and a
Former Village Green property redevelopment
Cottage Grove Sentinel
A redevelopment project that began in 2023 at the property that was once the site of the Village Green Resort on Row River Road in Cottage Grove appears to be paused. “The weed are up really high, to me that indicates not much is happening. I would like to know more about what their plans are,” Cottage Grove City Councilor Dana Merryday said when looking at the former Village Green Resort property at the entrance of the city. Pine Springs, LLC owner
and the property applicant, Colin Kelley told The Sentinel that the project is moving forward.
“Everything is moving according to our plan. It may be slow for other people that want to see everything open up,” he said. “We are doing everything that we can to keep the project
moving forward. We are super excited about it. There should be no concern by any members of the community. We are still moving 100% with the project.” Kelley said much of the
VILLAGE GREEN cont. on page 7
“There should be no concern by any members of the community. We are still moving 100% with the project.”
Colin Kelley, Pine Springs LLC owner
Care packages need community support to send abroad
“Our biggest challenge with the project is getting names of active-duty men and women to send them to.” Carolin Pettit
CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel
For military men and women serving overseas, the holidays can be difficult being so far away from family and friends.
One bright spot for them every year is a small surprise from back home – a care package sent with goodies and good wish-
es from the members of Cottage Grove’s Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3473. The project started 15 years ago, and its continued success is dependent upon donations from the community and obtaining the names of specific members of the Armed Forces serving abroad to receive them. The feedback has always been positive.
Carolin Pettit is proud of this VFW Auxiliary project and looks forward to gathering with other
School board takes no action on complaints against unnamed board member
CINDY WEELDREYER
Cottage Grove Sentinel
The South Lane School Board met in a nearly 90-minute-long non-public session with its attorney to “discuss the legal rights and duties of a public body related to current or pending litigation and to consider two complaints brought against a public officer.”
The last two items of business on the school board’s regular Sept. 9 agenda included a discussion and decision about a formal complaint received in June and two informal complaints received in August.
The Sentinel previously reported in its June 19 issue that, after meeting in executive session and based on the advice of the school district’s attorney,
“For transparency, we should simply accept the report and move on. It shows we’re not trying to hide anything.”
Jeff Gowing, SLSD School Board member
the board voted to open a formal third-party investigation into the formal complaint. After that meeting, Board Member Duane Taddei said, while he believes the board should not ignore public complaints, it is fiscally prudent with the 2024-25 budget challenges to first explore mediation prior to expending limited funds for a third-party investigation. On a 5-2 vote, the majority voted to conduct a formal investigation.
JUNE COMPLAINT DISCUSSION AND ACTION
At the Sept 9 meeting, Board Member Sherry Duerst-Higgins stated for the record the board received a report in executive session on the investigation of the June complaint that concluded the allegations were unfounded. She moved to take no action with Board Member Tammy Hodgkin-
son seconding the motion. While discussing the motion, Board Chair Taylor Wilhour said what he read stated that in the two main areas investigated, one was unfounded and the other was partially founded. Taddei said that was not the way he read the report and Duerst-Higgins agreed. Taddei said he wanted to table the motion
until the board received information on the cost of the formal investigation.
“In my opinion, it’s taxpayer dollars that were spent to do an investigation and I think the public has a right to know what the report said,” Taddei said. He believes the district can’t afford to hire an investigator for each board complaint and didn’t think
the district should set that precedent. Hodgkinson responded the board can also set a precedence that (its members) can be more careful with their own behavior.
Taddei agreed and said,
“I think this is an opportunity for us all to learn from
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cost, impact of homeless camp cleanups
Cottage Grove Police Chief Cory Chase told the city council during its regular Sept. 9 public session that his law enforcement agency had planned a “significant operation” in closing down the two homeless camp sites Aug. 22.
“It was a significant process,” Chase said. “We just wanted to get them closed as peacefully as possible and to facilitate a peaceful transition out of those sites and make it as seamless as possible.”
Chase said he led a team of seven Cottage Grove police officers during a six-hour operation at the sites Aug. 22, amounting to a total of 42-police staffing hours.
“We used everybody that we had available to us,” he said, adding that his agency also relied on and asked for mutual aid from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
“They had a sergeant and two officers down here so they could take our calls for service while we were performing the operation,” Chase said. “Also to be
prepared in case there was any sort of instance that arose during the closure of the camps, we also reached out to the state police and asked them to be on standby. It was more of a situational awareness. They did have a trooper in our area, so they offered to have him hang out here for the day to assist either us or the sheriff’s office in handling calls for service.”
Chase said the OSP Springfield command staff, a captain, a lieutenant and a sergeant, deployed to the Douglas Street camp to show support for the Cottage Grove Police operation.
“It was a lot of staff and a lot of resources,” Chase said. “I think the end result is what we were looking for, which was the ability to close the camps and not to have any enforcement action taken, but to do it as peacefully as possible, and that is what we ended up doing.”
CITY IMPACT
Chase told the council, that during two-week period leading up to the closure, Cottage Grove Police responded to 14 calls for service at the 12th
Street site. The two weeks after the closure, officers responded to nine calls for service at the site.
“So, we were still getting calls there during that initial two weeks,” he said. “During the cleanup phase that was going on, there were still some people hanging out in the area, so there were some things that we were called to there.”
At the Douglas Street site, Chase said police received 16 calls for service two weeks prior to the camp closure, and 14 calls two weeks immediately after the camp closure.
Fencing and signs have been setup at the camp sites as visual barriers to ensure that the two former homeless camp sites are appropriately marked and secured, according to Chase.
“Wee were taking just about the same amount of calls for service two weeks prior to and two weeks after the closure with one significant difference,” he said. “We took just about 25 calls for service relating to illegal camping and things of that nature directly tied to the
illegal camping. Once the campsites were closed, we had folks setting up illegal camps around the city that we were being called to respond to. We did respond.”
To my knowledge, there weren’t any calls for service that we weren’t able to respond to.”
Chase added the officers did respond to new disturbances at the temporary homeless camp at Lulu Dog Park over the weekend of Sept. 6-8.
“Our officers have been mindful of that, and they will respond appropriately for those calls for service,” he said.
Chase added that the police department is still short on staff.
“I’ve been working shifts as best I can to fill in,” he said.
Chase also told the council that his agency is adding new options to its online reporting system.
“So, folks can go online and report either trespassing, illegal dumping, or illegal camping, as so as those things pop up, if they go online and report those, those will be looked at every 24 hours,” Chase said. “When our
POLICE BLOTTER
The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.
community service officer comes in in the morning, he responds. On his days off we will have another officer or supervisor there, so we will still respond to those calls and the online process will help free us up a little bit and we won’t just be reacting to those throughout the day.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Cottage Grove Public Works Department Director Faye Stewart told the city council the cost for the overall two-camp site cleanup amount to $44, 929.95.
