CGS529

The Cottage grove entinel

Moving on

Community support creates bright future for farm stand

location.

The outpouring of community support for the Coast Fork Farm Stand and Buying Club could be seen on full display May 10.

A three-day-old plan, to move from its longtime location at 90 South 10th Street across Main Street into the former Covered Bridge Brewery building, was enthusiastically completed in just seven hours.

Josh Fattal is a friend of Scott Burgwin, owner of the Coast Fork Farm Stand, and has been a customer of the natural food retail store for many years. Fattal was one of the facilitators of the April 25 town hall meeting in the Armory to brainstorm solutions to relocate the business prior to a May 11 eviction notice.

He described the move as “a beautiful act of sheer community resilience” and provided details of the remarkable event.

On Friday morning at 7 a.m., people started moving the contents out of the building it called home for just over a decade. By 8 a.m. the place was buzzing with activity. With minimal centralized coordination, all the volunteers made themselves useful. By 10 a.m., most of the store had been relocated to its new location. Assuming the work would take all day, volunteers continued to arrive throughout the morning and afternoon.

“Over one hundred pairs of hands bustled back and forth to create the new community space,” Fattal said.

“Community members brought food, had a barbecue, and, by 2:30, had largely set up the new retail location.”

Grove Sentinel

to-own arrangement so the new businesses do not have the same vulnerability to eviction they had in the previous location.

“When we first built this place we wanted it to be a community space,” Chapman said. “So to see it morph into a market that will benefit our community in many ways — with consumers, local farmers and small business owners coming together — it is an amazing thing!”

Once the former brewery’s equipment is sold, Burgwin’s retail space will move into that area. This will make way for small businesses owners to set up shop in the market to provide products and services to the community.

Rebecca Allen Lamptey, another facilitator of the April 25 meeting, said she was also surprised to see the sheer number of enthusiastic volunteers who showed up throughout the day and guesstimated 20 vehicles were used. Three days later, on Monday, May 13, the farm stand reopened for business.

Covered Bridge Brewing Group co-founder, Chrissy Chapman, owns the building on the corner of Main Street and Highway 99. She said she embraces the farm stand advocates’ vision of transforming the large structure into an economic hub for small businesses and continuing it as a pleasant community gathering place. Chapman’s commitment offers the Coast Fork Public Market a lease-

The building offers indoor and outdoor dining areas, offices and a meeting room. The former brewery’s outdoor courtyard has spaces for multiple food trucks and a stage for live music and events so it can resume its function as one of Cottage Grove’s entertainment venues.

Eleven months ago, Elasah Smith and her family opened their popular mobile food truck next to the farm stand and serves breakfast and lunch four days a week, Thursday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The local entrepreneur participated in the Chamber of Commerce’s recent Business Challenge to enhance her mobile restaurant business and is ready to take it to a new level of success.

Embracing the vision of the Coast Fork Public Market, the family has relocated the Food Smith’s truck to the courtyard on the north side of the building at 926 E. Main St.

“My heart is to be part of this new foundational Coast Fork Public Market, for the building of future generations of entrepreneurs,” Smith said. “We are creating this community of artisans and producers with the Mutually Assured Economic Growth Strategy.”

She described the strategy as finding ways to connect dots between businesses in the local economy and providing a crowd-funded Public Market space: Natural Food Store, Food, Plants, Crafters, Artists — all in one

‘It’s steep and deep’

A look at the ’24 wildfire season

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

Dylan Johnson, Weyerhaeuser forester and firefighter crew leader, said he has one fear heading into Oregon’s 2024 summer and fall wildfire season.

“The ice storm that we had this past winter has created a lot of heavy concentrated fuel loading across the landscape, so there is a a lot of new fresh dead and down materials,” he said. “That increases the danger of spreading hot and intense fires and it will be difficult to get to the fires for suppression.”

Johnson also worries about the rugged terrain inland at Cottage Grove and along the Oregon Coast range.

“Yes, it is steep and deep,” he said. “That definitely doesn’t help with the fire behavior. The terrain plays a factor in fire growth. It starts at the bottom of the slope and is forced up as the heat rises. It can run up the slope pretty quick.”

Joining local, state, and federal forestry officials, Johnson is urging property owners to prepare now for the wildfire season ahead.

A work session filled a board with ideas and concerns on a new strategy to address legal mandates on accommodations for homeless people.

City Council considers new strategies to address homelessness

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

A much anticipated Cottage Grove City Council work session gave city staff the opportunity to review its efforts to address challenges with homelessness. The May 18 session also allowed the opportunity for the council and staff to explore a partnership with

St. Vincent de Paul to develop a more effective strategy to manage it in compliance with state and federal laws.

Federal funding for the 2-year-old Highway 99 managed shelter ends June 30 and continuation funds are not included in the city’s 2024-’25 proposed budget. The unhealthy conditions and crimes committed in the See MOVE on Page 6

See COUNCIL on Page 4

Courtesy photo from Shelby Bartram Community volunteers helping to pack inventory at the old Farm Stand

CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage

Cindy Weeldreyer / The Sentinel This sign marks the store’s new location in Cottage Grove.

Courtesy photo

The Bedrock Fire burned in rural areas of in Lane County in 2023.

Cindy Weeldreyer / The Sentinel

Seven rescued from waterway following near drowning event

JEREMY C.

RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

The spring sunshine and increasing temperatures are attracting people to local waterways, but first responders are urging safety following water rescues statewide over the past few weeks.

One such rescue occurred Saturday, May 17, when EugeneSpringfield Fire crews responded to swimmers in distress near the low head dam on the Willamette River in Glenwood.

