The Cottage Grove
entinel entinel Concrete to be used for new Spirit of BMD Countdown
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Wednesday June 25, 2025 | Number 26, 136 years
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JEREMY C. RUARK
Cottage Grove Sentinel Wednesday October 9, 2024 | Number 39, 135 years
Clear and warm weather has helped move forward the city of Cottage Grove’s Main Street Revitalization Project. The city’s contractor, Wildlish, has finished pouring the sidewalks from the 7th Street intersection up to the lot adjacent to KNND Radio. On the south side, the bollards and truncated domes have been installed at the corner of 7th and Main according JEREMY C.Street, RUARK Cottage Sentinel to a release fromGrove the city. Westward, the crews curb and Public works aregutters in the are now in place between 6tha and process of establishing new7th Streets. sidewalks in site this at secsmaller The homeless camp the tion were to be poured last vacant lotscheduled on 12th Street in Cottage week. Grove.The city release notes that the front accessGrove on Main Street to the Cottage City Manager Thai Main Restaurant MikeonSauerwein said thewill cityremain is available. behind its original Oct. 1 timeline CONCRETE FOR is establishing the camp, following MAIN STREET the Aug. 22 closure and cleanup anticipate the of “We the 12th Streetbeginning and Douglas pouring of the black concrete roads Street homeless camps. During the towards thethe endadjacent of this month,” transition, Lulu Dog Project Park at Coordinator 12th Street Shauna has beenNeigh used said. “It’s not asphalt. It will a as a homeless camp site withbehours block holds up from 7concrete. p.m. to Concrete 7 a.m. daily. better.” “None of us have ever managed Once the roads intersections a homeless camp and before, so we are complete, knew that datecrews was are a bitexpected aspira- to proceed Phase 2said. of the project. tional,” with Sauerwein “We are Given preparatory already hopingthe that this weekwork we will be accomplished, the transition. release states able to make the Ourthat the Phasefolks 2 to be comgoalcity wasexpects to provide with pleted a safe in anda shorter secure time placeframe. to spend anticipate sidewalk work the“We night and that’s what we areto begin on the north side of Main Street doing.” in mid-August or early Sauerwein said city September,” staff was Neigh said. cleaning up the Lulu Dog Park to
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$2.00 As of press time, the recount
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The mental City establishing mini health impact homeless camp at 12th Street School facing Oregon’s Crews began developing the smaller homeless camp site this week on the vacant lot at 12th Street.
Board wildland firefighters election recount still pending JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel
Oregon’s wildfire season is expected to continue through this month, but the mental scares and Jeremy C. Ruark / Cottage Grove Sentinel impact of the season on the fireWildish crews work on the new sidewalks on the south side of Main Street. fighters who battle blazes in Lane County and across the state, and COMMUNICATIONS The multi-million-dollar revitalizato help us get through it is to come their families, may last a lifetime, Crews have been diligently worktion project is designed to improve visit!” according to Jeff Dill, the founder ing to keep business owners informed the street, sidewalks, pedestrian crossThe City of Cottage Grove has of Firefighter Behavioral Health of the project’s progress and to ensure ing areas, lighting, and landscaping partnered with the Cottage Grove Alliance (FBHA). access to all businesses is restored as along the busy route in the city’s Area Chamber of Commerce with a DillCINDY established the FBHA in WEELDREYER quickly as possible, according to the Historic District. promotional stamp card. Go shopping 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. Cottage Grove Sentinel city release. In a published Sentinel interview in in Historic Downtown Cottage Grove, He was than a Battalion Chief Drivers are urged to exercise cauearly March, Cottage Grove Chamber get six stamps, and turn the card into for northwest Fora fire fourdepartment candidates in seeking a seat tion when driving through the conof Commerce Executive Director the Chamber of Commerce, located Chicago. on the South Lane School Board, sawa our sisters struction zone. The speed limit has Georgia Haskel emphasized that busi- at 836 E. Main Street, for a chance to it’s “I been longbrothers wait to and receive the struggle from the devastation that been reduced to 10 mph, and lane nesses in the construction site remain win $500 a week in local gift cards. much-anticipated June 16 certificathey saw, so I went back and got sizes have been decreased within the open and welcoming. Follow the