• Employee Cost
$10,207.07
• Equipment Cost
$13,580.00
• Landfill Cost $20,667.88
• Swanson Pest $ 475.00
Total $44,929.95
In a prepared memo to the council, Stewart said on Friday, Aug. 23, Swanson’s Pest Management installed rat traps at both sites.
Aug. 26 through 27, public works staff cleaned up the Douglas Avenue campsite removing 82.5 tons of solid waste taking it to Lane County’s Short Mountain Landfill.
Aug. 27, 28, 29, and Sept. 4, public works staff cleaned up the 12th Street removed 122.36 tons of solid waste taking that waste to the the Short Mountain Landfill. On Sept. 5, public works staff began removing approximately 3” of rock from the 12th Street campsite.
“Once the contaminated rock is removed staff will install a new layer of gravel and install temporary fencing creating the new Dusk to Dawn Campsite,” he said.
Prior to the Sept. 9 city council meeting, Cottage Grove City Manager Mike Sauerwein told The Sentinel that a downsized version of the 12th Street homeless camp is expected to open in October.
Part of the city’s homeless camp transition plan is to utilize the Lulu Dog Park site, adjacent to the 12th Street camp, as a temporary 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. camp while that cleanup was conducted.
Approximately three to five people have been spending the night at the Lulu camp, according to Sauerwein.
“What we want to do at the 12th Street camp is to take a very small fraction of what was the 12th Street camp and convert that to a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. camp,” he said.
“We’re going to set it up for half a dozen sites for people to spend the night and then transition the Lulu site back to its original purpose as a dog park. It was donated to the city for that purpose. So, just a very small, tiny fraction of what used to be the 12th Street camp will be opened for 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. camping.”
Sauerwein said the city is still in the process of cleaning the 12th Street camp site with the goal of completing that process by the end of September.
“And I think we are making good progress,” he said. “It’s still a work in progress.”
According to Sauerwein, the Douglas Street campsite property was originally purchased for development of low-income housing.
“I don’t know what we are going to do with either one of these sites,” he said. “That’s a conversation I need to have with the city council.”
Read previous coverage of the homeless camps and follow developments online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
“We are not reopening the camps,” Sauerwein said. “We have closed both the Douglas Street and the 12th Street camp and have gone in and cleaned them both up.”
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 SEPTEMBER 2
03:50: Stolen vehicle, Davisson/99
07:16: Disturbance, 1000 block Birch Ave.
08:24: Trespass, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
08:27: Trespass, 900 block Row River Rd.
09:52: Suspicious condition, 1200 block S. 4th St.
10:22: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99
11:28: Illegal camping, 1100 block E. Main St.
11:59: Citizen assist, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
13:03: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
13:16: Welfare check, 600 block Benjamin Ave.
15:08: Illegal parking, 200 block Buttercup Lp.
16:33: Disturbance, 2100 block South R St.
20:31: Suspicious subject, 16th/Main
21:39: Disorderly subject, 3300 block E. River Rd.
22:07: Suspicious condition, 1300 block E. Main St.
22:28: Trespass, 900 block E. Main St.
22:46: Animal info, 600 block N. 10th St.
23:17: Warrant service, 100 block W. 5th St.
23:26: Theft, 400 block N. Douglas St.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
03:51: Suspicious vehicle, 1300 block E. Main St.
03:58: Suspicious subject, 100 block S. 10th St.
04:32: Traffic hazard, 16th/E. Chamberlain Ave.
06:22: Disturbance, K/Birch
08:05: Disabled vehicle, Gateway/Row River Rd.
08:42: Abandoned vehicle, 400 block N. 10th St.
09:44: Criminal mischief, 100 block S. 17th St.
10:17: Criminal mischief, 1300 block E. Main St.
10:19: Criminal mischief, 100 block N. 6th St.
10:24: Criminal mischief, 700 block E. Main St.
10:27: Criminal mischief, 600 block E. Washington Ave.
10:29: Criminal mischief, 900 block S. River Rd.
10:43: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
11:02: Illegal parking, 90 block Arthur Ave.
11:50: Fraud, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
12:39: Agency assist, 1500 block Gateway Blvd.
13:19: Theft, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
13:27: Found property, 1000 block N. Douglas St.
13:48: Theft, 900 block W. Main St.
14:09: Suicidal subject, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
14:52: Hit and run, 900 block Row River Rd.
15:38: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
16:56: Animal info, Whiteaker/5th
17:08: Hit and run, 1500 block E. Main St.
18:12: Traffic hazard, 300 block N. Douglas St.
18:50: Illegal camping, 500 block S. River Rd.
18:58: Barking dog, South River Rd.
19:21: Welfare check, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
19:37: Traffic hazard, 6th/Jefferson
22:02: Juveniles damaging property, 100 block S. 10th St.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
00:24: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
01:13: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block Village Dr.
01:20: Suspicious subject, 600 block Row River Rd.
03:29: Suspicious subject, 100 block S. 6th St.
06:58: Barking dog, 1100 block E. Harrison Ave.
07:16: Disorderly subject, 1300 block E. Main St.
07:50: Criminal mischief, 600 block E. Jefferson Ave.
08:05: Illegal camping, 1100 block E. Main St.
08:32: Welfare check, 900 block Row River Rd.
10:00: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99
10:29: Death investigation, 900 block W. Main St.
12:49: Disturbance, 33000 block Row River Rd.
14:42: Illegal parking, 200 block Buttercup Lp.
14:42: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.
14:53: Abandoned vehicle, 10th/Adams
14:59: Found property, 1400 block E. Main St.
15:41: Found property, 2700 block Row River Rd.
15:59: Order violation, 500 block N. 10th St.
16:11: Disorderly subject, 200 block Gateway Blvd.
16:40: Welfare check, 1000 block N. 11th St.
16:44: Disorderly subject, 1500 block E. Main St.
16:58: Abandoned vehicle, 11th/Geer
17:06: Illegal camping, Birch/J
17:58: Trespass, 100 block Village Dr.
20:28: Unlawful entry into motor vehicle, 800 block Gateway Blvd.
21:06: Trespass, 1700 block E. Main St.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
01:44: Disturbance, 1700 block S. 5th St.
05:31: Suspicious condition, 400 block E. Main St.
05:58: Theft, 700 block N. River Rd.
06:27: Warrant service, 300 block S. River Rd.
07:09: Illegal camping, 400 block N. Douglas St.
07:26: Disorderly subject, 10th/Main
08:50: Abandoned vehicle, 13th/Quincy
09:15: Disorderly subject, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
09:35: Warrant service, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
09:52: Info, 1200 block E. Main St.
10:55: Vehicle crash, 900 block S. 6th St.
11:26: Citizen assist, 700 block E. Main St.
11:34: Animal info, 1300 block Jefferson Ave.
