COTTAGE GROVE entinel
One year in police chief reflects, looks ahead
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
“It’s been a great first year. I think we’ve got a lot accomplished,” Cory Chase said in reflecting on his first year as Cottage Grove Police Department Chief.
Chase arrived on the job Sept. 11. 2023.
“I was welcomed to the community, and I still feel that today,” he said. “I told people when I got here that I was going to build strong relationships in the community. That I would be out in the community, and I think I’ve done that. I have made a lot of good connections. I am known by
my first name now in town. I walk into businesses I am not a stranger. When they see me, they know who I am. I do appreciate the support.”
Cottage Grove Mayor Candace Solesbee said Chase has made a significant and professional impact on the community.
“Chief Chase joined our city at a tumultuous time,” Solesbee said. “We not only had a great number of police jobs to fill, but also needed to examine general practices that led us to that position. I
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Windows broken, businesses damaged, suspect arrested
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Local business operators in the Cottage Grove Old District were forced to repair damage to their shops following an overnight vandalism spree.
Skye Felton owns PC Garage, a computer repair business on E. Main Street. Felton was repairing a broken front window at the business Wednesday morning, Aug. 21.
Felton said he got a phone call early Wednesday morning from an upstairs tenant alerting him about the vandalism.
“Somebody walking down Main Street just bashing in windows,” Felton said. “When I got here, I found glass everywhere.”
Felton said his front window display with com-
puters was damaged and he even found broken glass deep inside his store. He estimated the damage to his store to be approximately $2,000.
South Lane 9-1-1 received reports at approximately 12:30 a.m. Aug. 21, of a male in 700 block of East Main Street breaking windows out of businesses along the street.
Cottage Grove Police officers were nearby and responded immediately to the area where they contacted 37-year-old Jacob J. Schott, a local resident, and attempted to take him into custody, according to Cottage Grove Police Chief Cory Chase.
“During the arrest, one officer was assaulted before the officers were able
Homeless camp site transition underway
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Cleanup of the Douglas and 12 Street homeless camp sites was to begin this week following the Aug. 22 closing of the camps in Cottage Grove.
Cottage Grove City Manager Mike Sauerwine said the transition is a critical step forward.
This is going to be a work in progress.”
Mike Sauerwine, Cottage Grove City Manager
“The camps are unsafe,” he said. “They are unsecure. They are unsanitary. We’ve had incidents of criminal activity, and we really needed to get in and clean them up,” he said just before the Aug. 22 camp closure deadline. Our goals are fairly simple. Our first goal is to move folks out of the Douglas and 12 Street camps so that we go in and clean them up.”
The city’s second goal is to transition from the openair, 24/7 camps to a camp at the Lulu Dog Park that opens at 7 p.m. and closes at 7 a.m. The dog p[ark is a short distance away from the two homeless camp sites.
“It is just a place for people to sleep at night,” Sauerwine said. “Then they have to leave. We will transition the people from the Lulu Dog Park, a temporary facility, back to the 12 Street camp site. That will again be a 7 p.m. 7 a.m. camp and then we will turn the Lulu Dog Park back into a dog park.”
Sauerwine said the main emphasis is for the city to offer a 7 p.m. 7 a.m. camp at the 12 Street site.
The city provided several notices at the camp sites prior the transition, with the move-out deadline of 10 a.m. Aug. 22.
During the morning of Aug. 22, Sauerwine was at 12th Street site with police to oversee the transition process. Officers strolled through the camp, checking to see if the campers were safe and advising
those at the site that it was time to leave.
“We are trying to treat all at the campers with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Sauerwine said.
City crews were scheduled to assess the camp
sites Aug. 26 and begin the cleanup this week with the goal of completing the effort by the end of September.
“We really don’t know what we will find ounce folks move out,” Sauer-
wine said. “This is going to be a work in progress.” Sauerwin added that the cost of the cleanup is unknown until the city determines what is found and how extensive the cleanup will be at the two sites.
HOMELESS STRATE-
GY MOVING FORWARD
Cottage Grove does not offer an overnight brick
Traffic enforcement to be stepped up for holiday
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Oregon State Police and law enforcement agencies across the state will be watching for impaired and intoxicated drivers through the Labor Day holiday.
The enforcement is being conducted in conjunction with national crackdown efforts that are designed to curb drunken driving, decrease crashes, reduce injuries, and save lives.
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) continues to be a leading cause of motor vehicle crash injuries and deaths throughout the nation. Penalties against violating
drivers can be severe.
Severe penalties
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) can carry fines from $6,250 to $10,000 and jail time.
Three DUIIs can lead to a felony, and there could be additional charges if you are in a crash and cause injuries.
Traffic enforcement officers will be looking for any signs of driver impairment, which would include impairment by alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs. Any type of substance that can impair.
Background Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States, according to Wikipedia.
2 arrests after alleged beer robbery
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) investigators have released details of what they said was a robbery in Creswell.
Early in the morning of Aug. 3, a male entered a business in the 300 block of E. Oregon Avenue in Creswell, and allegedly stole a case a beer, according to LCSO Sgt. Tim Wallace.
“The male then got into
POLICE BLOTTER
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.
a vehicle with another male, and both attempted to flee,” Wallace said. “An employee of the business attempted to confront them and was injured by the vehicle.”
Details of the injuries were not immediately available.
Deputies identified the driver as Yancin Santiago Rodriguez, 28, of Creswell.
Deputies located and arrested Rodriguez Aug. 4, according to Wallace. Rodriguez was lodged at
the Lane County Jail for Robbery in the 1st Degree, Reckless Endangering, and Reckless Driving. Wallace said the accomplice was identified as Angel James Moreno, 29, of Springfield. Moreno was arrested on warrants and lodged at the Lane County Jail by another agency on Aug. 7, and a deputy also lodged Moreno on charges of Robbery in the 3rd Degree and Reckless Endangering.
All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change. For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Cottage Grove Police
Monday, August 12
00:09: Bike stop, 1700 block E. Main St.
09:07: Vehicle impound, 13th/Adams
10:05: Barking dog, 1900 block S. 8th St.
10:10: Burglary, 2500 block E. Main St.
11:03: Criminal mischief, 200 block Hwy 99
13:12: Welfare check, 1700 block E. Main St.
13:52: Burglary, 400 block S. 2nd St.
16:04: Suspicious condition, 100 block Almond Way
17:19: Motor vehicle crash, 1200 block E. Madison Ave.
17:34: Repo, 900 block S. 6th St.
17:57: DUII, 1300 block E. Main St.
