Cottage Grove entinel
Local resident loses $14,000 in scam
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
A Cottage Grove area resident is out thousands of dollars after a phone scam incident.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office received a report Dec. 11, of a Cottage Grove-area resident who claimed to have lost $14,000 in a phone scam.
“A relative of the victim received a phone call from a person claiming to be a sergeant with our office,” LCSO Sgt. Tim Wallace said. “The scammer informed the relative he failed to appear for court and was held in contempt.”
To “avoid arrest,” the relative was instructed to pay $7,000 for two separate criminal charges, or go to jail, according to Wallace.
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Public
Cottage
Mike Sauerwein said
“Having no way to pay, the relative reached out to the victim, who pulled cash from savings and followed the scammer’s instructions for payment: in Bitcoin, through a CoinFlip ATM machine.,” Wallace said. “Due to the use of Bitcoin and VPN phone numbers, this case is likely unsolvable.”
This type of scam is very common, and we receive reports of similar scam callers almost every day, thankfully with no money lost in most cases, Wallace said.
p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.
“None of us have ever managed a homeless camp before, so we knew that date was a bit aspirational,” Sauerwein said. “We are
“Scammers often have officialsounding voicemail inboxes, have victims’ personal information, and attempt to be intimidating over the phone. Their numbers on caller ID may even appear to be ours,” Wallace said. “The Lane County Sheriff’s Office will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email. We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty.”
If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, Wallace urges you to hang up and contact the LCSO dispatch center at 541-682-4141.
If you are a victim of a phone or internet scam, report the incident to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
“Please share this information with your friends and family,” Wallace urged.
POLICE ALERT
In early November, the Cottage Grove Police Department (CGPD) issued a fraud alert following multiple reports from concerned citizens, who said they had been receiving telephone calls from individuals claiming to be representatives of the Cottage Grove Police Department.
“Over the past two days we have
SPECIAL REPORT
628 E Washington Avenue in Cottage Grove.
Historic Armory has deep roots, offers a promising future
CINDY WEELDREYER
Cottage Grove Sentinel
received roughly a dozen phone calls from concerned citizens,” CGPD Administrative Assistant Brook Crow said the agency had received approximately a dozen calls from concerned citizens.
“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,” Crow said.
The caller typically stated that there is a warrant out for their arrest for a missed court date, according to Crow.
“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 recently issued arrest warrants, missed court dates or demand money owed to the courts.”
The CGPD advises anyone receiving these calls or requests to not provide any information to the caller. If you do receive a suspected
See SCAM, Page 6
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.
AWANA Program offers faithbuilding fun for local kids
“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
CINDY WEELDREYER
Sauerwein and other city officials have told the Sentinel, that there are no additional plans to offer any other long-term sheltering for the homeless.
Cottage Grove Sentinel
A celebratory evening for local youth and adults conducted Wednesday, Dec. 18, included the telling of the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, singing holiday songs, creating holiday crafts, decorating -- then eating -- Christmas cookies while sipping hot chocolate.
“Cottage Grove will follow state law as we understand it,” Sauerwein said. “That is what we are doing. To change that is up to the legislature. The city of Cottage Grove has no plans to do any kind of a shelter beyond what we are
For more than 30 years, the Cottage Grove Bible Church has hosted a local club of a worldwide nonprofit ministry that offers an entertaining and structured youth discipleship program.
Editor’s Note: Cottage Grove City leaders face significant budget challenges in 2025 requiring thoughtful discussion of how current city assets will be funded in the future. This is part three of a six-part series describing the history and management of City-owned assets: the Historic Downtown District, the Library/Community Center, the Armory, Bohemia Park, the Skatepark and Middlefield Golf Course.
CINDY WEELDREYER
For The Cottage Grove Sentinel
Pastor Ron Harris began the evening’s program reading scripture and using slides to explain the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. After singing traditional Christmas carols, such as “Joy to the World” and “Away in a Manger”, the youth eagerly headed to the fellowship hall for the craft projects and refreshments awaiting them.
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further and further behind
helped us meet many of our future bookstore customers,” Birdy said.
In 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle and her sister Gail opened The Bookmine they were familiar with The Village Green.
COTTAGE GROVE ARMORY
The dedication of the new Cottage Grove Armory was a pretty big deal on Saturday, April 11, 1931.
She shared a humorous memory they made in the formal Iron Maiden Dining Room that drew laughter from the crowd.
EARLY HISTORY
This year, Todd and Christine Patten are the coordinators of this international program, founded in Chicago in 1950, that aims to lead kids to know, love and serve Jesus Christ. Today, the interdenominational parachurch program is hosted by 61,000 churches across America and is active in 122 countries.
Four-year-old Rose Bennett enjoys the Christmas cookie she decorated at the AWANA Christmas program at Cottage Grove Bible Church. See more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com
Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort
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.
The day began with an afternoon parade down Main Street from River Road to the brand-new building on the corner of Washington Avenue and Seventh Street.
The original WW1-era armory was on the corner of Main Street and River Road. Discussions began in the early 1920’s to build a new
Christine Patten led the evening’s activities and said participating in the program is very rewarding to her.
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
Matchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove. See more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com. See LEGACY,
the way” during the construction project.
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.”
“It was a wonderful place to work and, being new in town, it
“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.”
The evening dedication ceremony featured patriotic songs and speeches by Governor Julius Meier, and city, county and military officials. Major General George A. White officially dedicated the building as the home of the National Guard’s Company D, 186th Infantry. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and the day ended with a public dance featuring a seven-piece orchestra. Grovers had much to celebrate on that dedication day. It was the second armory built in Oregon and reflected the modern “Art Deco” architecture of the period. Nearly all the labor and building materials used in construction came from local sources and they eagerly anticipated the many special events the large building would soon host.
See ARMORY, Page 6
“We have excellent materials used by parent leaders who are kind and nurturing and enthusiastically make learning about the Bible fun,” Patten said. “I love seeing the joy on kids’ faces as they return each week and successfully
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.
Kris Woodard’s introductory remarks included personal memories he made through the lens of a 12-year-old who was often “in
To the delight of those gathered, Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard,
recite the previous week’s memory verse. I have fulfillment in my heart knowing I am doing what God has called me to do.” During the school year, up to 20 kindergarten-to-high school aged students and a dozen adult leaders gather at the church on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. to have fun learning the Bible and building healthy relationships that can last a lifetime. The 90-minute program uses special awards and small prizes to incentivize the memorization of Bible verses, completion of age-appropriate faith-building handbooks and participation in activities that promote patriotism and community service.
