5th St.

09:43: Wanted subject, 32000 block Goddard Ln.

CottageGrove 13weekstotalineach Repeatcycle2x=12 weeks. Runad1againon13th week.

02:54: Order violation, 1600 block E. Main St.

05:48: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.

05:58: Suspicious condition, 100 block Village Dr.

08:53: Dog at large, 700 block South R St.

09:23: Fire, 1400 block N. Douglas St.

10:08: Abandoned vehicle, 900 block Chestnut Ave.

10:59: Fire, 100 block S.

10:37: Business check, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

12:26: Business check, 700 block Hwy 99

Starting:Oct.17 Ending:MidJan.

12:30: Disabled vehicle, Hwy 99/Main

13:03: Abandoned vehicle, 700 block Hwy 99

14:06: Animal info, 300 block E. Monroe Ave.

14:30: Dog at large, 400 block S. 3rd St.

12:45: Criminal mischief, 600 block E. Main St.

17:50: Disturbance, 500

BandonWesternWorld 28weekstotal. RepeatCycle4x=24 weeks. Runads1-4againto completeweeks25,26, 27,28

Starting:Oct.17 Ending:MidApril n

Courtesy photo

Unlawful lights displayed on vehicles could cost drivers $80 to $500 in fines.

Cottage Grove pauses to honor veterans

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Cottage Grove paid tribute to veterans during three local events.

The events included a tribute at the Cottage Grove Armory, Monday, Nov. 11. A dinner at the Cottage Grove Elks Nov. 9, and a brunch for veterans Nov 8, at Cottage Grove High School.

VETERANS BRUNCH

During the brunch on Nov. 8, the Cottage Grove High School Leadership Class sang the national anthem to the vising veterans.

CGHS Senior Rogelio Soto-Cruz helped user in the veterans as they came to the school for the brunch.

“I’ve always had a big appreciation for veterans in our county,” he said. “I think they are under-appreciated, and people don’t understand the actual heart aches and sacrifices they have been through, especially some of the older veterans. So, serving them food, serving them coffee, I am glad to have the opportunity to do that.”

CGHS Senior Bailee Fournier also was one of the school leadership class students greeting the veterans.

“I just like to help out and to contribute, and helping them feel comfortable, also being a leader is something that I value,” she said.

CGHS Counselor Vicki Evans helped coordinate the school connection with the local veterans.

“it’s so important for students to see these adults who have served in the military, but mostly just to recognize their service and

“THE ONE PROFOUND EXPERIENCE ALL VETERANS SHARE, THE BOND THAT BINDS US, IS THAT EACH OF US HAD THE COURAGE TO TAKE THE OATH, WEAR THE UNIFORM, AND STAND IN DEFENSE OF THE FREEDOMS AND VALUES THAT DEFINE AMERICA.”

~ DR. NAKEIA COUNCIL DANIELS, OREGON DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DIRECTOR

what they have done for our country,” she said. “For the students’ it’s important to see what generations before them have done to get our country where it is, to protect our freedom, and to see what people have given to our community and to our nation.”

Former Cottage Grove Mayor Tom Monroe also attended the high school brunch. Monroe served on the Marshall Islands as a Seabee following World War II and before the Vietnam War. The Seabees were the United States Naval Construction Battalions.

“This brunch is rather nice,” Monroe said. “It’s very eventful for old fellows like me and it’s important to have such recognition. It’s good that these kids can talk to someone who has been there.”

Sean Bridges served two tours in the U.S. Army.

“I didn’t see any combat” he said. “But we were prepared. I was in the quick reaction force, where we were ready to go in about five minutes.”

Bridges said he appreciated having the community and the high school recognize local veterans.

“We are just very happy to be included in the memory

of this community,” he said. “This is a very good turn of events to have the high school do this.”

Dolly Marshall, 95-yearsold Springfield resident, also attended the high school brunch.

“I was a plane spotted when I was a sophomore in high school in New Jersey,” she said. “We were trained to spot civil and domestic flights, and we were in a high spot, the press box at the high school, and we reported every plane that we saw. The direction, The height.”

Marshall was part of the Rosie the Riveter effort.

Rosie the Riveter was the star of a campaign aimed at recruiting female workers for defense industries during World War II, according to History,com

“I remember that time very, very well,” Marshall said of serving as a plane spotter. “It was either very cold or very hot depending on the season. We were in the civil air patrol. We learned to march. We also went up to Fort Dix to dance with the soldiers.”