downtown promotional tion of the May 20 Special Election JEREMY C. RUARK / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL my degree and became a licensed construction area. “Our message is thatPHOTO businesses events at the Chamber’s website and outcomes. counselor,” he said. “We started officials currently The new mini homeless camp It is crucial to reduce speed and areSauerwein open, and and theyother need city our support,” Facebookdoing, page. which is providing 5 RACE suitrackingPOSITION EMS and firefighter told“We the Sentinel, there a location for folks to spend the the will include the to same restrictions remain attentive pedestrians and as have she said. like to say,that “Pardon Read previous coverage about Position 5 Incumbent cides across America.” Colleen are additional offer any night p.m. to 7 a.m.” the formerthe larger camps. workers,” release states. “Please our no Dust”, we are plans open! to Downtown Main from Street7Revitalization Project Valley narrowly retained her seat other long-term forour the Read previous coverage about rules will apply,” be “The awaresame that traffic violation fines Cottage Grove issheltering the heart of and follow new developments online by onlyBehavioral 12 votes over Impact challenger homeless. the homelessness in Sauwrwein “The camp will at cgsentinel and challenges in the Wednesday are doubled said. in construction zones.” community and right now we are According to Dill, firefighters Tony Lefler. She said she is glad “Cottage Cottage Groveofand new often don’thave recognize the behavioral print editions Thefollow Sentinel. having heartGrove surgery.will Thefollow best way reestablish it as a dog park. Specific be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the results been finalized and state law as we understand it,” developments at cgsemtinel.com impactallowed of theirher work. and the rules will be enforced costs of that cleanup and establishvoters to continue “We become cultural brainSauerwein said. “That is what we and in the Wednesday print editions through our contracting company, ing the smaller homeless camp at serving for another term. She also 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 complimented the motivation of her structural or wildland fires. So, we the legislature. The city of Cottage during this transition period. They available. opponent. are meant to believe we are supGrove has no plans to do any kind are a very experienced homeless “I don’t know Tony, but he posed to act strong, brave, beseems help, of a shelter beyond what we are camp management company.” like a thoughtful person,” don’t ask for help, and weValley don’t said. enough want“Itoappreciate look weakhim andcaring not ask for help.”the children in our community about Dillfor added that while firefighters to run the school board.” are on the frontwhat linesshe battling When asked hopes the to CINDY WEELDREYER chief grant writer. She also noted wildfires, one of the chalaccomplish in the nextbiggest four years, Cottage Grove Sentinel Howell’s skill at deal-making that maxilenges they face is said the unknown. the businesswoman she espemized a limited facilities budget. “It’s how rapidly theses fires can It was a “graduation into retirement” cially looks forward to working with She arranged for the removal of an move, and the unknown is where ceremony at the Great Days Early the superintendent, Todd old house next door and replaced it is itnew going to end? Where willMiller. this Education Center for its administraHe concludes his 12-year tenure with with a play structure. She traveled to fire go to and how long will it last? tor, Barbara Howell, after 35 years of the rural Santiam Canyon School Salem to purchase pieces of a covered And that is a struggle,” he said. service. District (eastyou of Salem) on June “So, when are fighting that30 structure for $100 that volunteers reasINDELIBLE MARK and his post on July fire,assumes you’re trying to here do your best 1. sembled over the playground on the The Thursday evening event, June 5, toValley stop it,said, and“Iyethope the to wind kicks continue north side of the building. She coordibegan with a request to wear a ceremoup positive at 60 miles an hour we andhave it drags the momentum by nated the concrete work for sidewalks nial green cap and gown and to listen it further and further rates, behindhelping them. increasing graduation around the building and created a slab Thatfind aspect thecareer unknown very as speakers took turns telling heartfelt CINDY WEELDREYER / COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL kids the of right path,isand under the playground cover for students difficult in wildland fires. The firestories of Howell’s accomplishments Matchbooks from the Village Green Resort in Cottage Grove.getSee more photos with this story at cgsentinel.com. focusing on learning in all respects. to ride their trikes