CGS65

Finding Cottage Grove’s homelessness strategy

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

The Cottage Grove City Council is taking significant steps in developing a new strategy to better manage the homeless population. The latest efforts emerged during the council’s public session May 28.

HOMELESS STRATEGY

On Saturday, May 18, the mayor, city

councilors, city staff and representatives of St. Vincent de Paul met for six hours and received information on three years of city expenditures that created the Highway 99 Shelter, managed by the Eugene nonprofit organization Carry It Forward, and the two unmanaged overflow camps.

Attorney Carrie Conley reviewed the city’s efforts to comply with state and federal laws regarding when and where un-housed

individuals can camp on publicly-owned land and provided an update on expected higher court rulings that will impact any future management strategy.

St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) provided an overview of how they contract with the city of Eugene to manage the homeless population there. Public Works and Development Director Faye Stewart presented a plan to close all three camps and create a low-

barrier camp, between the ODOT Connector Overpass and the wastewater treatment pond, which satisfies the city’s legal obligations and have SVDP staff use its resources and expertise to operate it.

There was much discussion that filled a whiteboard with the councilors’ “pain-points” on lessons learned and how to move forward but no action was taken at the work session.

At the May 28 meeting,

the council directed City Manager Mike Sauerwein to continue collaborations with SVDP to advance Stewart’s “Connector Camp” proposal and to include opportunities for public involvement in developing a new strategy.

BOHEMIA PARK ENTRY PLAZA PROJECT

In other action, the council awarded Pacific Excavation the $1.3M contract to construct the

Bohemia Park Expansion Entry Plaza Project. The project involves the construction of new park amenities that include installation of a water tank as a water feature, a splash play area, a public restroom, walkways, a playground, and landscape features at the north of the undeveloped portion of the park.

The project is funded by grants from the Economic Development

All Aboard!

f you were a resident or visitor to Cottage Grove in the ’70s or ’80s, it is hardly possible that you were not touched by “The Goose.”

The No. 19 Baldwin Steam Locomotive, built in 1915, operated in Cottage Grove as an excursion train during the summer months starting in 1971 and delighted both visitors and participants of the annual Bohemia Mining Days until its closure in 1988. With its plume of steam and puffing power, the Goose was an iconic part of the community as it wound its way

Train Mural Fundraiser 6-7:30 p.m. June 8 Coast Fork Brewing  106 S. Sixth St. Cottage Grove

Elderly fraud increasing in Oregon

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

“Combatting the financial exploitation of those over 60 years of age continues to be a priority of the FBI,” FBI Assistant Director Michael D. Nordwall wrote in the report. “Along with our partners, we continually Here is what you need to know about the impact on local seniors

Internet scams targeting elderly Oregonians are increasing. The latest Federal Bureau of investigation report shows that segment of the population lost $44 million to the scammers in 2023. THE FBI REPORT

Elder fraud complaints to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (or IC3) increased by 14 percent in 2023, and associated losses increased by about 11 percent, according to IC3’s 2023 Elder Fraud Report, released April 30.

The annual publication provides statistics about incidents of elder fraud — or fraud that explicitly targets older Americans’ money or cryptocurrency — that are reported to IC3. The report aims to raise the public’s awareness of this issue and to prevent future and repeat incidents.

See SCAMS on Page 6

Bohemia

The Cottage Grove Mural Committee, led by Chairperson Debra Monsive, is a semi-independent group of volunteers who work both to create new

Courtesy photo

No. 19 Baldwin Steam Locomotive, The Goose, moves down the track. The Cottage Grove Mural Committee set to host fun filled Goose Train Mural fundraiser on June 8

Courtesy graphic from the FBI This infographic shows how many complaints the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received about different types of elder fraud in 2023.

Cottage Grove Police may soon see $500,000

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Cottage Grove Police may soon have $500,000 for community police and other projects in Lane County could receive $3 million under U.S. Representative Val Hoyle selected community projects for funding in 2025.

“These 15 projects reflect the priorities of local communities who know their needs best,” Hoyle said. “If funded, these projects will support the construction of affordable housing, promote workforce development, advance public safety and more.”

Each House Member was allowed to submit 15 community projects to be considered for federal funding on behalf of their congressional district to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

The committee will now begin the work to consider what projects to include in future appropriations bills. The projects

MAY 20

the congresswoman selected had strong community support.

The following are Hoyle’s selected projects for Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District in Fiscal Year 2025:

LANE COUNTY

• Cottage Grove Community Policing Project - Cottage Grove, OR - $500,000

• Lane County Rural Fire Radio Network Resilience Project - Lane County, OR - $1,500,000

• Siuslaw River Slope Stabilization Project - Florence, OR - $800,000

• Springfield Police Emergency Response Equipment - Springfield, OR$1,000,000

BENTON COUNTY

• Corvallis Backup 9-1-1 CenterCorvallis, OR - $1,980,000

00:33: Agency assist, 2200 block Hwy 99

08:25: Theft, 2400 block E. Whiteaker Ave.