18:42: Business check, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
21:21: Nuisance, 100 block S. M St.
21:37: Illegal parking, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
Tuesday, August 13
01:44: Bike stop, 400 block N. Douglas St.
05:58: Citizen assist, 400 block E. Main St.
06:04: Welfare check, 600 block E. Main St.
08:31: Death investigation, 300 block S. 5th St.
09:24: Civil, 600 block S. 6th St.
09:47: Order violation, 500 block Landess Rd.
10:01: Animal info, 1500 block Village Dr.
11:13: Business check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
14:2: Illegal parking, North O/Cottonwood Pl.
15:16: Dog at large, 8th/Lincoln
15:18: Abandoned vehicle, 900 block N. 19th St.
17:21: Abandoned vehicle, Benjamin/6th
17:29: Juvenile, 1800 block S. 8th St.
18:16: Juvenile, 1300 block E. Main St.
18:32: Unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 900 block W. Main St.
20:22: Disturbance, 1700 block Curry Ave.
21:53: Illegal parking, 700 block E. Quincy Ave.
23:18: Harassment, E. Harrison/S. River Rd.
23:43: Criminal mischief, 1800 block E. Main St.
Wednesday, August 14
01:17: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
02:01: Illegal camping, 1000 block E. Main St.
02:17: Suspicious subject, 1500 block E. Main St.
02:52: Illegal camping, 1000 block E. Main St.
02:55: Citizen assist, 900 block W. Main St.
05:09: Welfare check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
05:52: Alarm, 1300 block S. River Rd.
09:14: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99
09:31: Abandoned vehicle, 11th/Chamberlain
10:54: Death investigation, 100 block Village Dr.
11:09: Abandoned vehicle, M/Elm
11:33: Found property, 100 block Hwy 99
13:54: Found drugs, 400 block E. Main St.
14:43: Suspicious condition, 400 block N. 14th St.
14:56: Abandoned vehicle, N. Lane/Villard Ave.
15:07: Burglary, 200 block N. 10th St.
16:16: Order violation, 300 block S. 5th St.
16:42: Animal info, 8th/Harrison
16:43: Ambulance, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
16:46: Disorderly subject, 1200 block E. Main St.
17:00: Info, 500 block E. Madison Ave.
17:16: Abandoned vehicle, Lane/Villard
17:46: Found property, 400 block E. Main St.
18:53: Welfare check, 1400 block Daugherty Ave.
19:43: Abandoned vehicle, 1000 block S. 4th St.
21:32: Business check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
22:54: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
23:47: Motor vehicle crash, 300 block Hwy 99
Thursday, August 15
00:32: Suspicious vehicle, 3200 block Row River Rd.
00:58: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block S. 10th St.
01:22: Suspicious subject, 1500 block E. Main St.
03:47: Suspicious subject, 1500 block E. Main St.
06:50: Disorderly subject, 400 block E. Main St.
06:54: Trespass, 32000 block Green Acres Lp.
08:01: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.
08:32: Disturbance, 900 block N. Douglas St.
09:21: Dog at large, 79000 block N. River Rd.
09:46: Disorderly subject, 800 block Row River Rd.
09:59: Found drugs, 400 block E. Main St.
10:15: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
10:52: Abandoned vehicle, M/Birch
12:06: Unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 1400 block S. 4th St.
12:34: Order violation, 2000 block S. 8th St.
13:25: Citizen assist, 300 block S. 5th St.
14:01: Civil, 400 block S. 1st St.
15:29: Disturbance, 300 block S. River Rd.
15:35: Abandoned vehicle, 5th/Adams
15:45: Found property, 1300 block E. Main St.
16:50: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
17:14: Citizen assist, 2400 block E. Whiteaker Ave.
17:48: Theft, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
18:32: Criminal mischief, Main/River Rd.
19:49: Theft, 1000 block Ostrander Ln.
23:12: Trespass, 1700 block Hwy 99
Friday, August 16
02:57: Disorderly subject, 500 block Grant Ave.
04:26: Disorderly subject, 800 block S. 8th St.
05:26: Shots fired, Main/14th
05:28: Alarm, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
06:02: Alarm, 1300 block S. River Rd.
06:31: Abandoned vehicle, N. Lane/Villard Ave.
07:16: Warrant service, 100 block N. River Rd.
08:18: Disorderly subject, 800 block Gateway Blvd.
08:35: Illegal parking, 200 block N. 12th St.
10:50: Illegal parking, 700 block Row River Rd.
10:57: Warrant service, 200 block N. 12th St.
11:07: Order violation, 1000 block Adams Ave.
11:16: Citizen assist, E. Main/N. River Rd.
11:28: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.
11:39: Nuisance, 1200 block S. 6th St.
13:04: Dog at large, 1300 block E. Jefferson Ave.
13:38: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.
14:03: Disturbance, 900 block S. 8th St.
14:44: Animal info, 1400 block E. Madison Ave.
15:07: Suspicious condition, 100 block N. 10th St.
15:25: Motor vehicle crash, River Rd/Girard
15:30: Nuisance, 2100 block S. 8th St.
16:03: Dog at large, Jefferson/13th
16:22: Assist other agency, W. Harrison/R St.
16:34: Illegal parking, 400 block N. Douglas St.
17:04: Animal info, 900 block Row River Rd.
17:05: Ambulance, 500 block S. 8th St.
17:28: Illegal parking, 400 block N. Douglas St.
17:56: Illegal parking, 200 block N. 12th St.
19:07: Disturbance, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.
19:13: Found dog, 500 block Fillmore Ave.
19:19: Suspicious condition, 2300 block E. Main St.
19:37: Nuisance, Villard/Lane
19:42: Abandoned vehicle, Elm/Dogwood
19:47: Abandoned vehicle, M/Birch
20:03: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
20:04: Trespass, 800 block Gateway Blvd.
20:19: Fire, 2100 block N. Douglas St.
22:17: Suspicious condition, 1100 block Birch Ave.
22:48: Suspicious vehicle, 1200 block E. Main St.
23:11: Abandoned vehicle, Elm/Dogwood
Saturday, August 17
01:21: Suspicious subject, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
03:21: Welfare check, 1500 block E. Main St.
03:31: Disorderly subject, 1500 block E. Main St.
04:12: Bike stop, Main/8th
06:07: Illegal camping, 700 block Row River Rd.
06:12: Alarm, 700 block Row River Rd.
07:06: Suspicious condition, 8th/Washington
08:28: Wanted subject, 1000 block E. Madison Ave.
09:27: Found property, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.
