CGS313

Souper bowl

Fundraiser helps those in need

Ta thorough Internet search of existing fundraising events from coast-to-coast, she was captivated by ones that involved bowls.

She particularly liked a “bowl fundraiser” in Eugene that involved individual potters who made ceramic bowls that were auctioned off. After pricing bowls she decided it was too expensive to buy or get local potters to make them.

“I kept the bowl concept and integrated that with the fact that I have been cooking for my family since I was 13,” she said. “I also made soup as a daily menu item

when I had the Main Street Deli in the Cottage Grove Hotel from 1975 to 1987. I think that is probably why I was drawn to events that involved soup bowls.”

In 2008, she got a green light from the board of directors to proceed. She recruited ten cooks to prepare their specialty soup for the inaugural “Community Sharing Helping Hands Souper Fundraiser” and the delicious tradition was born.

“We always have at least 10 cooks and some make more than one soup,” McNamara explained. “The cooks are all volunteers who make a commitment to make at least three gallons of their soup of choice. Each cook is responsible for the cost of their soup’s ingredients.”

Soup lovers choose how many different soups they want to taste or eat. The $10 ticket price remains unchanged from the first year. All profits from the fundraiser go directly into the general fund at Community Sharing and provide support for many in need in South Lane County.

“I have always gone out in the community and sought table sponsors who have responded magnificently,” McNamara said. “The generosity of these local business sponsorships has formed the foundation of the Souper’s money-making success.”

She explained there are three levels of sponsorship:

Payroll issues dominate school board meeting

human resources staff and district administrators.

PAYROLL PROBLEMS

It was a full agenda and a full boardroom for the 2.5-hour-long March 4 meeting of the South Lane School Board. The room was filled with South Lane School District employees holding up red signs in protest over ongoing payroll issues.

Four of the six individuals who testified before the board provided detailed accounts of payroll errors in the last 18 months that they said have created financial hardships for them and their colleagues. They informed board members of the on-going stress they feel and the lack of trust they now have in

Al Kennedy High School Teacher Danny Henson has worked in the district for nine years. He presented testimony from his perspective as a community member, teacher, and his school’s South Lane Educators Association (SLEA) union representative. He identified five issues of great concern:

1. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) deductions not deposited into personal accounts due to district errors in its PERS reports.

See SCHOOL Page 6

Courtesy

JEREMY C.

Cottage

Cottage

“At

See GRANT Page 6

CINDY WEELDREYER

COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

Courtesy photo

The large red signs held by South Lane School District employees read ‘Show us the $$$$.’

CINDY WEELDREYER

COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

Eluding vehicle crashes, driver escapes capture

JEREMY C. RUARK

COTTAGE GROVE

SENTINEL

A chase by Lane County Sheriff’s deputies ended after the vehicle being pursued crashed.

Early in the morning of March 5, a Lane County

The

Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputy on Highway 99 south of Creswell attempted to stop a speeding silver Honda Civic 2-door. According to a release from the LCSO, the vehicle was weaving across the road. The driver eluded the deputy through

Cottage Grove. “The deputy terminated the pursuit out of concern for the safety of other drivers on the road,” the release stated.

The vehicle was located along Row River Road early March 7 after crashing, but the driver was

missing. The LCSO did not identify the location of the crash in the release.

Deputies were still searching for the driver at press time.

Specific details about how many people were in the eluding vehicle were not immediately available.

“The deputy terminated the pursuit out of concern for the safety of other drivers on the road.”

According to a Lane Country Sheriff’s Office report

13:05:

13:43:

Feb.

00:37:

08:12:

08:21:

12:17:

15:31:

16:48:

block Belmont Ave.

18:41: Harassment, 300 block Quincy Ave.

18:48: Disorderly subject, 1700 block E. Main St.

19:12:

21:28:

22:12:

Feb. 28

05:27: Death investigation, 500 block Patrick Lp.

08:39: Disorderly subject, 600 block E. Washington Ave.

SUBMITTED

South Lane Concerts presents a Palm Sunday community concert for individuals and families in Creswell and Cottage Grove Sunday, March 24, at 5 p.m. at Delight Valley Church of Christ, 33087 E.

Saginaw Road. The event offers an evening of faith-based music for all ages celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is no admission fee and a freewill offering will be taken to support the Cottage Grove and

POLICE BLOTTER COMMUNITY

11:00: Drug info report, 100 block N. 14th St.

12:07: Fraud, 900 block S. 14th St.

14:26: Abandoned vehicle, 1100 block Villard Ave.

14:27:

14:30:

14:33:

14:47:

14:56:

15:10:

15:46:

16:32:

20:18: Disturbance, 200

20:43: Dog at

Cottage Grove

Palm Sunday community events scheduled

Creswell food pantries.

South Lane Concerts is a new organization whose purpose is to encourage people of all ages who are musicians, singers, dramatists, worship teams, prayer warriors and pastors to become more unified.

All are welcome to

share their time, talents, and treasures in concert planning.

For more information call Christi Fields at 541-731-0054 or Cindy Weeldreyer at 541-9150113 or send email to: southlaneconcerts@gmail. com.

Oregon Legislature wraps up session in high spirits

JULIA SHUMWAY OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE SENTINEL GUEST ARTICLE

Oregon lawmakers headed home three days earlier than required on Thursday night, March 7, ending a surprisingly bipartisan session that saw them invest hundreds of millions of dollars in housing, recriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs and cap campaign contributions.

“We took advantage of the short session to tackle the biggest challenges facing Oregon, including some things outside spectators didn’t think we had the guts to take on,” said Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, as he delivered the House’s sine die resolution shortly after 8 p.m.

The five-week session, which saw Democrats and Republicans come together to pass bipartisan bills, was a departure from the vitriol that defined the 2023 session, when Senate Republicans walked out for six weeks and ground the Legislature to a halt.

Leading up to this session, lawmakers and observers didn’t know whether Republicans would even allow it happen: Just days before lawmakers started work, the Oregon Supreme Court ruled that 10 Republican senators – a third of the Senate – were ineligible to run for reelection, and Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, warned that the ruling would mean majority Democrats would have to come up with incentives for Republicans to attend sessions.

