Briefs

Spfd schools

Most Springfield schools were to open on Tuesday for students. Only three will remain closed: Thurston High and Briggs and Agnes Stewart Middle Schools. Briggs, All three were expected to have power by Monday evening. Staff were to report to BMS, ASMS, and THS on Tuesday to prepare for an anticipated return to school for students on Wednesday.

Transportation staff drove bus routes on Monday to check for any safety hazards. Most bus routes will run as normal on Tuesday. District staff will reach out to families directly who need to alter their bus stop due to hazards.

People and students should use caution as they navigate roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks as there are still many downed trees and limbs throughout the city. Several schools will open without Internet access. Staff will use paper forms for some administrative tasks until Internet access is restored. Several schools may also have damaged phone lines. School staff will be responding to voicemails as quickly as they can.

EWEB meetings

Customers and the general public are welcome and encouraged to attend EWEB meetings in person or watch a live stream of the meeting in real time at tinyurl.com/bdhw8k7y.

Commissioners hold regularly scheduled public meetings on the first Tuesday of each month, typically starting at 5:30 p.m. Customers and the general public are welcome and encouraged to attend.

An interpreter can be provided with 48 hours notice before the meeting. To arrange for this service, call 541-685-7000.

Each person will have up to three minutes to speak, though the Board President may adjust speaking time as needed. The president will announce the speaking time at the start of the public input session.

Alternatively, people may submit written testimony to be provided to the board in advance of the meeting.

Bottle Boys

The Blue River Bottle Boys Collection/Sorting sessions are held every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Leaburg Store. Donations can be dropped off there as well.

Their “Dime At A Time” fundraisers have benefited local non-profits by collecting and turning in recyclable bottles and cans - totaling more than $50,000 to make a difference in the community.

The money raised has gone to a wide range of organizations, including the O’Brien Memorial Library, McKenzie River Clinic, Vida McKenzie Community Center, Upper McKenzie Rural Fire District, and the Upper McKenzie Community Center, as well as the McKenzie School District’s SMART Reading Program, the Boy Scouts, the McKenzie Community Track and Field, and the Walterville Grange.

Bottle donations can be left at the Leaburg Store or Pack N Ship in Thurston. A contact for the Bottle Boys, Pete Petty, can be reached at facebook.com/pete.petty.73.