CGS829

Fire district looks to voters

See page 4

Voters in the South Lane Fire District are being asked to decide on a five-year local option levy in the Nov. 4 Special Election.

If passed, the measure, #20-372, would cost property owners $0 94 per $1,000 of assessed property value (not real market value) beginning in 2026. The owner of a median-priced home in the district with an assessed value of $198 639 would pay $15 56 per month or

JEREMY C. RUARK Cottage Grove Sentinel

Public works crews are in the process of establishing a new smaller homeless camp site at the vacant lot on 12th Street in Cottage Grove.

County sends out 2025-26 property tax statements

Cottage Grove City Manager

Mike Sauerwein said the city is behind its original Oct. 1 timeline is establishing the camp, following the Aug. 22 closure and cleanup of the 12th Street and Douglas Street homeless camps. During the transition, the adjacent Lulu Dog Park at 12th Street has been used as a homeless camp site with hours from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily.

$186 72 per year. The tax would raise approximately $12 978 604 over a five-year period starting in 2026, according to the district’s website. The South Lane Fire & Rescue District Board placed the levy on the ballot levy in an effort to fund six new full-time positions and one additional apprentice. This would bring daily staffing from 7 personnel to 10 personnel, allowing the district to staff a third full-time paramedic ambulance.

The district operates four stations in Cottage Grove, Creswell, and surrounding areas. The downtown Creswell station and the Cottage Grove station are staffed 24-hours a day. The Saginaw station is supplemented with a residential volunteer. The fourth station is near Camas Swale Road.

SLFR Deputy Chief Justin Baird said the district’s call volume has been increasing since 2014 by 62%.

“This year we will probably be close to 6 000 calls for service,” he said. “We are averaging g about 15

began developing the smaller homeless camp site this week on the vacant lot at

more staffing

calls each day. When we are fully staffed with have seven staff members. Minimum managing is five staff per day. We are augmented by typically one residential volunteer student.”

The district covers 130 square miles for fire service, and the ambulance service covers 800 square miles. That works out to be services for approximately 33,000 people, according to Baird, who added it is not unusual for the crews to respond

The mental health impact facing Oregon’s wildland firefighters

CO2 Trust grows carbon credits from compost and care

JEREMY C. RUARK

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Roots of a climate-conscious industry are growing at the former Cottage Grove Ranger Station on Row River Road.

“None of us have ever managed a homeless camp before, so we knew that date was a bit aspirational,” Sauerwein said. “We are hoping that this week we will be able to make the transition. Our goal was to provide folks with a safe and secure place to spend the night and that’s what we are doing.”

Lane Coun began mailing the 2025-26 property tax statements to property owners on Oct. 22. The first payment is due Nov. 17 Statements are available online now at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ AT, as well as information about the county value trends, levy changes, and individual property tax account information.

CO2 Trust and its partners are cultivating a new climate economy from the biochar they enrich and package onsite.

The large facility, located east of Cottage Grove at the intersection of Row River Road and Cedar Park Road, began as the bustling operational hub that managed the north end of the Umpqua National Forest. It has now been repurposed as the Cedar Park Sustainability Plaza.

The new mini homeless camp will include the same restrictions as the former larger camps.

Sauerwein said city staff was cleaning up the Lulu Dog Park to reestablish it as a dog park. Specific costs of that cleanup and establishing the smaller homeless camp at 12th Street were not immediately available.

Lane County Assessment and Taxation collects property tax on behalf of 85 separate taxing districts, including cities, schools, education service districts, water districts, rural fire districts, urban renewal districts and other taxing districts such as park and recreation, library, and ambulance districts.

The total property tax certified for all tax levies combined in 2025-26 is $746 million. This is approximately 3 49 percent more than in 2024–25

The total amount of taxes billed changes each year because of the addition of new or renewed local option and bond levies, the expiration of local option and bond levies, the 3 percent statutory increase in Maximum Assessed Values (MAV), the addition of new properties to the tax roll, and the number of exemptions granted.

