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Wednesday October 8, 2025 | Number 41, 137 years
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of our region’s natural and cultural assets. The goal is safety, 39, accessibility, Cycling has long been part of 9, 2024 October | Number 135 years www.cgsentinel.com $2.00 and enjoyment. When riders don’t Oregon’s identity. have to worry about navigating From the wooded trails of the dangerous intersections or riding Cascades to the rolling farmland of shoulder-to-shoulder with fast-movthe Willamette Valley, our state is known around the world for offering ing traffic, they can focus on what brought them here in the first place: some of the most scenic and accesthe joy of cycling through Oregon’s sible rides anywhere. landscapes. With the development of the first SUPPORTING RURAL four segments of Connect Lane, COMMUNITIES Lane County is taking the next Perhaps most importantly, step in making cycling safer, more JEREMY C. RUARK Connect Lane is designed to supenjoyable, and more beneficial to Crews began vitality developing the smaller homeless Cottage Grove Sentinel port the economic of rural the communities that make up the camp site this week on the vacant lot at 12th Street. communities. Each designated route PublicCascades works crews are in region. the Eugene, and Coast process establishing a newis about highlights local businesses, lodging, At its of core, Connect Lane food stops, and cultural attractions. smaller homeless camp site atIt the more than wayfinding signs. is a Small towns benefit when riders vacant lot on 12th Street in Cottage JEREMY C. RUARK system built to connect people — Cottage Grove Sentinel stop for a meal, stay overnight, or Grove. riders to the landscapes they want pick up supplies. Studies consisCottage Grove City Manager to explore, and communities to the Oregon’s wildfire season is tently show that bicycle-related Mike Sauerwein said the city is economic opportunities that cycling expected to continue through this travel brings measurable economic month, but the mental scares and behind its The original Oct.highlighted 1 timeline can bring. routes impact of the season on the firebenefit to local economies. is establishing the camp, following through Connect Lane are designed fighters who battle blazes in Lane A 2012 statewide study on bicycle the Aug. 22 closure and cleanup with the rider experience in mind, County and across the state, and tourism found that bicycle travel of the 12th Street and Douglas steering cyclists away from hightheir families, may Travel last aLane lifetime, Courtesy photo from County contributed $400 million annually Street homeless camps. During the traffic state highways and instead according to Jeff Dill, the founder A 2012 statewide study on bicycle tourism found that bicycle travel contributed $400 milto Oregon’s economy, with strong transition, the adjacent Lulu Dog guiding them onto low-traffic counof Firefighter Behavioral Health lion annually to Oregon’s economy, with strong impacts in rural communities where cycling Parkroads, at 12th Street has beenand usedscetry shared-use paths, Alliance (FBHA). routes are often based. See more photos with this story at cgsenrinel.com as acorridors homelessthat camp site with nic highlight thehours best See LANE Page 6 Dill established the FBHA in from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. “None of us have ever managed He was than a Battalion Chief a homeless camp before, so we for a fire department in northwest Chicago. knew that date was a bit aspira“I saw our brothers and sisters tional,” Sauerwein said. “We are struggle from the devastation that hoping that this week we will be they saw, so I went back and got able to make the transition. Our PHOTO JEREMY C. RUARK / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL my degree and became a licensed goal was to provide folks with counselor,” he said. “We started Sauerwein and other city officials currently doing, which is providing The new mini homeless camp a safe and secure place to spend tracking EMS and firefighter suia location for folks to spend the will include the same restrictions as have told the Sentinel, that there the night and that’s what we are cides across America.” JEREMY C. RUARK Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has CINDY WEELDREYER are no additional plans to offer any night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.” the former larger camps. doing.” Cottage Grove Sentinel released the following statement Cottage Grove Sentinel other long-term sheltering for the Read previous coverage about “The same rules will apply,” Sauerwein said city staff was Behavioral Impact about the SNAP changes. homeless. the homelessness challenges in Sauwrwein said. “The camp will According to Dill, firefighters