Marshall said the connection to the local students in Cottage Grove helps show them what past generations have done in serving the nation.

ARMORY EVENT

Young and old gathered in the historic Cottage Grove armory to say thanks to the service men and women who put their personal lives on pause to serve their country. The crowd of approximately 150 attendees included veterans from World War 2, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, who were joined by family, friends and well-wishers.

The local Scouts presented and retired the colors punctuated by the bugle playing of VFW Post Member Steve Pettit. The Lincoln Middle School Choir sang the national anthem and performed the Armed Forces salute as members of each branch of the military stood to be honored with enthusiastic applause.

Organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3473, the guest speakers were former Post Commander Kenn Hunt and former Cottage

Grove Mayor Jeff Gowing. Current Post Commander, Kalyn Simpson, was the Master of Ceremonies and VFW Chaplain Bryan Ducker gave the invocation and benediction.

From 1963-64, Hunt worked in the Quartermaster Battalion to support soldiers in combat zones during the Vietnam War. He said he is proud that his unit fed every member of the United Nations’ multi-national peacekeeping force in South Korea.

“I really feel honored today,” Hunt said. “Our veterans served all Americans, regardless of race, creed, color, religion or political affiliation.”

Gowing joined the Army in 1982 and served for six years. He shared his personal story that reflected upon the three generations of his family who served in the military.

He noted, “A veteran, whether active duty, discharged, retired or reserved, is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of America for the amount up to and including their life.”

Gowing ended with a quote from President Ronald Reagan, “Some people live their whole lives wondering if they made a difference, a veteran never has to.”

VFW Post Commander Kalyn Simpson is an Iraq War veteran. He said, “The turnout was fantastic and much greater than I expected.”

He believes one of the most valuable purposes of the local veterans’ service organizations is to provide a face-to-face personal experience for veterans than the more impersonal support from a phone line or a website.

“Veterans Day should be a national holiday,” Simpson stated. “President Calvin Coolidge said, ‘The nation which forgets its defenders will itself be forgotten.’ I think that is absolutely true.”

“Many countries around the world lack the freedoms we enjoy in America,” Simpson added. “If we enjoy the freedoms we have today then we need to have a special day where we honor the hundreds of generations of veterans who have protected them for us.”

JEREMY C. RUARK

CINDY WEELDREYER

Jeremy C. Ruark / Cottage Grove Sentinel

The Cottage Grove High School Leadership Class singing the National Anthem to veterans attending the school’s brunch honoring those who have served our country.

Cindy Weeldreyer / Cottage Grove Sentinel

Members of the VFW ended the Monday ceremony at the Cottage Grove Armory with a rife salute.

Charter schools helping students progress

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

The 2024-25 school year is well-underway in the South Lane School District (SLSD), which is wellrespected by many parents who appreciate the multiple options the district offers to ensure student success.

The school district operates four urban schools. Harrison and Bohemia Elementary schools offer preschool through fifth grade classes. Lincoln Middle School has Grades 6-8 and Cottage Grove High School has Grades 9-12. Outside of town, the district has three rural schools, Dorena and London offer classes for grades Pre-K through eighth grade. Al Kennedy High School serves grades 9-12 in Saginaw.

The district also has two charter schools: Child’s Way and the Academy for Character Education. Each school has a different structure and curriculum that is focused on individualized learning. Staff at both schools say the smaller enrollment creates a supportive family-like atmosphere that helps students thrive.

ACADEMY FOR CHARACTER

(ACE)

EDUCATION

ACE Principal Starr Sahnow said the existence of the school is a family affair for her. Its genesis came from parents who were seeking an alternative to create a more rigorous education for their children than the public schools could provide.

“In 2000, ACE began as a private alternative school in Oakridge with a group of parents sitting around my mom’s dining room table brainstorming what they wanted to see in a school,” she recalled. “They wanted a character-focused curriculum using the classical education model that created strong parent partnerships and individualized each student.”

According to Sahnow, originally it was the Home

Scholars Academy based in the Oakridge/Westfir area and began doing business as the Academy for Character Education when the charter school opened there in 2005. Two years later, the parents successfully applied to be a South Lane School District charter school.