AWANA is an acronym that stands for “Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed”. It references biblical advice the Apostle Paul wrote to his young protégé in 2 Timothy 2:15, where he encouraged Timothy to honor God by working hard and not be ashamed to teach the words of truth in the right way.
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.
“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
The evening is divided into three half-hour segments: Game Time is where boys and girls play games to exercise their bodies and promote healthy competition and teamwork. Handbook Time
See AWANA, Page 6
currently doing, which is providing
Crews began developing the smaller homeless camp site this week on the vacant lot at 12th Street.
CINDY WEELDREYER / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
Cottage
PHOTO JEREMY C. RUARK / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
Courtesy photos from the City of Cottage Grove
The Cottage Grove Armory is located at
Cindy Weeldryeyer
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Alleged assault, dog bite leads to arrest
Lane
JEREMY C.
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
An alleged encounter with a dog has led to the arrest of a Cottage Grove resident.
At approximately 4 p.m. Dec.13, Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies responded to the 37200 block of Row River Road for a reported assault.
“Deputies learned two people had been assaulted and menaced by Ronald Cameron Boss Jr., of Cottage Grove,” LCSO Sgt. Tim Wallace said. “Boss had also encouraged his dog to bite one of the residents, who had since left.”
Deputies located Boss on the property a short time later and arrested him.
Boss faces charges
including: • Assault 2
• Assault 4 APA
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-6824141 and reference case #24-6603.
County Sheriff honored as Sheriff of the Year
RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold has received the Sheriff of the Year Award from the Oregon Sheriffs’ Association.
The Sheriff of the Year Award recognizes a Sheriff who has made outstanding contributions to the objectives and efforts of the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association (OSSA) during the current year and highlights exemplary service that goes above and beyond regular duties, according to the association.
The recognition acknowledges the Sheriff’s active participation, leadership, and significant impact in advancing OSSA’s mission and enhancing public safety across Oregon. The recipient of this award demonstrates exceptional dedication, innovation, and service that positively af-
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, DECEMBER 9
00:15: Disturbance, 1200 block S. 13th St.
05:33: Fire, London Rd/ Abeene Ln.
07:51: Criminal mischief, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
08:07: Abandoned vehicle, 1100 block N. 16th St.
09:21: Illegal camping, 200 block N. 12th St.
09:47: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
10:22: Dog at large, 400 block N. 10th St.
11:06: Order violation, 900 block Cooper Ave.
11:14: Illegal parking, 900 block W. Main St.
12:37: Trespass, 2200 block E. Whiteaker Ave.
13:52: Barking dog, 200 block North J St.
14:22: Hit and run, 1000 block Hwy 99
16:27: Welfare check, 1100 block E. Harrison Ave.
17:04: Motor vehicle crash, 800 block Row River Rd.
18:21: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
18:52: Child abuse, 1400 block E. Madison Ave.
19:59: Found property, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
fects the association and the communities they serve.
“I am truly humbled,” Harrold said, “and know that I am only one among many who endeavor to serve this community with dedication and commitment. Thank you for making it such a privilege to be your Sheriff.”
BACKGROUND
According to a release from the LCSO, Harrold has devoted his life to serving his community, beginning his law enforcement journey as a cadet while still in high school. Demonstrating early commitment, he convinced his high school to allow him a work-study program to gain hands-on experience. He later worked as a 911 dispatcher, all while volunteering as a cadet and attending community college with a focus on criminal justice.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10
00:56: Theft 32000 block Lynx Hollow rd.
01:19: Suspicious vehicle, 1300 block E. Main St.
08:38: Fraud, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
09:48: Alarm, 1500 block Village Dr.
10:44: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
11:05: Trespass, 200 block Davidson Ave.
11:12: Abandoned vehicle, 1700 block E. Main St.
12:45: Unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 1300 block S. 4th St.
12:50: Illegal parking, 1300 block N. 19th St.
14:35: Fraud, 1500 block Edison Ave.
15:03: Disorderly subject, 1300 block E. Main St.
15:44: Theft, 1000 block Hillside Dr.
16:35: Illegal camping, 200 block N. 12th St.
17:07: Theft, 600 block N. 9th St.
18:53: Welfare check, 1600 block Samuel Dr.
19:36: Citizen assist, E. Main/6th St.
19:50: Found dog, 800 block Kristen Way
22:07: Welfare check, 100 block Tyson Dr.
22:27: Suicide, 1500 block Madison Ave.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11
00:26: Prowler, 800 block South R St.
00:31: Disturbance, 1700 block E. Main St.
04:06: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
04:26: Agency assist, 2800 block Row River Rd.
06:51: Alarm, 100 block
In 1995, on his 21st birthday, Haarold was hired as a deputy sheriff. Throughout his nearly 30year career, he has served in numerous roles, including Corrections, Patrol, SWAT, Drug Recognition Expert, and Traffic Safety Team Member. He advanced through the ranks, serving as Patrol Sergeant, SWAT Commander, Patrol Lieutenant, and Corrections Captain before being appointed Sheriff in 2019.
He was elected as Lane County Sheriff in 2020 and reelected in 2024.
Harrold was recognized along with Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel during the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association’s annual conference Dec. 9-13 in Bend. Other members of the LCSO were recognized at the conference. Read more with this story at cgsentinel.com
POLICE BLOTTER
South 2nd St.
S. 6th St.
08:09: Dog at large, S. River Rd/Hwy 99
10:03: Disorderly subject, 800 block E. Main St.
10:32: Hit and run, Row River Rd/Gateway Blvd.
11:02: Assault, 1300
block S. River Rd.
12:54: Abandoned vehicle, 10th/Grover
13:51: Animal info, 500 block S. River Rd.
14:01: Death investigation, 100 block E. Jefferson Ave.
14:49: Disturbance, 2200
block E. Whiteaker Ave.
15:00: Alarm, 1300 block S. River Rd.
15:45: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
17:14: Suicide, 800 block Cooper Ave.
18:05: Disturbance, 1300 block Pennoyer Ave.
18:42: Found dog, 1300 block Anthony Ave.
20:38: Alarm, 1500 block S. 4th St.