08:39: Criminal mischief, 1700 block Hwy 99

09:00: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

09:38: Child abuse, 700 block 10th St.

10:16: Alarm, 2000 block E. Madison Ave.

10:31: Found dog, 800 block Johnson Ave.

11:35: Stolen vehicle, 1800 block E. Main St.

14:57: Welfare check, 900 block Johnson Ave.

16:43: Disorderly subject, 2700 block Bennett Creek Rd.

17:59: Disturbance, 700 block E. Main St.

18:17: Warrant service, 500 block S. 3rd St.

20:38: Fire, 700 block S. 2nd St.

22:14: Shots fired, 1100 block Pennoyer Ave.

23:37: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block S. 10th St

May 21

01:00: Welfare check, 1500 block Village Dr.

02:26: Nuisance, 400 block N. Douglas St.

03:08: Business check, 800 block Gateway Blvd.

09:22: Welfare check, 700 block N. River Rd,

10:47: Warrant service, 1400 block N. Douglas St.

11:49: Business check, 1500 block Main St.

12:18: Child abuse, 200 block N. 12th St.

12:48: Business check, 1500 block E. Main St.

12:57: Child abuse, 1100 block S. 11th St.

13:51: Criminal mischief, 300 block S. 10th St.

14:00: Welfare check, 1600 block Bryant Ave.

14:16: Fire, 78000 block Pitcher Ln.

14:55: Welfare check, 400 block S. 10th St.

15:53: Welfare check, 100 block S. 7th St.

16:19: Suspicious condition, N. Lane/Pennoyer Ave.

18:54: Suspicious condition, 200 block Quincy Ave.

21:10: Stolen vehicle, 600 block S. 10th St.

23:03: Suspicious condition, 900 block Row River Rd.

MAY 22

00:22: Nuisance, 200 block Cherry Ct.

08:01: Barking dog, 9th/Cooper

09:02: Business check, 900 block Row River Rd.

09:52: Harassment, 400 block Main St.

10:39: Warrant service, 1200 block E. Main St.

11:17: Assault, 1500 block S. 4th St.

12:18: Found dog, 500 block N. 9th St.

12:23: Abandoned vehicle, 400 block N. Douglas St.

13:11: Found property, Gateway/Row Rive Rd.

13:13: Suspicious condition, 1000 block N. 11th St.

13:22: Fraud, 400 block N. Douglas St.

13:44: Burglary, 1200 block Birch Ave.

16:33: Fraud, 600 block E. Jefferson Ave.

17:16: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.

17:22: Welfare check, 900 block Row River Rd.

18:33: Business check, 1700 block E. Main St.

19:02: Found dog, 1400 block Daugherty Ave.

22:22: Barking dog, 400 block N. Douglas St.

22:34: Mental, 1600 block E. Main St.

23:32: Theft, 600 block S. 5th St. MAY 23

00:11: Assault, 100 block S. 21st. St.

• Workforce and Middle-income Housing Infrastructure SupportPhilomath, OR - $1,900,000

COOS COUNTY

• Charleston Shipyard Capacity Enhancement Project - Coos Bay, OR$1,500,000

CURRY COUNTY

• Rogue Siskiyou Regional Wildfire Training Center Construction – Gold Beach, OR - $2,000,000

• Port of Port Orford Affordable Workforce Housing - Port Orford, OR$1,500,000

DOUGLAS COUNTY

• Emergency Communications Radio Tower for Rural Community Coverage –Roseburg, OR - $1,450,000

POLICE BLOTTER

00:30: Citizen assist, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.

08:37: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99

08:42: Business check, 1200 block E. Main St.

09:04: Abandoned vehicle, 1500 block Edison Ave.

09:17: Trespass, 900 block Row River Rd.

09:34: Dog at large, W. Harrison/Blue Sky Dr.

09:35: Abandoned vehicle, S. 7th/Adams

09:53: Dog at large, 500 block N. Douglas St.

10:01: Found property, 400 block N. 14th St.

10:29: Dog at large, 500 block S. 13th St.

10:45: Suspicious condition, Hwy 99/ Chamberlain

11:05: Dog at large, 200 block N. 12th St.

11:40: Welfare check, 1600 block E. Main St.

11:46: Agency assist, 1500 block E. Main St.

12:13: Disturbance, 79000 block Hwy 99

12:47: Dog at large, 1000 block E. Jefferson Ave.

12:54: Trespass, 1400 block Gateway Blvd.

13:42: Theft, 1500 block E. Main St.

14:58: Hit and run, 1800 block N. Douglas St.