Crews were alerted to the water rescue call at 3:19 p.m. and the first land based fire crews arrived five minutes later to guide the water rescue boats.

In all, seven collegeage males were assisted following a near drowning incident involving the defunct dam and debris in it. The individuals were floating the river

in non-rated floatation devices without wearing life jackets, according to a release from EugeneSpringfield Fire officials.

“Some of the swimmers were forced under the water due to currents and obstacles called strainer,” the release states. “Most were washed down stream from the dam while one was able to escape the churning current by grabbing a branch to pull himself up concrete wall.”

The low head dam is a dangerous obstacle in the waterway on a good day. With cold water, changing flows and debris caught on the dam, it is much more dangerous, according to officials.

Eugene-Springfield Fire recommends recreating on the river with approved and rated water craft while wearing an approved personal floatation device (life jacket).

Lane County has

MAY 13

01:09: Disturbance, 400 block S. 16th St.

06:35: Fraud, 400 block S. 5th St.

06:46: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

07:22: Disorderly subject, 700 block E. Main St.

09:28: Illegal parking, 200 block Buttercup Lp.

09:32: Found dog, Anthony/R St.

10:50: Hit and run, 1500 block E. Main St.

11:40: Found property, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

12:13: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

14:59: Death investigation, 1300 block Pennoyer Ave.

16:06: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

16:16: Theft, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

17:26: Fire, 500 block S. 6th St.

17:28: Agency assist, 500 block S. 6th St.

18:22: Theft, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

19:27: Warrant service, 200 block N. 12th St.

21:04: Child abuse, 1400 block Madison Ave.

22:59: Agency assist, 1500 block Village Dr.

23:37: Business check, 1500 block Gateway Blvd. MAY 14

01:14: Dog at large, 800 block Quincy Ave.

03:45: Citizen assist, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

03:54: Alarm, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

10:15: Abandoned vehicle, 200 block N. 12th St.

10:47: Found dog, 100 block N. 6th St.

12:57: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

12:59: Business check, 1400 block E. Main St.

13:05: Child abuse, 700 block Row River Rd.

13:17: Illegal parking, 600 block South R St.

13:29: Illegal parking, 1200 block S. 10th St.

14:41: Order violation, 1600 block Daugherty Ave.

14:57: Welfare check, 900 block E. Main St.

15:23: Hit and run, 100 block N. 9th St.

17:02: Animal info, 1100 block Lord Ave.

17:30: Harassment, 1100 block S. 10th St.

17:32: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

20:20: Abandoned vehicle, 700 block S. 10th St.

20:36: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.

20:41: Found dog, 100 block S. 16th St.

21:11: Business check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

23:59: Animal info, 700 block S. 1st St.

MAY 15

02:18: Suspicious vehicle, 1400 block N. Douglas St.

03:01: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.

09:04: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

09:57: Fraud, 1200 block E. Main St.

10:04: Dog at large, 200 block E. Harrison Ave.

12:50: Fraud, 900 block Birch Ave.

14:12: Dog at large, 1200 block Hwy 99

14:57: Suspicious subject, 1300 block Anthony Ave.

miles of beautiful water ways and warm spring weather, according to Lane County Marine Patrol officials. They recommend waterway visitor wear a life jacket, scout the river ahead, check river obstructions before you go.

For those floating the Willamette River in the Eugene / Springfield area, the marine patrol encourages floaters to be very cautious passing

low head dam, to include taking out well before the obstruction to go around it.

It’s important to always scout ahead, mind the tide, decide on the safest route and expect the unexpected, the Oregon Marine Board states on its website, adding that most accidents and fatalities are due to falling overboard, collisions, and operator error/misjudgment, and reckless behavior.

POLICE BLOTTER

17:14: Welfare check, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

17:15: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

18:42: Disorderly subject, Lane/Villard

19:00: Motor vehicle theft, 800 block S. 6th St.

19:17: Harassment, 1100 block W. Main St.

19:37: Disturbance, North L/ Birch

19:52: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

20:04: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

21:11: Suspicious condition, 1300 block S. 4th St.

21:17: Alarm, 1400 block E. Main St.

22:30: Business check, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

MAY 16

07:36: Citizen assist, 1300 block E. Main St.

07:58: Business check, 1200 block E. Main St.

08:39: Traffic hazard, 900 block Holly Ave.

08:47: Trespass, 200 block N. 6th St.

12:20: Hit and run, 900 block Row River Rd.

14:20: Business check, 1000 block Lord Ave.

14:29: Suspicious condition, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

14:44: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

15:43: Suspicious condition, 700 block Hwy 99

15:54: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

17:31: Alarm, 1100 block W. Main St.

18:11: Traffic hazard, 1000 block Hillside Dr.

18:25: Welfare check, 1600 block W. Main St.

19:09: Suspicious condition, 1300 block Ash Ave.

21:05: Alarm, 100 block Palmer Ave.

21:15: Alarm, 1600 block S. 4th St.

22:46: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

22:57: Disorderly subject, 600 block N. 16th St.

MAY 17

00:07: Disturbance, 700 block E. Main St.

00:55: Nuisance, noise, 500 block S. River Rd.

03:34: Trespass, 300 block S. 5th St.

08:38: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

09:18: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

10:37: Suspicious vehicle, 700 block Hwy 99

11:05: Dog at large, Coop Ct/ Gateway Blvd.

11:14: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

11:46: Agency assist, 900 block Row River Rd.

12:41: Suspicious condition, Ash Ave/ Pond Turtle Way

12:51: Welfare check, North L/ Main St.