11:53: Info, 1600 block W. Main St.
11:56: Alarm, 100 block N. 7th St.
12:04: Suspicious condition, 100 block N. J St.
12:34: Burglary, 1100 block S. 10th St.
12:49: Suspicious vehicle, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
12:51: Burglary, 1100 block S. 10th St.
13:49: Ambulance, 800 block E. Quincy
13:56: Citizen assist, 400 block E. Main St.
14:07: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
14:30: Ambulance, 1800 block W. Main St.
17:24: Fire, 100 block S. River Rd.
17:45: Nuisance, 2300 block S. 8th St.
18:05: Theft, 1700 block S. 10th St.
18:28: Info, 1300 block S. River Rd.
18:45: Disorderly subject, 500 block Grant Ave.
19:13: Suspicious condition, 400 block N. 9th St.
19:32: Suspicious condition, 100 block S. M St.
19:52: Fire, 37000 block Row River Rd.
20:12: Trespass, 900 block Row River Rd.
20:20: Juvenile, 1700 block Bryant Ave.
21:08: Trespass, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
23:41: Suspicious vehicle, 1000 block Taylor Ave.
23:49: Fire, 1200 block W. Main St. Sunday, August 18
01:46: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
07:10: Suspicious vehicle, 500 block Hwy 99
08:14: Missing person, 1100 block W. Main St.
08:28: Suspicious condition, 1300 block E. Main St.
09:53: Trespass, 1600 block Gateway Blvd.
10:01: Welfare check, 900 block W. Main St.
10:28: Agency assist, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
11:01: Dog at large, N. 10th/Grover
12:03: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
14:03: Business check, 1500 block E. Main St.
14:56: Suspicious subject, 1300 block S. 4th St.
16:07: Disorderly subject, 500 block Grant Ave.
16:38: Welfare check, 1100 block W. Main St.
18:53: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
19:00: Abandoned vehicle, Lane/Villard
19:03: Motor vehicle crash, 1500 block E. Main St.
19:30: Found drugs, 100 block N. Lane St.
19:57: Welfare check, S 13th/Madison
20:38: Shots fired, 1800 block Clark Ave.
20:41: Illegal parking, 900 block N. 16th St.
21:30: Fire, 900 block Row River Rd.
21:58: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
23:14: Found dog, Benjamin area
Fun at the W.O.E Heritage Fair
Harvest Concert at Bohemia Park Amphitheater
SUBMITTED
All are invited to come together and enjoy an evening of faith-based music and spiritual inspiration.
The free concert at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 at Bohemia Park Amphitheater, is designed to bring hope and greater unity to South Lane County communities.
A large inter-denominational worship team, led by Stephen Clark, will engage concertgoers with a mix of new and familiar songs. The event will also feature food trucks and fundraising booths for local youth group projects.
South Lane Concerts (SLC) is a new nonprofit organization dedicated to producing three annual faith-based concerts: Christmas, Easter and summertime.
SLC Coordinators Christi Fields, Savannah Matthews, and Cindy Weeldreyer co-founded the planning group earlier this year that is devoted to sharing the gospel of
Cottage Grove
Christ through music throughout the year.
The purpose of the group is to encourage people of all ages who are musicians, singers, dramatists, worship teams, prayer warriors and pastors to join this effort and become more unified in blessing our communities in these challenging times.
SLC’s three primary goals are:
1. To introduce Jesus Christ to those who seek Him.
2. Creatively combine talent and resources to worship God in spirit and in truth.
3. Inspire and create greater unity within South Lane County’s faith community to bless others with Christ’s love.
Christi, Cindy and Savannah are enthusiastic Christ-followers who believe God moves mightily in a community when His people come together. They hope others will catch the vision and opportunity to share the love of Christ with believers and non-believers in our
community through music and Scripture. It will also be an opportunity to invite interested concertgoers to begin a life-changing personal relationship with Jesus or renew an existing one. They welcome others to share their time, talents, and treasures in concert planning and, most importantly, join them in prayer for God’s will to be done in South Lane County to bless people in the Name of Jesus.
Harvest Concert in the Park
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4 Bohemia Park Amphitheater 101 N 10th Street Cottage Grove
Local WEATHER
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Partly Cloudy - High 81°/Low 50°
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
Partly Cloudy - High 90°/Low 55°
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Mostly Cloudy - High 91°/Low 57°
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
Partly Cloudy - High 88°/Low 57°
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Partly Cloudy - High 86°/Low 56°
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Sunny - High 85°/Low 56°
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Sunny - High 86°/Low 56°
Health officials urge measles vaccination
FAST FACT
• Measles is very contagious and can be serious.
• Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
• Two doses of MMR vaccine provide the best protection against measles. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
With the start of the new school year around the corner – and as a measles outbreak continues in three Oregon counties – health officials are urging parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against the highly infectious virus before classes begin.
As of Aug. 14, there were 25 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in Clackamas, Marion and Multnomah counties, all among unvaccinated individuals. Two people have been hospitalized, and there have been no deaths. Ten of the cases are 9 and younger; 10 cases are ages 10 to 19; and five cases are 20 and older.
Marion County has the most cases with 16, followed by Clackamas County with eight and Multnomah County with one. Lane County had no cases reported as of late last week.
Paul Cieslak, M.D., OHA medical director for communicable diseases
and immunizations, said state and county epidemiologists have seen several waves of measles cases since mid-June, “so now about two months of sustained transmission of measles.” It’s the largest measles outbreak the state has seen since 2019, when Oregon experienced 28 cases that were linked to a much larger outbreak in Clark County, Wash.
“Before 2019, you have to go all the way back to the early 1990s to see case counts this high,” Cieslak said. “The reason is we maintained very high vaccination rates and very high population levels of immunity. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an erosion in the percentage of people who are getting vaccinated against measles.”
Since about 2000, an increasing number of parents have chosen nonmedical exemptions from state school vaccination requirements for their children. Before that year, only about 1% of kindergarteners had vaccination exemptions; since then, the number has risen steadily, and during the 2023-2024 school year, the exemption rate reached 8.8%.
“In Clackamas County, as in other Oregon counties, pockets of unvaccinated people raise risk of infection in communities
where they live,” Clackamas County Health Officer Sarah Present, M.D., said. “That’s why the counties reach out to every case that’s been identified and try to determine exactly where they’ve been while infectious.”
Someone with measles can spread the virus up to four days before the tell-tale rash appears, and their symptoms may be mild during that time. As a result, the counties and OHA have been sharing information about specific locations that cases are known to have visited, so “we can let members of the public know they may have been exposed to measles,” Present said.