15:22: Fire, 500 block Boardwalk Pl.

16:55: Welfare check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

17:00: Fire, 900 block Row River Rd.

18:20: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

18:30: Assault, 400 block N. Douglas St.

19:15: Suspicious vehicle, 400 block E. Main St.

20:03: Illegal parking, 1200 block Vincent Pl.

20:53: Juvenile mischief, 6th/Taylor

22:32: Order violation, 700 block N. 11th St.

MAY 24

00:22: Citizen assist, 1700 block Hwy 99

01:08: Animal info, 1600 block Pritchett Pl.

05:32: Abandoned vehicle, 300 block N. Douglas St.

08:21: Found dog, 8th/Wilson

09:07: Business check, 600 block Row River Rd.

10:35: Illegal camping, 100 block S. River Rd.

13:02: Missing person, 500 block Grant Ave.

13:06: Welfare check, 300 block Quincy Ave.

13:12: Suspicious condition, 16th/Main

13:15: Missing person, 1000 block W. Main St.

14:14: Fraud, 400 block S. 16th St.

15:10: Disorderly subject, 4th/99

15:28: Disorderly subject, 100 block Sweet Ln.

15:32: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

15:52: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

16:15: Business check, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.

17:30: Welfare check, 500 block Taylor Ave.

20:10: Harassment, 300 block Hwy 99

20:40: Disorderly subject, Lane/Villard

20:42: Warrant service, 1300 block E. Main St.

23:40: Welfare check, 1600 block Gateway Blvd. MAY 25

02:52: Disturbance, London Rd/Shortridge Hill

06:22: Disorderly subject, 100 block S. 10th St. 09:59: Theft, 1000 block S. 2nd St.

14:23: Trespass, 700 block Shields Ln.

15:26: Nuisance, 1300 block E. Main St.

16:10: Suspicious condition, Main/7th

16:25: Attempt to locate, 3rd/Quincy

16:28: Business check, 800 block E. Main St.

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

• UCC Affordable Housing for Rural Workforce Training Students - Roseburg, OR - $4,000,000

LINCOLN COUNTY

• Siletz Fire District - Fire Station and Emergency Shelter - Siletz OR$1,350,000

• OCCC Maritime Welding Workforce and Training Facility - Newport, OR$2,991,750

• Central Oregon Coast Rural Public Safety Assistance – Waldport, OR$3,000,000

• Newport Critical Wastewater Improvements - Newport, OR- $3,000,000

For more information, and to view Congresswoman Hoyle’s project selection financial disclosure and transparency statements, visit: https://hoyle.house.gov/ community-project-funding-requests-2025

18:11: Disorderly juvenile, 1700 block Parks Rd.

19:37: Welfare check, 1100 block E. Van Buren Ave.

19:56: Disorderly juveniles, 100 block S. 22nd St.

22:07: Alarm, 2000 block Getty Circle

22:47: Suspicious condition, 400 block S. 1st St. May 26

00:07: Disorderly juveniles, 900 block Row River Rd.

00:30: Disturbance, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

04:41: Suspicious vehicle, 200 block Grant Ave.

05:52: Disturbance, 32000 block Latham Rd.

12:18: Theft, 1200 block Hwy 99

12:24: Found dog, 1300 block Girard Ave.

14:41: Info, 1500 block E. Main St.

15:12: Wanted subject, 1200 block Hwy 99

15:43: Property, 1300 block S. River Rd.

15:59: Civil, 600 block S. 12th St.

17:33: Assault, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

18:14: Person stop, 400 block N. 14th St.

20:14: City ordinance, 1400 block N. Douglas St. 20:59: Juvenile, 700 block N. 16th St.

21:13: Dog at large, 1300 block E. Main St. 21:44: Disturbance, Hwy 99/Row River

LIFESTYLES

LIFE IN COTTAGE GROVE

Residents honor America’s veterans

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

It was a poignant Memorial Day ceremony at the Cottage Grove Armory on May 27.

The annual community observance honored men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service and respectfully acknowledged the local veterans who died since last Memorial Day.

The Monday morning gathering was an intergenerational one. American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars post members and two troops of local Scouts were joined by approximately 50 friends, relatives and patriotic citizens who participated in the ceremony.

The Master of

Ceremonies, Army Capt. Eric Haan, welcomed the crowd. Eugene bagpiper Marco Caturegli led two columns of Scouts from the American Legionsponsored Troops 140 and 4140 to post the colors of the American and Oregon flags at each end of the stage. Youthful soprano Cyra Conforth sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem that was followed by Chaplain Bryan Ducker’s heartfelt prayer.

Just below the podium, a table was symbolically set to honor and remember prisoners of war and those missing-in-action and Capt. Haan read the solemn significance of each item on the table.

