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CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel
Wednesday October 9, 2024 | Number 39, 135 years
Volunteers with “Say NO to gas tax hikes” signs have lined the corner of 10th and Main Street in Cottage Grove in recent weeks, urging drivers and pedestrians to stop and sign a statewide petition. If successful, the effort will place Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s 2025 transportation package on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot, giving Oregonians the final say on whether new taxes JEREMY C. RUARK and fees shouldGrove take effect. Cottage Sentinel A Nov. 25 news release from petiworkssaid crews in the tionPublic organizers theare campaign process of establishing a new has collected more than 150,000 smaller homeless camp sitethe at the signatures—nearly double vacant lot on 12th Street in Cottage 78,116 required by Dec. 30. They Grove.that a statewide “Sign Across noted Cottageevent Grove City Manager Oregon” gathered more than Mike Sauerwein said cityday. is 25,000 signatures in athe single behind its original Oct. 1 timeline The legislation raises Oregon’s 40 is establishing cent per gallon the gascamp, tax byfollowing 6 cents, the Aug. 22 closure and cleanup increases vehicle registration and of the fees, 12th Street and Douglas titling and temporarily doubles Street homeless camps. the payroll tax that fundsDuring publicthe transition, the adjacent Lulu Dog transit. The fee hikes are scheduled Park at 12th Street has been used to begin Jan. 1 unless the petition as a homeless camp site with hours drive succeeds. from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily. South Lane County petition “None of Chris us have ever managed coordinator Wagner said local asignature homeless camp before, so we gatherers were encouraged knew datestream was aof bitresidents aspiraby thethat steady tional,” Sauerwein said. “We are who stopped at Mickey’s Affordable hoping that this week we will be Auto car lot to sign. able to make the transition. Our “The governor deliberately waited goalweeks was totoprovide with to six sign thefolks legislation areduce safe and secure place to spend the time signature gatherthe night and that’s what we are ers would have to meet the Dec. doing.” 30 deadline, and that really made Sauerwein city said. staff “We was people mad,” said Wagner cleaning up the Lulu Dog Park finally got the approved petitionsto in reestablish it as a dog park. Specific costs of that cleanup and establishing the smaller homeless camp at 12th Street were not immediately available.
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City establishing mini homeless camp at 12th Street Crews began developing the smaller homeless camp site this week on the vacant lot at 12th Street.
The mental health impact facing Oregon’s wildland Community firefightersthe mourns Cindy Weeldreyer / Cottage grove Sentinel
Cottage Grove Police Department Chief Cory Chase shakes the Sabrina’s paw following her swearing in ceremony during a city council meeting in mid-October.
loss of K9 Sabrina JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Oregon’s wildfire season is expected to continue through this month, but the mental scares and impact of the season on the firefighters JEREMY who battle blazes in Lane C. RUARK CountyCottage and across the state, and Grove Sentinel their families, may last a lifetime, Cindy Weeldreyer / Cottage Grove Sentinel according to Jeff Dill, the founder The community is mourning the Marion Crisp and his wife are assisted by booth volunteer Tanya Sano to sign the initiative of Firefighter Behavioral Health loss of K9(FBHA). Sabrina following the Alliance petition to put the Governor’s Transportation Plan on the Nov. 3, 2026 ballot. police dog’s death Nov. 19. in Dill established the FBHA Cottage Grove Police Department Cottage Grove on the afternoon of From here on, does Oregon governlaw—such as planning measures and 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. (CGPD) Chief Cory Chase issued a He was than a Battalion Chief Nov. 14, and for the past two weeks ment work for Oregonians? Or do administrative changes—remain in release following the incident. our booth has been slammed by the Oregonians work for Oregon govplace. If voters approve the package for a fire department in northwest Chicago. “We are deeply saddened to report number of voters who wanted to ernment? The latter is a terrifying in 2026, the increases take effect. “Ionsaw our brothers sisters that Wednesday nightand November sign it. It’s tapering off now because prospect, but here we are in all its If they reject it, those revenue struggle from the devastation that 19, 2025, at around 10:30 p.m., I think most people have signed.” darkness.” streams are permanently