ACE current enrollment is approximately 350 students starting this new school year. About 150 students are enrolled in the in-person hybrid program and 200 students are in the school’s remote-learning program. The school district charter caps enrollment at 400. There are 30 individuals on the school staff this year.

The school structure and curriculum content is divided into four areas:

Pre-Grammar (K), Grammar A,B,C & D (Elementary), Dialetic 1, 2, 3 (Middle School) and Rhetoric (High School) that relate to stages of brain development. Grade levels are determined by assessment tests and not by age or a specific grade.

The hybrid program blends in-person and athome instruction and the remote learning program is completely off-site.

Within both programs staff thrives on working with students from a variety of scholastic backgrounds. ACE families enjoy the combination of a dedicated, qualified teaching staff and the flexibility to meet their

COTTAGE GROVE:

6th & Gibbs Church of Christ

195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822

10:00am

Christian Education: Pre-K through 5th Tim Baker, Senior Minister www.6thandgibbs.com

Cottage Grove Bible Church 1200 East Quincy Avenue

541-942-4771

Pastor:Ron Harris

Worship 11am Sunday School:9:45am AWANA age 3-8th Grade, Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm www.cgbible.org

Cottage Grove Faith Center 33761 Row River Rd. 541-942-4851

Lead Pastor: Kevin Pruett

www.cg4.tv Full Childrenʼs Ministry available Services: 10:00am

Delight Valley Church of Christ

33087 Saginaw Rd. East

541-942-7711 • Pastor: Bob Friend

Two Services: 9am - Classic in the Chapel 10:30am - Contemporary in the Auditorium

students’ academic needs.

The classical education curriculum teaches students how to read and write successfully, develop strong math skills and learn Latin. It provides an overview of history by combining history, economics, government, art and music into the humanities class.

The hybrid school structure requires K-8 students to attend in-person classes two days a week and 9-12 students have three in-person days per week. Weekly assignments are given on Tuesdays and students return the completed work the following Tuesday. Sahnow says parents love the flexibility of the school’s structure.

“Parents are pleased they can spread out the five days of education over six or seven days,” Sahnow said. “Many students are passionate about sports and drama and our model gives them the flexibility to pursue them.”

Each school year, ACE staff aim to fulfill the school’s mission to develop and enhance strong character within the student body, work collaboratively with its families and focus on back-to-basics that provides a solid educational foundation for all its students.

“We are very grateful to the school district leaders for wanting options for their kids,” Sahnow said.

“In the past 17 years, the school district administrators have been very sup-

Hope Fellowship United Pentecostal Church

100 S. Gateway Blvd. 541-942-2061

Pastor: Dave Bragg Worship: 11:00am Sunday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday www.hopefellowshipupc.com “FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE”

Living Faith Assembly 467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612 Worship Services Sundays: 9a & 11a Youth Worship Sundays: 11a (all ages welcome) Mondays: 5:30p (6th-12th grades)

Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Philip Benizi Catholic Churches 1025. N. 19th St. 541-942-3420 Father John J. Boyle

Holy Mass: Saturday Vigil – 5:30 pm Sunday – 10:30 am For weekday and Holy Day of Obligation schedule see website OLPHCG.net

Confession: 4 PM to 5 PM Saturdays or by appointment

St. Philip Benizi, Creswell 552 Holbrook Lane Sunday 8 am

St. Andrews Episcopal Church 1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050

Rev. Lawrence Crumb

“Scripture, Tradition, Reason”

Worship: Sunday 10:30am All Welcome

Seventh-day Adventist Church 820 South 10th Street

541-942-5213

Pastor: James D. Boram

Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am

Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00

portive of providing what each student needs and we are very thankful for that.”

CHILD’S WAY CHARTER SCHOOIL (CWCS)

Educators Michael and Angela Kerns bought the former Culp Creek school from the school district more than two decades ago and opened a Christian school in the building before converting it into a Charter School in 2005.

With a staff of 20, the school offers distant learning for K-12 students. It also provides in-person instruction to students in grades 5-12 in both the charter school and alternative academy. Current charter school enrollment is at capacity with 110 students (combined in-building and distance learners) and has a waiting list. The Alternative Academy is referralbased and has 30 students and is still accepting new ones.

Music is a hallmark of the school and students enjoy spending time in the sound studio. CW offers

lots of hands-on project learning, including culinary skills, arts, bike repair, and crafts, wood, tiny house building, computer building, Lego robotics, 3-D printing, and game building. There is also an emphasis on outdoor learning.