13:31: Suspicious condition, 1300 block S. River Rd.

14:22: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

15:39: Found property, 200 block N. 14th St.

16:30: Abandoned vehicle, S. 10th/ Quincy Ave.

16:38: Criminal mischief, 700 block E. Main St.

17:03: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

17:57: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St. 20:22: Dog at large, 2100 block Wilson Court.

21:17: Welfare check, 600 block Johnson Ave.

22:47: Suspicious condition, 800 block S. 10th St.

22:50: Dog barking, 400 block N. Douglas St.

23:06: Suspicious condition, 800 block S. 6th St. MAY 18

07:20: Trespass, 3300 block Row River Rd.

08:01: Disorderly subject, E. Main/ N. 7th St.

11:40: Suspicious vehicle, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

11:49: Suspicious vehicle, 3200 block Row River Rd.

11:56: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

12:05: Found property, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

14:40: Stolen vehicle recovery, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

14:45: Disturbance, 170 block E. Main St.

15:33: Disturbance, 100 block S. 10th St.

16:22: Suspicious vehicle, 1500 block E. Main St.

17:11: Welfare check, 700 block Row River Rd.

19:02: Traffic hazard, S. 6th/ Grant Ave.

19:21: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

20:25: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.

21:49: Suspicious vehicle, S. 8th/ Wilson Ave.

23:34: Suspicious vehicle, 300 block N. 8th St.

23:58: Stolen vehicle, 1600 block Gateway Blvd.

MAY 19

08:10: Suspicious vehicle, 800 block Gateway Blvd.

11:10: Wanted subject, 100 block W. 5th St.

11:42: Theft, 600 block S. 5th St.

12:05: Disorderly subject, 100 block S. 10th St.

12:22: Theft, 2400 block E. Whiteaker Ave.

12:59: Hit and run, 19th St. / Oswald West 14:22: Order violation, 32000 block Roosevelt Ave. 14:51: Found dog, 600 block N. 16th St.

Courtesy Photo

Five swimmers had gone over the dam into the strainer, while one managed to grab onto a log.

PHOTOS BY CINDY WELLDREYER/THE SENTINEL

IN COTTAGE GROVE

Library hosts sharing event

The Creswell Library is offering another community sharing event, Exploring Antarctica Above and Below the Water, at 6 p.m. June 5

The library is located at 64 W. Oregon Avenue in Creswell.

Polar explorer Faith

Ortins will share the wonders of the Antarctica and Southern Ocean with rare footage from her 12 expeditions. For more information, contact Nick Caum Creswell Library Director at nick@creswell-library. org, or at 541-895-3053.

Nine-year-old Bailey Burrell assists Leo The Clown with entertaining the crowd as the biggest little big top is reset by the crew for the next act.

The Perez Duo thrilled audiences on the Wheel of Destiny and tightwire acts.

Simone Key wears many hats in this family-owned circus troupe: wife of big cat handler Trey, ringmaster, trapeze artist, refreshment maker, and unicycling juggler. The CM Circus is based in Hugo, Okla. and travels to more than 200 towns in 17 different states during its annual 32-week season.

Brothers Isaiah Herrera, 7, and Elliott Noffsinger, 3, of Dexter hang out with Leo the Clown under the big top.

Delilah, a Golden Tabby tiger breed, joined the circus with her brother, Solomon, after a roadside zoo was shut down by the USDA. The brother and sister have been together their whole lives.

Foot juggler Romichel Macias entertains the crowds with fire.

Sisters Aurora and Malibu Benz loaded up on circus merchandise and were eager for the show to begin.

The Culpepper & Merriweather Circus returns to Cottage Grove May 21 for two evening performances at Bohemia Park.

two un-managed camps have fueled councilor recall efforts demanding a change in the city’s current strategy to accommodate un-housed individuals.

The productive all-day meeting in the Community Center Shepherd Room provided critical information needed to chart a more effective course of action to meet federal and state mandates on how to legally manage the homeless population.

Meeting participants included the mayor, all six councilors, the city manager, assistant city manager, public works and development director, community coordinator, city attorney, Lane County’s Human Services program director, and two representatives from nonprofit organization, St. Vincent de Paul. Mayor Candace Solesbee participated virtually and Council President Greg Ervin conducted the meeting. About 20 people throughout the day attended and observed.

The six-hour meeting began with a review of the city’s three year history of legal actions and the documented costs for shelter operations. In his opening remarks, Ervin said it is useful to know where we are and how we got here and believes there is overlapping agreement among the councilors on where to go from here.

FINANCIAL EXPENDITURES

City Manager Mike Sauerwein presented a history of the hard costs of shelter operations since 2021 that included property acquisition, site preparation and contractual services. He said some staff costs can’t be quantified because they were not tracked and going forward they will be.

The city spent a combined three-year total of $775,084 to provide homeless services at three locations. Individual site expenditures are: Douglas Street Site (2021-to date) $312,175.45; 12th Street Site (2022-to-date)

$29,427.42 and Highway 99 Shelter (2022-to-date)

$433,481.50.

Sauerwein said the proposed 2024-25 budget does not include continued operation of the Highway 99 shelter. When the Carry It Forward management contract ends on June 30, staff recommends closing and securing the site until a new homeless strategic plan is developed that would re-purpose the site.

Paul

Fleck,

Development Faye Stewart.

ST. VINCENT PRESENTATION

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) representatives provided an overview of the spectrum of homeless services it operates in Eugene. Director of Operations Jack Boisen and Director of Homeless Shelter Services Art Zamudio described the four different sites that serve different populations and how the combination of those services meets state and federal laws.