She noted that since measles is so contagious, an estimated 95% of a population needs to have received two doses of measles vaccine to be able to protect the most vulnerable members of the community via community or “herd” immunity.
Getting the MMR vaccine can also help families avoid the burden of having to isolate at home for several weeks if they are exposed to measles.
According to state law, an unvaccinated person exposed to the virus must be excluded from school or child care during the period when they could be-
Robert Lewis Gamble
3/23/1941 - 8/13/2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” Lewis Gamble, 83, of Cottage Grove, OR. Bob passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. Bob was born on March 23, 1941. In Bismarck, North Dakota to parents John Lorenzo Gamble and Josephine Orillia (Gagner) Gamble. When Bob was about a year old his family relocated to Cottage Grove, OR. Bob attended Curtin and Latham grade schools before graduating from Cottage Grove High School in 1959. After high school, he began working in the logging industry, and soon after, he joined Willamette Industries in Saginaw, OR, where he worked as a forklift driver for 32 years.
and achievements in life.
He loved hunting, fishing, playing cards, going to garage sales with his wife, woodworking, and working on word searches on his Android tablet. Above all, Bob was a passionate Oregon Ducks fan. He eagerly watched their football and basketball games at home with his family.
Bob is survived by his wife, Inez Gamble, son James Gamble, daughters Heather Guilbault and Holly Bahr, all of Cottage Grove; sister Grace Ritter of Albany, OR; 7 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Josephine Gamble, and siblings Mike Gamble, Edith Rearrick, Frances Rhea, Jackie Gamble, Rodger Gamble, Yvonne Jackson, and Joseph Gamble.
come sick, which is usually for 21 days after exposure.
And this exclusion can be extended if there are more measles cases.
“It’s really an important time to make sure students and their families are up to date on vaccinations as we go into the new school year,” Present explained.
HOW IT SPREADS
Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left.
SYMPTOMS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus. Common measles symptoms include:
High fever (may spike to more than 104° F)
• Cough
• Runny nose (coryza)
• Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis)
• Rash
WHO IS AT RISK Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk.
Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000. However,
measles is still common in many parts of the world. Every year, measles is brought into the United States by unvaccinated travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. These travelers are mostly Americans and sometimes international visitors. Some people are a higher risk of experiencing severe complications from measles.
Learn more about measles at: https://www.oregon.gov/ oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/ Pages/measles.aspx.
Larry Calvin Thomas
Larry Calvin Thomas passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 13, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, and love. Born in 1954, he started down a path that would shape his life and touch the hearts of those around him for years to come.
On March 1, 1974, Bob married the love of his life, Inez Ladd, in Cottage Grove, OR. They had recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Bob was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. Family was one of his greatest joys
A potluck style Celebration of Life will be held at the Row River Grange on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:00pm. Arrangements in the care of Smith-LundMills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
Christopher Allen Lloyd, 67, of Cottage Grove, Oregon passed away August 21, 2024. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
1954 - 2024
After proudly serving in the United States Navy for four years, he began his career in construction, working tirelessly as a skilled laborer alongside many of his brothers and friends whose souls he left his imprint on.
After taking Karen’s hand in marriage, she blessed him with their only child, Kala, in 1990. Shortly after her arrival, they moved to Oregon to build their life together; and what a beautiful life it was.
His commitment to providing for his family was unwavering, and his pride in his work was evident in every project he undertookespecially the house he built for (and with) his wife and daughter during the summer of 2003.
A devoted husband to Karen, loving father to Kala, and adoring grandfather to Ryder, Larry cherished his family above all else. His
love for them was only rivaled by his passion for motorcycles, skiing, fishing, crabbing, camping, and his unwavering patriotism.
Although distance and time may have separated him from his four loving sisters - Terri, Marsha, Gaylene and Eviethey remain an important part of his family’s story.
Larry is survived by his four sisters and was preceded in death by his two brothers Allen and Robert Campbell.
As we say goodbye to this kind-hearted, hardworking man, we take comfort in the memories we shared with him. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the family he loved so much.
In memory of Larry’s legacy, we ask that you pay his kindness forward.
Rest in peace, Dad. Your love, pride, and dedication will never be forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 8, 2024 at noon at the American Legion in Cottage Grove. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
NEWS & VIEWS
Commissioners are about to embrace a $150M unproven scheme
LARRY BOTTEMILLER
Sentinel Guest Column
Editor’s Note: The following is a letter sent to the Lane County Board of Commissioners from Cottage Grove resident Larry Bottemiller. Read more about this project in a previous series of special reports at cgsentinel.com and follow developments in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
I am a retired Certified Financial Planner who served for a decade during the 2010s as a volunteer on EPUD’s finance committee. Thank you for your consideration today. I address my thoughts to change the vote of the three Lane County Commissioners who have voted for the proposal to borrow money to build and operate IMERF. Buch, Farr, & Trieger please change your votes to reject the proposal to create IMERF. Commissions and government agencies sometimes make horrendous mistakes in an honest attempt to serve the citizens in their mission.
A. We have an efficient way of using methane from Short Mt. already in
place. It has been creating electricity for Lane County. EPUD is standing ready with finances in place to improve the existing process and machinery as soon as the county gives assurance by a long-term contract.
I urge the commissioners to put on your boots and walk the landfill with Kyle, Jason and Doug who have produced low- cost power to nearby residents and industrial users in the neighborhood by using methane. In so doing they are already keeping greenhouse gases out of Lane County’s atmosphere. Do not destroy what we EPUD ratepayers were thrilled to produce for 30 years! When I was on the Finance Committee, we budgeted improvements several times so our staff at Short Mt. could add more efficient Methane powered engines and use upgraded scrubbers and catalyzers to eat the exhaust.
EPUD employs three people to operate the generating plant, and they are paid market wages. Your plan is to replace a working process with technology that has NOT been successful anywhere else with loans, with the plan to hire government
workers to sort garbage at high salaries and PERS costs. Let the free market continue through EPUD. Give EPUD the longterm contract they need to improve power generation using state of the art machinery in our existing facility.
B. Remember the lesson of history with “Whoops.” In 1968 Washington Nuclear Project Power Plant was started by a committee to build a huge nuclear plant near Grays Harbor Washington for $4.1 billion. When overruns raised the costs to $24 billion the ratepayers rebelled and forced the committee to hold an election before they raised taxes to pay for the unfinished boondoggle.