“The same rules will apply,” Sauwrwein said. “The camp will be available from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. and the rules will be enforced through our contracting company, One Security of Eugene to help us during this transition period. They are a very experienced homeless camp management company.”

The facility serves as a packaging and distribution site where CO2 Trust, a new local company, receives biochar from Freres Engineered Wood, enriches it with food waste and worm castings from HealTerra and Source One Serenity in Roseburg, and recycles discarded hotel linens to bag the final product. Assisted by onsite partner Sweet Skins Hemp Clothing Manufacturer, the CO2 Trust team cuts fabric, applies natural dyes, and fills it with the enriched biochar for retail and commercial use.

COMPANY HISTORY

CO2 Trust co-founders Misty Burris and Edd Norris are local residents who built a seaworthy software vessel filled with locally produced biochar to navigate the economic waters of the global carbon market.

shared desire to dive into the carbon market.

Freres powers 5,000 homes and operates with a zero-waste model rooted in sustainable forestry.

Sweet Skins: Eco-fashion meets full circle sheet design

Oregon’s wildfire season is expected to continue through this month, but the mental scares and impact of the season on the firefighters who battle blazes in Lane County and across the state, and their families, may last a lifetime, according to Jeff Dill, the founder of Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance (FBHA).

Dill established the FBHA in 2010 following Hurricane Katrina. He was than a Battalion Chief for a fire department in northwest Chicago.

“I saw our brothers and sisters struggle from the devastation that they saw, so I went back and got my degree and became a licensed counselor,” he said. “We started tracking EMS and firefighter suicides across America.”

Founded by Mira Fannin, Sweet Skins is a Black woman–owned clothing brand that crafts hemp and organic cotton garments. Fannin began her business in the garage of her Eugene home and was one of the small businesses Burris helped during the pandemic. Burris invited her to relocate to the Cedar Park Sustainability Plaza, creating a collaboration where Sweet Skins gained manufacturing space and CO2 Trust gained access to cutting tools that upcycle dyed bedsheets into biochar packaging labels.

Behavioral Impact

According to Dill, firefighters often don’t recognize the behavioral impact of their work.

Source One Serenity / HealTerra Soil Enrich: Composting with purpose

“We become cultural brainwashed,” Dill said. “Whether it’s structural or wildland fires. So, we are meant to believe we are supposed to act strong, brave, be help, don’t ask for help, and we don’t want to look weak and not ask for help.”

Dill added that while firefighters are on the front lines battling the wildfires, one of the biggest challenges they face is the unknown.

This Douglas County nonprofit helps veterans heal through trail work and outdoor recreation. Its composting arm, HealTerra, turns food waste from schools and the Roseburg VA into nutrient-rich soil using worm digesters. All revenue supports programs like equestrian therapy and forestry walks. Their Glide landfill partnership closes the loop from trauma to stewardship.

WHAT IS BIOCHAR?

“It’s how rapidly theses fires can move, and the unknown is where is it going to end? Where will this fire go to and how long will it last? And that is a struggle,” he said.

Oregon’s constitution limits the increase in the MAV of each property to 3 percent per year, unless there have been changes made to the property, such as new construction or additions, new partitions or subdivisions, removal from special assessment or exemption programs, or changes in zoning and use of the property.

CINDY WEELDREYER

For The Cottage Grove Sentinel

In 1975, when Birdy Hoelzle and her sister Gail opened The Bookmine they were familiar with The Village Green.

The statement shows the property’s Taxable Value (TV), which is the lower of the Real Market Value (RMV) or the MAV minus any exemptions. Most properties will continue to see the 3 percent statutory increase in MAV.

Lane County’s January 1, 2025 RMV increased from $101 3 billion to $102 7 billion, an overall increase

Their father traveled a lot and often brought its matchboxes home as keepsakes for his girls. The sisters were in their 20’s when they opened the Main Street bookstore and, to enhance their income, worked as waitresses at the resort.

“It was a wonderful place to work and, being new in town, it

Burris, 52, is a consultant who helps clients access government programs. She helps them identify and provide the supportive documentation needed to complete the often complex paperwork required to participate. She was invaluable to small business owners during the pandemic who needed government assistance to survive mandated closures.