11:58: Disorderly subject, 1100 block Chestnut
12:04: Trespass, 400 block N. Douglas St.
12:14: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.
13:00: Dog at large, 200 block S. 16th St.
13:58: Business check, 1200 block Hwy 99
15:02: Animal info, 800 block W. Main St.
17:46: Fraud, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
18:18: Animal info, 1300 block E. Jefferson Ave.
18:56: Illegal camping, 1100 block chestnut Ave.
19:12: Missing person, 1500 block Harvey Ln.
19:28: Citizen assist, 400 block E. Main St.
21:36: Illegal camping, L/Chestnut
22:11: Prowler, 500 block N. 16th St.
23:22: Alarm, 700 block Row River Rd.
23:28: Alarm, 2000 block Getty Cir.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
02:12: Alarm, 2000 block Getty Cir
03:42: Alarm, 100 block Hwy 99
05:19: Trespass, 1500 block E. Main St.
07:01: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block Hwy 99
07:21: Suspicious subject, 700 block Hwy 99
07:40: Illegal camping, 300 block S. River Rd.
07:52: Info, 200 block Quincy Ave.
08:12: Disturbance, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
08:51: Found property, 1100 block E. Main St.
09:40: Fraud, 200 block South N St.
11:15: Info, 300 block E. Madison Ave.
12:30: Sex crime, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
12:41: Abandoned vehicle, 100 block Thomas Ln.
13:13: Theft, 1100 block S. 2nd St.
13:41: Fraud, 1700 block Parks Rd.
14:16: Civil, 600 block Johnson Ave.
14:36: Fraud, 900 block N. Douglas St.
14:41: Alarm, 2100 block E. Madison Ave.
15:11: Animal info, 900 block Row River Rd.
15:57: Suspicious condition, 400 block N. 9th St.
16:13: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
18:01: Found dog, 900 block Row River Rd.
18:22: Disturbance, 1500 block E. Main St.
18:55: Disorderly subject, 1300 block S. 4th St.
19:22: Trespass, 1500 block E. Main St.
20:12: Suspicious subject, 1000 block Taylor Ave.
20:25: Trespass, 1500 block N. Gateway Blvd.
21:20: Welfare check, 200 block N. 14th St.
21:43: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.
21:59: Fire, 1100 block E. Main St.
23:05: Disturbance, 1000 block Hwy 99
23:28: Assault, 400 block E. Main St.
23:52: Citizen assist, 1200 block Gateway Blvd.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
06:51: Suicidal subject, Birch/M
07:24: Alarm, 100 block N. 7th St.
07:43: Found property, 1100 block E. Main St.
08:27: Suspicious vehicle, 1500 block E. Main St.
09:11: Mental, 1600 block Ash Ave.
10:05: Fire, 700 block Gibbs Ave.
10:30: Juvenile / helmet law
11:23: Illegal camping, S. River Rd/Main
13:42: Fire, 100 block Village Dr.
13:55: Abandoned vehicle, Birch/L
16:04: Theft, 100 block North I St.
16:41: Illegal camping, S. River Rd/Main
16:50: Disturbance, 1500 block Hwy 99
17:30: Suspicious condition, 800 block Kristen Way
17:47: Trespass, 800 block E. Main St.
18:00: Harassment, 1300 block Hwy 99
18:43: Suspicious subject, 1300 block E. Main St.
19:07: Illegal camping, North P St.
20:08: Alarm, 100 block Gateway Blvd.
20:43: Suspicious subject, 900 block Row River Rd.
21:23: Hit and run, 200 block N. River Rd.
21:27: Suspicious vehicle, 600 block E. Jefferson Ave.
23:07: Suspicious condition, 1000 block Hillside Dr.
23:39: Business check, 2700 block Row River Rd.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
00:07: Vehicle impound, 800 block Whiteaker Ave.
00:32: Suicidal subject, 400 block E. Main St.
06:27: Illegal camping,
Cottage Grove Police checked on the campers during the Aug. 22 transition day deadline at the 12th Street homeless camp.
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
LIFESTYLES
$5,000 for local STEM program
JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Connect Lane County has received $5,000 from Pacific Power to expend its Invention Club programming into Lincoln Middle School in Cottage Grove. Invention Club is a STEM-focused af-
ter-school experience empowering youth to become inventors and create solutions for the community. Participants meet weekly to learn and apply skills like human-centered design and rapid prototyping to their creations. At the end of the year, teams enter the Oregon MESA
Day competition hosted at Portland State University.
The Sentinel reached out to Connect Lane County
Associate Director Justin Thibedeau for insight into the local STEM projects.
The Sentinel: What specifically is the mission of STEM, and how is it designed to help students?
Justin Thibedeau: STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM education not only introduces youth to the technical skills needed to innovate and create, but the cross-disciplinary aspect of the learning focuses on collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking, essential professional skills for work in any field.
The Sentinel: What STEM projects are currently underway in Cottage Grove and Creswell, where, and approximately
how many students are impacted?
Thibedeau: Connected Lane County and Lincoln Middle School are building on the existing partnership. In previous years, youth from Lincoln Middle School have gone on STEM field trips to our Spark locations and our annual Career Expo. Starting in October 2024, in partnership with Oregon MESA, Connected Lane County will support an after-school STEM program called Invention Club at Lincoln Middle School in Cottage Grove.
Youth in grades 7-8 will meet weekly to learn coding, 3D modeling, and engineering design principles and apply these skills to a yearlong project on Environmental Sustainability. This program will have capacity for 15-20 youth.
The Sentinel: What is Connected Lane County,
and what is its connection to the STEM projects?
Thibedeau: Connected
Lane County is a local nonprofit that creates learning and skill-building opportunities for Lane County youth ages 14-24. Connected Lane Countyʼs Spark program provides accessible hands-on STEM learning experiences for youth historically underrepresented in STEM fields. The organizations other programs include Navigate, resource navigation support; Elevate, career-connected learning experiences; and Excelerators, which combine paid training in high-wage, high-demand fields followed by a paid internship to gain industry experience.
The Sentinel: Feel free to add any other comments you might have.
Thibedeau: Connected Lane County has two
Spark locations, Spark on 7th in downtown Eugene and Spark at Booth-Kelly in downtown Springfield, with equipment, resources, and training opportunities that support youth in building skills and gaining hands-on experience. We host regular drop-in services on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Spark at Booth-Kelly, where youth can get support applying for jobs, asking housing questions, doing laundry, and more! Cottage Grove youth interested in participating with Connected Lane County can attend our upcoming Wonder Wednesdays at the Cottage Grove Community Center. These events cover a variety of life skill-related topics. See all upcoming events at https://connectedlane.org/ events/.