Knopp credited the 2023

Fast Fact

The 35-day session prioritized the homelessness and drug addiction crises, pouring millions into housing and treatment programs

walkout for the bipartisan nature of the 2024 session, saying he and other senators paid a price and would do it again.

“I think that they recognized each day we could have walked out, said ‘See you Sunday,’ and we’ll determine what’s going to pass and what’s not going to pass,” Knopp said. “We didn’t have to do that.”

THE ENDING

In the House, incendiary comments made by two Republican lawmakers about LGBTQ+ people, atheists and Muslims, and Democrats’ decision to choose their next speaker

in a closed-door meeting before the session began, cast a pallor over the early days.

Rep. Tom Andersen, D-Salem, joined a small group of advocates at a press conference March 7, outside the Capitol condemning those Republicans, while a caravan of timber trucks circled the Capitol, blaring horns to protest a forest conservation plan. Inside the Capitol, lawmakers were in good spirits as they pushed through a series of final bills and tried to fill their sine die bingo cards over the unending drone of construction equipment from an ongoing nearly

$600 million construction project meant to better prepare the building for earthquakes. Senators and staff spent the last week huddled in blankets, coats and gloves after construction knocked out the heat to the chamber. Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, a Beaverton Democrat who chairs the Senate Rules Committee, surprised committee members with fuzzy blue blankets during their last meeting on Thursday, prompting Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, to joke that they could have used the gift two days earlier.

The biggest issues of the session were resolved in a bipartisan manner, though not without plenty of debate. Under the threat of ballot measures, Democrats and Republicans came together to enact campaign finance

SHERIFF’S TIPS OF THE WEEK

limits and recriminalize possession of small amounts of hard drugs. Their response to the state’s addiction crisis includes $211 million for treatment, as part of new programs to allow people to go through treatment and avoid jail time or a criminal record.

Lawmakers also approved $376 million for infrastructure and incentives to build houses and gave cities the option to more easily add new land to build housing. They gave Oregonians the right to repair their own electronic equipment and directed the Oregon Treasury to divest from companies that make their money from coal production.

Sen. Kate Lieber, D-Beaverton, on the last day of the Oregon session on Thursday, March 7.

See SESSION Page 4

March is Problem Gambling Awareness month

LINCOLN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) and it’s a great reminder that activities, like gambling, can become a problem and impact our communities in different ways.

Gambling can be an activity that is used for recreation and fun, but gambling interacts with our brains in the same way alcohol, drugs, and other “low-effort, highreward” activities do. Because of this, gambling can become an addiction. Problem gambling is the continuation of gambling activities despite personal, social, or financial consequences.

Gambling problems are more than just a money issue. Each year problem

gambling effects our communities with social impacts such as gamblingrelated crime which can include embezzling money or burglaries and thefts to help pay gambling debts. Aside from the financial and criminal consequences, problem gambling also negatively impacts relationships. For every one person with a gambling disorder, it is estimated that an additional eight to ten others are affected. Workplaces may see a decrease in productivity, an increase in absences, and other issues if an employee has a gambling disorder.

Family and friends often feel replaced by someone’s gambling and can bear the burden of picking up additional responsibilities

-both financially, like paying bills on time, and socially, such as increased responsibilities with family, pets, or homecare.

Problem gambling is often referred to as the “hidden addiction” because it is easy to hide and can be difficult for others to notice, but there are some warning signs you can look for.

Problem gambling warning signs:

• Distracted with thoughts of gambling

• Spending more time and money gambling

• Lying or hiding gambling activity

• Risking or damaging relationships

• Being irritable when not gambling

• Gambling to win back losses (also known as chasing losses)

• Exaggerating wins and minimizing losses

• Borrowing money

• Gambling debts

• Missing work or other responsibilities

If you choose to gamble, there are ways to reduce the

risk of gambling becoming a problem. Setting a time limit, balancing life with other social and recreational activities, and avoiding alcohol while gambling are some of the recommended responsible gambling guidelines. You can find more responsible gambling guidelines by visiting www.opgr.org/ prevention-resources/.

In Oregon, free problem gambling treatment and support is available for someone with a gambling disorder and those that may be affected by someone’s problem gambling.

FREE PROBLEM

GAMBLING TREATMENT AND SUPPORT:

•Oregon Problem Gambling Resource

Phone: 1-877-695-4648

Text: 503-713-6000

Chat on website: OPGR. org.

For more information and tips visit www. lincolncountysheriff.net.

Photo courtesy from Cindy Weeldreyer

An early chilly morning in Cottage Grove.

of Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Curtis.

After two months of collecting more than 800 petition signatures, the petition supporters said they are waiting the outcome of the school board’s annual evaluation of the superintendent scheduled during an executive session March 18.

STRAINS OF THE DISCORD DIFFER

Local realtor Sherry Yoss is a 1977 graduate of Cottage Grove High School. She currently has three grandsons attending district schools. She said they are her motivation for taking a leadership role in the effort to oust Curtis.

She described petition signers as parents, students, staff, family members and concerned citizens of the South Lane School District (SLSD), who are asking the School Board to remove Superintendent Curtis immediately.

“Members of my family and I have had lots of

SESSION from Page 3

CHANGE OF LEADERSHIP

In a final act, the House elected Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, as its next speaker, as Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, stepped down to focus on his campaign for attorney general. In his final speech to the House, Rayfield recalled a road trip with his father in a borrowed car.

“After a decade of work in this building, a decade that went by in a blink, I hope that I left this Legislature, this state, better than when I found it, and with some gas left in the tank,” Rayfield said.

Fahey said she’s ready to start laying the groundwork for next year’s session – maybe after taking a weekend off. Lawmakers will have to pass a transportation funding package for the next decade and continue to work on the state’s housing crisis.

“We are not here to make lobbyists happy, and we are definitely not here for the fame and fortune,” Fahey said. “We are here because it is our job to make people’s lives better, every single day.”

Lawmakers will be back in the Capitol a few more times for interim committee meetings and for senators to confirm Gov. Tina Kotek’s appointments to boards and state agencies, but Thursday was the final time several lawmakers will vote on bills.

Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene and the House’s speaker pro tem, is retiring

conversations with the petition signers,” Yoss said. “No one has the same exact reason for signing the No Confidence Petition, yet the motivation for all of them are negative situations they’ve had with the District.”

PETITION ISSUES

The petition identifies five reasons and lists specific details justifying those reasons. They are:

• Irresponsible payroll management

• Lack of policy compliance and poor treatment of employees

• Poor and inaccurate communication

• Curtis comes first (not the District’s children)

• Creating a hostile and toxic work environment

Many signers say they believe the new policy direction favors the values and principles of one group over another and creates a toxic, hostile environment for parents, staff and students who steadfastly hold onto their traditional values.

At the Feb. 2 board meeting, Cottage Grove High School Student Evan Moses Jones addressed the board during public comment. He read a statement representing the high school and described the positive impact Curtis has had in the district. He also refuted the accuracy

after 20 years in the House. Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, is ending his career after 15 years split between the House and Senate.

Dembrow said he was leaving with memories of accomplishments and difficult situations.

“Fortunately, the older you get, the more you forget. I’m looking forward to forgetting them all,” Dembrow said.

Four Republican senators, including Knopp, the Senate minority leader, are leaving the chamber against their will because they participated in the 2023 walkout. Two others were disqualified and chose to retire.

Two House Democrats, Janelle Bynum of Clackamas and Maxine Dexter of Portland, hope to trade Salem for Washington, D.C., and are

of several accusations made in the petition.

“While everyone may not agree with her politics, we must open our eyes and see what really matters – the students,” Jones testified. “She has helped immensely creating spaces where students of all backgrounds can feel welcome. She has helped support clubs were students can express their passions and be surrounded by others with the same interests.”

Bruce Kelsh was the principal of Bohemia Elementary School from 1987-’95. He also served as a teacher, counselor and

running for Congress.

Rayfield, D-Corvallis, can’t return to the House, though Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, D-Portland, and Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, could finish their four-year terms if they don’t succeed in their bids for treasurer and secretary of state.

And other representatives facing tough primary or general elections are leaving the Capitol without knowing whether they’ll be back.

That includes Rep. James Hieb, a Canby Republican who learned this week that former House Republican Leader Christine Drazan plans to challenge him in the primary, and House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich, who represents a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans.

Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, who is retiring

administrator for a total of 37 years before he retired.

“I hear complaints that public officials aren’t listening and, sometimes, that simply translates into someone is not doing what I want,” Kelsh said. “It is the duty and responsibility of board members, administrators, and elected officials to make the best decisions they can with the information they have — knowing that not everyone is going to be happy.”

He added, “There is an annual evaluation of the school superintendent by the Board. The Board determines how it gathers

after nearly 40 years in politics, carried the sine die resolution, relishing – often in jest – that the final bill of his legislative career cannot fail as he plans to retire from the Senate.

“I will not apologize for this bill,” he said, as his

information and, in my opinion, if parent input is included it should broadly give parents the opportunity to express their thoughts.”

DISTRICT  RESPONSE

The Sentinel asked the District’s two union representatives to comment on the community petition of no confidence in the superintendent. The Oregon School Employees Association President Stephanie Rodgers declined to comment.

The South Lane Educators Association President Emily Quindry said, “South Lane Education Association would like to clarify that while we have current challenges to face with the district superintendent, we cannot in good conscience support any efforts that could lead to the singling out of individual teachers or certified employees.”

On Feb. 26, Tonya Kerns, the Superintendent’s Office Executive Assistant told the Sentinel the board and administrators had not received a copy of the petition.

“The board has yet to receive a petition; it has only been mentioned by some citizens who signed up during the public comment portion of our Board Meeting,” she said.

fellow senators chuckled.

Reporter Ben Botkin contributed to this story.

Oregon Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by

RETALIATION FEARS

The petition has not formally been submitted to the school board because supporters anticipate the board majority will vote later this month to renew Dr. Curtis’ contract. If that happens, petition signers fear potential retaliation.

“Some of the employees who signed the petition told us they were directed by their supervisors not to sign it and fear retaliation from district administrators that may cost them their jobs,” Yoss explained. This is why we’ve decided to protect them and not make the document public.”

At the March 4 meeting, Yoss offered school board members the opportunity to meet with her to review the petition. After the meeting one board member made an appointment and she hopes others will too.

“You have to fight a lot of little battles to achieve the outcome you think is right,” Yoss said. “We are concerned she will get her contract renewed, but it’s still a win for us because there is an election next year.”

Curtis declined to comment about the petition.

Follow this story online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

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 photo from Cindy Weeldreyer

This Cottage Grove business reader board informs passers-by of the no confidence petition.

NEWS & VIEWS

IN THE GARDEN Seed starting tips

CHIP BUBL SENTINEL GUEST COLUMN

Seeds are not difficult to start. If you can create an environment that provides plenty of high intensity light, you can grow excellent transplants at a fraction of the commercial cost.

If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, you won’t have to worry about added light. But if you are starting seeds inside, you will need a waterproof seed-starting table with fluorescent shop lights with reflectors that can be lowered and raised as the plants grow.

You don’t need expensive grow lights. The lights need to be set as close to the growing seedlings as possible. Two inches is not too close. This will create a strong, stocky plant.

There are two common approaches to starting seeds. Some people grow them in flats with enough space between seeds to allow them to be directly transplanted out into the garden. More commonly, seeds are sown more thickly in starting flats and then transplanted into individual pots or “cell” trays. The seedlings are transplanted after they develop their first set of true leaves. This process takes a little more time but will generally produce a stronger transplant.

Seeds are often sown too early. Then they are held in pots past the point that they should be. You can plan your seeding dates by counting backwards from when you want to put transplants out. For example, it takes about two to three weeks to grow seedlings of lettuce and greens for direct transplant or three to four weeks if you move the seedling first into individual pots or cells.

For cabbage and broccoli, it is four to five weeks by the first method or five to six weeks by the second. Tomatoes need five to seven weeks by the first method or six to eight weeks by the second. Peppers are slightly longer. Squash, pumpkins, cucumbers and melons should only be sown directly in individual pots and they need 10 to 21 days to transplanting.

Seedlings need good air circulation and attention to watering – neither too much nor too little.