A carbon market is a system where individuals, companies, or governments buy and sell carbon credits—each representing one ton of carbon dioxide reduced or removed—to offset emissions and support climate action. Burris recruited partners to generate credits, and Norris designed software to help them broker those credits without paying fees to outside entities.

helped us meet many of our future bookstore customers,” Birdy said.

She shared a humorous memory they made in the formal Iron Maiden Dining Room that drew laughter from the crowd.

Norris is a 38-year-old software engineer who spent most of his career in the video game industry and later worked in marketing for tech companies like Google and Dell. During the pandemic, he moved his family to a farm on Rat Creek near Cottage Grove. Burris needed help optimizing her software, and Norris was looking for part-time work. Their partnership led to a

“My sister and I were budding feminists at the time and were quite shocked by the sexism practiced in the dining room,” she said. “The menu given to a woman had no prices on it and foot pillows were provided so ladies’ uncomfortable shoes could be removed while dining. It was a very different era.”

Biochar is a form of charcoal made by heating organic waste—like wood chips or crop residue—in a low-oxygen environment. It’s used as a soil amendment to improve fertility, retain moisture, and sequester carbon. CO2 Trust uses it as feedstock and adds food waste and forest-grown microbes to create a nutrient-rich additive that supports climate-friendly cultivation.

Grovers gather to remember Village Green Resort

“Last year, we transitioned into active involvement in how the carbon credits are deployed,” Norris said. “We want to locally produce and market a high-quality biochar for gardening and agriculture that allows landowners to generate carbon credits they can sell—but more importantly, to make the soil more resilient and less dependent on unnatural farming practices.”

Nearly 50 people attended the Cottage Grove Historical Society’s “Farewell to the Village Green” at the Community Center, Saturday, Sept. 21. The internationally famous resort was created by Walter A. Woodard (W.A.) and his son, Carlton. Some members of the family attended and shared personal memories.

the way” during the construction project.

“So, when you are fighting that fire, you’re trying to do your best to stop it, and yet the wind kicks up at 60 miles an hour and it drags it further and further behind them. That aspect of the unknown is very difficult in wildland fires. The firefighters have that stress and anxiety, and that struggle to protect is a very difficult challenge for the wildland firefighters.”

COLLABORATIVE REGIONAL VENTURE

THROUGH THE LENS

Kris Woodard’s introductory remarks included personal memories he made through the lens of a 12-year-old who was often “in

At the center of CO2 Trust’s impact are four regional collaborators: Freres Engineered Wood, Sweet

He said he was given an important job of opening the boxes delivered to the guest rooms and recalled how cool he felt driving the orange golf cart around the property for assigned errands. Years later, another special memory was seeing the famous football player, O.J. Simpson, running on one of the resort’s paths.

To the delight of those gathered, Kris’ brother, Casey Woodard,

Skins, Source One Serenity, and HealTerra Soil Enrich®. Each brings a distinct legacy—industrial innovation, eco-fashion resilience, and veteran-powered land stewardship. CO2 Trust’s mission is to make carbon credit access straightforward and accountable. Powered by trusted partners to support secure transactions, community engagement, and offline ownership—meaning individuals and organizations can hold proof of their carbon credit purchases without relying on a thirdparty system. The Climate Plaza hosts workshops and public events that help people understand how carbon credits work—and how local action can shape global outcomes. Freres Engineered Wood: Biochar from clean mill waste Freres, based in Lyons, Oregon, produces Mass Ply Panels and biochar using 100% biomass-fired energy. Their biochar—made from Douglas fir bark and sawdust—is certified by Puro.Earth and used for soil health and carbon removal credits. Microsoft is among their buyers.

RETAIL PRODUCTS AND CLIMATE PLAZA TENANCY CO2 Trust’s retail side offers biochar in three formats: a 1 5 gallon bag ($7 99), a mid-size bag for mixing with two cubic feet of soil ($19), and a five-gallon bucket ($45).