Discovering Native American culture
SUBMITTED
Singing Creek Educational Center (SCEC presents the Acorn Circle Program this fall, designed to bring Native American culture and children’s education to the Springfield, Cottage Grove, Fern Ridge, Drain, and Siuslaw libraries and the Oakridge Community Center. Attendance is free and there are dates throughout October and November at each location. Trained SCEC staff will lead three sessions for children aged 6–10 at each location. Each class includes a book reading and craft project, utilizing curriculum from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Books include “Let’s Go Eeling”, “Mulak Man” and “Coyote and the Fish Trap.” Teachers of grades one - three are encouraged to attend and get ideas about bringing these lessons into the classroom. At the first session Friday Sept. 27 at the Springfield library, kids will
learn about the cultural importance of Willamette Falls and eel hunting, learn to summarize the main idea of a story, and create a small basket to take home. They learn the word for “eel basket” in Chinuk WaWa language.
“This will be fun and educational for the kids,”
SCEC Executive Director Karen Rainsong said. “It’s a creative way to bring this Native curriculum into libraries and build respect, appreciation and cultural bridges.”
SCEC will provide an additional indigenous cultural event at each library in November for Native American Heritage Month for adults and older children.
The indigenous culture-bearers include Deitrich Peters of the Grand Ronde Tribe and Stephanie Craig MA:IS.
Peters will share elements of his regalia and will play flute music, talk about his culture, and take questions.
“I want people to un-
derstand Native culture to actually see, be a part of, and participate in learning about culture that is still surviving,” Peters said.
Stephanie Craig’s presentation will include indigenous knowledge, traditional plant uses, and basketry.
Rainsong will bring
items of Kalapuya material culture to share at these cultural presentations. This free program is generously funded by the City of Cottage Grove, the Woodard Family Foundation, Three Rivers Foundation, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, and participating libraries.
Spring Creek Education Center
Singing Creek Educational Center is a non-profit organization with a mission to inspire children and families toward an appreciation of local history through hands-on learning. Our programs are fun and engaging while also encouraging critical thinking skills and learning about history from multiple perspectives
For more information, including specific dates, visit the Singing Creek Educational Center website at: https://www.singingcreekcenter.org/acorn-circle-native-american/
members this month to begin packing the boxes. She says there is a pleasant atmosphere of camaraderie among the volunteer box packers who feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing their efforts will be a bright spot for men and women who are making personal sacrifices to serve their country.
She said since they can no longer address the holiday boxes to “a soldier” they must have the address of a specific person who is serving overseas.
Some years they have mailed more than 100 boxes. The best method of distribution is to identify a specific person who agrees to receive up to 10 boxes to share with other members of their unit. In the past, members of the post have helped transport the boxes to the post office.
“Our biggest challenge with the project is getting names of active-duty men and women to send them to,” Pettit said. “One year we found a National Guard unit based out of Texas –
but, hey, they counted.”
The boxes contain a variety of items that are practical, yummy and fun, according to Pettit. They include food and snacks (no chocolate because it melts), beverage packets, including the Keurig pods, playing cards, cotton boot socks in green or black, personal care items like sunblock, gum, eyeglass wipes, toiletries, etc. Small toys are sometimes included so the soldiers can give them to local children.
Pettit said the community has been generous in helping them collect the items they send and the response from box recipients is always positive.
“One year we sent boxes to a ship where a local man was serving,” she said. “He was kind enough to take pictures of all the sailors opening the boxes and enjoying the contents.
Cottage Bowl bowlers and staff raised a lot of donations, so we gave a set of photos to them. I just noticed that the poster is still up at the bowling alley. The year we sent items to the Texas unit we
OBITUARIES
Barbara Jean Hooker
2/19/1930 - 8/29/2024
Barbara Hooker of Cottage Grove passed away August 29, 2024, at the age of 94. Barbara is survived by daughter Connie Rowlett of Cottage Grove, son Steve and wife Annie Shepard of Creswell, daughter Karen and husband Brian Bell of Bend, granddaughter Candice Shepard of Cottage Grove, sister Gloria Cawrse, and brother Erling Johnson, both of Toledo, Oregon. A service will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cottage Grove, OR, on Saturday, September 21,
got a wonderful thank you, including pictures, from them.”
Post 3473 was established in 1941. Members met in church basements and other locations until the mid-1970s when the current building at 3160 Hillside Drive was built.
To qualify for VFW membership a veteran must have served in the United States Armed Forces and received an Honorable or General discharge and served in a war, campaign or expedition on foreign soil or in hostile waters. Membership in the American Legion, the other local veterans service organization, is open to all military veterans.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Auxiliary is a veterans’ service organization that supports veterans, service members, and their families. Founded in 1914, the VFW Auxiliary is one
of the oldest veterans’ service organizations in the country. Its mission is to honor the sacrifices of those who have served in uniform. The two different organizations work together on many projects including the holiday boxes.
The VFW Post and Auxiliary both organizations participate in national scholarships opportunities.
“Patriots Pen” is for middle school age children, and “Voice of Democracy” is for high school age youth. On Sept. 11, the Auxiliary delivers cookies to local first responders. Members have adopted two National Guard units based in Springfield. To support them and their families they organize treat bags for their children and host a Christmas breakfast and a summer picnic.
Other community projects include partnering
with the American Legion to put up American flags on Main Street on the 11th of each month and the auxiliary members serve the volunteers breakfast when they are done. Members of the post and the auxiliary donate to the Veterans Legacy Camp west of Crow. Members also provide cookies to the fundraising coffee wagon, which sets up twice a month at Interstate 5’s northbound Gettings Creek Rest Area north of Cottage Grove.
Navigating the bureaucracy of the Veterans Administration can be daunting for some veterans. A Veterans Service Officer visits the post several times a month to help vets understand what benefits they qualify for and assists them with the paperwork to access them.
Former Commander Will Parrish said the or-
ganization’s greatest need is for younger, qualified veterans. He said in addition to valuable friendships and the opportunity to serve others, one very important aspect of VFW membership is representation in the halls of Congress.
“We need at least a million members to positively affect veterans’ policies in Washington, D.C.,” Parrish said. “Our members deeply love our country and those who protect us and our freedoms.”
Veterans who are interested in joining the organization can contact any VFW member or call the post at 541-942-7099 to request an application.
People who want to donate items for this year’s care packages can call the post and leave a message so you can be contacted.
LDT increases route services
STSAFF REPORT Cottage
The Lane Transit District (LTD) has increased its Monday through Friday bus service, by approximately 8%.
This new weekday schedule runs until February 2025. Weekend bus service schedules will remain the same. “Many routes are being modified so passengers
Eric Matthew Tuerffs
November 11, 1960 - August 26, 2024
Eric Matthew Tuerffs, 63, of Cottage Grove, Oregon passed away at home August 26, 2024 of pancreatic cancer. He was born November 11, 1960 in Arcadia, California to parents Robert and Roselyn (Daneri) Tuerffs.
Eric graduated from Sonoma State University with a bachelor’s degree. Eric was a concrete contractor and proud owner of his business Eric Tuerffs Concrete.