Vegetable transplants need to be hardened off by exposing them to outside temperatures, sun and wind gradually. Put them outdoors for short periods of time in indirect light and then for a few more days (for short periods) in more direct light.

When transplanting, continue to protect

them from low or high temperature extremes. Bait for slugs and consider drenching the transplants with a good water-soluble fertilizer. Most of our transplants in April and May need additional heat. Floating row covers or plastic mini-greenhouses can help to keep the vegetables growing rapidly. If you are using plastic hoop structures, be sure to open them up in the morning to avoid excessive heat buildup. It is easy to cook your tender seedlings if you are not paying attention.

HOW LARGE A VEGETABLE GARDEN?

Vegetables gardens are fast and furious productions. A typical garden will have plenty of produce for fresh eating and some for preserving. Advanced gardeners look to increase the season by planting fall/winter crops in the late summer.

But vegetable gardens take time, especially in the beginning when the weeds are starting to grow. There are estimates that a thousand square foot garden (33’ x 33’) will take about two hours per week to water, weed and do other miscellaneous jobs. This does not include harvesting and planting.

If you know that you will face a major weed problem (and new garden spaces often do), it is better to plant a smaller space that you can maintain than to overextend and constantly struggle to keep the garden productive.

PUBLICATIONS

AVAILABLE ONLINE

Are you putting up salsa, saving seeds, or thinking about planting kiwis? OSU has a large number of its publications available for free download. Just go to https://catalog.extension. oregonstate.edu/. Click on publications and start exploring.

FOOD SAFETY OR FOOD PRESERVATION

QUESTIONS?

Food Preservation recipes and fact sheets can be accessed online at: https://extension. oregonstate.edu/food/ preservation.

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Donate extra garden produce and/or money to the food bank, senior centers, or community meals programs.

RESOURCE INFORMATION

Columbia County OSU Extension Service 503-397-3462

Lane County OSU Extension Office 541-344-5859

It’s your art so it’s your choice

MICHELLE PIERSON YOUNG SENTINEL GUEST COLUMN

I started taking art classes in my 40s as a way of saying to life, “Look, it’s been an adventure, but I’m not waiting a minute more for what I want.”

I went out and found an art teacher who was not only talented and accomplished (totally Google SusanSpearsArt. com), but a gentle and encouraging teacher. I needed a solid helping of those characteristics.

Today I happily call myself an artist, and when someone asks me if I’m good, I laugh and say, “I have a good time.” I think that’s what makes me an artist. I make it because I love to make it. The result is subjective. I’m glad to have taken

classes over the years from some very talented artists (also Google Jennifer Diehl — she’s out of state now, but we definitely want to claim our native gal who’s nationally acclaimed). You have to know the rules before you break them. These truly gifted artists have taught me powerful “rules,” and then they’ve celebrated rules well broken.

This Christmas, Santa Claus gifted me my first paint by numbers art kit. I’ve never had one, and when I opened it I realized just how much I wanted it. I couldn’t stop thinking about painting it.

The January lull hit, and in its first moments I started my Bob Ross Miniature Paint By Numbers kit. Having a few paintings under my belt, I imagined the real myself a real wiz. I was dismayed to discover the paints didn’t work at all the way of my familiar mediums. I was disappointed but continued on. It took several sittings,

but I was almost finished with the first of three. By this time I’d all but decided this was the only one. Thanks Santa, but the elves sent trash paints. I thought I’d toss the other two, which are kitsch at best.

One of the first things Susan taught me is that art goes through awkward stages. I kept going though I was deeply skeptical. I was nearing the end of a forest scene when I threw the rules out. With high honors going to “kitsch,” I was willing to gamble.

That’s when the painting came to life. The wellmeaning instructions were insufficient and somewhat erroneous, so I struck out on my own, and what do you know, I started having fun.

This is exactly the same as life. At over five and a half decades, very little in life has worked the way I was led to believe it would. My results, when I’ve played by the rules and followed instructions, have been spotty and cumbersome.

As I’ve surrendered to the inevitable reality of time passing, I’ve also rethought the “rules” as I was taught them. I’ve looked at what I’ve been told was “right” and asked instead if something brought about “good.” Especially “good” feelings. And especially my good feelings.

I see my life as my art, and when I notice the area that is most out of alignment, I go to work. Exactly the same principle Jennifer taught me in a color theory class.

The true masterpiece of our lives lies in the results we’re getting and, most importantly, when we’re enjoying those results. If you’re currently not enjoying the paint-bynumbers version of your life, I suggest you paint out of the lines and add a little red. Sometimes that’s all a piece needs.

Michelle Pierson Young is a Lincoln City life coach. She may be reached at Michelleatplay.com.

Local Peace Stand supports Gaza conflict ceasefire

JEREMY C. RUARK

COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

Community members in Cottage Grove and the surrounding areas are voicing their concerns for peace in the Middle East.

A weekly Stand for Peace in the Middle East demonstration is held at Cottage’s Groves Opal Whiteley Park on Main Street.

The Ad Hoc Committee for Peace in the Middle East, which has organized the weekly demonstration, is calling for the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners; an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; and an end to U.S. aid – in the form of money, weapons and military support –being used to support what the groups calls genocide in Gaza.

“Our goals are to raise awareness of the plight

of the Palestinians and to help people understand that all Republicans and most Democrats are supporting billions of dollars in U.S. aid to a state, Israel, engaging in genocide and long intent on ethnic cleansing Palestinians,” Josh Fattal, a member of the Ad Hoc Committee for Peace in the Middle East said. “Simultaneously, all Republicans and most Democrats are also refusing to invest in universal health care and an fair economy that mitigates climate chaos, claiming that the government doesn’t have the money.”

According to Fattal, opinion polls show over 80% of Democrats and over 60% of Americans disapprove of Israel’s actions.

“Like those who stood for peace in the Middle East on the same corner of Main Street against

the US invasions of Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya in previous decades, we continue to take a moral stand where our politicians don’t,” Fatal said. “The US is now involved in a war that has spread from Israel-Palestine to Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. The $4 billion per year of U.S. aid and potentially up to $14 billion in 2024 to Israel’s war machine should be used for universal health care, creating a fair economy that seriously addresses climate change, and so much more. We

need to be clear-eyed, that all the Republicans and the vast majority of Democrats are going against the opinion of the majority of the American people,” Fattal said. “The Stand for Peace is a small representation of a more popular politics based on common decency where all human lives, including Palestinian ones, matter.”