It is often very difficult for family members of the firefighters to understand what emotions there are, and that many firefighters don’t express their emotions, according to Dill.

Burris said the former forest service facility is ideal for scaling production, welcoming new partners, and hosting workshops.

“We invite anybody in the field of climate or carbon to share space in the Climate Plaza,” she said. “It feels like we’re in the grassroots of a new commodity, but with the innovation and technology to build

“We ask the family members to try to understand the cultural,” he said. “Be direct. Challenge with compassion when something doesn’t look right or doesn’t sound right, and do an internal size up, which we ask the firefighters to do as well,” he said.” Internal size up means asking why am I acting this way, and why am I feeling this way? The best thing we can do is

Now that autumn weather has replaced hot summer days, bears have begun their annual fall eat-a-thon, known as hyperphagia, to prepare for winter.

This intense feeding period begins in late summer when berries and fruits ripen and peaks when fruits like pears and apples are available.

During this time, bears spend up to 20 hours a day foraging for food, according to a release from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

Driven by the need to eat, bears will take advantage of free food – garbage, pet food, bird seed, livestock and poultry feed. State wildlife biologists urge Oregon residents, vacation rental managers, and visitors to remove or secure those food sources. Bears that become used to “people food” can pose a serious safety risk to people and pets.

Oregon’s black bears are highly concentrated along the coast, in the Cascades, and in the Blue Mountains. Coastal residents and visitors need to be especially vigilant as bears are common even in more

The police blotter relates to the public record of incidents as reported by law enforcement agencies.

All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Information printed is preliminary and subject to change.

For specific details about cases listed, contact the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Cottage Grove Police

Oct. 13

04:21: Fire, 75000 block Blue Mountain School Rd.

04:44: Trespass, 100 block N. 14th St.

08:14: Abandoned vehicle, 1600 block Clark Ave.

10:37: Warrant service, 1300 block E. Main St.

11:49: Harassment, 800 block S. 6th St.

11:52: Abandoned vehicle, 600 block E. Washington Ave.

14:14: Abandoned vehicle, R/Daugherty

populated and highly visited seaside towns.

However, the obligation also falls on vacation rental managers and guests to contribute to responsible coexistence with bears, according to the ODFW, which strongly encourages property managers to provide bear-resistant trash cans and educate guests how to use those cans and give them BearWise tips to minimize the risk of bear encounters or issues.

Skyler Gerrity, an ODFW Assistant Wildlife Biologist with years of experience working in coastal areas, says unsecured trash is one of the primary reasons bears are attracted to neighborhoods.

“Bears can smell food from miles away and home in on that source,” Gerrity said. “Leaving trash cans unsecured or accessible gives bears the opportunity to rummage through garbage, which can create a dangerous situation for people - and the bears too.”

Bears also have an incredible memory of where they have found food before –female bears pass this knowledge down to their young.

14:58: Criminal mischief, 19th/Ostrander

16:17: Agency assist, 1500 block E. Main St.

21:32: ATL DUII, 6th/ Quincy

22:50: Fire, I5 SB MP 177

Oct. 14

06:51: Alarm, 900 block South V Ct.

08:34: Fire, I5 NB 170

10:10: Found property, Ash/J

10:13: Abandoned vehicle, 17th/Washington

11:15: Alarm, 900 block South V Ct.

11:26: Welfare check, 100 block Village Dr.

11:32: Welfare check, 300 block S. 5th St.

12:12: Disorderly subject, 1300 block Birch Ave.

12:22: Suspicious condition, 1500 block S. 4th St.

12:56: Disorderly subject, 400 block E. Main St.

14:04: Theft, 900 block Row River Rd.

15:09: Hit and run, 1200 block Hwy 99

Feeding bears, whether intentional or accidental, can have long-lasting negative effects on multiple generations of bears.

Most conflict between humans and bears is preventable, according to the ODFW.

“Bears don’t want to be around humans, but the prospect of an easy meal is often too good to resist,” the release states.