21:49: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99
23:02: Citizen assist, R/ Daugherty Ave.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12
01:53: Criminal mischief, 1500 block E. Main St.
08:03: Juvenile, 1500 block S. 4th St.
10:24: Hit and run, 1500 block Village Dr.
10:28: Abandoned vehicle, 2nd/Riverwalk Pl.
10:35: Welfare check, Hwy 99/Geer Ave.
11:12: Theft, 1600 block Clark Ave.
11:31: Harassment, 200 block N. 9th St.
11:42: Citizen assist, 11th/Lord
13:04: Fraud, 1100 block
14:06: Abandoned vehicle, 1000 block Ostrander Ln.
14:26: Dog at large, Lincoln/9th
14:38: Warrant service, 1200 block Hwy 99
16:22: Citizen assist, 500 block N. River Rd.
17:28: Motor vehicle crash, 80000 block Hwy 99
20:19: ATL DUII, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
20:55: Trespass, 1600 block Clark Ave.
22:17: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
23:10: Info, 100 block Hwy 99
23:43: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block Palmer Ave.
23:55: Dog at large, 1200 block Hwy 99
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13
00:57: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
01:08: Business check, American Mkt.
01:14: Assault, 100 block N. 9th St.
06:16: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
09:23: Vicious dog, 100 block E. Harrison Ave.
09:57: Burglary, 100 block Hwy 99
10:53: Wanted subject, 500 block N. Douglas St.
11:03: Juvenile, 1000 block Taylor Ave.
16:07: Juvenile, 1500 block S. 4th St.
16:14: Disturbance, 200 block S. 14th St.
17:37: Hit and run, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
18:10: DUII, 77000 block S. 6th St.
18:53: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
19:43: Theft, 1500 block E. Main St.
20:15: Citizen assist, 400 block E. Main St.
20:45: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block S. 10th St.
22:37: Trespass, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
23:51: Suspicious vehicle, 1200 block Hwy 99
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14
01:10: Business check, American Mkt.
01:13: Welfare check, 1600 block Samuel Dr.
03:29: Agency assist, 3200 block Row River Rd.
05:08: Overdose, 200 block N. 12th St.
08:16: Alarm, 900 block Holly Ave.
1300 block E. Main St.
20:49: Trespass, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
21:24: Warrant service, 1400 block Gateway Blvd.
22:16: Citizen assist, 1400 block Gateway Blvd.
22:27: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
22:43: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 15
01:14: Agency assist, 500 block E. Madison Ave.
07:17: Welfare check, 1300 block Pennoyer Ave.
08:57: Agency assist, 800 block E. Main St.
09:39: Burglary, 600 block Row River Rd.
10:18: Dog at large, 1700 block S. 5th St. 10:49: Found dog, Main/S 11:49: Disturbance, 2200 block Ibsen Ave.
08:46: Welfare check, 1600 block Samuel Dr.
10:26: Found property, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.
CoosBay 13weekstotalineach Repeatcycle2x=12 weeks. Runad1againon13th week.
11:55: Welfare check, 700 block Row River Rd.
12:12: Abandoned vehicle, 100 block N. 16th St.
12:46: Civil, 1200 block S. 13th St.
13:05: Business check, 1500 block Gateway Blvd. 13:27: Suspicious condition, 5th/Main 14:49: Suspicious condition, 1000 block E. Main St. 15:02: Found property, 1200 block E. Main St. 15:31: Fire, Bryant/s 15:44: Trespass,
11:24: Suspicious condition, 100 block S. 10th St. 12:17: Trespass, 900 block Row River Rd.
14:44: Abandoned vehicle, Adams/7th
14:54: Citizen assist, 1800 block S. 11th St.
15:03: ATL DUII, 9th/ Woodson
15:58: Assault, 32000 block Row River Rd.
Starting:Oct.17 Ending:MidJan. CottageGrove 13weekstotalineach Repeatcycle2x=12 weeks. Runad1againon13th week.
13:19: Business check, 1200 block E. Main St.
18:17: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd. 18:40: Welfare check,
Starting:Oct.17 Ending:MidJan.
Courtesy photo from the LCSO
Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold pictured with wife Becky Harrold.
Jeremy C. Ruark / Cottage Grove Sentinel
The incident occurred in the 37200 block of Row River Road.
JEREMY
“With
photo
& Disability Services, located at 1015 Willamette Street in Eugene.
S&DS is actively seeking host sites for the Mobile Outreach Services Vehicle throughout Lane County, especially in rural communities. Community organizations interested in hosting these mobile services are encouraged to contact sdsoutreach@lcog.org or call 541-682-4038 to learn more.
ABOUT THE SENIOR & DISABILITY SERVICES
Senior & Disability Services
Equipped to function as a
the ve
our mission
and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as information and referrals to community-based resources. The Mobile Outreach Service Vehicle was purchased thanks to a generous grant from Trillium
10
Dec. 19 at
with physical disabilities, and their caregivers. For more information, visit https:// www.lcog.org/sdslane.
Lane County to receive $4.4M for broadband expansion
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Residents of rural Lane County will ring in the new year with better connections and broader horizons, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development (USDA RD). USDA RD State Director for Oregon Margi Hoffmann said the federal agency is investing $4.4 million to expand broadband coverage and connect more Oregonian families.
“For rural Oregonians, reliable internet is no longer a luxury. It is a lifeline,” Hoffmann said. “With this investment, residents of Lane County will soon have better opportunities for connection, education, business growth, and healthcare access.”
The $4.4 million ReConnect loan will go to Pioneer
Telephone Company and will benefit homes, businesses, farms, and schools from the Mid-Valley to the coast. Reliable internet connections are also crucial to new telehealth services like mobile mental health units and remote neonatal care.
In addition to the $4.4 million invested in Lane County, USDA RD also announced over $309 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in 18 states to reliable high-speed internet through the ReConnect Program.
SPECIFIC DESIGN
The ReConnect Program is specifically designed to fund the most difficult high-speed internet projects in the nation, which are in the most rural, remote and unserved communities, and many residents and
businesses in rural areas would not have high-speed internet service without it.
The program is a key part of the Administration’s Internet for All initiative to connect everyone in America to high-speed internet by 2030, according to Hoffmann.
Since the beginning of the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA RD has invested approximately $4.4 billion for 360 ReConnect awards that will bring high-speed internet access to more than 680,000 people in the most rural and remote areas of America.