blocked, they saw, so I Police went back and got Cottage Grove Department Wagner added, “Road workers Once the Secretary of State leaving the Oregon Department of PHOTO JEREMY C. RUARK / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL mySabrina degree exited and became a licensed K9 the police departare just a fraction of ODOT’s giant verifies enough valid signatures, the Transportation to seek alternative counselor,” he said. “We started Sauerwein and other city officials currently doing, which is providing The new mini homeless camp ment through an open door that led bureaucracy. What is really needed law is suspended. The tax and fee funding. tracking EMS and firefighter suihave told the Sentinel, that there a location for folks to spend the will include the same restrictions as to the parking lot when an officer is an intensive audit that scrutinizes hikes cannot take effect until voters Follow developments online cides across America.” no additional night from 7 p.m. to a.m.” the larger exited the building. whoformer is doing whatcamps. and how much it are approve them. plans to offer any at cgsentinel.com and7 in the other forthough the Read previous “The same will it. apply,” The officer and others on-duty Behavioral Impact is costing us torules sustain I believe Thelong-term increasessheltering are paused, Wednesday print coverage editions ofabout The homeless. the homelessness challenges in Sauwrwein said. “The camp will According to Dill, firefighters attempted to call her back but were Oregon has reached a crossroads. other non tax provisions of the Sentinel. “Cottage Grove will follow Cottage Grove and follow new be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. often don’t recognize the behavioral unsuccessful. They immediately state law as we understand it,” developments at cgsemtinel.com impactsearching of their work. and the rules will be enforced began the area for her cultural Sauerwein said. “That is what we and in the Wednesday print editions but “We through our contracting company, werebecome unable to locatebrainher. Chief washed,” said.a“Whether are doing. To change that is up to of The Sentinel. One Security of Eugene to help us Chase was Dill notified short timeit’s later structural or wildland fires. So, we the legislature. The city of Cottage during this transition period. They and he and his family immediately are meant to believe we are supGrove has no plans to do any kind are a very experienced homeless joined onbe foot and posed into the act search strong,both brave, help, of a shelter beyond what we are camp management company.” in vehicles. don’t ask for help, and we don’t CINDY WEELDREYER MULTI-DAY HOLIDAY Aftertoabout an hour searching, want look weak andofnot ask for Cottage Grove Sentinel EVENTS THIS WEEKEND we received a call of a dog matching help.” DEC 4-7: Cottage Theatre Play: Cottage Grove launches the holiSabrina’s description being struck by Dill added that while firefighters Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. day season this weekend with its on theonfront lines battling the aare vehicle Thu-Sat 7:30 p.m. Sun 2:30 p.m. annual Christmas Kickoff, a tradiwildfires, of the biggest chalHighwayone 99 just north of River 700 Village Dr. tion that fills downtown with music, lenges they face is the unknown. Rd. We quickly responded to the area Plot: Follow Alice down the rabhow theses lights and community spirit. and“It’s found thatrapidly Sabrina had fires beencan bit hole in this magical, musical move,and andkilled. the unknown is where Families gather for festivistruck retelling of Lewis Carroll’s beloved is it going to end? Where will this ties around town that mark the We are incredibly heartbroken and fantasy. This adaptation of Alice’s fire go to and how long will it last? start of December with cheer and devastated tragedy. And that isbya this struggle,” heSabrina said. Adventures in Wonderland, by a celebration. was a loved member of our “So, when you are fightingdepartthat playwright who grew up at Cottage There is something for all ages ment and thetrying Cottage Grove commufire, you’re to do your best Theatre, will appeal to you whether to enjoy. The Jingle Rush 5K Run/ nity. She had a profound impact on to stop it, and yet the wind kicks your own journey through the lookWalk kicks off the day. Santa makes the lives of our staff in the short time up at 60 miles an hour and it drags ing glass was last week or decades multiple appearances around town. it further andus. further behind them. she was with ago. Tickets: Adults, $29 & Youth He flips the switch on the AllThat aspect the unknown is very We are all of struggling with this CINDY WEELDREYER / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL (18 & younger), $15 For more America City Square Christmas difficult in