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THE COTTAGE GROVE

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Ouch! Gasoline prices soaring Oregon average rises four cents to $3.95 a gallon. A closure of the Olympic Pipeline sent gas prices skyrocketing in Oregon and Washington, at the same time that refineries in California started the transition to summer-blend fuel. A spokesperson for BP said that the pipeline resumed operations February 19, after being shut down for maintenance and repairs. Wholesale prices in the Pacific Northwest shot up and consumers were hit with double-digit increases at the pumps. Higher crude oil prices due to geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and Iran are also putting upward pressure on pump prices, according to Marie Dodds, Oregon / Idaho AAA Public Affairs. Increases were already on tap even before Saturday’s U.S.-Israel strikes at Iran, as warmer weather usually means more demand and refiners start producing a summerblend product. But the attack adds new, powerful momentum to the price surge. The war makes it tough to forecast how long any increases

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

Gasoline prices have jumped significantly in the past 30 days in Cottage Grove, Lane County and across Oregon. In some areas, the price has jumped by 50 cents a gallon since early February. As of March 4, pump prices in Cottage Grove showed a low of $3.69 to a high of $4.39 per gallon of regular unleaded. • Mobile $3.69 • Safeway $3.79 • Shell station (bottom of overpass) $3.99 • Chevron Truck Stop $4.39 The American Automobile Association (AAA) says the national average for regular gas shot up 11 cents overnight March 2 and is above $3 a gallon for the first time since December 1, 2025. Average prices are up in all 50 states. For the week, the national average for regular jumps 16 cents to $3.11 a gallon. This is the highest price since October 2025. The

will last or how big they could be. Recent experience does offer some hope that any big spike won’t last, according to an Oregon Capital Chronicle report “While oil markets continue to react to potential tensions in the Middle East, history has shown that the price increases are temporary and quickly fall back,” said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist and principal at the consulting firm RSM US, on his Real Economy Blog. President Donald Trump, speaking at a news conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday, sought to justify the strikes and said any price hikes would be temporary. “People felt it’s something that had to be done,” he said. “So, if we have a little high oil prices for a little while, but as soon as this ends, those prices are going to drop, I believe, lower than even before.” Read the full Oregon Capital Chronicle report here: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/03/03/repub/

iran-war-drives-gas-price-uncertainty-ahead-of-busy-summer-season/ The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with all seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution, according to the AAA.

Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with higher prices now than a month ago with the average price at $3.95 per gallon as of March 4. The national average is 23 cents more and the Oregon average is 47 cents more than a month ago. Oregon has the largest month-over-month jump in the nation. The Sentinel reached out to Marie Dodds for insight into the fuel price increases. The Sentinel: What is the AAA recommendation to drivers about how they can ease the pump price pinch?

Watercolor artist finds joy in capturing the soul of animals CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel

At Apple Pie Antiques, Randy and Susie Deering have built a decades long business blending watercolor portraits, antiques and interior design. Apple Pie Antiques sits inside the old Cottage Grove Hotel, but Randy Deering’s artwork travels much farther. Many of his commissions come from people who first wander into the shop while visiting town, notice his animal portraits and tuck his card into a pocket before heading home. Some reach out within days, and for others its years later. One woman contacted him four years after her visit to order a painting of her pet. Randy’s commissioned pet portraits range from small pieces that start at $185 to larger multi animal works that can reach $1,200. Because watercolor reacts poorly to moisture, he mats and frames every painting before it leaves the shop. Customers buy the original artwork, but Randy keeps the copyright, which allows him to create prints and notecards that have become a popular item among Apple Pie Antiques’ merchandise. The shop also carries original watercolor pieces priced under $100, giving visitors

a range of options beyond commissioned work. Randy and his wife, Susie, have lived in Cottage Grove for 46 years. They met as students at Chico State University in California and relocated to Oregon soon after graduation. They first opened Apple Pie Antiques in Eugene in 1980, but soon realized they preferred the charm and pace of Cottage Grove. Their antique shop is located in the historic Cottage Grove Hotel, a building constructed in the 1920s where Buster Keaton once walked the hallways while filming The General. The hotel’s long history shapes the backdrop for the business and gives the shop a setting that matches the character of the pieces they carry. The Main Street Project brought its share of challenges for the owners. Daily foot traffic dropped during construction, which disrupted the steady rhythm the shop had relied on for years. The slowdown shifted the flow of customers, but the project also introduced new visitors who were exploring the changes downtown. The shop reflects the practical skills both owners bring to the business. Susie offers

Volunteer round Up launches Cottage Grove’s WallDogs journey City begins planning for 2027 mural festival and ‘Animal House’ anniversary

CINDY WEELDREYER Cottage Grove Sentinel

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Cottage Grove takes its first step toward the 2027 WallDogs MuralFest on Monday, March 16, when the city hosts a volunteer round up to launch planning for the large scale public art event. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Cottage Grove Community Center and will introduce the committees, roles, and community involvement needed to prepare for the arrival of hundreds of muralists in 2027. Mayor Candace Solesbee describes the Monday evening gathering as “our very first community call for volunteers and the moment where we begin building something that will leave a lasting legacy for our town.”

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