City Attorney Carrie Connelly and SVDP staff provided a thorough presentation on the status of court cases and current and future impacts to cities.

SVDP staff said their agency has major investments in Cottage Grove that include three low income housing projects and its new retail store. These local community assets provide an essential foundation to contract with the City to combine the current homeless sites with a strategy that satisfies statutory obligations to accommodate homeless individuals.

Boisen said the nonprofit’s success in managing house-less individuals is a result of excellent staff training, inhouse grant writers fueled with massive amounts of data and experienced accountants that manage the majority of St. Vinnie’s operational expenses. This significantly reduces budgetary impacts for cities that contract with them, however, municipalities must

provide the land and/or buildings needed for SVDP to provide services.

CONNECTOR CAMP PROPOSAL

Director of Public Works and Development Faye Stewart presented a proposal to close the two unmanaged camps and create a new lowbarrier location to accommodate house-less individuals between the Water Reclamation Facility’s effluent pond and the ODOT Connector Overpass. This proposal would be in compliance with federal law by imposing reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on where persons, including those persons experiencing homelessness, may sit, sleep, or lie.

Currently, that location has the first two holes of the city’s popular disc golf course that regularly hosts state tournaments.

Stewart said wildlythrown Frisbees are landing in the new effluent pond and user groups say the narrow tree-lined corridor is not wellsuited for disc golfing. In a map of the proposed “Connector Camp” site, a new parking area and access road would be built on the north side of the treatment plant to provide access to the redesigned course and serve as the required secondary emergency access for the W.O.E. Fairgrounds and Cottage Grove Speedway properties.

A conceptual discussion of Stewart’s proposal with SVDP staff recognized

the need for 24/7 management. A staff structure would be needed to facilitate check-in through an access gate in the perimeter privacy fencing. Chain-link fencing between tent sites would reduce hoarding.

Recently, ODOT created a pedestrian corridor at the Interstate 5 interchange that connects the southeast corner of the North Regional Park with the Gateway Boulevard commercial area. This would limit campers from walking through the residential neighborhood on the other side of the overpass to get to Gateway area businesses. To reduce sanitation costs, the site would contain two Forest Service-style pit toilets that could be pumped regularly by public works staff.

Councilors had multiple opportunities to ask

questions and identify what their “pinch points” were to guide the development of a new strategy to legally accommodate un-housed

individuals. By the end of the work session an entire white board captured details of the discussion for staff follow-up.

SVDP’s Boisen and Zamudio said they are willing to explore a potential partnership with the City. Mayor Solesbee thanked her colleagues and city staff for the hours invested. “I have a lot of homework to do now and I have a great new understanding of where we stand.”

NEXT STEPS

The city council was scheduled to continue discussion and deliberation leading to possible actions about homelessness Tuesday evening, May 28, at Cottage Grove City Hall.

Follow this developing story online at cgsentinel. com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel. Background information from the work session is available on the City’s website: www. cottagegroveor.gov.

Why Pre-Plan?

Pre-Planning allows you to provide guidance to your family after your death. Pre-Planning allows you to control potential expenses of a funeral and disposition. Pre-Planning provides an advanced opportunity to assemble

Cindy Weeldreyer / The Sentinel

Participants in the May 18 City Council Work Session on Homelessness included left to right: City Manager Mike Sauerwein, City Attorney Carrie Connelly, Councilor Alex Dreher, Councilor Jon Stinnett, Councilor Chalice Savage, Council President Greg Ervin, Councilor Dana Merryday, Councilor Mike

St. Vincent de Paul Director of Homeless Shelter Services Art Zamudio, St. Vincent de

Director of Operations Jack Boisen, Police Chief Cory Chase, and Director of Public Works and

NEWS & VIEWS

IT’S YOUR MONEY

Five Myths about Social Security

STACY LARSON Sentinel Guest Column

For most of us, Social Security is — or will be — essential for helping to cover daily living expenses and pay bills as we get older. The bottom line is that Social Security is your money, earned through a lifetime of hard work. Yet there are persistent misconceptions about its stability and how it works. Here are facts behind five of the most stubborn Social Security myths.

MYTH 1

Social Security is going broke. The facts: Social Security will not run out of money as long as workers and employers continue to pay payroll taxes. It’s a pay-asyou-go system: Revenue coming in from payroll taxes largely covers the payments going out. But Social Security does face longer-term funding challenges.

For decades it collected more than it paid out, building a surplus that stood at $2.83 trillion at the end of 2022. But the system is starting to pay out more than it takes in, largely because the retiree population is growing faster than the working population and is living longer. Without changes in how Social Security is financed, the surplus is projected to run out in 2034. Even then, Social Security will still be able to pay benefits from incoming payroll tax revenue. But it will only be enough to pay about 80% percent of scheduled benefits, according to the latest estimate.

If Congress doesn’t take action in the next 10 years to protect and save Social Security, your Social Security could be cut by 20%—an average of $4,000 a year.

MYTH 2

The government raids Social Security to pay for other programs. The facts: Social Security is primarily funded with workers’ and employers’ payroll taxes and has never been part of the federal government’s general fund. The federal government does, however, borrow from Social Security and in return issues Treasury bonds. The federal government

has to pay back any money it borrows from Social Security with interest. The government has always paid it back.

MYTH 3

Members of Congress don’t pay into Social Security. The facts: Actually, they do. A common complaint about Social Security is that members of Congress don’t bother fixing it because it doesn’t cover them. Members of Congress came under the Social Security umbrella in 1984, along with the rest of the federal workforce, as part of sweeping changes to the program.