He loved being outdoors hunting, fishing, foraging, and camping. But most of all
he was his children and grandchildren’s biggest fan cheering them on in their endeavors in life.
Eric is survived by daughter Veronica Gerhard of Reno, NV; son Kelly Tuerffs of Cottage Grove, OR; son Kevin Tuerffs of Cottage Grove, OR; brother Mark Tuerffs of Yorba Linda, CA; brother Greg Tuerffs of Santa Ana, CA; sister Ann Burdett of Pleasanton, CA; brother John Tuerffs of San Jose, CA; and 7 grandchildren. Services will be held at a later date.
will need to double check their bus schedule to make sure they know when their bus will arrive,” LTD’s Public Information Officer Anni Katz said. “The reasons for the increase are twofold: we’re seeing increased ridership demand and more importantly, we have hired a lot more bus operators.”
Katz added that LTD’s massive recruitment effort over the last several
Lynn Wilkins Sr. (DOB 9/12/1961; DOD 9/4/2024).
Darrell Lynn Wilkins Sr., 92, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, passed away on September 4, 2024. Arrangements in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.
Steven Harold Doughty, of Eugene Oregon, passed away on 09/08/2024. Arrangements are in the care of Sunset Hills Funeral Home, Crematorium and Cemetery.
months has been a success.
“Even now, LTD is still adding people to the team,” she said.
Minor adjustments were made to most LTD routes.
Weekday EmX frequency will increase from 15 to 10-minute service for the majority of the day. Evening service on the 79X evening will now operate from 7:20 a.m. to 5:50 p.m.
The extended service until
9:30 p.m. was funded by the University of Oregon ASUO.
The increased bus route services took effect Sept. 9.
To know how a weekday bus route was impacted by the schedule change, passengers can refer to the Rider’s Guide for schedule adjustments at LTD. org and follow LTD on social media for the latest information.
NEWS & VIEWS
Resilient communities prepare together
ERIN MCMAHON Sentinel Guest Column
Disasters and emergencies can happen anywhere, and without warning.
In Oregon, we deal with wildfires, floods, heat domes, ice and snowstorms. Then there is the ever-present threat of a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. It’s important for everyone to know what to do, and how to care for one another.
This is why FEMA and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) observe National Preparedness Month in September and the Great ShakeOut in October. We want to empower community members to prepare together.
As director of OEM, it’s a top priority for me to help people living in Oregon be ready for disasters. As such, I am excited to announce the launch of a brand-new Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit.
The digital version of the kit is available at Oregon.gov/OEM and is offered in English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese and Vietnamese, with American Sign Language videos
coming soon. This new community-based initiative is designed to help individuals and their communities prepare for emergencies and practice their skills as a group. We encourage people to work through the Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit, and when possible, come together to practice their skills and share resources.
We want the Be 2 Weeks Ready program to foster a culture of preparedness within established groups such as faith-based organizations, neighborhood associations, local 4-H clubs, schools, and workplaces. By working together, these communities can enhance their collective resilience and ensure everyone is equipped to handle emergencies.
A great opportunity for community practice, is to participate in the first ever Great Oregon Camp-In the weekend after the Great ShakeOut on October 17. This “camp-in” is the perfect time to test your skills without electricity or running water, and to inventory your emergency supplies.
If possible, camp out for a night in your living room
Independent voter speaks out
I’m one of the 51% of Americans that identify as an Independent Voter. Currently broadcasting from Denver Colorado, The Independent National Convention started yesterday, September 17th going through 18th and the 19th.
This is the most exciting thing happening in America right now, but most people are stuck in front of their TV’s watching the circus and nobody I’ve talked to in Cottage Grove has even heard of this convention. Are you kidding me? This is our last chance to break the two-party broken cycle and create liberty and justice for ALL.
I bought a virtual ticket to the Convention with nearly 40 speakers inspiring Independents to create a third voice in the political arena. Addressing civic participation, governance reform, leadership by the people, wellness and nature, and it doesn’t stop there. If you are interested in viewing the Convention Email: Independents. together.now@gmail.com. Call to Action: Purchase a virtual ticket. Share it. Let’s go viral. at https:// www.inc24.us Facebook: United Independents.
Sincerely, Ananda Reeves Cottage Grove
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.
WHERE 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
SUBSCRIPTION
PRINT W/DIGITAL:
or yard. Maybe invite your neighbors to join you. Get the community involved and practice your Be 2 Weeks Ready skills.
If you don’t have a yard—or a full day of camping feels overwhelming—try not using running water or electricity for a couple hours—or even a whole day.
It’s important to note that being two weeks ready doesn’t have to be expensive or happen all at once. There are a lot of effective and low-cost to no-cost actions your community can take today to be ready for tomorrow.
You can find more details about these on FEMA’s preparedness site Ready. gov, but I’ve included a few here:
• Visit ORAlert.gov to sign up or update your contact information to receive local emergency alerts.
• Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) on your mobile phone.
• Understand Oregon’s evacuation levels and know the evacuation routes in your area.
• Familiarize yourself
with TripCheck.com.
• Make go bags with survival essentials for every member of your family, including pets. Please remember to also look to your local leaders for additional tips on how your community is preparing. Connect with your local emergency management office, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), sheriff’s office, or Tribal police and follow them on social media to stay up to date during quickly changing emergencies.
A pro tip: consider making copies of the important documents you’ll need to get your life back on track after a disaster; scan or take photos of this information and store it in a password-protected online drive or on a flash drive in a waterproof container and keep it with your go bag.
In the end, what I most want for the people of Oregon is to feel empowered, not frightened, when thinking about how they will respond in an emergency.
I know this new Be 2 Weeks Ready Toolkit will help them build meaningful connections with one
another that will lead to better outcomes for everyone when disaster strikes.
Erin McMahon is the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director appointed in September 2023. She came to the agency as a
and
Interim Superintendent welcome to students, families
BRIAN MCASLINE
Editor’s Note: The following is a message from South Lane School District Interim Superintendent Brian McCasline to district families.
Dear South Lane Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 school year!
Whether you are returning to our district or joining us for the first time, we’re thrilled to have you with us.
This past Wednesday, Sept. 4, marked the end of a busy summer for South Lane. Many staff members in our maintenance, food service, technology, and transportation departments worked tirelessly all summer to prepare for students to return to class. We also had 4 different summer programs happening in our schools which included teachers, office staff, educational assistants, and other support staff.
In addition to these efforts, many of our teachers participated in training and further education to prepare them to meet the needs of all of our students. It was a great, but busy summer! Wednesday also marked the beginning of a very promising year.
Many South Lane students were back in their classrooms today, and it was great to see them getting started on a new school year. I saw elementary students eating breakfast together and preparing for their day. I witnessed middle school students working with their teacher to set routines for the year. Ninth grade students at CGHS were learning from experienced students what it will take to be successful. It was a great first day!