cleaning up the Lulu Dog Park to TheGrove Oregon Organizers are already planning “Thedon’t federal cuts to the the behavioral “Cottage Grove will follow Cottage andDepartment follow newof often recognize reestablish it as a dog park. Specific be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Human Services (ODHS) is the 2026 Cascade Home Center’s Supplemental Nutrition state law as we understand it,” developments at cgsemtinel.com impact of their work. and the rules will be enforced costs of that cleanup and establishfederally required Community Cookoff and Cottage Assistance Program (SNAP) “We become cultural brainSauerwein said. “That is what we andannouncing in the Wednesday print editions through our contracting company, ing the smaller homeless camp at changes to the Supplemental Grove Oktoberfest following the are simply wrong, and they will washed,” Dill said. “Whether it’s are doing. To change that is up to of The Sentinel. One Security of Eugene to help us 12th Street were not immediately Nutrition Assistance Program successful 2025 events. structural or wildland fires. So, we hurt Oregon families,” Kotek the legislature. The city of Cottage during this transition period. They available. (SNAP) in Oregon. are meant to believe we are supOn the morning of the last stated. “I strongly oppose these Grove has no plans to do any kind are a very experienced homeless These changes are required posed to Our act strong, brave,now be help, Saturday in September, hundreds of changes. top priority of a shelter beyond what we are camp management company.” ask for we don’t under House Resolution (H.R. 1), isdon’t people filled Washington Avenue making surehelp, everyand impacted want to look weakwhat’s and not ask for a federal law passed on July 4, between 5th and 7th Streets. The Oregonian knows changhelp.” 2025, according to a release from ing and where to turn for help. tantalizing smell of grilling meat Dill added that while firefighters the ODHS. from Cascade Home Center’s No one should choosethe are on the fronthave linestobattling More than 740,000 people Community Cookoff mingled with between food and rent, and my wildfires, one of the biggest chalin Oregon currently receive the festive strains of Oktoberfest’s administration is mobilizing to lenges they face is the unknown. SNAP benefits, and ODHS live music, creating a day of celeensure affected “It’sthat howthose rapidly thesesget fires can expects more than 313,000 bration, fundraising, and civic pride. the information and referrals for move, and the unknown is where people enrolled in SNAP may be other COTTAGE GROVE is it going to end? help that theyWhere need.”will this impacted by the H.R. 1 changes. fire gochanges to and how long will it last? COMMUNITY COOKOFF The won’t happen “We are announcing these And that is aatstruggle,” he said. Grills smoked under pop-up to everyone once — they “So,roll when that changes today so that families canopies lining the south side of the will outyou overarethefighting next year, fire, you’re trying to do your best can prepare for the impact we street as brisket landed first on the according to the ODHS. to stop it, and yet the wind kicks expect many Oregonians who plates of four celebrity judges, then For people who already get up at 60 miles an hour and it drags depend on this resource will onto 600 tasting plates served to SNAP: The affect it further andchanges furtherwill behind them. feel,” ODHS Federal Response eager attendees. Eight cook teams those who applied or recertified That aspect of the unknown is very CINDY WEELDREYER COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL team/ Co-Leader Dana Hittle Cindy Weeldreyer / Cottage Grove Centinel competed for four awards. between July 4 and Oct. 1,The 2025. difficult in wildland fires. fireMatchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Police Cottage Grove. more photosout with at cgsentinel.com. “Oregon families enrolled Cottage Grove Chief CorySee Chase whipped histhis storysaid. This year’s judges included Notices sentstress around fighters will havebethat andOct. anxiety, in SNAP receive an average of trusty pocketknife for assistance in taking his first sample Cascade Home Center Store 15, to this first group of and2025 that struggle to protect is a very $300 a month, and any reduction people at the Oktoberfest. See more photos with this story at cgManager Jake Schmitt, Cottage difficultwho challenge for the The wildland are impacted. makes it harder for families to sentinel.com. firefighters.” Grove Police Chief Cory Chase, first group will have SNAP beneput food on the table. Oregon has fit It is often very difficultonforNov. famGeorgia Haskell of the Cottage reductions or closures support is staggering. Slabtown Three years ago, Cascade Home ily2025. members of the firefighters no