MYTH 4

You get more Social Security benefits if you collect early. The facts: Your annual payments will be larger the longer if you wait to start collecting. You can begin receiving retirement benefits at age 62, but it will cost you. If you claim Social Security at age 62, you’ll get 70% of the benefit amount calculated from your lifetime earnings. If you wait until full retirement age—in this case, 67—you’ll get 100%. If you delay taking your benefit past the full retirement age of 67, Social Security increases your benefit 8% a year until you hit 70.

MYTH 5

You lose a portion of your benefits permanently if you take benefits and keep working. The facts: Not true. Social Security does have a rule, called the “earnings limit” or “earnings test,” that can temporarily reduce your payments if you are still working. But it doesn’t apply to all working beneficiaries, and it is not permanent.

The rule only covers people who claim benefits before full retirement age and continue working. In this circumstance, Social Security withholds a portion of your payments if your earnings from work exceed a set cap, which changes every year. However, any withheld money is credited back to you, and the benefits you receive later will be higher.

You can find out more about your Social Security at AARP’s Social Security Resource Center (aarp.org/retirement/ social-security).

Stacy Larsen is the AARP Oregon Communications Director.

A few hiccups but also success

We consider tonight a success.

Our first Kiwanis sponsored show was nearly full though the second was much smaller.

We had a total paid attendance of 700 tonight and the Club was financially successful. We owe that success to the CG Chamber Office and the Best Little Printhouse selling several hundred advance tickets again this year for us.

Kiwanis and the Circus owe our patrons an apology for having a lack of dedicated restrooms. The Circus contracted with a business in our area for several portable toilets. Unfortunately an error occurred and they failed to deliver the portable toilets as ordered. The Bohemia Park restrooms were open early; however, they were locked during the evening which left our patrons

with few options.

We failed to anticipate the park being unavailable as a backup plan and didn’t coordinate with the city to keep them open longer. The city’s public works crew did a wonderful job of preparing the area reserved for the circus. City staff were very responsive to the items we asked of them in advance and the day of the shows. We just didn’t anticipate needing the restrooms in the park to be available into the evening.

In any case the crowds were joyous and loud in their appreciation of the two performances and so we consider it a success to light up the faces of so many youngsters and adults alike.

Donald Ehrich

Coast Fork Kiwanis Club

Four Rivers Division #61

Non-medical vaccination exemptions on the rise

STAFF REPORT

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Schools reported the highest rate ever for students claiming nonmedical exemptions from the state’s school vaccination requirements, according to the Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) latest data.

BY THE NUMBERS

Statewide, 8.8% of kindergartners had a nonmedical exemption for one or more required vaccines, up from 8.1% in 2023 and 6.9% in 2022. In 2023, Oregon had the second highest nonmedical exemption rate in the country, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.

Analysts with OHA’s Oregon Immunization Program found that 86.4% of kindergartners received all required vaccines in 2024, down from 87.1% in 2023 and 88.4% in 2022. The decrease in kindergarten immunization rates marks two consecutive years of decline.

Stacy de Assis Matthews, immunization school law coordinator at the Oregon Immunization Program, said the best defense against vaccinepreventable diseases is a well-immunized community, which also protects children who cannot be immunized

The decrease in kindergarten immunization rates marks two consecutive years of decline.

because of age or medical condition.

“The concern is that a highly contagious disease, such as measles, will be introduced to a school that doesn’t have high immunization rates and that students will become sick,” Matthews said. She noted that, as of May 10, there were 132 cases of measles in the U.S. in 2024, of which 81% were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, CDC data show.

But by far, most Oregon parents and guardians choose to have their children immunized, according to Matthews.

Schools reported that 91% of students in kindergarten through 12th grade received all required vaccines in 2024. However, this rate has been decreasing over time.

“School immunization laws help make sure kids can go to school in a safe and healthy environment free of vaccinepreventable diseases,” Matthews said. “These laws help support OHA’s goal of eliminating health disparities by 2030 by making sure each child’s immunization record is checked annually, and any child who is behind can be brought up to date on vaccines every year.”

DETAILED LOOK

Data from Oregon’s ALERT Immunization Information System provides a detailed look at childhood immunizations and adolescent immunizations, including immunization rates by race and ethnicity. OHA also maintains a summary of

kindergarten immunization and exemption rates, which were updated this month, and a county and state immunization and exemption rate dashboard updated in August 2023. OHA officials said 2024 data will be available later this summer.

OHA also has individual school and child care immunization rate interactive maps (2024 data will be available later this summer) and individual school and child care immunization rate spreadsheets, also updated this month.

RESOURCES

There are several resources for parents and guardians to get their kids vaccinated: Information about immunization requirements for the 2024-2025 school year and school immunization forms are available in 17 languages.

If a person needs help in finding a clinic, they can contact 211 or their local health department. 211Info has English and Spanish speakers available, as well as interpreter services in many different languages. If a child has Medicaid/ Oregon Health Plan or no insurance, or is American Indian/Alaska Native, immunizations are available at low or no cost through the Vaccines for Children program.

STACY LARSON

Metro Creative Connection

Local students receive SELCO Credit Union scholarships

SUBMITTED

SELCO Community Credit Union’s annual scholarship program received a record number of applications in 2024 after opening the program to continuing, vocational, and nontraditional students. In the end, 21 students, including two Cottage Grove students, have been awarded $77,500 in scholarships.

SELCO awarded 20 scholarships to eligible students worth $3,500 each, an increase from

$2,500 each in 2023. In addition, SELCO awarded the $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship to Victor Yanez, a Lane County student who demonstrated excellence in education, leadership, or civic responsibility despite adversity or lack of opportunity.