The voters overwhelmingly rejected the whole project. This sent the Federal Funds Rate to an alltime high of 20% during President Carter’s years in 1980 and brought a nationwide twin recession. Carter brought devastating wage and price controls and crushed the bond markets for the next 20 years. Today the committee’s dream is reduced to gravel parking lots storing imported cars, and the bond market still remembers the losses of Whoops.
C. My second lesson of history is Europe’s rush to build windmills throughout the continent. On our 2011 cruise through the Baltic Sea, we saw hundreds of wind turbines built to produce electrons in every nation. Only about 1/3 were spinning in the wind. Most were stalled or broken.
Throughout our tours, our guides told us that the towers and the blades could not be repaired because of the need for tall cranes to be floated in or driven to the headland wilderness. The committees who promoted this technology made no provision to maintain these marvels.
D. If you vote for this unproven project, your names will rust on the memorial plaque. Oregonians are being taxed at every opportunity and we do not have to stay here. We can and will move to a lower tax state. The 2022 census is in and for the first time in 2 generations Oregon shows a net outmigration of 10k college grads and 9700 non-college grads. As a retired Oregonian, my Oregon income taxes are almost as high as my Federal Income tax.
Higher income people paying higher taxes are
free to move away and many do just that. We remember the civic leaders who cause the pain. Recently I was in a tire shop paying the bill for a repair. The price was $25 including a $2 OREGON TAX. The clerk said that was the new Corporate Activity Tax. A nearby customer lunged to the counter and shouted, “That is the Kate Brown tax and we voted her out, but we still have her tax.”
E. You have no authority to spend $150 million on your commission. Make the case to the citizens and let us vote yea or nay. If it passes, we taxpayers will have to pay for this uncertain project. The funds you are ready to pay out would build three new high schools.
F. Cottage Grove needs $5 million to bring our city streets up to minimal standards but under Oregon tax policy we have 10 major downtown retail properties empty. Some of these stores have not rewarded investors or customers for 20 years. Much of retail downtown Cottage Grove is thrift stores where the Corporate Activity Tax does not apply. So don’t think you can borrow during a period of rising
interest rates to create a project full of uncertainties. You can dig a deep hole with a credit card—so stop digging. Let EPUD continue to use their appropriate technology. Your idea is not better.
G. I too am interested in stopping the rise of the oceans caused by melting ice in the mountains. Smithsonian’s recent report shows a steady rise of oceans at the rate of 4 millimeters annually over the past 50 years using current research. At that same rate the level would rise 200 mm over the next 50 years - 8 inches. And some of that rise will be caused by normal silt and gravel being washed into the sea as always. It is tempting for you to be quoted in Eugene Weekly as local heroes in the religion of climate change. But be sure that you first do no harm. Vote NO on IMERF. And search your motives for making yourself valuable to NW Natural. It would be a nice retirement plan to be invited to their Board of Directors. But first care for the taxpayers of Lane County.
Larry Bottemiller is a resident of Cottage Grove.
Reforms needed to address Oregon’s educational shortcomings
ANDERSON
DICK
Sentinel Guest Column
I am deeply concerned about the poor educational
outcomes we are witnessing in our state. Despite record investments in education, the latest reports indicate that
THE FIRST AMENDMENT
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
TO COMMENT
President Joseph Biden The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Washington, D.C. 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111 Switchboard: 202-456-1414
TTY/TDD: 202-456-6213 www.whitehouse.gov
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek 900 Court St., Suite 254 Salem, Ore. 97301-4047 503-378-4582 www.oregon.gov/gov
U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden 202-224-5244 | 541-431-0229 www.wyden.senate.gov
U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley 202-224-3753 | 541-465-6750 www.merkley.senate.gov
U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle (4th Dist.) 202-225-6416 www.hoyle.house.gov
State Sen. Dick Anderson (Dist. 5) 503-986-1705 Email: Sen.DickAnderson@ oregonlegislature.gov
State Rep. Cedric Hayden (Dist. 7) 503-986-1407 rep.cedrichayden@ state.or.us
Lane County Dist. 5 Commissioner Heather Buch 541-682-4203 Heather.Buch@lane countyorg. gov
SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL
DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS
Joe Warren — jwarren@countrymedia.net
DIRECTOR OF REVENUE Frank Perea II — fperea@countrymedia.net EDITOR Jeremy C. Ruark — jruark@countrymedia.net
Cottage Grove Sentinel 1498 E. Main Street, STE 104 • PO Box 35 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Phone: 541-649-1616 www.cgsentinel.com
we are not making the necessary progress to ensure that all our children receive a high-quality education. This stagnation not only affects individual students but also undermines our state’s future economic and social prosperity. Something must be done beyond the mantra of “more money”.
Education funding has increased but student numbers have decreased, resulting in less money going to individual school districts. This decline raises important questions: Where are the students going? Are more families opting for private schools or homeschooling? Understanding these trends is crucial for developing effective educational policies.
Less money to the school district means less money getting to teachers and classrooms. Where is that money going? Can we evaluate the effect of those dollars not in the classroom?
We need to foster greater collaboration between schools, parents, and communities. Education does not happen in isolation, and the involvement of families and community organizations is crucial for creating a supportive
learning environment. By working together, we can develop innovative solutions that address the unique needs of our students and ensure that every child in our state has the opportunity to succeed academically and beyond. Results and accountability are paramount. I am a strong advocate for holding our education system to high standards. The push for a 100% graduation rate has led to the lowering of graduation standards, making it easier to graduate without truly mastering the necessary skills. This approach does a disservice to students, leaving them ill-prepared for the future. It is unacceptable. School boards should be held responsible for and have more say in curriculum and graduation standards.
Reforming education is a daunting undertaking but it can be done with simple strategies.
What if we change our system towards paying good teachers more, investing in early learning, after school activities, vocational programs for kids not going to universities but into the workforce, putting truancy courts back in place for chronic absenteeism, and ultimately
reducing bureaucrats at the state level so more funding gets to the local school boards and classrooms?
By addressing these issues, we can transform Oregon’s education system to ensure that every child has the opportunity to succeed and thrive. I will continue working towards this goal, making education a top priority on my legislative agenda.
Our children’s future depends on the actions we take today, and I am deeply committed to this effort.