More than $2.2 billion of this funding, which will benefit an estimated 341,000 people, was made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
A full list of projects is available online.
USDA Rural Develop-
ment provides loans and grants to expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastruc-
ture improvements; business development; housing, community facilities such as schools, public safety, and health care facilities; and high-speed
Health care, construction, push Oregon job surge
Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 5,100 jobs, following a revised increase of 3,500 jobs in October, according to the Oregon Employment Department’s latest monthly report.
November’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+2,300 jobs); construction (+2,100); and professional and business services (+700).
JOB SURGE
Private health care and social assistance has been adding jobs very
rapidly since June 2022. It expanded by 41,700 jobs, or 15.6%, during that 29-month period.
The fastest growing components during that time were social assistance (+17,800 jobs, or 27.0%) and nursing and residential care facilities (+9,400 jobs, or 19.3%). The other two
component industries also added jobs, but grew less rapidly: hospitals (+6,800 jobs, or 11.9%) and ambulatory health care services (+10,200 jobs, or 10.7%). Construction rebounded in November from a threemonth dip, returning the sector’s total employment to 117,500, about where it had been from July 2022 through August 2024.
In the past 12 months, health care and social as-
sistance (+17,500 jobs, or 6.0%) grew rapidly, while government (+6,900 jobs, or 2.2%) added the second most jobs.
DECLINES
In that time, only two major industries declined by 1,000 jobs or more: retail trade (-1,700 jobs, or -0.8%) and leisure and hospitality (-1,400 jobs, or -0.7%).
About half of the major
industries were essentially flat over the year, with job changes of less than 1,200 in either direction.
EMPLOYMENT RATE
Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in November and 4.0% in October and has consistently remained between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023.
The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.2% in November and 4.1% in October.
Courtesy photo
JEREMY C. RUARK
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Fatal drug overdoses in Oregon reached record levels in 2023
BEN BOTKIN Oregon Capital Chronicle
More than 1,800 Oregonians died of drug overdoses in 2023, a rising trend that state leaders want to reverse with new programs to combat addiction.
Oregon’s annual death toll from drug overdoses has increased every year since 2019, when 626 people died, according to data the Oregon Health Authority released Thursday. With overdoses on the rise, Oregon officials are
mapping out strategies and plans to put more money and resources into driving down overdoses and illicit drug usage.
Fentanyl and other opioids are a major driver for overdose deaths. Nearly 1,400
OBITUARIES & DEATH NOTICES
William (Bill) Allen Whiteman
September 9, 1938 - December 13, 2024
William (Bill) Allen Whiteman passed away peacefully on December 13th after spending his final days surrounded by loved ones, he was 86 years old. Bill was born September 9th, 1938, as the only child of Blanche and Emmett Whiteman in Grants Pass, Oregon. Bill grew up on the Oregon coast and attended Marshfield High School, joining the AirForce upon graduation. After being medically discharged, Bill spent a couple years attending San Francisco City College and Oregon State University studying Horticulture.
In 1959, Bill married Patricia Haddix, and the young couple moved to Bend, Oregon to start a family and a career in the flower shop business. As a florist, Bill was able to tap into his artistic and creative side, while stretching his entrepreneurial spirit. A spirit that would guide him for a lifetime! From Bend, the family moved to Southern California and worked in both Santa Barbara and Palm Springs. While in Palm Springs, Bill provided floral arrangements for the who’s who of Hollywood whenever they vacationed at their desert retreats. His biggest brush with celebrity was when he created floral arrangements for John F. Kennedy during one of his infamous holidays to Palm Springs.
As his family grew, Bill decided that raising children among the celebrity crowd of Southern California wasn’t the best choice, so they moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon where he opened a florist shop on Main Street. As his business grew, so did his involvement in the community. Bill was naturally curious and had an innate need to be involved, belonging to the JCs, Chamber of Commerce, Lemati Gang and Bohemian Mining Days committee. In 1970, while serving as President of Bohemian Mining Days, Bill decided to have Cottage Grove resident Scotty Swift, the National Poster Child for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, serve as Grand Marshal of the annual parade. He then asked Swift to invite comedian Jerry Lewis to join him. Lewis happily obliged and Cottage Grove welcomed one of the biggest celebrities of the times. Bill was also a member of the volunteer fire department during which time he received a special “accommodation” as William “PYRO” Whiteman after having a brush fire get out of control and burn several
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
acres of land in what is now Middlefield Golf Course.
One day over coffee, he learned that there was a need for someone to announce high school sports on KNND radio and jumped at the opportunity. That led to a decade of on-air experience that included hosting the Beeper Show, a local morning talk show that allowed Bill to discuss politics, current events, music and any other topic that interested him. As his radio interest faded, Bill’s entrepreneurial drive led him to selling cars, the antique business, the auctioneering business and rodeo announcing. In 1976, Bill took a job working with longtime friend Darrel Williams as a manager of Pinocchio’s Pizza. 2 years later, the two of them, along with two of them, along with Lynn Wilson, opened The Vintage Inn Restaurant. Running the restaurant would be Bill’s primary role for several years until he opened The Bakery on Main.
Being on the radio and in business for himself wasn’t enough to fill Bill’s never fading drive, so in 1974 he ran for and won a seat on the City Council. He always believed that if you want something to change, you must be a participant, not a spectator. After 4 years as a Councilman, Bill spent the next 6 years as the Mayor of Cottage Grove. Serving as Mayor was one of the most personally gratifying roles Bill had in his entire life!
In 1991, while attending his 35th class reunion in Coos Bay, Bill’s life changed forever. There, he was reintroduced to a woman he had known throughout school. From that day on, Gail Holte became the love of Bill’s life! Bill and Gail were married in 1994 and spent the next 30 years living in pure happiness! During that time, Bill continued his entrepreneurial gifts by starting BWE Backflow and in 1999, became a City Councilman in the city of Sherwood, Oregon. Bill and Gail eventually settled in McMinnville, Oregon and wintered in Mesa, Arizona.
Bill is survived by his loving wife Gail, 3 children- Kim Lang, Robert (Ricky) Whiteman and Jeff (Stacy) Whiteman; 4 stepchildren-Renae (Karl) Granlund, Randy Schiff, Robin (Kelly) Coste and Ryan Schiff; 17 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren! A Celebration of Life will be held in January in Cottage Grove.