Cindy Weeldreyre / The Sentinel

Eugene Bagpiper Marco Caturegli and members of the American Legion-sponsored Scout Troops 140 and 4140 lead the procession from the Armory to the nearby Veterans Memorial Park.

The most emotional moment of the ceremony was reading the names of the 72 local veterans who died in the last year.

As Patti Hunt read each name on the list, Stephanie Rogers placed a red rose in a vase, and Mike Flint rang a bell in honor of each person.

Keynote Speaker Patrick Taylor, a Marine Corps

veteran and a familiar face at his family’s business, Taylor’s Towing, offered a moving message.

He read WWII Veteran Howard Schnauber’s “My Name is Old Glory”, an inspiring poem penned in first-person style. In the poem the “flag” recounts

its long history as a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours. Militarily, it flew over specific battles spanning 200+ years, was torn and used as a bandage on a battlefield, flown at half mast to honor the loss of human lives and laid in the arms of a grieving parent at the grave of their fallen son or daughter. The flag describes its domestic duties flying atop the world’s tallest buildings, public institutions and from the surface of the moon.

Referring to acts of desecration it reads, “I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible. I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those

with whom I have served in battle - it hurts. But I shall overcome - for I am strong.”

Taylor encouraged attendees to watch the 2009 movie, “Taking Chance”, starring Kevin Bacon. It is a true story of a Marine accompanying the remains of a 21-yearold Marine, killed in the Iraq War, from Dover Air Force Base to his hometown of Dubois, Wyo. and attending the fallen soldiers funeral and memorial service in 2004.

“Watching this movie is part of my Memorial Day tradition,” Taylor said. “For me, it brings this whole day full circle.”

He noted members of his family who served and how the memory of their lives and personal sacrifice will never forgotten.

New Valley Fitness gym is a family affair

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

The familiar Village Shopping Center on Highway 99, built in the early 1960s, was the first significant retail development beyond the downtown area.

Brothers Scott and Jackson Hoyt are Eugene residents hard at work renovating a long vacant portion of the center. With a planned opening in early June, their joint business venture offers South Lane County residents another affordable opportunity to improve their health and well-being.

The Village Center now sports the colorful Valley Fitness sign heralding the soon-to-be open gym featuring new equipment, a variety of exercise classes and 24-hour access. A bowling alley

and Emporium store were the most recent previous tenants in that location.

“Our dad bought our first gym from a tenant of his six years ago and learned, hands on, how to run a successful gym,” Jackson said. “Our older brother looked at the business model and, a year later, decided to open his gym in Arizona. Our sister saw what they were doing and opened her gym in Utah. Both of them, as well as our Dad, are always looking for additional locations.”

Scott and Jackson are athletes who grew up in Eugene and are familiar with Cottage Grove. The Sheldon High School grads participated in their school’s soccer and wrestling programs and competed in athletic competitions hosted at Cottage Grove High School. Scott graduated in 2006 and Jackson in 2010.

“We grew up in Oregon. My brothers and I wrestled all four years of high school, so we understand what it takes to stay fit,” Scott said. “We currently play soccer every week, a bit of pickleball, golf when we have time, and enjoy staying healthy. We think that everyone should be able to afford a top quality fitness center.”

The Hoyts are a business-oriented family. Their father, Jeff, is selfemployed and raised his children with a strong work ethic. He encouraged them to follow in his footsteps by finding something they enjoy and earning a living from it.

Today, they are both successful business owners. Scott is a contractor and owns Fabulous Floors, which specializes in hardwood floors. Jackson operates Bing King food carts in Eugene that serve the Chinese street food he discovered during the two years he lived in China.

“We chose Cottage Grove because it fits the criteria we like for locating gyms,” Scott said. “We only open in smaller markets where the large deep discounters cannot

operate profitably. Cottage Grove is near where we currently live, and has the reputation of being more friendly to business than some Oregon cities.”

To keep remodeling costs down, Scott uses his experience as a contractor and puts in 12-hour days at the work site and then more hours at home ordering needed materials. Jackson staffs his Eugene food carts so he can spend most days in Cottage Grove with his brother, and other visiting family members, to renovate the cavernous 12,500 square-foot space.

Valley Fitness contracts with Matrix, the same company that supplies equipment to larger gyms such as Planet Fitness, to offer a well-rounded variety of strength equipment, pinload machines, a functional fitness area, as well as a lineup of cardio machines.

The facility will also have dressing rooms, lockers, tanning, and a variety of classes.

The Hoyts say they will offer a no-contract $25 monthly membership, which will be available for

a limited time, and honored as long as the membership is continuously maintained. After that introductory price expires, they will charge a slightly higher fee that has not yet been determined.

Currently, the family’s gyms participate in the United Healthcare Renew Active Program. Some insurance programs allow for the consumer to use debit cards to buy gym memberships that are also honored. They say they are always willing to work with health insurers and employers to accommodate their health and wellness programs.