The ODFW urges residents and property managers to remove items that attract bears to the area as the most important step to protect people and ensure bears stay healthy and wild.

Follow these tips to be BearWise:

• Never feed or approach bears. Feeding bears, whether you mean to or not, will cause them to associate humans with food. It is also against the law in Oregon (ORS 496 730).

• Secure food, garbage and recycling. Ensure trash, compost bins and dumpsters are secure by using locking or screw-on lids, metal bars over dumpsters, or fully enclosed trash storage. Take trash out

16:09: Repo, 2400 block E. Main St.

17:00: Alarm, 900 block S. 4th St.

19:26: Suicidal subject, 1400 block Daugherty Ave.

19:46: Missing person, 400 block North J St.

20:16: Business check, 900 block E. Main St.

22:05: Repo, 600 block E. Main St.

Oct. 15

01:49: Barking dog, 1200 block S. 13th St.

04:29: Disturbance, 800 block S. 6th St.

06:56: Disorderly subject, 1800 block W. Main St.

08:03: Juvenile trouble, 1000 block Taylor Ave.

08:21: Welfare check, 900

block W. Main St.

08:37: Theft, 100 block

Village Dr.

09:42: Theft, 800 block S. 6th St.

10:49: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

11:02: Fire, 6th/Mckinley

15:05: Fire, I5 NB 176

15:18: Disturbance, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

15:25: Fraud, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

15:26: Motor vehicle crash, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

16:50: Found dog, 1700 block S. 6th St.

16:59: Fraud, 800 block S. 1st St.

16:59: Juvenile trouble, 900 block Row River Rd.

17:15: Suspicious subject, 100 block N. 6th St.

17:45: Found drugs, 16th/ Madison

18:14: Welfare check, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

18:16: Juvenile trouble, Harrison/99

In their on-going search for food, bears will sometimes come

campsites and even rural or more urban communities looking for

ings – food scraps, garbage, pet food or bird feeders.

immediately before pick-up, not the night before pickup.

• Remove bird feeders.

Birds have plenty of naturally available food sources.

• Feed pets inside and store food indoors. Pet food attracts bears and other wildlife, putting your pets and wildlife at risk.

• Clean and store grills after each use.

19:50: Suicidal subject, 2200 block W. Harrison Ave.

23:36: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

Oct. 16

04:47: Alarm, 1600 block Curry Ave.

07:30: Theft, 1100 block E. Washington Ave.

07:35: Agency assist, 1100 block Ostrander

07:51: Illegal camping, Gateway/14th

08:09: Theft, 900 block W. Main St.

09:27: Agency assist, Gateway/14th

09:49: Warrant service, 200 block N. 12th St.

12:13: Dog at large, 2100 block Carver Pl.

12:44: Trespass, 200 block Gateway Blvd.

12:57: Fire, 77000 block Chisolm Trail Dr.

13:00: Theft, 1600 block Samuel Dr.

14:05: Suspicious condition, 300 block S. 6th St.

15:20: Disorderly subject, 1300 block E. Main St. 16:13: Order violation, 2600 block South Cloverleaf Lp.

18:03: Welfare check, 800 block Row River Rd.

18:23: Warrant service, 400 block S. 2nd St.

18:53: Theft, 800 block S. 6th St.

23:32: ATL DUII, 300 block Hwy 99

23:50: DUII, 300 block Hwy 99

Oct. 17

00:56: Suspicious subject, 900 block E. Main St. 03:39: Suspicious vehicle, N. River Rd/Grimes

08:33: Criminal mischief, 200 block Hwy 99

• Alert neighbors to unusual bear activity (continued sightings during daylight hours, lack of wariness around humans or pets, etc.).

Share these tips with your neighbors.

These simple yet effective steps will go a long way to avoid conflict and keep bears and people safe, the ODFW release states.

08:58: Alarm, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

10:08: Abandoned vehicle, 500 block Grant Ave.

11:54: Warrant service, 1400 block E. Washington Ave.

12:10: Disturbance, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

12:35: Hit and run, Hwy 99/ W. Saginaw

12:37: Theft, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

12:42: Juvenile trouble, 1300 block S. River Rd.