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
people died of an opioid overdose in 2023.
“Oregon’s overdose crisis has affected every community across the state, and the highly sensitive and traumatic nature of these events has caused harm, trauma and loss that impact the well-being of everyone,” said Liz McCarthy, overdose epidemiologist in OHA’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program. “The impact fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses have on our communities shows how important this data can be, especially for data-driven decisions.”
Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposal for the state’s next two-year budget would put $90 million into adult mental health and addiction treatment facilities.
Kotek also is proposing $40 million to help support deflection programs, including outreach workers and counselors who work with people in addiction to steer them towards treatment and into recovery programs.
This year, Oregon lawmakers passed House Bill 4002, which allowed counties to start deflection programs so people can avoid misdemeanor drug possession charges if they have an assessment and start the program, which can include treatment, counseling and other services.
So far, 28 of Oregon’s 36 counties have either started or plan to start the programs, and about 220 people are in the programs statewide.
Kotek also has proposed $25 million for youth behavioral health services, which includes expanded residential and community programs, school-based health centers that provide screening and prevention services and youth suicide prevention services.
That builds upon work that started this year, when Oregon lawmakers put more than $200 million toward drug addiction treatment needs. The funding goes toward needs including new residential treatment facilities and recovery houses, medication and treatment for people in jails and other programs.
The 2023 figures lag by nearly a year because of the work needed to analyze death data, including toxicology reports.
Combined with other data on the state’s dashboard, the dashboard’s findings show the depth of the state’s addiction crisis. Overdoses
and drugs have seeped into smaller and rural communities, well outside urban hubs like Portland and Eugene. In Jackson County, people experiencing drug overdoses entered hospital emergency rooms 736 times in 2023. That same year, 130 people in the southern Oregon county died of drug overdoses. Statewide, Oregonians made 11,125 trips to hospital emergency rooms in 2023 due to drug overdoses.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/13/ fatal-drug-overdoses-in-oregon-reached-record-levelsin-2023/ 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.
Patrick William Reinbold
July 9, 1959 - December 15, 2024
Patrick William Reinbold, 65, of Cottage Grove, Oregon passed away December 15, 2024, from cancer. He was born in Eugene, Oregon to parents Patrick A. and A. Nadine (Campbell) Reinbold on July 9, 1959.
Patrick graduated from Cottage Grove High School, and had a long-standing career in the grocery industry, an endeavor he began as a high school student bagging groceries. Over 26 years at Safeway, he rose through the ranks to a management position, before closing his career at Kimwood, from where he retired in 2013.
When Patrick was not working, you could find him immersed in his many hobbies.
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
From the thrill of scuba diving and skydiving to the competitive spirit of bowling. However, it was on the serene banks of the McKenzie River or amidst the lush greens of a golf course where Patrick felt most at peace. Golf and fishing were not just pastimes for him; they were activities where he found solace and joy. Patrick’s legacy is carried on through his loving family, including his son Tremaine (Kristina) Clayton of Portland, OR, daughter Stephanie (John) Beggs of Fruitland, ID, sister, and Susan Van Cappellen of Portland, OR. He was also the proud grandfather to seven grandchildren. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
Getty Images
More than 1,800 Oregonians died of drug overdoses in 2023, part of a rising trend in Oregon.
NEWS & VIEWS
Trump’s plan to incarcerate the homeless is not the Oregon Way
The coming year heralds many changes in homeless services across America.
Donald Trump returns to office again as president on Jan. 20, having pledged a series of significant social and legal reforms, including solving the nation’s homeless crisis by doubling down on previously failed strategies that stand as little chance of working in 2025 as they did in 1985. His plan proposes creating large encampments on “cheap” land, where the unsheltered would be required to live and receive services from social workers, treatment specialists and behavioral health professionals. Those who refuse to comply would be incarcerated or committed to mental health institutions.
If this proposal sounds familiar, it should. For two years, a version of this “lock ‘em all up” plan has been floated in deep blue Portland and up and down the presumptively progressive West Coast. None of these plans has been successful to date because of the enormous potential costs of such systems operated at scale.
Like many anti-homeless fever dreams, an incarceration strategy might work with a handful of people, but to date it has simply not been scalable. The incarceration model claims high success rates at keeping people off the streets, but historically it has affected less than 5% of the homeless population. We know how to solve our homeless crisis, through housing and shelter, aligned with evidencebased practices that include harm reduction strategies, housing first philosophies, affordable housing construction, and a commitment to the dignity, safety, and constitutional rights of those in poverty. These systems must look to economic and racial justice first, not blame the homeless for their poverty of their condition, nor their temerity to survive. We suffered through 30 years
of bad housing policy, which manufactured the crisis we have today. In the last full statewide homeless count in 2023, there were 20,110 homeless persons in Oregon. It will take consistency and commitment to what works to end this tragedy.
Reviving the old state hospital system in 2024 is not an answer. Nor is criminalizing poverty. We cannot ignore the civil liberties of our unsheltered neighbors out of convenience, nor give in to the simple sense of shame produced by our witness to the depth of their suffering and poverty.
Modern homelessness is not the result of bad personal choices. It is more typically bad luck and usually economic in origin, a job loss, a divorce, an injury, or the death of a partner. Once outside, solving the homeless condition becomes more like a medical problem to cure, not a criminal justice problem. The path to our reckoning in 2025 began with the state’s questionable decision to recriminalize drug possession last session, via House Bill 4002. Recriminalization created deflection courts around the state to permit those charged with drug possession to enter deflection programs or face prosecution.
On its surface, that looks like smart policy. But many local governments across Oregon see this as a way to solve their homeless crisis, not simply address their drug problems. Deflection programs run the risk of becoming a contrivance to force the homeless into drug treatment programs.
And then this summer, the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for local governments to criminalize the homeless condition, sweeping away Eighth Amendment rights that have been protected in Oregon.
The ink was hardly dry on the court’s decision when many, on both sides of the aisle, called for the repeal of Oregon’s homeless protections, which were both reasonable and crafted with the support
Heading into the New Year do you feel:
Upbeat and positive Uncertain and worried In between
and input of local governments. Those protections in state law have not only safeguarded the rights of the poor, but also they’ve allowed local governments to trespass dangerous encampments with reasonable restrictions around time, place, and manner.
So now the proposed solution at the federal level, which will find support here in Oregon, is to push our homeless into large government-run camps.
This is not the Oregon Way.
We face a turning point in 2025. There are profound civil liberties questions in the policy choices that lie ahead. There are equally profound public dangers that we will make the homeless crisis far worse than it is today, by looking back to an era when these carceral mindsets, based on shame and punishment, failed to stop our growing housing crisis. We cannot arrest our way into ending homelessness. That model failed before. It will fail again.
Jimmy Jones is the executive director of the Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency in Salem. The agency provides anti-poverty and harm-reduction programs in Marion and Polk counties, and some program areas serve as many as 11 Oregon counties. Jones also serves as the chair of the Legislative Committee of the Community Action Partnership of Oregon. He is also a member of the Housing, Homelessness and Human Services Committee of the Governor’s Racial Justice Council.
https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/17/ trumps-plan-to-incarceratethe-homeless-is-not-oregonway/ 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.
Will you be spending more, less, or about the same, for holiday gifts this year?
2024 Accomplishments for Oregonians
As 2024 draws to a close, I’m reflecting on what my team and I accomplished over the past year to give families across Oregon and around the country the foundations they need to thrive.
Here are a few highlights important to Oregon’s coastal communities.
As Oregon’s representative on the committee that funds the federal government, I secured critical funding for wildfire relief and 139 homegrown community-initiated projects across our state. These investments address local priorities up and down the Oregon Coast and beyond, including $1 million for Tillamook County’s project to build out broadband infrastructure and increase services to homes, and $4 million headed to the City of North Bend to construct affordable housing.
I also fought for vital infrastructure projects, including $54 million for Port of Coos Bay’s transformative container port project and many other investments to rebuild and strengthen our roads, bridges, and ports. It’s projects like these that will boost our economy, create good-paying union jobs, and keep our communities connected.
In addition, I held the first Congressional hearings on dangerous plastic pollution choking our waterways and oceans, littering our land and beaches, and harming everyone’s health.
I also spearheaded the comprehensive Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act. Not only that, I shone a light on the salmon-killing chemical called 6PPD and championed the end to importing and manufacturing asbestos, both of which the EPA took action to address.
We had a lot to celebrate in Oregon, too. After working alongside Tribes and stakeholders for 16 years, I celebrated the removal of four Klamath River dams, which was the largest dam removal project in our country’s history. A vast stretch of the Klamath River is flowing free for the first time in generations, and the salmon have returned and spawned!
In July, I successfully pushed state and federal agencies fighting wildfires in southern and western Oregon to renew their agreement on the Western Oregon Operating Plan— known as the WOOP—that boosts coordination, cooperation, and preparedness.
And the Senate unanimously adopted my bipartisan National Pollinator
Week resolution. I also helped secure more funding for conservation efforts that reaffirm our commitment to protecting critical pollinators, including the Western Monarch Butterfly.
My amazing Constituent Services team continued to help hundreds of Oregonians with delayed Social Security and disability benefits, delayed visas, mail delivery snafus, and many other issues—including working tirelessly to secure transportation to Oregon for Palestinian children needing vital medical care.
And I created the Oregon Treasures Quest—encouraging folks to get out and enjoy all of the beauty and wonder that our state has to offer, with sites to visit in each of Oregon’s 36 counties, from Marion to Malheur. Keep an eye out for the 2025 Oregon Treasures Quest coming next year and prepare to hit the road! These are just a few of 24 major accomplishments in 2024, and you can watch my video recap of all of them on my YouTube channel.
Thank you all for being partners in making Oregon—and our world—a better place. Whether you call my office, write in, or attend one of the 36 town halls I hold in each of Oregon’s counties every year, your input guides my work in the Senate. In 2025, let’s keep working together to build a brighter future.
Jeff Merkley represents Oregon in the U.S. Senate.
Acknowledgment of Work and Support for RRFR and RRRFPD
We would like to take a moment to acknowledge the incredible efforts and support that have brought us to this point.
What started as a shared vision for fire safety and community resilience has been made possible through the hard work, dedication, and generosity of so many.
To the volunteers, board members, and community advocates of Row River Fire Response (RRFR) — thank you for your tireless efforts in organizing, educating, and bringing neighbors together to create a safer and stronger community. Your work laid the foundation for lasting
change and effective emergency preparedness.
To our supporters, donors, and partners — your generosity and belief in our mission have empowered us to take meaningful steps toward fire prevention, preparedness, and response. Whether through donations of time, resources, or expertise, your contributions are deeply valued and essential to our progress.
And to the newly formed Row River Rural Fire Protection District (RRRFPD) — congratulations on becoming a vital part of the Row River Valley’s future. Your formation marks a new chapter of local fire and emergency services, ensuring the safety and security of our community for years to come.
This journey has been a collective effort, one made stronger by partnership, trust, and shared commitment. We are grateful to everyone who has played a part in this success and look forward to continued collaboration as we build a resilient and thriving future together.
With heartfelt thanks, Row River Fire Response / Row River Community Partnership Reta, Kathleen, April, Jennifer, Lena, Aleece, Jill, Karen, and Greg
The CoTTage grove entinel
JEFF MERKLEY Sentinel Guest Column
JIMMY JONES Oregon Capital Chronicle
Laura Tesler / Oregon Capital Chronicle
A homeless man asks for funds for travel gear outside a coffee shop in downtown Salem on Sept. 14, 2024.
Scam Local resident losses $14,000 in scam
From Page 1
scam call, report it to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at www.ic3.gov.
UTILITY COMPANY
BILLING SCAM
Also in November, one of Oregon’s largest power companies issued a billing scam warning to customers. Pacific Power encouraged customers to be vigilant about fraudulent communications from scammers posing as utility representatives.
“Scammers will often tell you that your service is scheduled to be interrupted in the next 30-60 minutes.,” the warning stated.
“Fraudsters may ask you to purchase a prepaid card and tell them the card information over the phone. Pacific Power does not ask customers to make payments by purchasing a prepaid card.”
A rmory
Historic Armory has deep roots, offers a promising future
From Page 1
facility that could serve the growing needs of both the military and the community.
In 1923, voters approved a $15,000 bond. Later, Lane County and the Legislature each pitched in $15,000 to match it.
The planning process was a lengthy one. The eventual $60,000 construction budget was a huge economic boost that was greatly needed in Cottage Grove in the early 1930’s as the Great Depression worsened. In addition to its military uses, which included a large rifle range in the basement, early community events included Saturday night dances, community fairs (that later became the Western Oregon Exposition), roller skating, holiday concerts, and high school graduation ceremonies (prior to the completion of the Taylor Avenue school).
TRANSITION PERIOD
From 1907-2009, Cottage Grove had its own military
AWaNa
AWANA Program offers faithbuilding fun for local kids
From Page 1
involves children completing their handbooks and memorizing scriptures.
Large Group Time consists of singing, Bible stories and
AFFINITY FRAUD
In October, The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) warned Oregonians about the prevalence of affinity fraud in the U.S.
Affinity fraud is a type of investment fraud and occurs when the fraudsters target victims based upon shared characteristics, according to the DFR.
“These scammers often pose as or become members of the same group they intend to defraud, such as religious organizations, military organizations, ethnic groups, immigrant communities, or even professional organizations such as teachers’ unions,” the DFR states in a release.
The state agency wants that at its core, affinity fraud exploits the trust and friendship that exist in groups of people who have something in common.
“Fraudsters use a number of methods to get access to the group,” the release states.
“A common way is by enlisting respected leaders from within the group to spread the word about the scheme. Those leaders may not realize it is actually a scam, and
unit. Beginning in the early 1990’s, the Oregon National Guard began discussing closing some of its 42 armories to balance the state budget. In 2009, the Lane County Armed Forces Reserve Center was built in Springfield and the Cottage Grove unit was transferred there and the empty building was put up for sale.
The Armory is the largest building in the National Historic District and its fate was now uncertain. The, then, nearly 80-year-old building, built with vertical grain old growth Douglas fir lumber, was showing its age and would need extensive renovation to preserve it and renovate it for public use.
Former Mayor Tom Munroe said he was a strong supporter of the City purchasing the building for a civic meeting place that would serve the need to host large events locally, instead of using bigger venues in Eugene and Springfield.
The National Guard’s original price tag, based on real market value, was much too steep. Munroe proudly recalled how his wife, Elaine, researched the building’s history and documented that the state only paid one-third of the cost of construction and that
lessons based on Christian principles.
Each week has a different theme: Goofy Glasses Night, Pajama Night, Piein-the-Face Night where leaders get pied. For the last meeting of the year, the theme was Christmas sweaters. Evan Calderwood and his nine-year-old daughter, Savannah, participate in the program together. The father-daughter duo proudly sported their colorful holiday sweaters as they sang
they may become unwitting victims of the fraud themselves.”
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud can contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 1-888877-4894 (toll-free) or dfr. financialserviceshelp@dcbs. oregon.gov.
FBI ALERT
In June, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Portland Division release a fraud warning stating it was seeing an increase in reports of scammers falsely representing themselves as FBI agents, or a representative of another government agency, and sending couriers to pick up cash or gold payments.
The FBI states in a release to be advised, federal agencies do not call or email individuals threatening arrest or demanding money.
Scammers often spoof caller ID information, and these phone calls are fraudulent even if they appear to be coming from an agency’s legitimate phone number. Recipients should hang up immediately and report the call.
There are many versions
dropped the price significantly to $395,000 for the 17,000 square foot building.
“There are naysayers who believe that it was a boondoggle for the City to buy the armory,” Munroe said. “I think it was a good decision because someday the library will have to expand into the existing community center space and we need a local facility that can host large-scale events.”
Christina Lund, of Lund Development Solutions, worked closely with city officials to raise the money to purchase and develop a long-range plan for complete restoration of the facility. She said former City Manager Richard Meyers, Public Works and Development Director Faye Stewart, and former City Planner Amanda Ferguson were critical in acquiring the Armory and creating a plan for its rehabilitation.
“This was no small undertaking,” Lund said. “It required careful planning, diligent research and collaboration with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Oregon National Guard. In terms of fundraising, we identified more than 88 potential funders for initial renovations, which included the east and south façades, the windows, an electrical system upgrade,
Christmas carols in the large group session in the church sanctuary.
Pastor Ron Harris said AWANA research indicates that 90-percent of youth who attend its programs for six consecutive years remain actively involved in church activities. He said that was significant given the historic lows of young people’s participation in churches today.
He added, “Anyone who goes to church on a regular basis, who are learning
of the government impersonation scam, and they all exploit intimidation tactics, according to the FBI. Typically, scammers will use an urgent and aggressive tone, refusing to speak to or leave a message with anyone other than their targeted victim; and will urge victims not to tell anyone else, including family, friends, or financial institutions, about what is occurring.
Payment is demanded in various forms, in this new version of the scam, victims are asked to withdraw money as either cash or gold and give that to a courier who arrives at their home. Other tactics include prepaid cards, wire transfers, and cash, sent by mail or inserted into cryptocurrency ATMs. Victims are asked to read prepaid card numbers over the phone or text a picture of the card.
TARGETS
According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), 14,190 people reported being victims of government impersonation scams in 2023, with losses totaling more than $394 million dollars. Here in the Portland
improved lighting, and painting.”
A lengthy list of private donors paid for many of the renovations-to-date. During the pandemic closure, City crews renovated the bathrooms to reflect the original 1930’s decor.
A painting company donated its labor to paint the drill hall. In 2019, the City Council approved a $1M bond to continue the restoration work. Last year, staff remodeled the Armory’s Drill Hall entrance, moved doors, and installed a new electrical panel, switches, electrical plugs, lighting and fans. They also installed new curtains and a commercial dishwasher.
Lund said a huge milestone was drafting a master construction renovation plan that included the entire building. The plan calls for installing a commercial incubator kitchen on the ground floor, creating meeting space, and making the mezzanine level available. The master plan also includes new construction, which would be a north tower to provide a userfriendly entrance at street level and ADA compliant access to all levels of the building.
CURRENT USES
The Armory is well-used
and serving, have a whole different attitude about life and that creates a positive impact on the community.”
The outcome of regular attendance proved true for AWANA alumni Lydia Heykamp. She now lives in Pennsylvania and was in town visiting her family for the holidays. She and her grandfather, Pat Hughes, attended the evening’s activities on Dec. 18.
Heycamp began attending the program as an elemen-
Division, which includes all of Oregon, financial losses exceeded $1.7 million dollars in 2023.
In 2023, almost half the complainants reported to be over 60 (40%), and experienced 58% of the losses (almost $770 million) nationally. Complainants over the age of 60 lost more to these scams than all other age groups combined, and reportedly remortgaged/ foreclosed homes, emptied retirement accounts, and borrowed from family and friends to cover losses in these scams. Some incidents have resulted in suicide because of shame or loss of sustainable income.
THE FBI SAID IT WILL NEVER:
• Call or email private citizens to demand payment or threaten arrest. You will also not be asked to wire a “settlement” to avoid arrest.
• Ask you to use large sums of your own money to help catch a criminal.
• Ask you for wire transfers or gift cards.
• Call you about “frozen” Social Security numbers or
by the community. In 202223, there were 128 event permits issued by the City Manager’s Office. Fundraising events supporting local community organizations are primary users of the Armory. The annual model train show, quilt shows, and holiday bazaars draw visitors to town.
Pre-pandemic events included an Ice Cream Social with carnival games and the annual Mayor’s Ball to raise money to continue the renovation work. The drill hall once again served as a popular roller-skating rink on several occasions. It was “transformed” into the RMS Titanic to raise money for the Cottage Grove Museum. Many local families rent it for important celebrations.
CITY BUDGET IMPACTS
Rental revenue for 2024-25 is projected to be $20,000. Public Works staff maintain the building and perform maintenance services and minor repairs from the City’s general reserve fund. Personnel and materials devoted specifically to the Armory are not itemized in that level of detail in the annual budget.
NEXT STEPS
The historic Armory has been described by city and business leaders in various
tary school student. Now, three decades later, she said AWANA was a very positive experience for her, and she continues to be actively involved in her church.
“AWANA is where I made most of my friends,” she said. “I still remember many of the verses I memorized as a kid.”
At last week’s club meeting, Susan Bennett assisted her two daughters, six-year-old Annabelle and four-year-old Rose with
to coordinate inheritances.
Scams impersonating the FBI and other government agencies are a persistent problem and can also occur via email. Common hallmarks of a scam email include misspellings, missing words, and incorrect grammar. Fraudulent emails may give the appearance of legitimacy by using pictures of the FBI Director and/or the FBI seal and letterhead.
Members of the public seeking to confirm that they have been contacted by an actual FBI employee are encouraged to call the FBI Portland Division at 503-224-4181 and ask to be connected directly.
If you think you are a victim of this, or any other online scam please file a report with your local law enforcement agency and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
More information about government impersonation schemes and other online fraud schemes can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/scamsand-safety/common-fraudschemes.
ways: “A Community Treasure”, “Cottage Grove’s Grand Living Room”, and “The Heart and Soul of our Community”. In response to a question about future funding of the Armory, all the city council and mayoral candidates in the pre-election forum agreed the facility is important to the community now and in the future and City support must continue.
Lund said City officials recently re-engaged her firm to research and identify additional areas for funding the Armory’s remaining restoration projects. Those projects will primarily focus on continued renovation and upgrades, and the construction of the new North Tower that will include an elevator to provide access to all levels of the building, especially for visitors with physical disabilities.
“At times we struggle to keep up momentum,” Lund said. “We are deeply grateful to the generosity of all the dedicated individuals, organizations, businesses and private foundations that are supporting our restoration efforts.”
Follow this special series of reports online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
the evening’s craft projects. This is the family’s second year being involved in the program. When asked why she comes to AWANA each week Annabelle said, “I like learning about Jesus and doing all the fun stuff.”
For more information, visit the church website at www.cgbible.org or its Facebook page, AWANA Cottage Grove Bible Church, or call 541-942-4771.
Whale watching returns to the Oregon Coast
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Cottage Grove residents and other from around state often spend the last few days of December visiting the Oregon Coast for a glimpse of the annual gray whale migration.
Oregon State Parks will host Winter Whale Watch Week on the Oregon Coast Friday, Dec. 27 through Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Trained Oregon State Park volunteers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to help visitors spot gray whales on their southward migration to the calving lagoons in Mexico.
The sites are some of the best places to watch for whales on the Oregon Coast. A map of volunteerstaffed sites is available online at the official event webpage: https:// oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo. dsp_whaleWatching
“Now is a perfect time to see the whales as their population rebounds on the Oregon Coast,” OPRD Park Ranger Peter McBride said.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced an end to an Unusual Mortality Event impacting gray whales. Since then, the estimated population has increased
by roughly 30% from 14,530 last year to 19,260 this year, according to NOAA. The numbers are on the rise overall, but the calf count is still low as the population continues to rebound.
“While there are more gray whales to see now on the Oregon Coast, the calves remain a rare and important sight,” NOAA Fisheries Public Affairs Officer Michael Milstein said.
In a previous interview with Country Media, OPRD spokesman Chris Havel said people are fascinated by the whales for good reason.
“People are clever and good at inventing and
and
he said.
building ways to survive and thrive, and wildlife, like whales, do the same thing through sheer awesome power,” he said.
“There’s still some mystery about their lives and seeing them in action is a thrill. Seeing them in real life is also a reminder of how we affect all marine life and have a responsibility to eliminate pollution and be careful stewards of the planet’s resources.”
Havel adds that people are naturally attracted to the whales’ beauty, mystery, and power.
“But we also appreciate being reminded of our place in these natural systems,” and it makes us all feel part of the family,”
Winter Whale Watch Week provides an opportunity to see not only the gray whales but other coastal wildlife including birds and other marine mammals with help from trained volunteers and rangers.
The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 27-31. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Rangers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.
All Whale Watch Week
visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and always keeping an eye on the surf. Go to https:// visittheoregoncoast.com/ beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.
For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit oregonstateparks.org.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Winter Whale Watch Week on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch24.
Courtesy from the OPRD
A gray whale emerges high out of the Pacific along the Oregon Coast.
Courtesy from the OPRD Volunteers are stationed along the Oregon Coast to help locals
visitors spot the whales.
Courtesy from the OPRD Whales often spray water as they move along the Pacific Ocean, a good way to spot them.
Courtesy from the OPRD
By watching for their tails, you can often spot the whales as they submerge into the Pacific Ocean.
Courtesy from the OPRD
This online map helps find locations for whale watching along the Oregon Coast.
Courtesy from the OPRD
One of the popular whale watching stations is this one at Depoe Bay.