Fattal said the Ad Hoc Committee for Peace in the Middle East is “not naive enough to think that actions thousands of miles away do not affect us profoundly.”

Chip Bubl

Michelle Pierson Young

Courtesy photo

A Stand for Peace demonstration was conducted at Cottage’s Groves Opal Whiteley Park March 1.

GRANT

to minimize the impacts to businesses during the construction.”

The Main Street Revitalization Plan was adopted in 2015 and had been in the design phase for several years before, according to Stewart.

“Currently none of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) facilities within the project boundaries are in compliance,” Stewart said. “The sidewalks are in horrible condition. In fact, on a regular basis people are tripping, falling, and causing bodily damage to themselves.”

Stewart added that the current curb height along with the shape of the paved surface makes it difficult to open car doors. Trees continue to degrade and break up the sidewalk.

WHAT WILL BE DONE

Stewart said

SOUP from Page 1

Premier, Star and Partner. Each sponsor receives eight tickets and table signs honor the sponsors.

“We are especially grateful for our enthusiastic chefs and for OLPH’s continued support of this event,” she added.

McNamara credits the late Jerry Vaverka’s overwhelming support that solidified the success of Community Sharing’s signature event. Vaverka

SCHOOL from Page 1

2. Incorrect or missing information on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms resulting in filing delays and tax penalties for some.

3. Employees placed on the wrong pay schedule “leaving them hovering over a financial cliff”.

4. Staff attempts to purchase equipment, activities or wraparound services for students have been denied because of late or erroneous district payments with some funding tied to expiring grants.

5. Students employed in their schools by the district are now dealing with overpayments and incorrect information on tax forms. He noted one overpaid student was expected to work additional, unexpected hours because of an inability to pay the money back.

“Every minute we, as employees, have to dedicate to resolving these issues is time taken away from our kids,” Henson said. “Every emotionally overwhelming moment takes away from the strength of our work with students. These issues must be resolved expediently and not repeated again.”

Audrey Stepp teaches at Dorena Elementary School. She described her payroll

the improvements are significant, including improving the alleys on each side of Main Street to allow for access to the rear of buildings and adding lighting, signage, and improving the alley surface for walking.

“Everything between the building fronts will be replaced,” Stewart said. “The sidewalks will be widened to 12.5’’ and the roadway and parking will be repaved. Water, sewer, and storm infrastructure will be upgraded.”

The improvements also include new trees, furnishings, lighting, refurbished traffic light poles, an added ADA parking space on each block, raised intersections at 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th Streets, and a raised street on South 7th to the alley to accommodate events. Each side street will be improved 20’ to to the alley entrances. Fiber will be added and available to each building,

invited his fellow Catholics to host it and he made his two most favorite soups: seafood chowder and baked potato that were often the first to sell out. Today, his wife Marjie continues the tradition of making Jerry’s seafood chowder and McNamara prepares his baked potato soup.

“I get really excited each year when thinking about something I started has continued over the years,” she said. “The Souper is

issue was caused by a lost W-4 form so no deductions were made from May to September last year resulting in a larger tax bill than she expected.

“We shouldn’t be experiencing these issues month-after-month, yearafter-year,” Stepp said. “We should be able to trust the people in charge of payroll and finance to effectively do their jobs. That trust has been broken and we are demanding action.”

OSEA signed a memorandum of understanding with the district to address the payroll problems in the 2022-23 school year.

Last January, union representatives began hearing new reports of payroll errors.

Lisa Sherman, a Lincoln Middle School special education teacher, said she checked her PERS account and realized Human Resources staff under reported her salary by 20-percent. She said one of her colleagues requested a $1,500 monthly deduction that has not been taken out since last June.

“To audit our paychecks we need to go to five different websites and cross reference each pay stub,” Sherman told the board. “I’m not a forensic accountant -- nor should I be.”

“The challenges are designing and meeting ADA requirements for the existing building entrances and ADA street crossings,” Stewart said. “Each building has its unique entrance and height that can’t be changed. This can and has been a bit challenging to date. It has taken extra time gathering survey data to ensure everything is correct.”

Stewart said his main message to the businesses is that the city will do everything possible to communicate with them, hear their concerns, and do its best to address the impacts to the businesses during the construction.

The city was awarded the $5,000,000 federal grant from the U.S.

such a great opportunity for the community to gather together, talking, laughing and sharing soup, bread and my chocolate brownies. So many people have told me how much they look forward to this event.”

Prior to the COVID pandemic, several community fundraisers were held throughout the year. At this time, the Souper event is the agency’s only fundraiser

SLEA BOARD REPORT

South Lane Employee Association President Emily Quindry said last December teachers were warned there may be a few paycheck discrepancies when the district’s new payroll system went live. Recently, the teacher’s union demanded the tracking system, dropped for this school year, be reinstated because of increasing complaints of errors on January and February paychecks.

“We were informed there were 58 mistakes made and this is unacceptable,” Quindry said. “We will not tolerate a repeat of what happened 18 months ago with seven months of continual payroll errors that totaled more than $1M in mistakes – just for teachers. It was a payroll disaster, yet the board remained silent and did nothing. No one was fired and now here we are again.” She thanked Assistant Superintendent Brian McCasline for creating an action plan with steps to fix the errors and for reaching out to the union for support.

ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE

Superintendent Dr. Yvonne Curtis was unable

and organizers hope they will have a good turnout of local soup lovers Tuesday.

Community Sharing Executive Director Mike Fleck said McNamara is no longer on the board but remains an active agency volunteer.

“We are blessed by Mary’s leadership that created and sustains this event, which is as much about having fun and it is about raising money for our mission,” he said.

to attend the meeting so McCasline delivered the Superintendent’s report.

He acknowledged that mistakes have been made and explained in detail the steps the Human Resources staff is doing to address the payroll issues raised during public comment.

He said staff has a solution to the PERS situation and believes it will be resolved in a couple of weeks. “We’ve done some things this year that have been inconvenient and confusing,” McCasline said. “We have not posted PERS information on a regular basis. PERS staff has assured us this will not do long-term (financial) damage to the individual accounts of impacted employees.”

He reported staff is working on issues with health savings accounts and believes the problem is on the company’s end of the process.

“I cannot speak directly to all the individual issues you heard tonight because they have to be resolved one-by-one so they won’t happen again,” he said. “I do want to improve communication on these issues with both (union) associations as partners so we are transparent and they know what we are doing.”

Economic Development Administration for the project. The city is required to provide $1,250,000 in match. The match funding will come from the Street Fund ($800,000), Water,

Sewer, and Storm Funds ($450,000).

Follow developments online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

McCasline said he is beginning his 26th year in the South Lane School District and knows many of the district employees personally and respects all of them.

“If there is one person in the district who is stressed, there is something I can do to alleviate that,” he said. “It breaks my heart to know there is a lack of trust and we will repair that. We are working on this and I am leading the charge. Every issue needs to be answered and resolved in a timely manner.”

Board Chair Taylor Wilhour said the board was surprised by the testimony at the March 4 meeting.

“Of course, we want all staff to be paid correctly and to not have to worry about their paychecks,” Wilhour said. “The board has been monitoring the situation since the problems arose last school year. District staff and the teachers’ union reported in May that most problems had been resolved and things were normal again, so Monday’s testimony was surprising.”

He added, “District staff is focused on both

resolving any problems quickly, and preventing future issues from occurring. The board will be monitoring these issues to make sure that they are resolved.”

Following the meeting, McCasline told The Sentinel that the district is working to resolve the pay and benefits issues.

“Some of these pay and benefit issues are due to errors by either our staff, or by the vendors we work with to manage these benefits,” McCasline said. “Other issues are related to our recent conversion to a new finance system implemented in January 2024. Some of these issues were similar to, or even the same as issues that occurred last year. We are focused on correcting errors and resolving issues swiftly. We are working directly with our employees, our local unions, and our vendors to ensure that we both correct the current issues, and also to prevent similar issues in the future.”

Follow developments online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

Courtesy photo from Greg Lee Mary McNamara spearheaded the creation of Community Sharing’s popular Souper Fundraising event in 2008. This photo shows McNamera at the 2011 Souper Fundraiser.

Courtesy photo from Cindy Weeldreyer

This photo shows some of the damage to Cottage Grove’s Main Street. and deliveries during the construction.”

FUNDING

1. TELEVISION: Which TV sitcom featured a father figure named Philip Banks?

2. LANGUAGE: How many letters are in the Greek alphabet?

3. MOVIES: Which movie features the line, "To be honest, when I found out the patriarchy wasn't just about horses, I lost interest"?

4. SCIENCE: How long is an eon?

5. GEOGRAPHY: In which country is most of the Kalahari Desert located?

6. MU SIC: Which singer once was called the Material Girl?

7. FOOD & DRINK: What is injera?

8. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of cockroaches called?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which large U.S. city is nicknamed Emerald City?

10. GAMES: How many blocks are in a Jenga tower?

© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.

9. Seattle, Washington. 10.

8. An intrusion.

7. Fermented flatbread.

6. Madonna.

5. Botswana, Africa.

4. 1 billion years.

Answers 1. “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” 2. 24. 3. “Barbie.”

2024.

AUCTION NOTICE COTTAGE GROVE MINI STORAGE 1520 HWY 99 N COTTAGE GROVE, OR 97424 AUCTION: March 23, 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. Robin Johnsen B284 UNLESS PAYMENT IN FULL IS MADE BEFORE TIME OF AUCTION

@ 1520 HWY 99 N, COTTAGE GROVE, OR 97424. SEALED BIDS ON ENTIRE UNIT DUE IN OFFICE AT 11:30 A.M. “CASH ONLY” BID DATE: March 23, 2024. Publication Dates: March 6 & 13, 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TO INTERESTED PERSONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Brandi R. Walker has been appointed personal representative of the Estate of John Patrick Walker, deceased, Lane Co. Circuit Court No. 24PB01263. All persons hav- ing claims against the estate are required to present the same within four months from the date of publication of this notice to the personal representative, Brandi R. Walker, c/o Attorney Greg Veralrud, 975 Oak St., Suite 798, Eugene, OR 97401, or the claims may be barred. All persons whose rights may be affected by the proceedings may obtain ad- ditional information from the re- cords of the above-entitled court, the personal representative or PUBLIC NOTICES the attorney for the personal representative, Greg Veralrud, 975 Oak St., Suite 798, Eugene, OR 97401, telephone (541) 3453333. Dated and first published: February 28, 2024. /s/ Brandi R. Walker Personal Representative. Publication Dates: February 28, March 6 & 13, 2024.

PUBLIC NOTICE TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

File No. 23-00353OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Michael Hogan, as grantor, to FATICO, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Nexera Holding, LLC dba Newfi Lending, beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, as beneficiary,

dated January 18, 2018, recorded February 1, 2018, in the records of Lane County, Oregon, under instrument No. 2018-005274, and subsequently assigned or transferred by operation of law to Nationstar Mortgage, LLC, covering the following described real property situated in the above-mentioned county and state: Beginning at the witness corner to the meander corner on the North bank of the Siuslaw River between Sections 29 and 30, Township 17 South, Range 9 West of the Willamette Meridian, said witness corner to the meander corner being by dependent re-survey recorded as being North 1° 10’ East 12.60 chains from the Southeast corner of section 30, thence North 73° 50 1/4’ West 3225.15 feet to an iron pipe on the South right-of way line of the Willamette Pacific Railroad, said point being the true point of beginning; thence South 24° 49’ West 156.52 feet to a point on the bank of the Siuslaw River thence South 67° 03 1/2’ East 110.05 feet straight line distance following the bank of the Siuslaw River to a point; thence North 24° 40’ East 152.35 feet to a point on the Southerly right-of-way line of the Willamette Pacific Railroad; thence North 64° 52 1/2’ West 110.0 feet along the Southerly right-of-way line of the Willamette Pacific Railroad, to the true point of beginning, all in Lane County, Oregon. Tax Account No.: 0530889 Map: 17-09-30-3100400 Commonly known as: 12761 Sutherland (aka Sutherlin) Road, Swisshome, OR 97480 The undersigned hereby certifies that based upon business records there are no known written assignments of the trust deed by the trustee or by the beneficiary and no appointments of a successor trustee have been made, except as recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the above described real property is situated. Further, no action has been instituted to recover the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or other

person owing an obligation, performance of which is secured by the trust deed, or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO REINSTATE: $13,745.09 TOTAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $103,520.57 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on the day you pay may be greater. It will be necessary for you to contact the Trustee before the time you tender reinstatement or the payoff amount so that you may be advised of the exact amount you will be required to pay. By reason of the default, the beneficiary has declared all

owing on the obliga-

secured by the trust deed immediately due and payable, those sums being the following, to- wit: 1. The installments of principal and interest which became due on April 1, 2023, and all subsequent installments of principal and interest through the date of this Notice, plus amounts that are due for late charges, delinquent property taxes, insurance premiums, advances made on senior liens, taxes and/or insurance, trustee’s fees, and any attorney fees and court costs arising from or associated with the beneficiaries efforts to protect and preserve its security, all of which must be paid as a condition of reinstatement, including all sums that shall accrue through reinstatement or pay-off. Nothing in this notice shall be construed as a waiver of any fees owing to the Beneficiary under the Deed of Trust pursuant to the terms of the loan documents. Whereof, notice hereby is given that Affinia Default Services, LLC, the undersigned trustee will on June 12, 2024 at the hour of 11:00 AM (PST), as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, At the Front Entrance of the Lane County Courthouse, 125 E. 8th Avenue, Eugene, Oregon 97401, County of Lane, State of Oregon, sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash the interest in the said described real property which the grantor had or had power to convey at the time of the execution by him of the said trust deed, together with any interest which the grantor or his successors in interest acquired after the execution of said trust deed, to

satisfy the foregoing obligations thereby secured and the costs and expenses of sale, including a reasonable charge by the trustee. Notice is further given that any person named in Section 86.778 of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. For Sale Information, contact COVIUS SERVICING at (877) 518-5700 or www.realtybid.com. In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by Affinia Default Services, LLC. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some

situated in the above-mentioned county and state: Lot 3, Block 8, OAKRIDGE, as platted and recorded in Book 4, Page 29, Lane County Oregon Plat Records, in Lane County, Oregon. APN: 21-35-16-24-03500

Commonly known as: 48143 Commercial Street, Oakridge, OR 97463 The undersigned hereby certifies that based upon business records there are no known written assignments of the trust deed by the trustee or by the beneficiary and no appointments of a successor trustee have been made, except as recorded in the records of the county or counties in which the above described real property is situated. Further, no action has been instituted to recover the debt, or any part thereof, now remaining secured by the trust deed, or, if such action has been instituted, such action has been dismissed except as permitted by ORS 86.752(7). Both the beneficiary and the trustee have elected to sell the said real property to satisfy the obligations secured by said trust deed and notice has been recorded pursuant to Section 86.752(3) of Oregon Revised Statutes. There is a default by grantor or other person owing an obligation, performance of which is secured by the trust deed, or by the successor in interest, with respect to provisions therein which authorize sale in the event of such provision. The default for which foreclosure is made is grantor’s failure to pay when due the following sum: TOTAL REQUIRED TO

TO-

REINSTATE: $46,292.19

TAL REQUIRED TO PAYOFF: $169,283.80 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from day-to-day, the amount due on

of Oregon Revised Statutes has the right to have the foreclosure proceeding dismissed and the trust deed reinstated by payment to the beneficiary of the entire amount then due (other than such portion of said principal as would not then be due had no default occurred), together with the costs, trustee’s and attorney’s fees and curing any other default complained of in the Notice of Default by tendering the performance required under the obligation or trust deed, at any time prior to five days before the date last set for sale. For Sale Information, contact Auction.com at (800) 280-2832 or www.auction. com. In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any successor in interest to this grantor as well as any other person owing an obligation, the performance of which is secured by the trust deed, and the words “trustee” and “beneficiary” include their respective successors in interest, if any. Pursuant to Oregon Law, this

sale will not be deemed final until the Trustee’s deed has been issued by Affinia Default Services, LLC. If any irregularities are discovered within 10 days of the date of this sale, the trustee will rescind the sale, return the buyer’s money and take further action as necessary. If the sale is set aside for any reason, including if the Trustee is unable to convey title, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the monies paid to the Trustee. This shall be the Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy. The purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Trustor, the Trustee, the Beneficiary, the Beneficiary’s Agent, or the Beneficiary’s Attorney. If you have previously been discharged through bankruptcy, you may have been released of personal liability for this loan in which case this letter is intended to exercise the note holders right’s against the real property only. As required by law, you are hereby notified that a negative credit report reflecting on your

credit record may be submitted to a credit report agency if you fail to fulfill the terms of your credit obligations. Without limiting the trustee’s disclaimer of representations or warranties, Oregon law requires the trustee to state in this notice that some residential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing methamphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospective purchasers of residential property should be aware of this potential danger before deciding to place a bid for this property at the trustee’s sale. NOTICE TO TENANTS: TENANTS OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY HAVE CER-

TAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND

86.778

Lions wrestling team bring back state medals

KYLE MCGOWEN COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

The Cottage Grove High School wrestling team took six competitors to the state tournament in Portland and brought home three medals, something that hasn’t been done on the boy’s side since 2016.

“I think overall it was a fantastic season for several reasons. I learned a tone, the kids learned a tone, I think everybody had a really good time and we found some success that I didn’t think we’d be able to find this early,” Lions coach Charlie Kent said, who wrapped up his first year as the programs lead coach.

The Cottage Grove boys’ team finished 16th out of 29 participating teams at state while the girls’ team was led by Madison Holder (130) and missed the presence of defending state champion junior Allison Palluck, who was out with a knee injury she suffered earlier in the season. Overall Kent felt positive about the season’s conclusion.