Scott said, “We are an independent, family-owned operation. Because we are independent, we can work with our members to meet their individual needs. We are open 24/7. We require no long term commitments, as has been common in the gym industry.”

“We are very excited to be a part of the Cottage Grove community and have already met many great people here,” Jackson added.

Cindy Weeldreyer / The Sentinel Eugene brothers Scott and Jackson Hoyt are eager to open the doors of their gym in early June.

Donna Dick

Donna L. Dick, 88, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, passed away on May 21, 2024. Arrangements in the care of Smith-LundMills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.

David Wayne Donahue

David Wayne Donahue, 68, of Eugene, Oregon passed away on May 02, 2024. Arrangements in the care of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium & Cemetery.

Why Pre-Plan?

Pre-Planning makes matters easier for those you love.

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 life data.

NEWS & VIEWS

IN THE GARDEN

Straw bale gardens work

CHIP BUBL Sentinel Guest Column

A lack of space needn’t keep you from a bounty of fresh produce if you turn to straw bales for planting edible gardens.

Chip Bubl

Straw bales take up little space and produce almost anything you can grow in an in-ground garden, according to Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist Brooke Edmunds.

The rectangular straw bales bring gardening up to a more manageable height for people with disabilities. And if your soil is impossibly compacted clay, straw bales come to the rescue by providing an organic raised bed without the materials, labor and permanence of built ones.

Before heading out to feed and seed stores, where you’re most likely to find straw bales for sale, make sure that what you buy is straw rather than hay. Hay has an abundance of seeds that will sprout into weeds, Edmunds said. Even when buying straw bales, it’s a good idea to find out if it is weed-free.

When you get straw bales home, locate them where they’ll stay — the bales get quite heavy once watered. For most vegetables, a full-sun spot is required, though lettuces, greens, cilantro, dill and parsley will appreciate light shade during the heat of summer. If you don’t have areas of light shade available, place the plants on the north side of taller plants that will provide protection from the sun.

It’s optional, but once you get the bale moved to an appropriate spot, you might want to use stakes or rebar stuck into the ground around the outside to keep it stable. The straw bales come wrapped in wire, which will also help keep the bale from slumping into a pile of compost.

“Don’t plant into fresh bales because it gets hot. Eventually you’ll have the beginnings of a compost pile.”

It takes 10 days to two weeks to “condition” the bale. First, saturate with water until it runs out of the bottom. Sprinkle the top with about a cup of high-nitrogen fertilizer like conventional lawn fertilizer or blood meal, and water it in. Look for the three letters and numbers on the label: The first is N for nitrogen. Look for a fertilizer that

has a higher number for N than for the two other letters, P for phosphorus and K for potassium.

When the inside of the bale has cooled down to about the same as the ambient temperature, it’s ready to for planting, Edmunds said. To determine the temperature, stick a soil thermometer into the center of the bale. Or, use your hand to see if it has cooled sufficiently. Don’t get impatient or plants will burn in the hot bale.

Cover the top with 2 to 4 inches of soil. Use bags of garden soil rather than potting mix. Water tends to run off potting soil, which also doesn’t hold as much moisture as garden soil.

Either seeds or seedlings can be planted in a straw bale garden. Good choices for seeds are cucumbers, beans on a trellis, smaller squash and melons, and annual herbs. Use starts for plants like greens, lettuces, peppers and eggplants. Tomatoes will work, too. Determinate (ripen at once) are best because they stay smaller than indeterminate varieties. For fruit, strawberries are a good option.

Trickier to grow are root crops like carrots, beets or potatoes, and tall ones like corn, which will fall over. To grow these crops, consider using two straw bales stacked one on top of the other.

To plant seedlings, dig out a little space, put the plant in, add some soil and tamp it down. For seeds, plant the same as you would in the garden, about 2 to 4 inches deep depending on the vegetable. Don’t over plant; you don’t want your small garden to be crowded, which can lead to diseases. Be sure to water after planting. Check the bale every day to see if it needs water. During the dry summer period, it will most likely have to be watered once a day as you would container plants. Using a soaker hose or drip system makes life easier, but isn’t necessary. Fertilize as you would container-grown plants using an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer — organic or otherwise. Up the rate when you’re watering more frequently during hot spells as the fertilizer will leach out quicker. Straw bale gardens are susceptible to the same pests and diseases any garden, but slugs are particularly problematic. Keep an eye out.

The OSU Extension Service in Lane County may be reached at 541344-5859.

Air travel ID deadline is a year away

AMY JOYCE Sentinel Guest Column

For air travel within the U.S., most people use their state driver license or ID card to get through airport security. They also can use a passport as they would for an international flight. But starting May 7 next year, your standard Oregon driver license or ID card will no longer get you on a domestic flight. You will need to show a Real ID-compliant state license or ID card, or a passport or passport card. With just one year left to prepare, Oregon’s DMV is asking you to get informed and make a plan.

