News
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Outdoor burning ends
Tuesday, June 15, is the final day for outdoor burning for most Lane County residents until October. The spring burning season, which runs from March 1 to June 15, will conclude as scheduled. Yard debris may not be burned during the closed season....
Chamber awards business seed grants
“I’m very thankful to the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce for approving my request for a grant to help the Indigo Cafe rise from the ashes.” Cafe owner Linda Chmiel said the $3,000 will allow her, “To begin the process of getting the Cafe up...
Covered bridge back in service
VIDA: The Goodpasture Covered Bridge, one of the most iconic in Lane County has been fixed. During an inspection earlier this year workers discovered spots of rot in the stringers that support that...
Northwest prepares for fire season
As recovery work continues from last year’s record fire season, federal land managers and fire, fuels and aviation officials in the Pacific Northwest say they are concerned, but well-prepared, for the 2021 season. The 2021 fire season is busy, alre...
New communications network planned
With the recent designation as a federal 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and a grant from the Chamber of Commerce, the McKenzie Community Communications (MCC) group says it’s ready to move forward. In April the MCC took over a free access public...
Politicians praised Blue River's comeback
BLUE RIVER: "Today is truly a special delivery day for Blue River. And in true Oregon fashion, it doesn't happen by osmosis." With those introductory words Ron Wyden went on to congratulate both...
Aufderheide Drive closure continues
COUGAR LAKE: Forest Service Road 19 (Aufderheide Drive) remains closed to thru traffic near milepost 52 due to continued safety hazards. The cliff adjacent to the road has not yet been stabilized and...
Caution urged on area lakes and rivers
With more people recreating on and near area waterways, public safety agencies are cautioning people to take extra precautions when floating the river this year as debris from the Holiday Farm Fire...
ODFW bracing for another drought year
March and April of 2021 were among the driest spring months since the 1890s. Many streams are already at 25 percent of the flow that is typical for this time of year, with flows usually seen in early...
NTSB releases report on fatal 2019 crash
MCKENZIE BRIDGE: In a report released this week, the National Traffic Safety Board cited a lack of pilot experience and weather conditions for contributing to an August 27, 2019, fatal airplane accident in McKenzie Bridge. Killed in the wreck was...
Thurston Hills clearcut blocked again
For the second time in three years, a plan to clearcut over 100 acres of forest from the Thurston Hills on the edge of Springfield has been deemed illegal by a federal judge. Opponents claimed the...
Temporary FEMA trailers coming to Rainbow
RAINBOW: Some area families should soon be able to return to living on the river again, after losing their homes in the Holiday Farm Fire last year. In an agreement between the Federal Emergency...
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Tree Planting Days This Week
Valor Family Farm and Cascade Relief Team are hosting a tree planting event this weekend, June 4 to June 6. Valor Family Farm owners Wes Ross and Jenny Stewart have over 10,000 conifer seedlings (and...
High-tech may pose risk to fisheries
New developments in recreational fishing technology – from the use of aerial drones and social media scouting reports to advances in hook design – are creating challenges for fisheries management...
EWEB to upgrade wildfire safety plans
EUGENE: “Although programs and practices are already in place to help prevent wildfires, the Eugene Water & Electric Board is developing a distinct Wildfire Mitigation Plan,” according to a report from the utility’s Assistant General Manager,...
Lane Electric receives $3.7 million for storm repairs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley on Monday announced that Lane Electric Cooperative will receive a $3.72 million federal grant for repairs from the February 2019 snowstorm...
More riparian restoration
FINN ROCK: A 60-acre construction zone will take shape within weeks just downstream from the old Rockabye Cabins site in Finn Rock. During the project to restore riparian habitat, water will be...
Utility pledges to put more lines underground
During a Monday night online meeting, Lane Electric Cooperative General Manager Debi Wilson said the utility is planning to put more of its lines underground to offset the impacts of natural disasters. “We’re committed to rebuilding the McKenzie...
$102.5 million lawsuit filed targeting utilities
Last Friday, May 14th, lawyers representing 70 property owners filed a lawsuit against the Lane Electric Cooperative and Eugene Water & Electric Board seeking damages from the 2020 Holiday Farm...
Rural Business Development Grants in Oregon
The US. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making priority funding available for National Scenic Areas and other rural communities that have been devastated by wildfires. In all, $2 million will be...
Northwest water woes continue for 2021
Monthly estimates of available water supply in the Columbia River basin are continuing to drop after a month of record low rainfall in April. Eugene, Portland, and Lewiston, ID, all recorded their...
Address signs available
MCKENZIE BRIDGE: People have probably noticed the large, green reflective address signs on many properties along the McKenzie Highway. While they are very helpful for visitors unfamiliar with the...
Canal slows down for fish passage
WALTERVILLE: The Eugene Water & Electric Board started diverting less water into the Walterville Power Canal last Thursday afternoon. The change was aimed at increasing McKenzie River flows in the bypassed reach of the river to improve fish...
Fire-related theft suspects won't be going to trial
It was greeted as good news locally when the Lane County deputies assigned to the McKenzie Valley arrested two suspects connected to thefts on fire-impacted properties in January. “The McKenzie District deputies serve the community members in the...
Local for Gov?
RAINBOW: "Being born and raised here I've seen a lot of things in the last year and a half that I can't just sit back and watch without stepping up and trying to carve a new path." Those words, Darin...