13:14: Fire, 30000 block Kenady Ln.

14:00: Disturbance, 800 block S. 6th St.

14:16: Illegal camping, 200 block N. 12th St.

14:56: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

15:33: Theft, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.

16:29: Warrant service, 700 block E. Gibbs Ave.

17:31: Suicidal subject, 100 block S. 21st St.

18:21: Harassment, 1600 block E. Main St.

18:43: Welfare check, 8th/ Main

19:44: Menacing juvenile, 1000 block Hwy 99

22:13: Harassment, 500 block Taylor Ave.

23:19: Suspicious vehicle, 1300 block S. River Rd.

Oct. 18

00:05: Suspicious vehicle, 200 block N. 12th St.

00:38: Disturbance, 1300 block W. Main St.

01:34: Welfare check, 900 block W. Main St.

02:31: Suspicious vehicle, 600 block E. Jefferson Ave.

03:40: Illegal camping, 200 block N. 12th St.

05:02: Suspicious vehicle, 200 block N. 12th St.

06:38: Disorderly subject,

Contact your local district ODFW office if you need assistance with a bear-human conflict or observe unusual or aggressive behavior from a bear. Report human safety concerns to Oregon State Police. Learn more: https:// myodfw.com/articles/ help-keep-bears-wild

10:29: Hit and run, 900 block Row River Rd.

11:17: Criminal mischief, 500 block E. Main St.

13:39: Fire, 34000 block Row River Rd.

15:29: Suspicious condition, W. Main/N. River Rd.

20:30: Welfare check, 2700 block Row River Rd. 22:35: Suspicious vehicle, 2500 block E. Main St. 23:51: Suspicious condition, Quincy/3rd

Oct. 19

00:29: Suspicious vehicle, 200 block N. 12th St.

00:44: Disturbance, 500 block Gateway Blvd.

00:56: Suicidal subject, 100 block Taylor Pl.

05:12: Illegal camping, 300 block S. River Rd.

07:19: Suspicious vehicle, 3200 block Row River Rd.

09:29: Warrant service, I5 SB MP 175

10:30: Order violation, 400 block Quincy Ave. 10:37: Warrant service, 400 block E. Main St.

11:59: Disturbance, 600 block E. Main St.

14:08: Theft, 500 block S. River Rd.

14:46: Fire, 34000 block Shoreview Dr.

15:49: Disturbance, 600 block N. 10th St. 16:05: Fire, 36000 block Row River Rd.

16:26: Fraud, 800 block Gateway Blvd. 16:41: Trespass, 100 block Gateway Blvd.

17:12: Welfare check, 100 block Gateway Blvd. 17:33: Theft, 100 block Thornton Ln.

18:20: Suspicious subject, 1200 block Vincent Pl. 19:38: Trespass, 2700 block Row River Rd.

1300 block E. Main St.

07:08: Trespass, 900 block E. Main St.

07:22: Suspicious subject,

400 block E. Main St.

07:55: Alarm, 1600 block S. 4th St.

09:09: Suspicious subject, 200 block N. 10th St.

10:00: Suicidal subject, 200 block North P St.

20:50: Motor vehicle crash, 1100 block Villard Ave.

21:11: Disturbance, 100 block Quincy Ave.

23:06: Disturbance, 1800 block E. Main St.

23:53: Suspicious vehicle, 100 block Village Dr.

Cottage Grove rally draws crowd, boosts morale for democracy advocates

CINDY WEELDREYER

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Those who participated in the No Kings Rally in Cottage Grove are hopeful their efforts are making a difference.

On the eve of the nationwide Oct. 18 No Kings Day 2 protest demonstrations, members of Friends of Democracy (FOD) gathered for an hour of waving signs and American flags on the corner of Highway 99 and Main Street.

The group estimated 120 individuals turned out for the local rally from 5-6 p.m. They also distributed copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence in English and Spanish.

