Make the McKenzie Connection!
Make the McKenzie Connection!
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WALTERVILE: Under canopies shading vendors ranging from “Ali’s Art” to the “Vintage Makeover” booth, there was plenty to delight the eyes and soothe the senses of people walking around the fragrant grounds of the McKenzie Lavender Farm this weekend. Many left laden with bundles of U-cut lavender as well as ceramic, acrylic, wood, metal, or fabric handcrafted treasures. Someone stopping by Gini Hornbecker’s “Sister Stones” display for a keepsake could leave with a purchase no one else possesses...
By Bayla Orton The Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Project’s increased costs, supply chain shortages, and other Eugene Water & Electric Board projects could soon translate to a 15% increase in utility bills for the utility's customers. Costs for the Carmen site were up $21 million - or 3.3% - last week, creating new issues for budgeting, board officials said. Concerns include requirements for the safe passage of Chinook salmon and bull trout along an 8-mile stretch of the McKenzie River. There are n...
Inexplicable delays to a federal report on ending hydropower generation in the Willamette River Basin to save threatened fish are creating frustration and concern for tribal leaders and conservationists in Oregon. Congress directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2022 to produce a report by the end of June 2024, detailing the impacts that eight federal hydroelectric dams in the Willamette River Basin have had on native fish populations over the past 60 years, and the possibility of deauthori...
All volcanoes in the Cascade Range of Oregon and Washington have been at normal background activity levels. These include Mount Baker, Glacier Peak, Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, and Mount Adams in Washington State and Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters, Newberry, and Crater Lake in Oregon. Mount St. Helens continues to experience slightly heightened seismicity than typical of recent years, with 26 located earthquakes a week ago, and 451 since February 1st when the current increase...
Under the proposed changes Lane County would amend the Lane County Rural Comprehensive Plan and Lane Code Chapter 16 – Land Use and Development Code to implement a Complete Community Plan for the unincorporated community of Blue River. The action would involve rezoning properties within the community of Blue River to “promote compact, small-town development patterns with an active and convenient pedestrian environment along a mixed-use Blue River Drive, higher density development near Lane Tra...
About 20 people meet for Sunday worship (10:30 am), for service projects, and to care for the church at McKenzie Valley Presbyterian Church (MVPC), just east of Walterville on Hwy 126. This small group of people makes a lot of friends near and far - friends who have become partners in supporting our valley far beyond what 20 people could do alone. In the past MVPC provided an office for WomenSpace to meet with survivors of domestic trauma as well as a meeting space for Boy Scouts and a...
MCKENZIE BRIDGE: The US Forest Service is seeking public comments on a series of upcoming improvement projects ranging from hazardous fuels reduction treatments in the Hwy 242, Camp Melakwa, and Santiam Lodge areas to adding a temporary dock to the boat launch at the Cold Water Cove Campground. Among the eleven projects slated for 2024 is a plan to install an electrical utility line to the McKenzie Bridge and Paradise Campground Host sites. The work would also add to several “premium site” sit...
Since June, there have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington. While firefighters have been largely successful in putting out these preventable fires, the extremely hot and dry conditions are significantly ramping up fire danger across the region. “We’re entering a very dangerous period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a wee...
A statewide “wildfire risk map” that drew the ire of many Oregonians will return in several weeks with few changes but with a new name following a yearlong makeover. The new “wildfire hazard map,” set to debut in mid-to-late July, will not differ in substance too much from the previous map published in 2022, according to lead researcher Chris Dunn, an Oregon State University forestry professor and wildfire expert. That first map was quickly taken offline in August 2022, just months after i...
EUGENE: On July 8th, a “Notice to Proceed” was issued to HDR Inc. to commence with the Engineering and Construction Services contract for the Blue River Community Wastewater Project. The scope of work includes final design, permitting coordination, and construction services support. Additionally, the 12-month aquifer monitoring requirement from the Department of Environmental Quality is concluding in September 2024 - which will provide data needed to determine the maximum daily wastewater flo...
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service this week released its final environmental impact statement analyzing proposed barred owl management alternatives to protect northern and California spotted owls in Washington, Oregon, and California from invasive barred owls. The Service’s preferred alternative is the implementation of a proposed Barred Owl Management Strategy, which would result in the annual removal of less than one-half of 1% of the current North American barred owl population. Northern s...
I didn’t recognize the name or return address on an envelope before opening it recently. The note I read was a total surprise. “About forty years ago I pulled my uninsured vehicle out onto Hilyard St. in Eugne right in front of your oncoming small Honda. Your car had been ready to sell but was significantly damaged. My recollection is that you mentioned a big deductible on your insurance coverage and requested I send money if my fortunes ever improved. I felt bad about the situation. I have been steadily employed at a good job for over a doz...
For two years now, Oregon’s wage floor has been stuck in place. It’s run aground at a place well short of what families need to make ends meet. That may seem strange to say given that Oregon’s minimum hourly wage went up 50 cents on July 1, but that increase only keeps pace with inflation. It’s just enough to not fall behind the rising cost of living, but not enough to make progress. Progress on wages is essential to remedy the widespread economic insecurity afflicting Oregonians, and there are...