and play without fighters have that stress and anxiety, and confirming the indelible mark she I’m excited to be able to continue ting wet and muddy. and that struggle to protect is a very has made to ensure the nonprofit orgathis work.” She added much needed storage difficult challenge for the wildland nization’s future success. Position 5 Challenger Tony Lefler sheds on the property and converted a firefighters.” As lots of little ones played energeti- storage room into a small classroom. made his first bid for publicfor office It is often very difficult famcally around the play yard, unaware of inilythis election.ofThe man-to members the service firefighters She replaced a failing fence around the significance of the occasion, nearly helped CINDY WEELDREYER ager of a local caremotions dealership, Lefler understand what there are, the way” during the construction us meet of our future the play yardmany and arranged to erect an Nearly 50 people attended the 50For friends, relatives,Grove past and present bookstore The Cottage Sentinel and that on many reflected the firefighters experience don’t and project. customers,” Birdy said.of the Cottage Grove Historical Society’s attractive metal fence in front staff, and (now all grown up) alumni express their emotions, according his motivation to seek the He said he was given an import- described She shared a humorous mem“Farewell to the Village Green” at center to protect potential runaway todIn 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle gathered to celebrate the invaluable to Dill. seat. ant job of opening the boxes orydlers they from madethe in the formal Iron the Community Center, Saturday, dangerously busy street. and her sister Gail opened The “We whole ask theexperience family members contributions Howell made to the center Maiden “The was amazdelivered to the guest rooms and Room that expressed drew AsDining a teacher, Walley herSept. 21. Bookmine they were familiar with to try to understand the cultural,” as operations manager and by providing laughter ing,” he said. “My entire family recalled how cool he felt driving from the crowd. The internationally famous resort deepest gratitude to Howell for her The Village Green. he said. “Be direct. Challenge loving support to staff, parents and their “My and our friends supported me very the orange golf cart around the sister I were efforts thatand added fourbudding new bathroomswas created by Walter A. Woodard Their father traveled a lot and with compassion when something children. I love factorthe publicsound was property for assigned errands. Years much. feminists at the timeoriginal and were quite (W.A.) and his son, Carlton. Some to the building’s two. often brought its matchboxes home doesn’t lookthe right doesn’t For decades, drivers along North soright, interested in the race and the shocked by the two-year-olds sexism practiced in backmembers of the family attended and later, another special memory was “I taught in the as keepsakes for his girls. The sisand do an internal size up, River Road have noticed the occasional the classroom outcome. reason I rantowas seeing the famous football player, dining room,” she said. “The and had to send them to a shared personal memories. ters were in their 20’s when they which weThe askmain the firefighters improvements to the outside of the kids. Ihe wanted see positive O.J. Simpson, running on one of the for menu given toinathe woman no building. do the as well,” said.”toInternal size bathroom front had of the opened the Main Street bookstore Great Days Early Education Center changes forasking them.”why am I acting up means resort’s paths. prices on itI and pillows were Today, havefoot a bathroom IN my class- THROUGH THE LENS and, to enhance their income, (GDC) at 403 N. River Rd. At her Kris Woodard’s introductory this and“Iwhy I feeling this Heway, added, urgeam people to pay To the delight of those gathered, provided ladies’ room, so thank youuncomfortable Barb!” worked as waitresses at the resort. Cindy Weeldreyer/ Cottage Grove Sentinel “graduation ceremony”, GDC Head remarks included personal memway? Theto best thing we forward. can do is attention things going Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard, shoes could be removed while din“It was a wonderful place to Kids play in the as Great Days Early EduTeacher Alisa Walley read a lengthy ories he made through thebackground lens of ing. It was a very different era.” work and, being new in town, it cation Center Administrator Barbara Howell enjoys the list of accomplishments of the center’s a 12-year-old who was often “in See LEGACY, Page 6 See HEALTH, Page 6 See AFTER, Page 4 See RECOUNT Page 4 celebration of her long career at the center.
WHO WE ARE
After 35 years, Great Days’ administrator ‘graduates’
Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort
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