State Sen. Dick Anderson serves Oregon Senate District 5. He may be reached at 503-986-1705 or at Sen.DickAnderson@ oregonlegislature.gov
Courtesy photo State Sen. Dick Anderson
Due to print issues, the description in the photo for the Aug. 21 Coast Fork Brewery story was missing. Here is that description: The Coast Fork staff, left to right, Willow Wilson, Eleanor Jean, Jason Smith, Dale Smith, Ernie Smith,
Emily McDaniel, Stephen Mathys, Heather Endicott, Marjory House and Rachelle Kelty. Due to printing issues, the description of the Bud Taylor sports photo was missing from the Aug. 21 Sentinel. Here is that description:
Bud Taylor and Jane Levings-Dixon, who won the 200-YARD and 400yard Freestyle Championship in 1971. The Cottage Grove Sentinel is happy to set the record straight.
Classified
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CGS24-3011
NOTICE OF CITY OF COTTAGE GROVE PLANNING COMMISSIONER VACANCY The City of Cottage Grove is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Planning Commission. The Commissioners are appointed by the City Council. The Planning Commission meets twice a month on the 2nd & 3rd Wednesday evenings at 7 PM. People interested in applying for these positions need to complete an Planning Commission application available at the Community Development Department at City Hall or online at: https://www.cottagegroveor.gov/pc/page/ planning-commissioner-recruitment-4. This position will remain open until filled. For further information please contact the Community Development Department at 541-942-5501.
CGS24-3010
NOTICE OF SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION AS ORDERED BY THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN COCHISE COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT OF ARIZONA IN COCHISE COUNTY Case No. CV202400075. Jillian Werhowatz Plaintiff, vs. Davey Gary Allen, All Unknown Heirs and Assigns, and Catherine L. Traywick, Cochise County Treasurer Defendants. TO: Davey Gary Allen, All Unknown Heirs and Assigns, and Catherine L. Traywick, Cochise County Treasurer GREETINGS: The above-named Plaintiff, Jillian Werhowatz, has filed a lawsuit against the above-named defendants. Davey Gary Allen, All Unknown Heirs and Assigns, and Catherine L. Traywick, Cochise County Treasurer are among the named defendants. Davey Gary Allen, All Unknown Heirs and Assigns, and Catherine L. Traywick,
Cochise County Treasurer (collectively, “you”) are hereby notified that a lawsuit had been filed against you. A copy of the lawsuit and other court papers are served on you with this publication in the State of Arizona by The Superior Court of Arizona in Cochise County, Case No. CV202400075. If you do not want a judgement or order taken against you without your input, you must file and “Answer” or a “Response” in writing with the court, and pay the filing fee. If you do not file an “Answer” or “Response” the other party may be given the relief requested in his/her Petition or Complaint. To file your “Answer” or “Response” take, or send, the “Answer” or “Response” to the: Superior Court, 100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603. YOUR “ANSWER” OR “RESPONSE” IS REQUIRED NO
COTTAGE GROVE:
6th & Gibbs Church of Christ 195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822 10:00am Christian Education: Pre-K through 5th Tim Baker, Senior Minister www.6thandgibbs.com
Cottage Grove Bible Church 1200 East Quincy Avenue 541-942-4771 Pastor:Ron Harris Worship 11am Sunday School:9:45am AWANA age 3-8th Grade, Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm www.cgbible.org
Cottage Grove Faith Center 33761 Row River Rd. 541-942-4851 Lead Pastor: Kevin Pruett www.cg4.tv Full Childrenʼs Ministry available Services: 10:00am Delight Valley Church of Christ 33087 Saginaw Rd. East 541-942-7711 • Pastor: Bob Friend
Two Services: 9am - Classic in the Chapel 10:30am - Contemporary in the Auditorium
LATER THAN 30 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. YOU CAN GET A COPY OF THE COURT PAPERS FILE
Hope Fellowship United Pentecostal Church
100 S. Gateway Blvd. 541-942-2061
Pastor: Dave Bragg Worship: 11:00am Sunday Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday www.hopefellowshipupc.com
“FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE”
Living Faith Assembly
467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612
Worship Services Sundays: 9a & 11a
Youth Worship Sundays: 11a (all ages welcome) Mondays: 5:30p (6th-12th grades)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Philip Benizi Catholic Churches 1025. N. 19th St. 541-942-3420
Father John J. Boyle
Holy Mass: Saturday Vigil – 5:30 pm Sunday – 10:30 am For weekday and Holy Day of Obligation schedule see website OLPHCG.net
Confession: 4 PM to 5 PM Saturdays or by appointment St. Philip Benizi, Creswell 552 Holbrook Lane Sunday 8 am
St. Andrews Episcopal Church 1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050 Rev. Lawrence Crumb “Scripture, Tradition, Reason” Worship: Sunday 10:30am All Welcome
Seventh-day Adventist Church 820 South 10th Street 541-942-5213
Pastor: James D. Boram Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40 Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00
have been impressed with his diligence in training and creating a new team to serve Cottage Grove. He has been attentive to community concerns and openly discusses possibilities for positive growth with citizens. I look forward to corroborating with the Chief further, and I appreciate his professionalism. Cottage Grove is fortunate to have him as our police chief.”
TAKE AWAY REWARDS
“The biggest thing to me is seeing the staff that work here, the officers, the sworn civilian staff, and the dispatchers get excited about moving forward and putting the past behind them,” Chase said. “They have been through a lot. There has been a significant transition and there was a lot of negativity around the Cottage Grove
Police Department and they all felt it. I think for them, they were looking for somebody who was not just an interim police chief but somebody that was in this for the long haul and that was going to be invested in the department and express and share what the vision was and develop long-term goals.”
Chase said he has received positive feedback from his staff, which he said is gratifying.
“I see them engaged and embracing the direction that we were going,” he said. “They have been really excited about what we are doing, and they are really passionate about their jobs, and they are all here because they care about Cottage Grove. The staff is here because they want to see Cottage Grove PD succeed and be part of this community.”
THE PD DIRECTION
According to Chase, the
goal is to have a professional police department that operates under a list of best practices.
“That we lead our dayto-day lives with empathy, service and integrity and follow our core values,” he said.” So, really were we want to go is just incorporating the industry’s best practices, policies, and procedures, and presenting ourselves with the highest levels of professionalism and becoming one of the agencies that people look to as a model agency for this small community and for small town policing.”
Chase said it has not been difficult to guide his staff to follow that direction.
“They want to be a part of that,” he said. “An agency that people will look at as something they want. So, yes, its not very hard to convince them that we want to be the best that we can be.”
STAFFING ISSUES
Chase said the biggest challenge facing the police department is staffing.
“There was a significant vacancy rate when I got here last September, so we’ve been spending a significant amount of time trying to retain folks that are here and also recruit and hire so we can staff up the police department and also South Lane 911,” he said. “We are probably down about 40% of staff, a little half of what we budgeted for.”
The Cottage Grove Police Department’s goal is to provides 24-hour, seven-days a week law enforcement services for the city.
Chase said the community “has been very patience” with the police department’s staffing challenges.
“We have turned a significant corner” he said. “We are starting to staff up and we feel that we have the community’s support as we move forward, and we are doing things the right way. “We’ve mostly been reacting because that is what our staffing
has allowed. Now we are getting to a point where we are seeing a much more proactive approve to things because our staffing is starting to increase.”
Chase said the department is “inching closer” to being fully staffed.
“We’re making sure that we are representing the values of our community and that our new officers will best represent our agency,” he said.
OTHER CHALLENGES
Chase said beyond the staffing issues, his department is also challenged with organizing policies and procedures to make certain they are following best practices and moving toward being credited. Some have suggested that the police could hire volunteers to help, but Chase said it’s not a simple matter of hiring anyone who wants to volunteer.
“There has to be policies and procedures in place,” he said. “There has to be guidance. There has to be training and programs to train those folks. They have to be insured. They still have to represent our core values. So, there is a lot of work yet to be done.”
Chase said while staffing is the number one department priority, he also wants to take care of the staff he has.
“The foundation of what we do is always going to be our people, so we have to have the staff, then we can divvy up the workload,” he said.
THE BUDGET
In the weeks ahead, the Cottage Grove City Council will begin discussions about long-term funding for the police department, which is funded through the city’s general fund.
“It is a challenge every day to make sure we are keeping the department properly equipped and that our officers have what they need to be successful out there,” he said. “This last budget cycle was challenging. We reduced the number of staff by an officer
position, so there are things that we have done. The forecast moving forward is the revenue coming into the general fund is being outpaced by the cost of doing business.”
Chase is hopeful a city work session scheduled in September will help chart a successful path to new funding options.
“We are going to start having those conversations about what is public safety in Cottage Grove and what does that look like from the court systems, the police department, and just overall?” Chase said. “And then we will have to have discussions about how the city wants to continue funding the police department. But before we get to that point, we have to have an objective of what we truly want for public safety. We have to have a clear, defined definition of what we want. We are spending other people’s money. It’s the taxpayers’ money. It’s the community’s money, so we have to be very careful with it and be accountable for spending it as efficiently and effectively as possible based on what the community is asking us to do.
Chase said his department currently operates with one Chief, two Captains, one Administrative Assistant, 11 Officers, three officers are in training, two Records Clerks, 0.5 CSO, and four Dispatchers. The department is budgeted for six dispatchers. The department is budgeted for 12 officers and 2.25 Sergeants this fiscal year. The department is currently responsible for approximately four-square miles.
“We could offer 24/7 patrol operations if we are fully staffed,” he said. “Our current numbers do not allow us to fill positions in investigations, School Resource Officer, or Community Service Officers.”
The current Cottage Grove Police Department operating budget provides $4.1 million for Police Operations and $1 million
for Dispatch Operations.
CHIEF’S MESSAGE
Chase said the community is “very fortunate” to have such an extremely dedicated group of professionals working at the police department.
“Because the reality is the officers working for the Cottage Grove Police Department didn’t chose the Cottage Grove Police Department because they are motivated by money,” he said. “It’s not a secret that we are not going to pay what Eugene-Springfield and the Lane County Sheriff’s Office pays. That’s not our reality. What we are doing is creating a close-knit family environment within our department and creating a sense of belonging, in which you are part of something good and you are not just a face in the crowd. Our officers are here because they feel like they are respected. That’s important. They know that the community is going to support us.”
GOING FORWARD
Going forward, Chase said the city the size of Cottage Grove needs 24-hour-a-day, seven-day policing.
“Cottage Grove is a city with over 11,0000 people,” he said. “In order for us to do that, we need to maintain the level of staffing that we have now.” Chase said he didn’t not have a defined time when he would retire.
“My goal when I came here was that this would be the place that I would work until I leave the profession,” he said. “How long that is, I don’t know. There is a lot of work to be done here, so I am certainly not bored. This is a challenge that I took on and I have a commitment. I want to be here locally in Cottage Grove, so there is no time set. There really is no finish line. At some point I will find that end time and I will move on, but I won’t be leaving until the work is done.”
A LOOK BACK
n The Northwest’s Finest Gardening Seed
n The Northwest’s Finest Gardening Seed
n Flowers, Herbs, & Shrubs n Vegetable Transplants n Fruit Trees
20 Palmer Ave. n Cottage Grove n (541) 942-0510
According to a published report in the Sentinel in Nov. 2023, the Chase Family has multiple generations rooted in the Camp Creek area of Springfield. He attended Springfield schools until his family moved north and he graduated from Lebanon Union High School in 1992, Chase has 22-years of law enforcement experience in Oregon, serving in Prineville, Redmond, and Portland. He managed 67 personnel while at the Port of Portland. In 2012, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Columbia Southern University.
Chase is a first-generation police officer from a blue-collar family where his family members have all worked in the timber industry or the trades. He says the only thing he has ever wanted to do is be a police officer. “I enjoyed my job at the Port, but I really wanted to be back in a municipal police department,” Chase told The Sentinel in the Nov. 2023 report. “I wanted to be somewhere I could connect with the community and make a positive impact. I never really imagined I would have the chance to return home to Lane County and be a police chief, but I am thankful to have this opportunity. My transition to this job has been made easier in some aspects, because I know I’m home. I don’t feel like a stranger or outsider.” Chase is married and the couple have two children.
Read more about the police chief transition in previous reports at cgsentinel.com and follow new developments in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
Cottage Grove High School football returns
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
The Cottage Grove High School Lions football team will compete in 3A Special District 3 this season.
The transition comes with a new set of challenges in the competitive nature of the league that includes Creswell, Elmira, Harrisburg, La Pine, Madras, Pleasant Hill, and Sisters.
HOMELESS
cont. from page 1 and mortar shelter, and Sauerwine said he doesn’t believe it is the city’s responsibility to develop such a long-term plan.
“Cottage Grove does not own this issue,” he said. “This is a regionwide and national issue. This is something that we are hoping the county will be able to work with us on. What we are trying to do is comply with state law and state law outlines what our responsibilities are. Working with our city attorney, we believe we are complying with state law. The question really belongs with the state legislature. This is something that really needs to be addressed at the state level.”
Sauerwine said he is encouraging everyone he speaks with about the homelessness issues, to talk with their legislators.
“Because really, the ball is in their court,” he said.
Editor’s Note: Due to printing issues, the following story was omitted in the Aug. 21 Sentinel.
Sheltering unhoused population still a “work-inprogress”
Editor’s Note: The full version of the following Homeless Camps story written by Cindy Weeldreyer did not run in its entirety in last week’s edition. We are rerunning the complete story this week. The Cottage Grove Sentinel is happy to set the record straight.
The shift to the 3A classification is seen as a strategic move to foster the continued development and growth of the players with an opportunity to stretch out in a fine league with prominent teams and new
The City of Cottage Grove’s homeless strategy is shifting.
All three of the city’s 24/7 homeless shelters closed and a “Dawn-toDusk” policy implemented, as of Aug. 22. The transition strategy was discussed at the Aug. 12 Cottage Grove City Council meeting. The city attorney stated city staff is acting under the authority granted by Resolution 2086 adopted in December 2022, so no further council action is required to change the management of the local unhoused population.
BACKGROUND
On June 30, the Carry It Forward contract to manage pallet shelter on Highway 99 ended. Staff has mothballed the site until the city council decides how it wants to repurpose it.
City staff posted a two week notice at both unmanaged campsites on Douglas Street and 12th Street announcing the camps would close Aug. 22 and ordered all campers to vacate the sites and take their belongings with them. The sign notes that any personal items left at the camp will be held for 30 days before discarding or donating them to charity.
Oregon law requires the city to collect and retain all property that is “recognizable as belonging to a person and that has apparent use” when clearing out homeless campsites. The city is required to store the property in a warehouse and give individuals 30 days to retrieve it. City
challenges, CGHS Garrettg Bridgens said in a published Sentinel interview in February.
“It’s a strategic decision for our student-athletes, providing an opportunity to compete and find success on the football field while upholding our athletic department values of respect,
officials can discard the property if they determine it is unsanitary or has no obvious use.
The transition strategy to a Dusk-to-Dawn (D2D) is to clean up the vacated sites and temporarily use the Lulu Dog Park between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. until the 12th Street site can be cleaned to serve as the city’s designated overnight sleeping location. The fenced dog park is behind the car wash on Main Street and close to the 12th Street site. Staff recently modified the dog park with some interior fencing.
The former blighted residential property on Douglas Street was purchased by the city as a potential site for a low-income housing project in partnership with a nonprofit organization, such as St. Vincent de Pau,l or Lane County’s Homes for Good. After the site is cleaned up the city will retain ownership, and the council will determine the best strategy for the site or if the property will be sold.
TIMELINE AHEAD
Cottage Grove City
Manager Mike Sauerwine said the goal is to complete the cleanup of the 12th and Douglas sites by the end of September. The clean-up costs for both camps will not be known until the campers move out and city staff determines the scope of the clean-up effort. He said the council will determine the future use of the Douglas site.
At the Aug. 12 city council presentation, Sauerwine gave the councilors a “reality check” that stated: This is a work in prog-
cont. from page 1
to successfully take Schott into custody,” Chase said.
“The injured officer was taken to Peace Health Cottage Grove Community
integrity and excellence,” Bridgens said.
Follow game results at osaa.org and see CGHS sports features in the Wednesday print editions of the Cottage Grove Sentinel.
CGHS Varsity Football Schedule 2024 Aug.
ress. It has taken three years to get to this point. It will take time to resolve the situation. It is far from a Perfect Solution. We need to be realistic and intellectually honest about city staff’s bandwidth (to manage a Dust-to-Dawn strategy).
The city issued a request for proposals to temporarily hire a private security company to enforce the 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. site. Sauerwine said he is personally contacting security firms seeking bids for a 60–90day contract and hopes to have it in place by Aug. 22 when the dog park site opens for sleepers.
COMMUNITY REACTIONS
State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, responding to input from local officials statewide, are demanding a reexamination of state law.
Mayor Candace Solesbee has been vocal on her opposition to BH 3115. She believes municipalities should not be saddled with issues such as drug addiction, mental illness and homelessness that, especially rural cities, are ill equipped to handle. She said historically, these societal problems have been left to social workers and doctors at the state and federal level.
“While I do not speak for the Council and I only have one vote, it has always been my opinion that Cottage Grove should do the minimum under the law, because I felt opening 24/7 camps would grow the unhoused population,” Solesbee said. “Until House bill 3115 is
Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and released.”
“Schott broke windows in nine businesses in the 700 and 800 blocks of E. Main Street using the metal pole of a street sign he had broken,” Chase said.
corrected or revised, it is my opinion that a dusk-todawn camp is our only true alternative. It is my hope this new direction will dwindle the population to people who are actually from Cottage Grove.”
The transition plan has supporters and detractors sounding off in social media discussions. Supporters believe placing more restrictions on where and when unhoused people can be will reduce the current number of unhoused individuals. Detractors fear the D2D strategy will force the current campers to spread out across town during the day and doesn’t address the underlying causes of substance abuse and mental health issues.
At the Aug. 12 Cottage Grove City Council meeting, a man who described himself as living in one of the city’s homeless camps told the council he is ashamed of Cottage Grove.
“I think you all have forgotten the Golden Rule, treat others as you would want to be treated,” he said. “You’re putting 100 people in the dog park where dogs poop. Is that how you guys treat your people around here?”
U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING
The transition policy comes on the heels of a June 28 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Grants Pass v Johnson. The 6-3 decision overruled lower court rulings that restricted how communities in the western United States could enforce camping bans. The City of Grants Pass (Ore.) appealed
Schott was transported to the Lane County Jail where he was booked and lodged on the following charges:
to the California-based court decision that struck down its local ordinance that fined people $295 for sleeping outside in response to increased camping in its public parks.
OREGON LEGISLATION
In 2021, at the urging of then-House Speaker Kotek, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3115 in response to the now-defunct legal standard set by the federal judges. It prohibits cities from adopting ordinances that bar people from sleeping outside unless there is shelter space available as an alternative.
HB 3115’s says: “Any city or county law that regulates the acts of sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to the public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.”
The law allows people experiencing homelessness to sue if they believe city policies don’t meet that standard. But the term “objectively reasonable” isn’t defined in the law, and courts have not ruled on what it means, creating uncertainty around exactly what limits the bill created for cities.
To avoid exposure to lawsuits, Sauerwine said the city will continue to follow the state law.
Follow new developments at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
• Assaulting a Public Safety Officer • Criminal Mischief in the First Degree • Resisting Arrest KEZI reported that a fund has been established by the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce to help businesses impacted by the vandalism.
VANDALISM