As you know, student academic success is our ultimate goal in South Lane. As we focus on success for EVERY
student, we have three main goals:
First, we want every student to acquire the Reading, Math and other skills necessary to be prepared for their lives and careers after high school. Our teachers are organized in teaching teams that focus on what students need to know and be able to do, what we need to do if they don’t learn what we are teaching, and what we can do to extend learning for students who already know the material.
Second, we want students to make a connection between what they are learning in school and what they will do after high school. We also want them to be able to have real-world experiences while still in high school that will allow them to learn the professional skills necessary to be successful in whatever career they ultimately choose. Third, we want students to have the social and emotional skills necessary to cope with what comes their way during these formative years so that they can learn.
This is our focus. We look forward to partnering with you in your child’s education and are excited to work together to make this school year a positive and rewarding experience. Should you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our building principals, who are ready to assist you.
Here’s to a fantastic school year!
Sincerely, Brian McCasline
Brian McCasline is the South Lane School District Interim Superintendent.
retired U.S. Army brigadier general, attorney and combat veteran with 24 years of experience advising state and national leaders on emergent and active emergencies requiring operational
civilian support.
ERIN MCMAHON
Classified
6th & Gibbs Church of
N. 6th St. •
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
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
Trinity Lutheran Church 6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373
Vacancy Pastor : Herb Percy Sunday School & Adult Education 9:15am Sunday Worship 10:30 am Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur 5:00pm TLC Groups tlccg.com
United Methodist Church 334 Washington 541-942-3033 Worship
CRESWELL:
Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40
Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00
this and move on.”
He added that, by not releasing a redacted copy that protects the parties involved, there will be rumors and speculation on the details of the complaint and the complainant by the public and the media. Hodgkinson said if they had not investigated the complaint, the community would wonder if the board was hiding something.
The initial motion to take no action was unanimously rejected.
Another motion, made by Board Member Jeff Gowing and seconded by Duerst-Higgins, was to accept the report as presented. It was noted that the attorney’s summary of the investigation’s findings was carefully written so the board had the option to make it public. The
underground work for sewer and water at the site is complete and his company is waiting on permits for the architectural and structural portions of the project.
“Which we have been in contact with the city quite a bit and we are getting pretty close,” he said. “We are still framing the project in Springfield, so we are getting that wrapped up. One we get the permits, we’ll start moving our foundation crews down and they’ve already set up a couple of the forms for the foundation. Our goal was to get the majority of the undergrounding in, so that way when we move in, it won’t be in the way of the big equipment trying to dig trenches. It’s going according to plan. Now we just need permits. It’s going really well. The city has been incredible to work with.” Kelley said nothing has changed in the master plan
motion passed 6-1 with Board Member Colleen Valley voting no because she wanted to seek legal advice before taking any action.
“For transparency, we should simply accept the report and move on.” Gowing said. “It shows we’re not trying to hide anything.”
AUGUST COMPLAINTS
DISCUSSION AND ACTION
The board then discussed two unspecified August complaints with the option of conducting another investigation or taking no action. Wilhour told his colleagues the Oregon School Boards Association staff said the school board can issue a formal statement on both these complaints.
Duerst-Higgins moved and Gowing seconded a motion acknowledging
that was submitted to the city in 2023.
“It hasn’t gone vertical probably as fast as everyone had wanted it to, but it is going according to our plan and how we structured the whole deal,” he said, adding that the development is on time and on budget.
Kelley said he is still working to find a buyer for the hotel and RV Park. The development also includes an apartment complex with 121 units, all but one would be a two-bedroom, two bath units. The apartments would likely rent for between $1,450 and $1,500 a month, depending on the current market rate, according to Kelley.
Two, one-acre commercial pads are planned that Kelley said will have two retail tenants. He declined to provide specifics about what type of retail, due to ongoing negotiations, but said it could be a mix of restaurant and merchandise.
“There is a lot of op-
the board received the complaints and after a discussion chose to take no further action. Wilhour said he wants to explain to the complainants why the board took no action. He noted the board does have the power to censure a fellow board member but only the voters can remove him or her.
“The public needs to understand that, as a board, we have no authority to remove a board member,” Durest-Higgins said. “So, we’re going to behave ourselves, so we don’t have to go through this anymore.”
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Four people spoke during public comment portion of the school board meeting.
Johanna Zee criticized Wilhour’s response to someone who wrote a letter of concern after the Eugene Weekly released an
portunity with the development being along I-5,” he said. “There’s not that many restaurants or food providers on that side, so there is a lot of opportunity for some additional providers to potentially come in that haven’t been in the Cottage Grove area so far.”
While Kelley said he was not willing to discuss the specific investment his company is making in the Village Green property development, he did tell The Sentinel that the investment “would be way more than a multi-million-dollar investment.”
Kelley disputed what he called public comments when his company first purchased the property, indicating that the development would be a truck stop.
“We are long-term holders of apartments “he said. “We want to be a part of the community. We don’t want to bring something that’s not a value-add for the community,” he said. “So, with the hotel and RV
obscenity-laced voicemail it received from Taddei. The message conveyed his displeasure with the paper’s unwillingness to correct inaccuracies in a story the newspaper wrote on the City of Cottage Grove’s transition to managing its homeless population with a dusk-to-dawn model. She defended his actions and specifically called into question the character of other board members who she accused of judging him for expressing his first amendment right to a perceived injustice.
Emily McDonald, a first-year teacher of second graders, testified about the financial jeopardy she is in because of multiple payroll errors and a lack of administrative staff cooperation to provide the documentation needed to complete the Oct. 15 extension she filed with the Internal Revenue Service.
park, we want to provide value to that, and provide value to the restaurant and bar that is still there. We can provide 121 apartment units, two commercial lots, and it can almost become a live-work-play development for people coming into town, so cohesively it will eventually be a very good thing for the city of Cottage Grove. It will be a great add-on.”
Kelley said his company is attempting to utilize what he called 16-acres of un-utilized property at the site, and he confirmed that the development would retain a portion of the former Village Green resort, including a 10,000-squarefoot building, some of the hotel buildings, and retaining the RV park.
“Most of those tenants have been there for years and it was never our goal to come in and just kick those people out,” he said. “We all recognize that whether its RV spaces or mobile homes, housing is really hard to come by, so moving those people isn’t something that we were looking to do.”
Kelly said it is likely that his company is “full steam ahead” in building the apartments on the property with a phased in approach with completion estimated to be completed in approximately 18 months.
“All the site infrastructure has been installed and approved,” Cottage Grove Mayor Candice Solesbee said. “The building inspector has been to the site multiple times to inspect the infrastructure installation. He has been visiting the site to observe the work daily. We are all waiting with great anticipation for the new additional, much needed housing in Cottage Grove.”
HISTORY
The Village Green had
Christina Hussey said the district lacks services for special needs students. She also expressed alarm over inappropriate text messages she read to the board between her 14-yearold daughter and an adult South Lane Mental Health male counselor last school year. She was removed multiple times from her math class and asked to provide health insurance information without letting her parents know about it.
Art Lancaster expressed frustration with teachers who teach their opinions and not curriculum. He cited high school students in his workplace who struggle with reading and math and pleaded with the school board to get education back (on track) 100-percent.
OTHER BOARD BUSINESS
The board voted to ac-
been a long standing, fivestar destination resort in Cottage Grove that slowly aged and degraded over the years,” according to Merryday.
“It was passed from developers and new owners and each time somebody bought it, it took a step down and it closed about four years ago,” Merryday said.
Portions of the hotel wings were already in disrepair to the point that they were no longer being used and those were all demolished. Portions of the more modern wings and the central core of the resort had been preserved. Merryday said he was hopeful the planned housing at the site would become reality.
“I know when people come here, they have a hard time finding a place to stay here, so we are trying to attract tourists and that (new hotel) would be an excellent thing.” he said.
Cottage Grove City Manager Mike Sauerwein also expressed interest in the property development.
“That project started before I got here, and I know they’re intention is to continue at the site, Sauerwein said. “This is absolutely an important site, and the city is very supportive of the project going forward.”
Cottage Grove Associate Planner Leni Crow told The Sentinel that developer has one “active permit” with the city, a plumbing permit, but no inspections of the work have been requested or scheduled to date.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
The city council received a presentation by Bishow Consulting of Eugene Feb. 22, 2023, of the Pines Springs Master Plan, the planned development of the Village Green property.
cept the clean audit for the 2022-23 school year. Jeremy Smith, the Director of Teaching and Learning, presented a report on statewide proficiencies of English Learners and updated the district’s success and challenges with multi-lingual learners.
The Board adopted Interim Superintendent Brian McCasline’s 2024-25 goals and timelines and the board goals for this school year. McCasline reported he has attended many back-to-school events across the district in the past several weeks. He said he is pleased with all the positivity among students, teachers, staff and parents that he witnessed in his travels.
Follow developments online at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
Pine Springs Master Plan listed reasons for the demise of the hotel, stating: In 2022, the Green Village Hotel was not operating in a sustainable manner due to:
• Substantial decline in the hotel and tourist industry
• Increased hotel competition in the region
• Insufficient modern amenities
• Several buildings are in substandard or blighted conditions.
• The 6.5-acre garden, seasonal pool and hot tub require extensive maintenance
The Pine Springs Master Plan also outlined included the development of a 121unit apartment complex with an on-site manager and leasing office, common open space amenities, and parking. The 2-story apartment buildings will offer 2-bedroom, 2-bath units with outdoor patios and balconies, the plan stated.
“The key planning objective is to develop an apartment complex providing needed housing for the community,” the Master Plan reads. “The apartment complex will provide additional support population for nearby commercial uses and stimulate economic development.
The residential use of the property will also compliment the hotel, the smallscale commercial uses on the vacant commercial lots, and the RV Park.”
In the Master Plan, the applicant’s intentions stated that, “following approval of the Village Green Subdivision Final Plat, the applicant intends to sell lots 1, 2, 4 and 5. The sale of these lots will allow new property owners to reopen the hotel, continue to operate the RV Park, and develop the two vacant lots fronting Row River Road. The applicant intends to construct and maintain ownership of the Pine Springs Apartments.”
COMMUNITY ENGAGE-
MEMT EVENT
Cottage Grove Historical Society in coordination with the Cottage Grove Genealogical Society, presents Farewell to the Village Green. An Open Forum, co-hosted by Kris and Casey Woodard and facilitated by Casey Woodard, for members of the community to share memories of the Village Green Motor Hotel.
The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Shepherd Room at the Cottage Grove Library and Community Center, 700 East Gibbs Avenue in Cottage Grove.
Follow development at cgsentinel.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
Village Green From Page 1
Depth, determination, focus lead CGHS cross country
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Thirty-two students have turned out as participants for Cottage Grove High School Cross Country. And are preparing for two scheduled meets in October.
The Sentinel reached has out to CHHS Cross Country Head Coaches Ricky Knutson and Sarah Leonard for insight into the new season.
The Sentinel: At this early point, what do you see as the strengths and the weakness of the CGHS cross country team?
Ricky Knutson:
Boys team: Carter Bengtson is the defending state champion, and the boys team returns every runner from last year’s
SUMBITTED
district championship team. Depth will be the biggest strength for the boys team as we may have one of the deepest rosters in school history. We will have JV runners in our program that would be varsity and all-league in other programs. Micah Hanke had a breakout track season last spring and will be an important contributor as a sophomore. Our biggest challenge will be to close the gap between Carter and our 2 - 5 runners.
Sarah Leonard: Girls Team: The girls are also defending district champions (first time in school history) and they return a strong roster as well. Ella Cardwell (11) and Maddison France (12) are returning all-state run-
ners. Allison Palluck (12), Hailey Fergason (10) and Carly Knutson (9) round out the top 5. A challenge for the girls team will be depth. The recent addition of Emmerson Bickford (11) who will be splitting time with the soccer team will help.
The Sentinel: What specifically areas of team building are you and your assistance coaches stressing this season and why?
Knutson/Leonard:
We have big goals again this season, but the focus always remains on the process each day. If the student athletes are consistent and pay attention to details such as post run work, rest and recovery then good things
will happen. Great things take time to build whether it’s athletics, academics, or relationships. The athletes have bought in to the concept and have been putting in work all summer to prepare for the season.
The Sentinel: What high schools do you see as the most challenging to compete against this season?
Knutson: Boys:
The Newport boys are the defending state champions, and they return a bulk of their team this season. They also return the biggest individual challenger (Finn Collison) to Carter in his quest to repeat as state champion. Philomath, Crook County and The Dalles will also
return solid squads. The boys are ranked #5 in the state in the preseason coaches’ poll and will need to get past at least one of those programs if they want to bring home another state trophy (top 4 finish). The last state trophy was in 2021 (3rd place).
Leonard: Girls: Philomath is the heavy favorite to repeat as the state champion this year. After Philomath there will be a battle for second place. Junction City, Crook County, The Dalles, and Stayton are all strong teams this season. The girls are currently tied for 4th place with The Dalles in the coaches’ poll to start the season. If the girls team can make it to the state meet healthy
then they have a chance to fight for the first top four finish in school history.
The CGHS Cross County squads will host the Cottage Grove Bramble Scramble Saturday, Oct. 19. Schools scheduled to compete include Central Linn, Churchill, Illinois Valley, Marist Catholic, North Bend, North Eugene and Philomath. The CGHS squads are also scheduled to compete at the 4A Sky Em League Championship at Lane Community College in Eugene Thursday, Oct. 31. Follow results at osaa. org and look for CGHS sports features in the Wednesday print editions of The Sentinel.
‘Destructive’ Emerald ash borer prompts state parks advisory
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is asking visitors to help slow the spread of the destructive emerald ash borer.
The OPRD urges visitors to choose certified heat-treated firewood or firewood harvested within 10 miles of their destination to avoid bringing the invasive insect into state parks.
OPRD also asks visitors to leave any ash, olive and white fringe tree firewood and materials at home.
The invasive emerald ash borer is considered the most destructive forest pest in North America, killing hundreds of millions of ash trees across the country. It has been detected and has prompted a permanent closure in the following
four Oregon counties:
• Washington • Yamhill
• Marion • Clackamas
“So far, emerald ash borer has not been detected in Oregon State Parks, and we would like to keep it that way for as long as possible,”
OPRD’s Natural Resource Coordinator and Ecologist Noel Bacheller said. The invasive insect can only travel about 10 miles on its own during its brief adult life, but humans can spread it hundreds of miles through infested firewood and other tree materials.
Once an ash tree is infested, it has little chance of survival even if it’s otherwise healthy. The insect’s larvae consume the inner bark, causing ash trees to decline and eventually die.
The emerald ash borer threatens to wipe out
Oregon’s ash tree population as it has in other states around the country. But visitors can help slow the spread to protect Oregon’s ash trees and forests for as long as possible.
Slowing the spread will give parks and landowners the chance to respond including underplanting with resistant tree species that can quickly fill in when ash trees decline. It will also soften the impact of the insect on forest health overall.
Help protect Oregon’s trees and forests by following these firewood tips:
Buy firewood local to your campsite: Choose firewood harvested within 10 miles of your destination or buy certified
heat-treated firewood. This helps reduce the spread of invasive insects, including emerald ash borer, and diseases.
Avoid transporting restricted wood: Do not bring ash, olive, or white fringe tree materials into any Oregon State Park even if it’s within the same quarantine area. When in doubt about the tree species, leave it out.
Stay informed about quarantines and regulations: Learn more at Oregon Department of Agriculture’s website, including proper disposal of ash tree material, and insect and tree identification at the Oregon Invasion Species Council website.
Ash trees grow in riparian areas along rivers, streams and other low-elevation bodies of water in Western Oregon. The loss of ash trees could have a significant impact on riparian ecology including loss of shade, increased water temperatures and decline in fish health. Learn more about ash trees and the emerald ash borer on our website, including emerald ash borer activity pages with lessons for all ages that show how to recognize and prevent the spread of this invasive insect.
JEREMY C. RUARK
State announces limited Homeowner Assistance funds available
JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
Oregon Housing and Community Services
(OHCS) is accepting final applications for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program, which has limited funds remaining.
HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 emergency mortgage relief, designed to help homeowners who have experienced severe financial hardship due to the pandemic.
Homeowners are eligible if they are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor. Homeowners should explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF.
“We strongly encourage eligible homeowners to contact a housing counselor immediately,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs.
“Scheduling and completing foreclosure avoidance counseling takes time and documentation. While we are accepting new applica-
tions, we cannot guarantee assistance to everyone who applies due to limited funding.”
Homeowners wanting to apply for assistance must work with a HAF intake partner to submit an application on their behalf. A list of intake partners can be found at https:// www.oregon.gov/ohcs/ homeownership/Pages/ Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.
OHCS plans to make its final HAF payments in February 2025, but funds may run out much sooner. When funds are allocated, pending applications will be denied or paused subject to any funds becoming available. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed.
“Some homeowners may have received letters from their county asking them if they want to apply for HAF,” OHCS states in a release. “Please note that these are legitimate requests that the HAF team has approved and are not scam attempts.”
Homeowners can learn more about eligibility criteria and application requirements at oregonhomeownerassistance.org.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides
financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income.
OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agree-
$11.5 Million coming to Oregon to boost
literacy programs
FAST FACT
The program will particularly focus on limited-English-proficient students and students with disabilities, including dyslexia
Oregon will receive $11.5 million to boost the state’s programs to close
disparities in literacy for students.
The U.S. Department of Education is awarding the Oregon Department of Education $11,578,036 to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy skills, reading, and writing for students from birth through grade 12.
Today’s award is the first of an anticipated 5-year program that could total up to $57,890,181.
“These federal grant funds will support Oregon’s scholars, from birth to grade 12, in strengthening their access to high-quality literacy resources aligned with the Early Literacy Success Initiative,” Oregon Department of Education Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “This includes making sure Oregon’s highest-need schools receive additional funding for staff professional learning, literacy resources, high-dos-
age tutoring and summer and after-school learning, including expanding programming to grades 4-12. We are pursuing every opportunity to elevate literacy, and I am grateful that the U.S. Department of Education recognizes the momentum in Oregon to ensure every child has exceptional literacy instruction.”
With this Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant, the Oregon Department of Education proposed implementing literacy programs focused on outcome disparities for underserved students, including English language learners and students with dyslexia.
The project has the following goals:
1) Increase the literacy achievement of students in participating local education agencies (LEAs) across Oregon.
2) Build LEA capacity to implement evidence-based strategies in reading and writing for children from birth to grade 12; and 3) develop and implement a Statewide Comprehensive Literacy Plan. Planned activities include literacy coaching, utilizing research-based literacy instruction, and developing effective school transition practices.
ments with local partners and community-based providers.
For more information, visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
The State will partner with the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission to align efforts with the Governor’s Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced the funding Sept. 6.
“Reading is key to success in education and life,” Merkley said. “Making sure the Oregon Department of Education has the resources it needs to support students, particularly English language learners and students with dyslexia, benefits us all. I’ll never stop fighting for Oregon students to make certain every child has a solid start in life.”
“The road to a great future for young Oregonians begins with reading,” Wyden said. “Students throughout our state with learning disabilities, English language learners and other young Oregonians will all gain from these federal literacy funds. I’ll always battle for these kinds of opportunities to strengthen educational support in classrooms statewide.”
JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Cottage Grove Historical Society in coordination with the Cottage Grove Genealogical Society, presents....
Farewell to the Village Green!
An Open Forum, hosted by Kris Woodard and facilitated by Casey Woodard, for members of the community to share memories of the Village Green Motor Hotel
Saturday, September 21 • 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Shepherd Room - Cottage Grove Library and Community Center
This is not a lecture, but instead a facilitated open forum to share memories! Kris Woodard will have a few memories of his own to share.
Don’t miss this opportunity to help our community bring closure to a bygone era!
Interior decorator, Arthur Morgan, was awarded the contract to design and decorate the interior of the Village Green, in large measure, based on his charcoal drawings and etchings, the originals of which will be on display September 21.
The Copper Rooster Coffee Shop
Registration Desk