choice but to follow federal Grove Area Chamber of Commerce, 1, For people approved forto CINDY WEELDREYER BMX took50this eventattended by stormthe understand Center Tobi DiAmore thelaw way” the construction helped Manager us meet many of our future Nearly people thatduring will result in increased and KNND Radio Station Owner SNAP beforewhat Julyemotions 4, 2025, there the are, For The Cottage Grove Sentinel and that many firefighters don’t throughout the planning and the launched the idea of pairing barbeproject. bookstore customers,” Birdy said. Cottage Grove Historical Society’s hardship across our communiCameron Reiten. changes will happen over time express their emotions, according their at cueShe with nonprofit fundraising. He said given an importshared a humorous mem-This weekend “Farewellitself. to theBecause Village of Green” In 1975, when Birdy ties, but he wewas remain committed After deliberation, theHoelzle judges throughout to Dill. the next year and a organization and hard work, year’s beneficiary was Slabtown ant job of opening the boxes ory they made in the formal Iron the Community Center, Saturday, and her sister Gail opened The to helping families adjust and awarded Best in Show to the notice “Wewill ask be thesent. family members we’ll BMX, local organization rebuilddelivered to the guest rooms and Maidena Dining Room that drew Sept. do 21.it even better next year. Bookmine theyOdd wereFellows, familiarled with prepare.” Cottage Grove For people who apply or reapto try to understand the cultural,” Organizations like theirs are the ing a competitive recalled how cool he felt driving laughter from the racetrack crowd. east of The internationally famous resort TheCook Village Green. Hittle said ODHS will begin by Captain Penn Sylvain. ply for SNAP after Oct. 1, 2025: he said. “Be direct. Challenge reason this event has become such town near Row River Nature Park. thenotifying orange golf cart around the in “My sister and I were budding was created by Walter A. Woodard traveled a on lot by andthe affected households TheTheir Teamfather Award—voted The rules willwhen applysomething right withnew compassion a(W.A.) fast success. forward to The event drew support fromquite 46 property for assigned errands. Years away. feminists at the time and were and hisWe son,look Carlton. Some often teams—went brought its matchboxes home mid-October. The people who cook to Kyle Kishen doesn’t look right or doesn’t sound consulting with them next year in sponsors and 50 volunteers replater, another special memory was shocked by the sexism practiced in members of the family attended and as keepsakes for his girls. The siswill be most affected by the new right, do an internal size up, Construction. The Iron Man Award, KEYand CHANGES choosing the nextmemories. benefactor.” resenting organizations who seeing thelaw famous football the diningfour room,” she said. “The shared personal ters were their 20’sor when they federal include olderplayer, adults, which we ask the given to aincompetitor volunteer The changes willfirefighters affect threeto Slabtown BMX Board Member assisted withtosetup and teardown. O.J. Simpson, and running on living one ofinthe main menu given a woman had no do asgroups well,” of he SNAP said.” Internal size opened theabove Main and Street bookstore immigrants people who went beyond, was recipients: THROUGH THE LENS Courtney Kelley reported the group up means asking why am I acting “We start planning six months resort’s paths. prices on it and foot pillows were and, to enhance their income, rural communities with limited awarded to Jess Corbett. Kyle Kris $5,298.75 Woodard’sfrom introductory this way, and why am I feeling this earned the Sept. of the event day,” DiAmore To the to delight of those gathered, provided so ladies’ uncomfortable worked and as waitresses at the resort. access transportation. Kishen his crew also took home ahead remarks included personal memway? The thing we8can do is Seebest SNAP Page said. “In those months of preparaKris’ brother, Casey Woodard, shoes could be removed while din“It was a wonderful place to the People’s Choice Award. ories he made through the lens of tion, outpouring of community ing. Itthewas a very different era.” work and, being new in town, it See DOWNTOWN, Page 6 a 12-year-old who was often “in See LEGACY, Page 6 See HEALTH, Page 6 ANDY VOBORA Sentinel Guest Article
Wednesday
The mental City establishing mini health impact homeless camp at 12th Street facing Oregon’s wildland firefighters
Downtown celebration blends barbecue and Bavarian charm
Oregon prepares for federal changes to SNAP
Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort
INSIDE News — 1-3— 3 Lifestyles Obituaries — 4 Death Notice — 4
Opinion — 5 Classifieds — 7 News Sports——8 8
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