Since Oregon’s Real ID option became available in July 2020, about a quarter of the 3.7 million Oregon license and ID card holders have chosen it over the standard card. The average

across the U.S. is better, but not great: about 50%.

Not everyone needs Real ID. But our concern for Oregonians is the unknowable numbers of people who will need new ID to board a plane, but don’t realize it. Airports across the country expect that infrequent travelers will learn about Real ID next year when they arrive at airport security. The TSA has an alternate security process for people who don’t have the right ID, but it takes longer. And if the TSA sees the expected surge in people needing that process, it could take so much longer that many people will miss their flights.

As the May 7, 2025, deadline approaches, DMVs across the country will be overwhelmed with applicants for Real ID driver licenses – at a time of chronic staff shortages nationwide. And the State Department will be overwhelmed with applications for passports.

If that’s not enough

reason to act now, consider this: What if you need additional documents to apply for Real ID or a passport? You may need to order a certified birth certificate from the state where you were born in order to apply for a Real ID card or passport. State agencies that issue birth certificates may also be overwhelmed, adding weeks more to your application processes. And once you get to DMV and conclude your transaction, it will be about two weeks before the card arrives in the mail.

In other words, if you book a flight next year a couple weeks ahead and don’t have the necessary ID, you won’t have enough time to get that ID.

The good news is that the 2024 Legislature authorized DMV to hire 26 staff to work in field offices exclusively for Real ID transactions. In a few months we’ll have them hired and trained, and we’ll be opening many more appointment slots to accommodate customers’ needs.

Don’t get grounded for months by waiting too long, even if there is only a small chance you’ll travel by air. If your Oregon driver license or ID card is expiring, get the Real ID option when you renew. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. You can also replace your card – and add the Real ID option –anytime.

Do you have friends or family members who don’t read the news and may not have heard of the Real ID Act? Please urge them to get ready too. Whether renewing or replacing, you must apply in person to qualify for Real ID. You cannot do it online. You also must bring more documents than for a standard license renewal. Find out what you need to bring to DMV with our online tool here today.

Amy Joyce has been the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Administrator since November 2020.

OHA issues raw milk advisory

STAFF REPORT

Cottage Grove Sentinel

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued an advisory of the risks associated with raw (unpasteurized) milk consumption amid the current H5N1 “bird flu” outbreak in dairy cattle.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently tested 297 retail milk samples from 38 states for H5N1 virus. About 20% of these samples tested positive for H5N1 viral fragments, but none contained live infectious virus because the H5N1 virus had been killed through pasteurization.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there are 49 dairy cattle H5N1 outbreaks across nine states. No outbreaks have occurred in Oregon, but H5N1 is believed to be more widespread than current testing suggests.

“We know that if H5N1 is present in the milk of infected dairy cattle, it will be killed by pasteurization,” OHA State Epidemiologist and State Health Officer

Dean Sidelinger sid. “Drinking raw milk carries many health risks, and those risks may now include H5N1 infection.”

The OHA said pasteurized milk is extremely safe and has undergone a heating process that kills disease-causing bacteria and viruses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who consume unpasteurized milk are at risk for a variety of illnesses such as E. coli and Salmonella. Only pasteurized milk is sold in stores and provided to children in school lunches.

Raw milk that someone consumes from the same farm over a duration of time may not always be safe.

The OHA said raw milk can get contaminated in many ways. While good safety practices can reduce the chance of germs getting in raw milk, they cannot eliminate all risk.

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is offering free testing for H5N1 to dairy farms of any size in Oregon.

For additional information

Metro Creative Connection

Drinking raw milk carries many health risks, and those risks may now include H5N1 infection, according to the OHA.

regarding this new no-cost testing program, visit: https:// www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/ AnimalHealthFeedsLivestockID/ AHLicensing/Pages/ApprovedBovine-HPAI-Sampler.aspx.

AMY JOYCE

portraying aspects of local history and culture, and to restore and maintain existing murals created in years past.

CAPTURING THE THRILL

The Goose mural project attempts to capture the thrill and excitement so many local folks experienced from not just riding the rails, but also

from Page 1

work to aid victims and to identify and investigate the individuals and criminal organizations that perpetrate these schemes and target the elderly.”

And elder fraud is probably a more insidious threat than the report shows. Many of these crimes likely go unreported, and, as the report states, only about half of the fraud scam complaints submitted to IC3 in 2023 included victims’ ages.

Here are key takeaways from the 2023 report:

• Elder fraud is an expensive crime. Scams targeting individuals aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 — an increase of approximately 11 percent from the year prior. The average victim of elder fraud lost $33,915 due to these crimes in 2023.