As Executive Director and Visionaire, Michael Kerns is a daily presence at the school. Angela Kerns is an assistant and overseer of the CW Umbrella Program that supports homeschooling families.

“What makes our school so special is our passion for and commitment to getting to know our students as individuals,” Kerns said. “We strive to assist them in their pursuits of their interests, while we simultaneously provide them with the knowledge and tools that will most help them along their journey towards becoming mentally, emotionally and spiritually healthy and successful young adults.”

He explained that the name Child’s Way reflects

a philosophy that all people have strengths and talents and it’s just a matter of discovering them. He believes strengths can help overcome weaknesses and it’s amazing what can happen when a person is allowed to shine. Describing the school’s benefits, he notes the school is small and in an old building that is filled with art, music, antiques and lots of fun things for kids to explore and enjoy. South Lane School District provides bus transportation to students who live in town.

He said the staff is excited about the possibilities that await them in the new school year. They are eager to witness how their students will grow and explore their own unique talents, both known and yet to be discovered.

“We are so very excited to be a part of a flower whose beautiful unfolding is multiplying as we have brought on more incredible staff to work with our full and diverse student body this year,” Kerns said.

“Children first” is the motto of the South Lane School District and reflects its commitment to ensuring student success. Administrators of both charter schools eagerly anticipate the positive outcomes their students will have this year and feel blessed to serve with professional and caring staff who share the district’s goal to achieve student success.

Who We Are is a frequent Sentinel feature highlighting the people and projects making a positive difference in our community.

OBITUARIES & DEATH NOTICES

Richard Jack Montgomery

Richard Jack Montgomery, 82, of Creswell, Oregon passed away November 10, 2024. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.

Trinity Lutheran Church 6th and Quincy 541-942-2373

Vacancy Pastor: Herb Percy Sunday School and Adult Education 9:15 a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tuesday 5:15 p.m. to 6:5 p.m. TLC Groups tlccg.com

United Methodist Church 334 Washington 541-942-3033 Worship 10am umcgrove.org

CRESWELL:

Creswell Presbyterian Church 75 S 4th S • 541-895-3419 Rev. Seth Wheeler Adult Sunday School 9:15am Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am website www.creswellpres.org

Walker Union Church & Cemetery

32904 England Rd, Creswell, OR (541) 649-1800

Zoe Lynn Gilman

Zoe Lynn Gilman, 23, of Eugene Oregon, passed away on November 06, 2024. Arrangements are in the care of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium & Cemetery.

Lisa June Watson

63, of Hillsboro, Oregon died September 22, 2024. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.

Courtesy photo

Child’s Way Charter School.

Courtesy photo

ACE Charter School entrance.

NEWS & VIEWS

Insight into the Trump victory and what’s ahead

Metro Creative Connection

Following Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution, the president-elect recites the following oath: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

As the dust settles following the Nov. 5 General Election, and Donald Trump returns to the White House as President of the United States, what can residents of Cottage Grove, those in Oregon, and those across the nation expect?

For insight into this, The Sentinel turns to Dr. Jim Moore, Psephologist and Director of Political Outreach, McCall Center for Civic Engagement Politics and Government International Studies at Pacific University.

The Sentinel: From your vantage point, what led to the Trump victory?

Dr. Jim Moore: It is pretty clear that two things contributed to Trump’s win. First and foremost, frustration with and uncertainty about the economy.

Whether people are still hit by inflation worries, frustrated that government programs seem to give advantages to those who don’t work as hard, or concerned about the economic future as companies and jobs seem to disappear overnight, memories of the way things were when Trump was president won out over Harris’s message that things were getting better pretty fast.

Secondly, the Make America Great Again message that the United States has to return to the days when there was more order in society and people felt more a part of the country resonated with millions. All sorts of concerns can be put into this category. That was part of its genius—people could hope for whatever they wanted.

The Sentinel: Given so much evidence of what has been described as Trump’s criminal activities, his proven lies, and his hateful communications, what can we expect over the next four years?

