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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

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Fed funds to help Oregon salmon STAFF REPORT Cottage Grove Sentinel

in the long-term viability of Oregon’s coastal communities.” Oregon’s U.S. Sena“More than ever, the tors Ron Wyden and Jeff health of Oregon’s salmMerkley have announced an on populations is tied to investment of $27 million the health of ocean food from the National Oceanic webs,” said Dr. Francis and Atmospheric AdminChan, Director of the istration (NOAA) to help Cooperative Institute for support recovery efforts for Marine Resources Studies Pacific salmon populations. (CIMERS) at Oregon State The federal funds are University. “With new available due to the passage science that we can advance of the Inflation Reduction with this award, we can Act. paint a much fuller picture Wyden said the investof the ocean conditions Courtesy photo ment builds on several that our salmon are facing, The funding is designed to help a Salmon Superhighway to restore projects he has supported, and identify opportunities spawning grounds. including a $2.5 million to make recovery efforts frastructure,” Merkley. said throughout their life cycles grant in 2022 to replace culture and economies here spawning grounds, establishing a Salmon Super“These federal investments as productive as possible.” larger culverts on five rivers in Oregon, recover from highway, and easing stress will support initiatives to in the Tillamook Bay basin the population decline we Specific Oregon examon migration routes.” help strengthen natural to increase salmon and have seen year after year,” ples include: “The health of commuinfrastructure and reconnect other fish habitat. Wyden said. “We have • Cooperative Institute nities across Oregon goes fish habitats and migration “This federal investment much more work to do, at Oregon State University hand-in-hand with the routes—initiatives critical is going to go a long way but these actions will help (CIMERS): $1,319,000 to boosting salmon recovin making sure the salmon, build on the past successful health of our state’s waterSee SALMON page 2 ways, fish habitats, and inery efforts and investing which are so central to our projects such as restoring

nearly double the number it’s built in recent years. Her plan will have its first public hearing on Thursday. She also wants another $100 million for homelessness, including $65 million to keep existing shelters operating and $35 million for rent See FUNDS page 2

See MEETING page 2

Awards Banquet set for March 2

The 74th Annual Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet is set for March 2 at the Cottage Grove Armory located at 626 E Washington Avenue in Cottage Grove. Doors open for the banquet at 5 p.m. Happy Hour is from 5 p.m. to 6. p.m. The banquet dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. The three main award categories are; • Business of the Year • Nonprofit of the Year • First Citizen of the Year “This is a chance for us to celebrate our community,”

Cottage Grove Chamber President Cameron Reiten said. “We have many good people who do outstanding work in Cottage Grove. So, the awards banquet is an opportunity for our chamber, and our community, to recognize those who step up, who make a big difference in our city, and who make Cottage Grove the special place that it is.” Chamber background The number one goal at the Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce it to create a strong local

Courtesy photo The 2023 Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. economy, according to a statement on the chamber’s website “Our Mission is to promote economic vitality through advocacy and collaboration with its members and the larger community,” the statement reads. The chamber lists the following goals: Focus on Member Recruitment and Retention Provide Value Proposition to Members

Information The Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce is located at 836 E. Main Street in Cottage Grove. To reach the office,call 541-942-2411. Create Organizational Health and Sustainability Define Chamber’s Role in Tourism The Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors consists of five officers and up to 10 directors.

Director seats have two-year term limits to ensure a regular rotation of energy and perspective from within our membership. Positions are open to chamber members and elections take place in the fall each year.

Up to $1.7 billion may be available for housing, addiction JULIA SHUMWAY Oregon Capital Chronicle

TODAY’S EDITION

eagerly anticipating the forecast, which came three days into the 35day legislative session, Oregon lawmakers will as they fine-tune plans to have hundreds of millions spur housing production, of dollars to spend over boost homeless shelters the next year after another and expand addiction positive economic forecast treatment. released Wednesday The forecast projects morning. an ending balance of Lawmakers were $1.66 billion in June

Obituaries — 6 Opinion — 7 Sports — 8 Classifieds — 4-5

2025 based on current figures, or $1.34 billion assuming a transfer to the state’s rainy day fund. Sen. Elizabeth Steiner, the Portland Democrat who co-chairs the budgetwriting Joint Ways and Means Committee, told the Capital Chronicle via text Wednesday that she was still parsing the

Phone: 541-649-1616 or 541-549-1618 1498 E. Main Street, STE 104 P.O. Box 35 Cottage Grove, OR 97424

Hello! I’m Lori Russell I just moved to the area last year and am so happy to make my home here. I am a licensed clinical social worker and certiied alcohol and drug counselor III. Call today to make an appointment. 609 E. Main St., Ste. 103 • 541-726-4118 gratitude@lorirussell.website • counselorlorirussell.com

numbers to determine just how much lawmakers can afford to spend in the current legislative session. There are plenty of demands for that money. Gov. Tina Kotek is seeking $500 million to spur housing production and help the state meet her goal of building 36,000 homes annually,

CINDY WEELDREYER Sentinel Community Reporter

The swearing-in of two new patrol officers, a new captain and the introduction of a new dispatcher highlighted the Feb. 12 city council meeting. Captain Shawn Marsh swore in the police department’s three newest additions and introduced Shanice Roselle, a new dispatcher. Officer Matthew Callahan has 24 years of law enforcement experience. He previously served with the Phoenix, Ariz. police department and seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Officer Bradly May worked seven years as a Corrections Deputy in the Lane County Sheriff’s Office. He continues his 14-years of service in the Oregon Army National Guard. New Administrative Captain Randy Soulard has a law enforcement career spanning 29 years. He recently retired from the El Cajon, Calif. police department. Police Chief Cory Chase said, “I am excited to bring on new members of the police department who are committed to serving the community of Cottage Grove. These wonderful people fit well with our current team and are committed to supporting our goals and objectives as we move forward as an agency.” Much of the meeting focused on the impact’s of last month’s ice storm. City Public Works and Development Director Faye Stewart provided a detailed report on operations during the storm and ongoing recovery efforts. He reported the City lost power on Saturday, Jan 13 at 6 p.m. The outage lasted six days before power was restored to most facilities at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Jan 18. Power to the water treatment plan was restored on Jan 22. For six days, city staff kept the streets open so emergency responders and police officers could respond to calls for service. Backup generators for City Hall and the water system only have the capacity to run for 24-hours before they must be refilled. Stewart praised Welt & Welt, the local commercial fuel supplier, and dedicated city staff that kept the generators operating until it was safe to get fuel from the City’s supplier in Eugene. Another challenge was providing an emergency shelter for un-housed individuals and those needing to charge cell

Party with a purpose JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

Officers, dispatcher added to PD roster

We’re here for you just give us a call The Cottage Grove Sentinel 541-649-1616