• Older Americans seem to be disproportionately impacted by scams and fraud. More than 101,000 victims aged 60 and over reported this kind of crime to IC3 in 2023. On the flip

COUNCIL from Page 1

Administration and Oregon State Parks. Some features of the original design were removed or changed to keep the project within the money available from the two grants. The Bohemia Park Foundation will seek additional funds to construct the water tower feature with a community reader board.

“STATE OF THE TREES” ADDRESS

City Engineer Eric Mongan presented the Urban Forestry Citizens Advisory Committee’s annual report to the council. Since the committee’s establishment in 1994, this year the national Arbor Day Foundation presented Cottage Grove with its 30th Tree City

seeing the Goose in action and hearing it chugging along, whistle and bell sounding out a warning. Many visitors as well came to town for a chance to ride the steam locomotive and to visit the Train Museum that existed at the depot at the former Village Green resort. In searching for an appropriate space for the mural Bohemia Park kept calling to the committee members. The current

side, victims under the age of 20 years old seemed to be the least-impacted demographic, with about 18,000 victims in this demographic reporting suspected scams or frauds to IC3 last year.

• Tech support scams were the most widely reported kind of elder fraud in 2023. Nearly 18,000 victims aged 60 and over reported such scams to IC3. Personal data breaches, confidence and romance scams, non-payment or non-delivery scams, and investment scams rounded out the top five most common types of elder fraud reported to IC3 last year.

• Investment scams were the costliest kind of elder fraud in 2023. These schemes cost victims more than $1.2 billion in losses last year. And tech support scams, business email compromise scams, confidence and romance scams, government impersonation scams, and personal data breaches all respectively cost victims hundreds of millions of dollars in 2023.

• Scammers are

USA Award and its seventh Growth Award, for exceeding the Tree City requirements. The report praised City Arborist Chris Senters for working with city staff and contracted tree trimmers to make the urban forest more resilient in the future. He noted the passion and enthusiasm of the committee’s members and they planted three dogwood trees near Fifth Street and Monroe Avenue. The Adopted Park Management Plan will guide decisions on replacing trees in Coiner Park that were heavily damaged in the January ice storm.

COUNCILOR COMMENTS AND CONERNS

Several councilors

park was at one time the rail yard for the O.P. & E. Railway, the entity which operated the train. The mural will join the replica of the historic water tower, art displays, and a splash pad. The Goose mural will be visible from 10th and Main streets.

The mural design was created by Heather Endicott, a rising local artist who has already contributed designs for the heritage banners that hang

coming for people’s cryptocurrency. More than 12,000 victims aged 60 and over indicated that cryptocurrency was a medium or tool used to facilitate the scam or fraud that targeted them when reporting it to IC3.

LOCAL IMPACT

The Sentinel reached out to Lane County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tim Wallace to find out the local impact of elderly fraud.

The Sentinel: What have been the most significant elderly fraud cases seen by your agency over the past few years?

Wallace: We have had many cases of elderly fraud involving significant amounts of money over the years. Some have originated from strangers or scammers, while some are relatives or people known to the victims. A recent notable case is the telephonic bitcoin scam highlighted on our social media on March 4th.

The Sentinel: Why are the elderly targeted?

Wallace: This question might be better answered

expressed a desire to have additional work sessions on specific topics such as public safety.

Concerns were expressed with the proposed 202425 budget that required a $1M reduction to balance by June 30. Those who spoke agreed with the city manager’s strategy to look for creative solutions to retain services and reduce expenditures.

PRIDE MONTH PROCLAMATION LANGUAGE DISAGREEMENT

At a previous meeting, councilor Chalice Savage received support from a majority of the council

around town, the Autumn Celebration posters, the label designs and artwork for the Covered Bridge Brewery, as well as numerous personal pieces.

COMMUNITY

ENGAGEMENT

A fund raising benefit is planned for Thursday, June 8 from 6 to 7:30 pm. at Coast Fork Brewing, 106 S. Sixth Street in Cottage Grove.

by Adult Protective Services. From my experience, the elderly are often targeted due to their lack of experience or proficiency with technology and ongoing scams.

The Sentinel: Are rural areas, such as Cottage Grove, targeted more frequently? If so, why?

Wallace: Phone scams are a county-wide problem, and I have heard the same issues occurring in other counties. Scammers rely on someone answering the phone and not recognizing it is a scam, and we receive reports from all areas of the county.

The Sentinel: Is it difficult to find and arrest the suspects involved, and if so, why?

Wallace: Scams are very difficult to investigate. They are often calling from out of state, using apps that spoof their phone number, and provide no real information about who they really are. They often rely on bitcoin or other untraceable means of payment. The US Government investigates these types of scams, and

to have staff write a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month for members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The item was originally placed on the consent calendar. At Councilor Greg Ervin’s request, it was removed to allow it to be discussed.