Moore: Just as when Trump was first elected in 2016, we have to watch what he does, not treat what he says as the guideposts for his presidency. If some of his words turn into action, we will see if the United States governance system can handle that. The first test of all this: all those

“on my first day” promises. If there are arrests of political enemies and massive deportation orders given, then the Congress (regardless of whether it is run by Republicans or Democrats) and courts must act quickly to counter these actions that would be well beyond the powers of the presidency.

The Sentinel: How is this mood of voters shifting democracy in America?

Moore: In the study of politics, we often talk about voters (and citizens) wanting more freedom or more order. The American people want more order right now. The two main threats to order are understood to be immigrants and economic uncertainty.

Democracy has been flexible enough to provide for these differences in public mood in our history, but there are times when there is strain in the system. Examples of straining to provide order: Japanese internment in WWII, Lincoln’s suspension of many rights in the Civil War, the passage of Alien and Sedition Acts in the late 1700s (forbidding criticism of the government and providing for political deportations of noncitizens).

In all those cases, the country eventually came to see those actions as going beyond the bounds of what America was all about. But it took at least several years for that to happen. Democracy in the United States is a process, but it is not necessarily able to quickly respond to threats or change by the government or citizens.

The Sentinel: Do you sense a revolt from Trump’s opponents and what would that be?

Moore: I don’t sense a revolt from Trump’s opponents. If Harris had won, I think we would have seen lots of talk of revolt by Trump’s supporters. Trump’s opponents will be divided into two sets of players. Those in government

Fast Fact

(e.g. Congress) know that in two years there will be another election, that the Republican majority in the Senate (and the House, if that happens) is narrow, and that the president’s party tends to lose seats in an off-year election. These insiders will focus on opposition in the halls of government and plan to retake power in 2027.

Citizens who oppose Trump will either try to ignore the federal government or band together to fight for causes they believe in. In the 1960s there was a fair amount of banding together—not just against things (like Vietnam) but for things (like civil rights and the environmental movement). Will that positive energy be there in 2025 and 2026? Or will it be more politically quiet?

The Sentinel: Feel free to add any other comments you might have.

Moore: There is a lot of talk of a “Republican wave” right now. Given the narrow margin of victory for Trump in the popular vote (he is up by 3.5% as I write this), the narrow Republican lead in the Senate (at most the Rs will have 55 seats out of 100, and 53 looks more likely), and narrow lead for either party in the House, this is no wave.

A wave is when Republicans gained 54 seats in the House and 8 seats in the Senate in the “Republican Revolution” of 1994. Control of both Houses went to the Republicans for the rest of the 1990s.

What we have in 2024 are some Republican ripples within evenly divided bowls of partisan water in Washington, D.C. As mentioned above, Democrats will have good chances to take back control of Congress in 2026.

Join the conversation. Sent your Letter to the Editor to jruark@country media.net and follow developments at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

CONGRESS IS SCHEDULED TO VALIDATE THE NOV. 5 GENERAL ELECTION ON JAN. 6, 2025. PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP IS EXPECTED TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE MID-DAY JAN. 20, 2025.

Oregon needs to do more to ensure that everyone

SHANNOW WILSON

Oregon Capital Chronicle

Despite recent reforms to the state’s public defense system, Oregonians still don’t have access to justice. Right now, there are still over 3,600 Oregonians who are facing charges but do not have an attorney, including over 150 held in jail without access to an attorney. This is an affront to our constitutional guarantee of legal representation for all.

Public defender offices like mine are necessary because nearly 80% of all people facing charges in Oregon cannot afford an attorney. Until recently, state contracts for public defense services incentivized high caseloads that left little time spent working for clients. Like all of us, public defenders want a safe and thriving community. We are committed to public service and justice and will not tolerate past practices that fail our clients and community members.

The stakes are incredibly high. For most Oregonians, even 24 hours in jail can be destabilizing. Being convicted of a misdemeanor could mean serving up to a year in jail, and often also leads to job loss, separation from children, loss of housing, and disrupted access to health care. The cascade of negative consequences can lead to a downward spiral instead of a pathway to justice.

For every client, a public defender should be more than a warm body. Public defenders review hundreds of pages of material and forensic reports, and analyze hours of video, cell phone and computer data, and various forms of digital evidence. We independently investigate the accusations against our clients, sometimes wait hours to visit with our clients when they are held in jail, and communicate with their loved ones. This work takes time, and is necessary and foundational. When an attorney is assigned over 100 cases at a time, as many are, it becomes impossible to provide adequate and responsible representation for all of the people we serve.