Conde McCullough had a problem. Let’s restate that. The Iowa highway department, which McCullough worked for at the time (in 1914), had a problem; what McCullough had was an opportunity. His solution to Iowa’s problem would, several years later, enable him to write his own ticket, and the name he would write on that ticket in the “destination” category would be “Oregon.” But at the time, that happy day was several years in the future and was far from certain. The problem the highway department...
No one wants to go through the winter with no clothes, not even the soil that grows our plants. So jacket up the soil in cover crops. If you’re not acquainted with cover crops, here’s the rundown: These hardworking plants can add organic matter and aerate the soil, protect it from compaction caused by rain, suppress weeds, and reduce erosion – some even add nitrogen to the soil, according to Brooke Edmunds, an Oregon State University Extension Service horticulturist. “They’re nice,” she said. ...
July 3: 4:56 a.m: Suspicious Conditions - 92200 blk, Queen St. A passerby noticed a male attempting to remove a screen from a window. Deputies responded and determined a homeowner was installing an air conditioner. July 4: 4:57 p.m: Suspicious Conditions - 40100 blk, McK. Hwy A deputy conducted a patrol check of the McKenzie Transfer site and contacted one individual. July 6: 2:33 p.m: Disturbance, Dispute - 88900 blk, Ross Ln. Deputies responded to a report of a dispute at the location. The involved separated for the night. July 8: 10:38 a.m:...
July 10: 23:05: Harassment – Hwy. 126 & USFS Rd. #2676. OSP responded to a reported possible domestic violence situation between a female and a male. The female had her juvenile daughter with her. The altercation was mainly verbal but the female was struck with a small flashlight during the incident. The female did not incur substantial pain or injury. The male walked away with property that belonged to the female. The female did not want to be a victim and just wanted her belongings back. The male was not on scene upon arrival and was not a...
July 8: 16:26: 87000 block, Cedar Flat Rd. Fire, Grass. Fire Extinguished. 16:26: 87000 blk, Cedar Flat Rd. Illegal Burning. Illegal Burn Pile, Extinguished. 22:24: 49000 blk, McK. Hwy. Public Assist. Lift Assist Only. July 9: 9:27: 87000 blk, Upland St. Motor Vehicle Accident. False Alarm. July 10: 22:19: 46000 blk, McK. Hwy. Medical, Heart. Patient Assessed, Refusal Obtained. July 11: 19:15: 38000 blk, Upper Camp Creek Rd. Medical, General. Patient Assessed, 1 Transported. July 12: 8:02: 40000 blk, Booth Kelly Rd. Medical, General. Patient...
July 9: 12:04: Medical – 57000 block, McK. Hwy.. Female, Conscious, Breathing. July 10: 23:44: Fire – 59000 blk, N. Belknap Springs Rd. Caller has evacuated, vent fan in the bathroom is smoking and sparking. July 15: 17:54: Medical – 55000 blk, McK. River Dr. Male, Conscious, Breathing. July 16: 01:06: Medical – McK. River Dr./Dearborn Island Rd. Male, Conscious, Breathing....
I've been dating my boyfriend for two years. When our relationship began, I was completely dedicated to him, and he was a complete jerk who fooled around with me more than three times. We both realized it was because we never communicated. Since then we've become best friends and built a strong relationship. However he ogles other women while I'm with him, and it hurts. During one of the times we were broken up, he allowed me to read his journal which explained what he thinks about when he...
Cathy Balsewich's travel advisor offers her a $200 resort credit at a hotel in the Turks & Caicos. Why doesn't it work -- and who is responsible? I wanted to book a trip to the Turks & Caicos last year. My travel advisor recommended Apple Vacations and said it had a promotion that offered a $200 resort credit. I booked the trip, but when we checked out, a hotel representative said the $200 credit was not valid. It had expired the month before we traveled. Apple eventually offered us a $200...
When Alaina Chargois orders an outfit from an online marketplace called Afrikrea, she receives the wrong item. But after she returns it, the merchant doesn't respond -- and it won't refund her $230. What should she do? I ordered a custom outfit from Afrikrea, an online market that sells clothing, jewelry, art, and accessories. I received the shipment, but it wasn't the pattern I ordered and didn't fit. I contacted the seller, who did not respond until I sent an email that the return package was...
ACROSS 1. Delhi dress 5. *Individual Neutral Athlete at 2024 Olympics, acr. 8. Mother in #48 Down 12. Joie de vivre 13. Fodder holder 14. External 15. ____ Grey tea 16. Gulf V.I.P. 17. Edible cannabis substance 18. *Famous Olympics basketball team (2 words) 20. 90 degrees on compass 21. Like Al Yankovic 22. Popular deciduous tree 23. College treasurer 26. Balaclava (2 words) 30. Compass point between E and NE 31. Nullify 34. Diva's delivery 35. Smart ones? 37. Two halves 38. That is, in Latin...