Ervin and Mayor Candace Solesbee said they believed city proclamations should be “city-centric” on subjects that benefit all people, such as public safety issues and recognizing community heroes. Solesbee noted the council has not issued a gay pride proclamation in the past.

While some of the

Martin Hansen, who is a leading west coast expert on the history of steam engines, will be speaking and presenting his knowledge and a massive collection of memorabilia, including photographs and ephemera of the steam train days. Hansen is familiar with the former owner of No. 19, Willis Kyle, and practices law for a number of railroad interests. During the fundraiser

can be contacted at https:// www.ic3.gov.

The Sentinel: What recommendations can the LCSO provide to help keep local senior citizens aware of the fraud dangers?

Wallace: Education is key. LCSO and our partner agencies, as well as the news media, constantly produce news stories, PSAs, and social media content. Despite that effort, we often have people who are nearly victimized by a scammer, or even worse do lose money to a scam.

Community organizations, friends, and relatives should reach out to their loved ones and make sure they are aware of these scams, and encourage them to contact law enforcement if they are unsure a call is legitimate.

• We will NEVER ask for money by phone, text, or email.

• We will NEVER call you about missed jury duty.

Our community continues to be targeted by phone scammers identifying themselves as employees of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, typically claiming to be

wording recognized the Constitutional rights of protection for all citizens, not all citizens would be comfortable with city officials telling them to “celebrate” a lifestyle that conflicted with their traditional values and beliefs.

A miscommunication between Savage and Solesbee resulted in the mayor stating she felt blindsided that its content was written and pushed through without her input and placed on the consent agenda. Savage said she did make an effort to work with the mayor and city manager to create the proclamation.

In addressing the nature

there will be raffles for Goose hats, t-shirts, framed posters, a Gandy spike driving sledgehammer, and the concept drawing by Endicott. Another feature will be a “Blue Goose” I.P.A. crafted by Coast Fork Brewer, Stephen Mathys. A short film of the Goose in action will be played along with numerous photographs on a slide show. For more information, call 541-942-7037.

sergeants. Scammers have in the past also used text and email.

The scammers claim there are warrants, missed jury duty, or unsettled legal issues. The scammers then ask for payment or personal information, often to avoid arrest. In some instances, the scammers appear to call from official phone numbers or provide fraudulent callback numbers with official-sounding voicemail inboxes. They often have some personal information based on the phone number they called.

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be a Lane County Sheriff’s Office employee and you think you are being scammed, hang up and contact our dispatch center at 541-682-4150 opt. 1.

Those who may have been a victim of elder fraud can contact the local FBI field office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. If the fraud was internetfacilitated, you can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

of city proclamations Savage said, “I do believe this proclamation can be utilized as a way for the city to recognize some amazing folks in our community and tell them we see you, we hear you and we support all of our citizens.”

“I don’t believe government should be weighing in on people’s sexuality,” Solesbee said before delegating to Savage the reading of the proclamation into the public record.

Follow development online at the cgsentinel. com and in the Wednesday print editions of The sentinel.

chat. ARE YOU AND YOUR PETS PREPARED? *Prepare your trailer with emergency gear, 10 days of food, water, two buckets, medicines, and stress relief formula. *Practice goat loading before an emergency, use a labeled leather harness with a minimum 10 ft. lead, and have a route planned or considered. *Label hooves and horns with your goats name, owner name, and contact info with a permanent in marker.

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SCAM

1. TELEVISION: What subject does Walter White teach at the beginning of "Breaking Bad"?

2. GEOGRAPHY: Which three countries make up the Baltic states in Europe?

3. MUSIC: What is the title of The Beatles' first album?

4. LITERATURE: Prince Edward Island is the inspiration for which novel series?

5. HISTORY: Which Roman emperor built a wall across northern England to deter invaders?

6. MOVIES: Which movie first featured the character Lisbeth Salander?

7. ASTRONOMY: The asteroid belt lies between which two planets in our solar system?

8. U.S. STATES: Which state's coast was dubbed the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" because so many ships wrecked there?

9. FOOD & DRINK: What does the term "a la carte" mean?

10. SCIENCE: What is the process called when a gas changes into a liquid?

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

“Please Please Me.”

“Anne of Green Gables.”

Hadrian.

“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.”

Jupiter and Mars.

North Carolina.

According to the menu.

Condensation.

OLIVE

By Emi Burdge

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

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: 17-02-34-1403811 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 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 PAYOFF: $305,885.12 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 de -

fault, 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) 939-0772 or www. nationwideposting.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 mon-

ey 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 res idential property sold at a trustee’s sale may have been used in manufacturing meth amphetamines, the chemical components of which are known to be toxic. Prospec tive 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: