Week of January 16, 2025
Week of January 16, 2025
EUGENE: Almost one year ago, a double-header ice storm plowed through the Pacific Northwest, wreaking havoc on electrical infrastructure across the region. The first storm hit on January 13th, and a second one rolled in three days later. The Eugene Water & Electric Board used its reserve fund to cover the initial clean-up costs of $9.4 million, including equipment and materials replacement, staff time and contracted labor. At the height of the storm, more than half of the Lane Electric...
“Thank You” … doesn’t seem like powerful enough words for what our community has done this year and years past to help those struggling to make ends meet. Due to economic conditions the food pantries have been feeding more and more families. Thank You this year to McKenzie Valley Wellness who bought the hams and turkeys for the Christmas Boxes that are given out each year to these families. Locals Helping Locals contributed Butter and Potatoes for these boxes and Orchid Medical Clinic,...
“Much has changed in society and science since the Northwest Forest Plan was created nearly 30 years ago,” according to Jacque Buchanan, regional forester for the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region. He was referring to proposed amendments to the Northwest Forest Plan Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) released in November 2024, adding that “We’re amending the plan to address today’s challenges in ways that honor the plan’s original goals while adapting to changing...
A new bill aims to further reduce investments in fossil fuels by Oregon’s Public Employee Retirement System. The Pause Act would impose a five-year ban on new investments by the system in private fossil-fuel funds. Supporters believe this move will help lower emissions and keep wealth in Oregon communities. Andrew Bogrand, volunteer communications director for the advocacy group Divest Oregon, helped draft the bill. The group found the system’s fossil fuel investments have underperformed...
On December 20, Daimler Trucks North America issued a stunning statement: It would stop selling large diesel trucks in Oregon. “Effective immediately, DTNA is pausing all orders for new internal combustion vehicles intended for registration in Oregon,” wrote Daimler’s general manager of product strategy and market development, Mary C. Aufdemberg, in a message to Oregon truck dealers. The statement hasn’t been reported previously. It’s significant for a few reasons. First, Daimler,...
The McKenzie River Discovery Center is announcing its upcoming drift boat building workshop, scheduled for April 21st to 25th. Under the expert guidance of Jayson Hayes from Cedar Flat’s Hayes Custom Boats, participants will construct the iconic McKenzie River drift boat and gain hands-on experience with finishing techniques and bottom protection. For more details and to register, visit McKenzie Discovery Center’s website and go to the Workshops tab tinyurl.com/mrysvsyy Due to construction...
Oregonians born today are likely to experience a future of more drought, more rain and less snow under warming average global temperatures due to human-caused climate change. That’s one conclusion in the 314-page Seventh Oregon Climate Assessment, which was published Wednesday and authored by more than 65 scientists, experts and engineers, including from Oregon State University, the Oregon Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Two engineers from Portland General...
“Where can you see the Milky Way from Main Street?” The answer in Oregon is “Antelope.” The Central Oregon community of Antelope has been designated as the first International Dark Sky Community in Oregon. But could the answer also include the McKenzie Highway? People will have a chance to learn more at public meetings set for Blue River and Leaburg. On Saturday, January 18th, a Oregon Outback Dark Sky Network (OODSN) representative will give a 10 a.m. presentation at McKenzie Schools,...
SALEM: On January 13th, newly-elected pro-life lawmakers were sworn in ahead of the start of Oregon’s 83rd legislative session. In the Oregon House of Representatives, Oregon Right to Life PAC-endorsed representatives Alek Skarlatos (R-Roseburg), Darin Harbick (R-Blue River), Darcey Edwards (R-Hillsboro), and Christine Drazan (R-Canby), were sworn in after winning their general election races in November. Also sworn in, in the state Senate, were ORTL PAC-endorsed senators Noah Robinson...
Oregonians who are ready to leave the hospital but still require care do not have enough places to go, affecting providers and patients at all levels. The average hospital stay has increased to nearly five days, according to the Hospital Association of Oregon. With nowhere to send discharged patients, hospitals can end up boarding them, which hurts hospitals financially and means fewer beds are available for people who need them. Sen. Deb Patterson, D-Salem, was part of a task force which...
McKenzie Varsity Sports Schedule This Week The McKenzie Varsity Boys Basketball teams travels to Siletz Valley on Tuesday, January 14, for a game scheduled to tip-off at 5:30 pm. There will be no Varsity Girls game this night, as Siletz Valley does not sponsor a Girls team this season. The Eagles host Triangle Lake on Thursday, January 16. A Junior Varsity Boys game will start at 4:00 pm., followed by the Boys Varsity game at 5:30 pm and the Girls Varsity game at 7:00 pm. The McKenzie teams travel to Mapleton on Tuesday, January 21. A Junior...
Dear Editor: I am a legally blind long-term subscriber to River Reflections. As my vision deteriorated, I struggled to read the local news. The addition of audio has enabled me to enjoy and appreciate a local news source. THANK YOU. Bernice S. West Sent from my...
Sometime around 1908, a resident of south Clatsop County — probably from the hamlet of Arch Cape — got sick and tired of dealing with Hug Point, and decided to do something about it. It was a decision that had some unintended consequences — because it led directly to the law that made Oregon’s beaches public property. Of course, the anonymous roadbuilder (or maybe roadbuilders) wasn’t thinking of anything so grandiose at the time. He was simply tired of having to wait for low tide and...
At Oak Creek Center for Urban Horticulture, trees along the creek show signs of beavers gnawing. A doe and her fawn nibble greenery. Skunks, raccoons and even a gray fox feel at home. Birds, including a red-tailed hawk, find plenty of sustenance and shelter. Al Shay, manager of the center along with site manager Cody Buckman, works with a small retinue of students to keep the center wildlife friendly. Their efforts recently garnered the center Certified Wildlife Habitat status by the National...
Jan. 2: 3:38 p.m: Disturbance, Dispute - 49100 blk, McK. Hwy. A deputy contacted neighbors who were in a verbal dispute regarding whether to cut down trees on one of the properties. 10:41 p.m: Disturbance, Dispute - 88700 blk, Buck Point Way. Deputies responded to a dispute involving an intoxicated subject. The subject stayed at the residence and the other occupants left for the night. Jan. 3: 11:11 a.m: Harassment - 56600 blk, McK. Hwy. A resident wanted to document a harassing package she received. 12:34 p.m: Disturbance, Dispute - 89500...
Jan. 5: 23:14: 41000 block, Madrone St. Medical, General. Patient Assessed, 1 Transported. Jan. 6: 21:31: 41800 blk, Madrone St. Medical, General. Patient Assessed, Refusal Obtained. 22:19: Camp Creek Rd./Gemstone Rd. Motor Vehicle Accident. Non-Blocking, Non-Injury. Jan. 7: 15:09: 41800 blk, Madrone St. Deceased Subject. 16:35: 43700 blk, Greenwood Village Dr. Odor Investigation. Investigate, Propane Leak Found, Valve Shut Off. 3:31: 38000 blk, Camp Creek Rd. Medical, General. Patient Assessed, 1 Transported. 4:07: 87800 blk, Lupe Ln....
Jan. 9: 10:34: Medical – 55000 block, McK. River Dr. Female, Conscious, Breathing. Jan. 10: 16:10: Motor Vehicle Accident, Unknown Injury – McK. Hwy./Milepost 50. One vehicle crash into a tree. Drive is out of car, says does not need medics. Jan. 13: 16:06: Medical – 49000 blk, McK. Hwy. Male, Conscious, Breathing. The Upper McK. Fire District’s board of directors will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday, January 20th, at the Blue River Fire Station 2, 51730 Echo St. in Blue...