“There were a couple of wildcard matches that just didn’t end up our way at regionals, it could have just as easily been nine or even 10 kids up at state,” Kent

said. “Reflecting back on the season and that final run for those kids, especially for those seniors, I couldn’t be prouder with how they wrestled. Danny [Hernandez], Seazar [Ibarra], Nate [Abrams], and Madison [Holder] all had a great finish and just got after it. There is nothing more you can really ask, sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t.”

Jeffery Conklin (120) concluded an outstanding season by medaling at the state tournament after finishing in fifth place over Crook County’s Justin England (Fall 4:54).

“He [Conklin] came out and overall he probably had the tournament of the year for him. He came back in the blood rounds and beat the kid who beat him in the semi-finals at regionals. Then to take fifth, he beat the kid who knocked him knocked him back to the consultation side who we lost to in the quarterfinals. He didn’t just beat him, he beat him. I think the first one was a tech-fall and the second one was a major. The matches that he lost, he was in them,” Kent said.

Nate Abrams (285), who leads the Lions heavy weight class finished in sixth place after Armando Galindo of Mazama

CGHS Girls’ hoops cinch spot in state tournament

Lady Lions finish their season with 15-13 record

One year after going 4-19, the Cottage Grove Lions girls’ basketball team secured a place in the state tournament with a 54-42 play-in tournament win at Scappoose High School in a loud and hostile environment.

“There were happy tears, joy, and a lot of high fives just knowing that we got to accomplish one of our goals for this year, getting to state. It was a huge emotional win for us, it took a lot of team effort to get there,” Lions coach Pete LeMay said.

“Once we got into the locker room when it hit, the girls were so happy just knowing everything had had put through this season to accomplish that goal we set. I haven’t seen them happier this season than what they were after that game.”

The Lions used a 22-4 run in the second half to earn the win over Scappoose and never looked back, something

that was a defining moment for the Cottage Grove season. It would end up being the Lions final win of the season, as they would head to Astoria later that week and lose in the opening round of the state tournament 54-25. But Cottage Grove finished the year with a 15-13 record, a major building block for the program moving forward.

“I think not only did we get better as a team but we individually got better as well by putting in a lot of work, effort, and time,” MeMay said. “It totally paid off for them, four wins last year to 15 this year and a trip to the first round of state, that’s just the commitment and dedication to those girls.”

LeMay said the overall coaching organization helped motivate the players.

“Our coaching staff was back together this year, which I think help create stability with the girls, buying into the culture and goals we were setting, I think they were determined,”

LeMay added. “The senior leadership we had helped with that and it’s kind of overall grew our program in one year and we are taking steps in the right direction.”

Cottage Grove opened the season with an 11-4 record heading into Sky-Em League play, but struggled to keep their momentum going, going just 2-6 in league play.

“I think adversity hits every team throughout a season. If you lose one or two games in a row how are you going to handle it? How are you going to react? The good thing with our girls was that our mindset was right, our energy, our want, our belief was there. We knew what we wanted to accomplish this season and we definitely weren’t letting a few losses get to us or deter us from the goals.” With the team in a tough spot, they traveled to Junction City for the opening round of district playoffs. Cottage Grove had already been beaten by the Tigers in two

earned the win (Fall 3:06).

“He’s flown under the radar all year up until he started beating everybody, then they started watching him,” Kent laughed. “He pushed through that. Special district 2 (where we wrestle) 39% of the place winners at state were from special district 2. There are four districts, so. we are well above that 25 percent mark. We are in a really tough region. Nate is one of those kids who had a really tough draw, but punched through it. The last match on the first day was that blood round match, if you win that then you know you are placing at state, which is a huge accomplishment. He was overjoyed with that and I think he obtained his goal.”

Carter Bengtson (138), who already has found success at the state level in both soccer and cross country earlier this season, continued an outstanding athletics season by finishing sixth and earning another piece of hardware for him to take home. Bengtson lost to Greg Hall of St. Helens (dec 3-1).

“I think he is one of them has had the most growth mentally,” Kent said. “He has always been an incredible athlete and a great competitor, but he is learning how

to train more efficiently and appreciate the chess match of wrestling instead of just outworking them. He really flipped a switch when he beat his PR by 45 seconds earlier this season in cross country. I knew coming in that he was going to have more shark in him and it’s been trying to slow him down and keep him healthy, find what works for him, and find success. He really stepped up his game this year and I knew we were going to see big things from him.”

Though they did not medal, the Lions also got continuations at the state tournament from Madison Holder, Clayton Dewitt, and Seazar Ibarra.

“Overall, we had great support from parents, the athletes have really bought into what we are doing, school administration has been nothing but supportive, and the larger Cottage Grove wrestling community has been right in there with it,” Kent said. “Everybody is really excited about this year and even more so about next year.”

Follow Cottage Grove High School sports online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

frustrating losses earlier in the season, but the Lions were unwavering and earned a gritty 42-41 win that ended up being another key moment to help determine how their season would be defined.

“We had a purpose in that game of what we wanted to do. But also, the confidence of the girls’ going into that game was huge. Our mindsets were right, but we had players step up,” LeMay said. “Our determination to go into that game and win it, the girls really showed that they could do that.”

Cottage Grove will

look to use this season as a building block to even greater things in the future, but will have to replace five seniors. LeMay has several summer camps and tournaments planned for the program and also has begun something he calls the ‘300 Hour Club.’

“They are going to write down their goals for next year, then ask how they will get there? Then it’s 300 hours of shooting, dribbling, free throws, they get an hour if they spend time in the weight room, they get 10 hours on it if they are getting A’s and B’s and are on the honor

roll,” LeMay said. “They get 50 hours if they are playing a fall or a spring sport. It’s giving them a set goal to hopefully hit in the off-season to hit that “300 plus hours. I think that will be huge for us to get that off-season work that they don’t maybe get in July or August with me or the coaches, but they can get on their own. I think that will be huge.”

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Photo Courtesy from CGHS Athletics

Coach Charlie Kent and the Lions wrapped up the wrestling season with three wrestlers earning medals at state, held in Portland in February.

KYLE MCGOWEN

COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL

Photo Courtesy from CGHS Athletics

The Lions bench celebrates in a win earlier this season. Cottage Grove won 15 games in the 2023-2024 season after winning just four games the previous year.