Due to decades of disinvestment, Oregon ranks nearly last in providing adequate public defense.

has access to justice

against

In the last two years, state legislators have made significant reforms which have started to make a difference. However, we have more work to do to ensure everyone has adequate legal representation. State elected leaders can address the long standing inequities in the criminal legal system through smart investments to support the recruitment, training, and retention of public defenders.

The state’s criminal legal system suffers from high turnover rates in nonprofit public defense offices. A recent survey revealed that our offices lost 65 attorneys since July 2023 alone – a turnover rate of 24.6%.

Defenders cite unsustainable caseloads, job stress, burnout, and non-competitive salaries as reasons for leaving. When experienced attorneys leave, it creates a vicious cycle for the public defenders who stay, severely impacting our overall ability to handle serious cases and train new recruits.

Nonprofit public defender offices have always served as the primary training ground for new lawyers in this challenging area of the law. Law school simply does not prepare students for the work of a public defender. Oregon’s nonprofit public defenders understand this and invest heavily in training and supporting newcomers. We must develop a strong public defense workforce to meet Oregon’s overwhelming need.

Importantly, public defenders, prosecutors, and judges all have roles to play in ensuring our limited resources aren’t depleted by unnecessary case filings. Right now the system is stymied by fast and loose charging practices, poor

settlement offers, massive underutilization of treatment courts, and inequitable access to diversion options and dismissal programs.

Public defenders spend months preparing for trials only to have charges against their clients dismissed at the last possible moment. We are not using scarce public resources wisely, locking up an attorney’s limited time preparing for a trial that could have been resolved months prior. Not only is this frustrating for the citizens involved, it adds to the frustration and overwhelm, forcing lawyers away from public defense work. We cannot have a fair, efficient, and just legal system for all without sustaining enough qualified public defense attorneys. By addressing the root causes of unreasonable caseloads and high turnover, and ensuring standards of ethical representation required of lawyers, we can strengthen our public defense system and uphold the constitutional rights of all Oregonians.

Shannon Wilson is the executive director of Public Defender of Marion County, a nonprofit law firm that represents people who cannot afford an attorney. https://oregoncapitalchronicle. com/2024/11/05/oregonneeds-to-do-more-to-ensurethat-everyone-has-accessto-justice/ Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oregon Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Lynne Terry for questions: info@ oregoncapitalchronicle.com.

Courtesy from Getty Images Public defenders often spend months preparing for trials only to have charges

their clients dismissed at the last possible moment.

Legislation investing in rural schools passes Senate

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage Grove Sentinel

A critical source of federal funding to assist rural communities in Lane County and across Oregon has won approval of the U.S. Senate.

A bipartisan bill to reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through 2026 introduced by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) was unanimously approved by the Senate Nov. 11. Crapo and Wyden were joined by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) in reintroducing the legislation in 2024.

SRS was authored by Wyden and enacted in 2000 to financially assist counties with public, tax-exempt forestlands. The U.S. Forest Service and the U.S.

Scam

Police warn of phone scam calls

From Page 1

a legitimate agency.

“They will try to con -

Rehousing Rehousing for Holiday Farm Fire survivors

From Page 1

among the largest wildfires in Oregon history.

Beginning near the Holi -

Centennial American Legion Post celebrates its centennial From Page 1

Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion has evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States.

The American Legion’s membership requirements are honorable service and an honorable discharge. Membership has grown to over 1.6 million in more than 12,000 posts worldwide. The current membership of Post #32 is 82.

In 2019, the American Legion’s Oregon Department celebrated its centennial. There are 117 posts across the state that support 17,000 members who are wartime veterans of the 20th and 21st centuries.

The American Legion has achieved many benefits and services for veterans. They include the GI Bill to help veterans obtain higher education, get better jobs, buy houses and raise families. They sought relief for veterans who were exposed to toxic contamination, such as Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.

The Legion provides advocacy for timely health care, fair processing of veterans’ benefits, and career and business oppor-

Bureau of Land Management administer the funds. The totals are based on a formula including economic activity, timber harvest levels and other considerations that vary from county to county. SRS payments are critical to maintain education programs for many rural counties that contain federal lands exempt from property taxes.

PREVIOUS FUNDING

Wyen and Merkley announced in April that 30 Oregon counties, would receive more than $47.7 million in federal payments under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS) for schools and road maintenance, youth job training, wildfire prevention, watershed restoration and habitat conservation.

Lane County was to receive $7,764,108.96.

vince you they are with a legitimate agency,” the officials state in the alerts.

“They will sometimes create a fake, professionallooking profile or a website that looks very similar to the organization’s actual page. “Scammers may try to use your emo -

day Farm RV Resort in Rainbow on the evening of September 7, 2020, due to fallen power lines, the fire spread rapidly down the McKenzie Valley and up into the densely wooded foothills on both sides of the river and Oregon Route 126. The fire was driven by unusually strong winds from the east during the

Metro Creative Connection

SRS payments are critical to maintain education programs for many rural counties that contain federal lands exempt from property taxes, according to Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley.

REACTION

“Building on a history of bipartisanship, the Senate reiterated its support for rural communities,”

Wyden said after the Senate approval Monday night.

“I thank Senators Crapo, Merkley and Risch for their partnership to extend this critical funding – a lifeline that helps rural communities keep open their schools, libraries, roadways and supports other vital resources. Once we’ve completed the remaining

tions against you, such as pretending to be a family member in jail or threaten legal consequences if you do not pay immediately.”

The law enforcement agencies urge, that when in doubt, hang up without providing personal or payment information and

often-driest time of year in western Oregon.

Firefighters from across the region joined the battle as part of a coordinated, multi-agency effort to save lives and property. In the end, the fire consumed more than 173,000 acres and ripped its way through small communities along the McKenzie River,

tunities. It hosts visits by representatives of the Veterans Administration who provide benefit assistance and counseling services.

Historically, the American Legion Posts throughout the United States have established civil defense, partnered with municipalities build and improve parks and playgrounds, served meals and provided housing for refugees. During the Great Depression, Legions sponsored greatly needed soup kitchens.

According to the Flag Code that was adopted in 1942, tattered American flags are not discarded but must be burned. There is a fire pit next to the building that occasionally conducts the required flag burning ceremony.

TWO VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

Cottage Grove has two veterans service organizations: the American Legion and the Veterans of

Foreign Wars (VFW).

The difference is the American Legion generally accepts veterans of the United States military no matter where they served.

The VFW only accepts U.S. veterans who served overseas in a combat zone or received hostile fire pay.

In 1899, when troops coming back from the Spanish American War were excluded from The Grand Army of the Republic, they formed the VFW.

The American Legion came along 20 years later, opening its membership to anybody who served in uniform during times of armed conflict.

Post #32 Commander

Steve Wesolowski has served in that position for the last six years.

“I wanted to join a great organization and help the community and our veterans,” Wesolowski said.

“I’m very glad I joined this post.”

He said the benefits of becoming a member of the

work to secure this threeyear extension, I will be using it as a bridge to a permanent fix for providing services to rural Oregonians and Americans in every corner of our country.”

“Our bipartisan bill provides reliable funding that is crucial to keeping schools and libraries open, maintaining roads, restoring watersheds, and ensuring there are police officers and firefighters to keep communities safe,” Merkley said. “The Senate did its

contact the organization to verify the request is really coming from their office.

CGPD Chief Cory Chase said his law enforcement agency is challenged in tracking down and arresting the fraud suspects.

“We do not have a way

including Finn Rock, Vida and Nimrod. Blue River was burned to the ground. In all, 1,100 buildings were lost, including hundreds of homes.

MCKENZIE VALLEY

LONG TERM RECOVERY GROUP

Established in 2021, the McKenzie Valley Long

job and now the House must swiftly pass this bill to extend the SRS program so Oregon communities can maintain access to these important lifelines and resources.”

Crapo said the approval by the Senate “gets us one step closer to providing the funding certainty upon which rural county governments can rely,” he said. “I encourage the U.S. House of Representatives to swiftly reauthorize the SRS program to avoid any

to track the calls since they were not made to us. The calls were made to citizens using a device or program that displayed our phone number on the caller ID. Usually scams like this originate from out of the country and are not easily tracked by local law

Term Recovery Group is a non-profit organization serving people and organizations in the rural and unincorporated Holiday Farm Fire area. Its mission is to recognize needs, find resources, and help individuals and families recover from disaster.

www.McKenzieValleyLTRG.org

disruption to this vital program as rural counties rely on these continued payments to ensure funding for schools, road maintenance, public safety, search and rescue operations as well as mental and physical health services.”

U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Washington) and Val Hoyle (D-Oregon) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

enforcement,” Chase said. The CGPD advises anyone receiving these calls or requests to not provide any information to the caller. If you do receive a suspected scam call, report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.

LANE COUNTY’S RECOVERY PROGRAM

Lane County’s efforts to support wildfire recovery include community and transportation planning in the Blue River area, coordinating recovery funding, and advocating for recovery resources and legislation. www.McKenzieRebuilds.org

post boils down to camaraderie. Some veterans enjoy being able to meet others who have the same interests/issues.

According to the national organization, the average age of a member is 67-years-old, with 400,000 members over the age of 80. Wesolowski said this is an ongoing challenge.

“One of the most

important things we face is bringing in new and younger veterans,” he said.

“We are all starting to age and if this post is to survive, we need newer and younger members. They are the ones who bring in new ideas.”

The American Legion’s motto is “Veterans Strengthening America.”

The post commander said

members are proud their post has continuously served local veterans for a century and hope it will grow and continue its mission to support veterans for many years to come.

For more information, call 541-942-5991, or send email to: connect@ cottagegrovelegionpost32. org

Courtesy photo

The name of the Cottage Grove American Legion Post and a large colorful painting honors Calvin Funk, the first Grover who died in World War 1.

Courtesy photo

Members of the Cottage Grove American Legion Post participate in a flag raising ceremony in the city.

Courtesy photo

Participating members of the Cottage Grove American Legion Post during a ceremony at the National Guard Armoy in Cottage Grove.

LADD CONSTRUCTION, LLC New or remodel, decks, siding, windows, doors, shops, fenc- es. 541-913-1541 ccb# 239015

CGS24-3029 NOTICE OF SALE Notice is hereby given that pursuant to ORS. 87.691, I-105 Secure Storage, LLC, will sell to the highest bidder, all personal property located in Units occupied by Jesse Barnum Unit B133 Corey Boffing Unit B244 John Huston Unit

Tianna Turnidge Unit

Alexandra Freeman Unit F104 The sale will occur at 851 52nd Street, Springfield, Oregon, on November 29, 2024, at 10.00 a.m. All personal property shall be sold as one lot. Jason Merwin, Manager I-105 Secure Storage, LLC Phone # (541 762-1295)

CGS24-3030 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned has been appointed personal representative of the Estate of Cory Bjorn Hobbs, deceased, Lane County Circuit Court Case No. 24PB09973. All persons having claims against the estate are required to present them, with vouchers attached, to the undersigned personal representative to Collier Law at 1020 Liberty Street SE, Salem, Oregon 97302, within four months after the date of publication of this notice, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or the attorneys for the personal representative.Published November 20th, 2024. /s/ Lance D. Youd, Personal Representative

CGS 24-3032 COTTAGE GROVE MINI STORAGE 1520 HWY 99 N COTTAGE GROVE, OR 97424 AUCTION: December 7, 2024 PROMPTLY AT 11:00 A.M. COTTAGE GROVE MINI STORAGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ORS 87.162 WILL OFFER FOR PUBLIC AUCTION THE FOLLOWING UNITS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT AND OTHER FEES 1. Richard Barlow # D-202 2. Andrew Crowder # E-257 3. Shannon Tennison # G-102 4. Debbie Whetham #

DEADLINE

Deadline for all classified and legal ads is the Wednesday one week prior to to the following Wednesday Publication date. Ads received after Wednesday 5:00 p.m. will not appear until two weeks after submission date.

Burns defeats Cottage Grove at State Lions winning season ends

took the lead 24-0 in the first half of the contest. The Lions came back scoring 7, but at the end of the game, it was Burns taking the game 46-7, eliminating Cottage Grove from the State competi -

tion. CGHS Interim Principal Chris Welles said the Lions set an important mark for the school.

“It’s been an amazing season for these student athletes,” he said. “They have gone back to the

history of Cottage Grove football, building on that history and recapturing it after the COVID pandemic,” he said. “There’s an old adage that says a good football season makes for a good school year; I definitely think we will

see that as a result of the player’s season. It’s a good turn around for the school. It shows pride. That this is the place to be. It’s a place that celebrates struggle. It shows that it is not easy, and that we have done something that we haven’t