wildland fires. The tragedy and grieving the loss offireour Matchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove. See more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com. information or to purchase tickets fightersSabrina.” have that stress and anxiety, Tree then goes to his workshop in beloved visit www.cottagetheatre.org or call and to protect is to a very the Cottage Grove Armory to hear Thethat K9struggle was a new addition the box office at 541.942.8001 difficult challenge for the wildland children’s wishes. the CGPD, having been sworn DEC 5-7: Dr. Snapp House firefighters.” There is a Victorian holiday intoItoffice by very Chasedifficult during for a midis often famHoliday Bazaar and Open House. bazaar, crafts, the Speedway’s October Cottage Grove City Council ily members of the firefighters to 360 S. River Rd. holidayCINDY lights display attraction, meeting. WEELDREYER understand what emotions there are, theHours: way” Friday during 6-8 the construction helped us meet many of our future Nearly 50 people attended the p.m. Saturday andFortheThe museum’s stainedCottage candlelit Grove Sentinel Described as firefighters super-friendly, and that many don’t project. bookstore customers,” Birdy said. Cottage Grove Historical Society’s 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. to glass windows. The all-day kickoff one-year-old black lab-golden express their emotions, according He said he was given an import- the She shared a humorous mem“Farewell to the Village Green” at In 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle 2 p.m. provides Grovers the opportunity to Dill. retriever mix was trained as a comantFeatures job of opening the boxes ory they made in the formal Iron the Community Center, Saturday, and her sister Gail opened The gently used items, to experience the festive season askand the isfamily members fort“We canine the second dog delivered to the and Maiden Dining Room that drew Sept. 21. Bookmine they were familiar with holiday treats andguest craftsrooms for sale. together. to try totounderstand the cultural,” donated the department by the recalled cool felt driving laughter from the crowd. The internationally famous resort Hot The Village Green. applehow cider andhecookies. Bring he said. “Be direct. Challenge NOTE: The annual South Lane nonprofit organization Working Dogs the orange golf cart around the to 2 “My sister and I were budding was created by Walter A. Woodard Their father traveled a lot and kids to see Santa from 12 p.m. with compassion when something County Fire and Rescue Breakfast Oregon. property for assigned errands. Years doesn’t look right or doesn’t sound feminists at the time and were quite (W.A.) and his son, Carlton. Some often brought its matchboxes home p.m. on Saturday. Proceeds provide with Santa at the Firehouse will Sabrina’s role was not enforcelater, anothertospecial memory was shocked by the sexism practiced in members of the family attended and scholarships as keepsakes for his girls. The sislocal high school right, and do an internal size up, not happen this year due to staffing ment detection, emotional seeing the football player, the dining room,” she said. “The shared personal memories. ters were in their 20’s when they whichorwe ask the but firefighters to seniors andfamous maintain the historic challenges. support, trained to assist officerssize O.J. Simpson, running on one of the do as well,” he said.” Internal menu given to a woman had no opened the Main Street bookstore house. Below is a list of activities hapAnnah Clark and her dogs Cocoa and Bear visited THROUGH THESanta LENSlast resort’s paths. during high-stress calls,am provide up means asking why I acting prices on it and foot pillows were and, to enhance their income, DEC 5-7: Cottage Grove pening this weekend to invite the year at the Prospectors and Gold Diggers Club’s Dr. Snapp Kris Woodard’s introductory comfort to crime victims, and help this way, and why am I feeling this To the delight of those gathered, provided so ladies’ uncomfortable worked as waitresses at the resort. Speedway Walking in a Winter Christmas spirit into the hearts of House Holiday Bazaar. Santa returns Saturday, from noon remarks included personal mem-to way? The best thing we can do is Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard, shoes could be removed while din“It was a wonderful place to all ages. 2 p.m. Dec. 6, to the historic Victorian-era house ontheSouth ories he made through lens of ing. It was a very different era.” work and, being new in town, it River Road. See CHRISTMAS Page 6 6 a 12-year-old who was often “in See SABRINA Page 66 See LEGACY, Page See HEALTH, Page
Christmas kickoff to light up downtown
Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort
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