The award for the Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship increased 50% from the $5,000 that was awarded in 2023.

The 2024 SELCO Scholarship recipients from

“The biggest message that rural land owners need to know is to make sure that you have a defensible space around your home,” he said. “The Oregon Department of Forestry and most fire districts can come to your property and access your property and make suggestions of how you can increase your defensible space, so that way it is less of a fire risk.”

According to the reports, wildfires burned across 190,507 acres in Oregon in 2023. A comparably low fire season. Fire officials said the Flat Fire in Curry County and the Bedrock Fire in Lane County burned more than 65,000 combined acres in 2023. Those fires were controlled after easterly winds eased and firefighters deployed rapid suppression efforts.

MENTAL HEALTH IMPACT

According to Johnson, battling wildfires is physically exhausting and can adversely impact a firefighter’s mental health.

“It is exhausting both physically and mentally,” he said. “It’s work in the summer time, so there is the heat of the season. You are working constantly. Long days. Just a few days off here and there. It is definitely a challenge.”

So how does Johnson and the other firefighters deal with such a challenge?

“Take rest and relaxation when you have the opportunity,” he said. “Your rely on your crew mates. They are like your family. You spend five six months of the year with these folks developing really good relationships. Everybody is going through the same thing. So you can talk with the people that are going through the same thing that you are. It is just your support system. So, staying positive is the biggest thing. Do your job safety, effectively and efficiently.”

Lane County are:

• $7,500 Richard Metzler Opportunity Scholarship (Name, hometown, school to attend)

• Victor Yanez, Eugene, Lane Community College

$3,500 SELCO Scholarships

• Jack Anderson, Eugene, Oregon State University

• Reese Biehler, Cottage Grove, Northwest Lineman College

• Carli DeGarlais, Cottage Grove, Central Oregon Community

College

• Bela Donahue, Eugene, Clemson University

• Sarah King, Eugene, Bushnell University

• Giselle Lozano, Springfield, Lane Community College

• Jeyla Luvert, Springfield, University of Oregon

• Austin Murray, Eugene, Undecided

• Morgan Osburn, Eugene, University of Oregon

• Autumn Rivas, Junction City, Oregon State University

helping reforest the fire-damaged Holiday Farms property.

Now in its 34th year, SELCO’s scholarship program was reimagined for 2024 as part of the Oregon credit union’s new SELCO Steps Up program, which aims to create positive, innovative, and lasting change through community giving, volunteerism, and educational support.

One of the key goals for SELCO Steps Up is to evolve its programs to meet the changing needs of the community, including a shifting academic landscape, according to

organizers. Once limited to high school seniors headed to two- or four-year colleges, the scholarship program was expanded to accept applications from vocational school students, nontraditional students returning to school, and those already attending an accredited college, university, or vocational school.

SELCO received a record number of applications in 2024, doubling the total from 2023.

WEYERHAEUSER PARTNERSHIP

For the third year, Weyerhaeuser has partnered with Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance to help provide specialized support and mental health resources for wildland firefighters.

Addressing mental health challenges without stigma is critical to keeping firefighters safe, and the Fighting Fires Together campaign is designed to provide an important platform to amplify education and resources available for wildland firefighters and their families in the Pacific Northwest.

“After launching the Fighting Fires Together campaign with FBHA three years ago, we’re proud to continue this effort to support wildland firefighters and their mental health as they work in challenging conditions to protect our communities,” Weyerhaeuser Western Timberlands Vice President Bill Frings said. “Weyerhaeuser’s approach to wildfire preparedness, prevention and mitigation is a year-round strategy, and part of this includes ensuring wildland firefighters have access to the resources they need to carry out this work.”

Weyerhaeuser’s annual campaign provides online resources in partnership with the Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance designed to support wildland firefighters and their families, including videos on mental health topics, educational articles and contacts for wildland firefighter-specific support groups and experienced counselors.

Weyerhaeuser operates a plant at 77676 Highway 99 in Cottage Grove. FIRE from Page 1

Currently, as a Weyerhaeuser forester, Johnson is

MOVE from Page 1

location.

She added, “Interdependence will codify the resolve to choose one another over an easier more independent way, by working alongside one another, through sacrificial deference, and respecting what each different person’s talents are.” Burgwin is overwhelmed with gratitude for the remarkable amount of community support his business has enjoyed since its inception in 2009, as part of the Chamber of Commerce’s Concerts in Coiner Park. Each step of growing his business has been a challenge with

his compassionate and committed customers making each transition a successful one. “We wouldn’t be in this new building without the tremendous support we’ve had from the community,” Burgwin said. “There is a real sense of optimism. There is a real potential for the farm stand and buying club to become a co-op or a cooperative-style business with shared ownership. This new location can evolve into becoming something greater than what we had. It can offer the community a number of services provided by small, local businesses and entrepreneurs whose

“We lost about a third of our tree from from that wildfire,” he said. “We are basically having to start over and plant new trees.”

visions resonate and align with the framework and guiding principles the Coast Fork Farm Stand has operated under for 10 years now.”

For more information about the business visit its Facebook page: Coast Fork Farm Stand & Buying Club

Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Allen Lamptey Marjory House and Eleanor Jean unpacking and organizing bulk items.

The mission of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance is to collaborate, develop and implement behavioral health awareness, prevention, intervention, and post crisis strategies to provide firefighters with an easily accessible and confidential source of information.

Courtesy Photo

A helicopter dropping water over the 2023 Bedrock Fire in Lane County.

1. TELEVISION: What is the name of the community college in the sitcom “Community”?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which two countries in South America are landlocked?

3. HISTORY: Where did the effective end of the Civil War take place?

4. U.S. STATES: Which state comes first alphabetically?

5. FOOD & DRINK: What is an affogato?

6. MOVIES: Which movie features the character Inigo Montoya?

7. ENTERTAINERS: What is singer/ songwriter Taylor Swift’s middle name?

8. ANATOMY: What is the smallest organ in the human body?

9. LITERATURE: Which fantasy novel (later made into an HBO series called “Game of Thrones”) features a place called Winterfell?

10. GEOLOGY: What is the most malleable metal?

2024 King

Answers 1. Greendale Community College.

Bolivia and Paraguay.

Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

Alabama.

Dessert of ice cream and coffee.

“The Princess Bride.”

Alison. 8. Pineal gland. 9. “A Song of Ice and Fire.” 10. Gold.

Classified

109 - CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

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

999 - PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

CG24-2093 NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS:\~ Probate proceedings in the Estate of Margrethe Yvonne Smith, aka M. Yvonne Smith, aka Vonni Smith, deceased, are now pending in the Circuit Court for Lane County, Oregon, Case No. 24PB03426.\~ Tracy L. King has been appointed as personal representative of Decedent.\~ All persons having claims against the Estate are required to present them, in due form, within four months after the date of first publication of this Notice.\~ The date of first publication of this Notice is May 29, 2024.\~ Claims shall be presented to the personal representative at this address: c/o Samantha K. Bunge, Willamette NW Law Firm, PC, 735 W. 7th Ave., Eugene, OR 97402, or they may be barred.\~ All persons whose rights may be affected by these proceedings may obtain additional information from the records of the court, the personal representative, or their attorney, Samantha K. Bunge, whose address is listed above, and whose telephone number is (541) 246-8752.

PUBLIC NOTICE

CG24-2089 NOITICE OF BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING ROW RIV-

ER VALLEY WATER DISTRICT June

6, 2024 A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the Row River Valley Water District, Lane County, state or Oregon, to discuss the Budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025, will be held at the Row River Christian Church, 37533 Row River Road, Dorena, Oregon. The meeting will take place on the 6th day of June 2024, at 6:00 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to receive the Budget Message, to receive comments from the public on the Budget, and to review the past year’s budget vs. actual figures. A copy of the Budget document may be inspected or obtained after June 6th, 2024, by contacting the Row River Valley Water District at (541) 946-1250. This is a public meeting where deliberation of the Budget Committee will take place. Any person may appear at the meeting and discuss the proposed programs.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE File No. 22-00211OR Reference is made to that certain deed of trust made by Frederick E. Weiss and Judith A. Weiss, as grantors, to Alan E. South, Attorney at Law, South & Associates, as trustee, in favor of Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as designated nominee for Urban Financial Group, beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, as beneficiary, dated October 28, 2010, recorded November 3, 2010, in the records of Lane County, Oregon, under instrument No. 2010-055870, and subsequently assigned or transferred by operation of law to LLACG Community Investment Fund, covering the following described real property situated in the above-mentioned county and state: LOT 27, FIRST ADDITION TO GLENOAKS, AS PLATTED AND RECORDED IN BOOK 67, PAGE 21, LANE COUNTY, OREGON PLAT RECORDS, IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON. APN: 17-02-34-14-03811 Commonly known as: 611 66th Street, Springfield, OR 97478 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 re -

spect 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 PAYOFF: $305,885.12 Because of interest, late charges, and other charges that may vary from dayto-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 sums owing on the obligation 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 October 20, 2022, 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 September 10, 2024 at the hour of 10:00 A.M. (PST), as established by section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, Inside the main lobby of the Lane County Courthouse, 125 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 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 NPP at (916) 9390772 or www.nationwideposting. com. In construing this notice, the singular includes the plural, the word “grantor” includes any suc-

cessor 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

As required by

you are hereby notified that a

report

on your

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 CERTAIN PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEM UNDER ORS 86.782 AND POSSIBLY UNDER FEDERAL LAW. ATTACHED TO THIS NOTICE OF SALE, AND INCORPORATED HEREIN, IS A NOTICE TO TENANTS THAT SETS FORTH SOME OF THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO A TENANT OF THE SUBJECT REAL PROPERTY AND WHICH SETS FORTH CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE COMPLIED WITH BY ANY TENANT IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE AFFORDED PROTECTION, AS REQUIRED UNDER ORS 86.771. Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, you

are advised that Affinia Default Services, LLC may be deemed to be a debt collector and any information obtained may be used for that purpose. File No.: 22-00211OR Dated: 04/25/2024

Affinia Default Services, LLC By: /s/ Reina Rivas Name: Reina Rivas

Title: Foreclosure Processor Trustee’s Mailing Address: Affinia Default Services, LLC 320 120th Ave. NE, Suite B203 Bellevue, WA 98005

Phone Number: (503) 836-3799

Trustee’s Physical Address: Affinia Default Services, LLC 10151 SE Sunnyside Road, Suite 490 Clackamas, OR 97015 Email: inquiries@ affiniadefault.com NPP0459773 To: COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL 05/29/2024, 06/05/2024, 06/12/2024, 06/19/2024

PUBLIC NOTICE

TS No. OR07000251-23-1 APN 1554508 TO No 230537406-ORMSI TRUSTEE’S NOTICE OF SALE

Reference is made to that certain Trust Deed made by, BONNIE GAYLE BOOZE as Grantor to WESTERN TITLE & ESCROW COMPANY as Trustee, in favor of MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC. (“MERS”), as designated nominee for DIRECTORS MORTGAGE, Beneficiary of the security instrument, its successors and assigns, dated as of April 5, 2021 and recorded on April 9, 2021 as Instrument No. 2021-024581 of official records in the Office of the Recorder of Lane County, Oregon to-wit: APN: 1554508 LOT 43, EMER-

ALD ESTATES 3RD ADDITION, AS PLATTED AND RECORDED IN FILE 75, SLIDES 279 AND 280, LANE COUNTY OREGON PLAT RECORDS, IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON. Commonly known as: 3561 SUSSEX STREET, EUGENE, OR 97401 Both the Beneficiary, Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC, and the Trustee, Nathan F. Smith, Esq., OSB #120112, 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. The default for which the foreclosure is made is the Grantor’s failure to pay: Failed to pay the principal balance which became all due and payable based upon the move-out by all mortgagors from the property, ceasing to use the property as the principal residence, pursuant to paragraph 7 under the Note, and pursuant to paragraph 10 of the Deed of Trust. By this reason of said default the Beneficiary has declared all obligations secured by said Trust Deed immediately due and payable, said sums being the following, to-wit: The sum of $157,911.16 together with interest thereon from June 28, 2023 until paid; and all Trustee’s fees, foreclosure costs and any sums advanced by the Beneficiary pursuant to the terms of said Trust Deed. Wherefore, notice is hereby given that, the undersigned Trustee will on September 6, 2024 at the hour of 10:00 AM, Standard of Time, as established by Section 187.110, Oregon Revised Statues, inside the main lobby of the Lane County Courthouse, 125 E 8th Ave, Eugene, OR 97401 County of Lane, 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 or 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. 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. In construing this notice, the masculine gender includes the feminine and the neuter, the singular includes plural, the word “Grantor” includes any successor in interest to the Grantor

SPORTS

KYLE MCGOWEN JOHN GUNTHER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Cottage Grove High School’s track and field boys team finished sixth at the Class 4A state meet on Saturday, May 18, at Hayward Field in Eugene.

The Lions, who had won the Sky-Em League title a week earlier, scored 35 points, just seven points behind fourthplace finisher La Grande.

Cottage Grove had just one girl place, but placed second in her event, with Makya Alsup finishing second in javelin with a throw of 121-8.

Carter Bengtson, Hayes Valley and Eli Williams placed in two different events for Cottage Grove. Bengtson started the meet with a runner-up finish in the 3,000 meters, finishing just behind Newport’s Finn Collson in a new best 8 minutes, 37.77 seconds. Bengtson also was fourth in the 1,500 (4:06.03).

Valley, meanwhile, placed second in the 110 hurdles (15.16) and was seventh in the 300 hurdles (41.91). Micah Hanke was eighth in the 800 (2:02.44).

“Three second place finishes is pretty big,” Lions coach Ricky Knutson said. “Anytime you get kids finishing that high in those events that’s a pretty big deal. The sixth-place finish by the boys was a little bit of a bonus. I had us figured with 38 points for maybe eighth place, we ended up with 35 for sixth which was kind of crazy. There was a couple of disqualifications from relays from a couple of teams that helped us out there.”

Valley’s 300-meter teammate, Terran Stewart, was eighth in the event (46.07). Stewart has been running since middle school but this is his first season running hurdles. In the past he has participated in the 400-meter sprints

‘A pretty big deal’

Lions Boys’ take sixth under the bright lights of Hayward

but this year he caught on quickly with hurdles, finishing eighth at state.

“Terran Stewart wasn’t supposed to make the final in 300 hurdles, I think he was ranked 12th. So, he made the final and with one hurdle to go he was in fourth place and took a spill. It’s hard to look at that as a disappointment considering he wasn’t even supposed to be in that,” Knutson said. “He was still an eighth place finish with all state recognition for a guy who wasn’t even supposed to be there is a pretty cool thing. It would have been nice if the spill wouldn’t have happened but you kind of find the silver lining there.”

Eli Williams was fourth in both the shot put (4910) and discus (150-3)

for the Lions. Williams, who has had a great career with the Cottage Grove is the lone Lion who placed that won’t return next season (graduation).

Cottage Grove will have to find a way to replace his production. The last three years the Cottage Grove boys’ team has finished at least in the top six at the state meet. The Lions boys’ will have a lot fire power returning next season and Knutson shared some of his goals for next spring.

“For the guys, I hate to be outcome based but obviously defending a district title, but we need to reestablish where that bar is set each year,” Knutson said. “Leaving the state meet with a sixth place finish after finishing the

last two years third and fifth, I feel like we are on the cusp. I feel like there are things we can clean up. When you get to the state meet you are splitting hairs, it’s a different level for sure. We were one or two guys short of a trophy. I think there are some kids who are on the verge of being able to help us next year, we just need to close the deal at the district meet and get back.” Knutson also has big dreams about continuing to build the Cottage Grove girl’s program.

“I really want to see what we can do to continue to build our girls’

program. We need to get the numbers up a little bit more. There is a wave of girls coming up from the middle school, that could be pretty helpful. The girl’s we had out [this season] worked really hard and they did a great job but I feel like we can do better for them. That’s really going to be a priority. We need to have that girl’s program up where the guys are,” Knutson said.

Follow local sports and recreation events online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.

John Gunther / The Sentinel

Makya Alsup placed second in the javelin for the Lions at the state meet.

John Gunther / The Sentinel

Eli Williams placed fourth in both the shot put and discus for Cottage Grove.

John Gunther / The Sentinel

Carter Bengtson led the 3,000 meters until the final lap, ultimately placing second with a new personal best. He also was fourth in the 1,500.