Many FOD members planned to participate in the larger event the next day in Eugene, so the Friday evening demonstration was to create a local presence to protest the sweeping changes President Donald Trump’s administration is making that impact social welfare programs (food stamps, housing,

COTTAGE GROVE

HISTORIC DISTRICT

Businesses are open during the Main Street Revitalization construction. Keep shopping in Historic Downtown Cottage Grove and get stamps. Turn the stamps in at the Cottage Grove Chamber of Commerce at 836 E Main Street for a chance to win $500 in local gift cards each week until construction is finished. Details at https://www. cgchamber.com/shoplocal/ or call 541-942-2411

THE PIES

CG Hospital Auxiliary

Annual Holiday Pie Presale is underway. Place your prepaid order prior to Oct. 31 for pickup on Nov. 21 in the Hospital lobby. Famous handmade fruit pies from Amity, OR Flavors: cherry, marionberry, Oregon berry and strawberry rhubarb. Unbaked/ frozen 5-inch/$10 50 9-inch/$20 50 Call or text Tina Hodges 601-317-3923 or Sherry Hulse at 541-5254638. Proceeds used to purchase needed equipment and supplies for the hospital and clinic.

OCT. 29

Oregon Aviation Museum

Open. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2475 Jim Wright Way. Senior Center Pinochle

Games. 1 p.m. Senior Center.

700 E. Gibbs Ave. Cocktails and Crafts.

4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Craft Supplies & Cocktail $10

subsidized healthcare), public health, environmental protection.

Those involved in the rally said thery also oppose federalizing and deploying National Guard units to reduce crime in selected cities over the protests of local officials.

FOD representative Elaine Burns said the group was pleased with the turnout, including a surprise appearance of a pink inflatable character, and the support they received from drivers.

“It feels so great getting all the honks and waves,” she said. “For those who responded with single-digit sign language, we just thanked them for sharing.”

FOD organizers plan to rally regularly and conduct future I-5 overpass demonstrations even after the rainy weather settles in.

“We’re willing to stand in the rain to create community connection and save our democracy,” Burns said. Similar demonstrations were held in Eugene, Salem, Portland, Newport, Florence, and Yachats.

OCT. 30

T.O.P.S. Club. 9:30-11 a.m.

Delight Valley Church of Christ, 33087 E Saginaw Rd.

Weight loss support group.

Baby Lap Time. 11:30 a.m. Cottage Grove Public Library. Great socializing opportunity for parents and birth to 2 years old babies.

Bohemia Gold Mining Museum Open. 1-4 p.m. 308

S. 10th St.

Oregon Aviation Museum Open, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2475 Jim Wright Way.

Teen Gaming Thursday, 4 p.m. CG Public Library, 700 E. Gibbs Ave. Youth 11-18 are welcome to socialize and play games.

Table Tennis. 4-6 p.m. Community Center Reception Hall. 700 E. Gibbs Ave. Tables, paddles, and balls provided.

Football and Karaoke.

Kickoff at 4:15 p.m. and Karaoke at 9 p.m. Bohemian Tavern, 48 N 9th St. The Remnants Window (Alt-folk and jazz) and Sweet Treats (PDX singer/ songwriter) 8 p.m. Axe and Fiddle. 657 E. Main St. $5 cover.

OCT. 31

Oregon Aviation Museum. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2475 Jim Wright Way. Cottage Grove Public Library Storytime. 11:30 a.m. 700 E. Gibbs Ave. (all ages welcome).

Cottage Grove & Creswell: 541-942-9635

541-954-7724

The Portland Police Bureau estimated between 40 000 and 50 000 protesters were present at the main protest in downtown Portland, with smaller satellite events throughout the city’s suburbs, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.

Protesters around the country demonstrated against the Trump administration’s efforts to send federalized National Guard troops to Portland and other cities. Federal courts have so far blocked those efforts in Portland

Protesters included the Unpresidented Brass Band, out in big numbers in banana suits. The band is “more resolute” since its clarinet player was arrested at the Portland Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facility Sunday, founder Miles Thompson said.

“We’re just going to be safe and bring joy,” said Thompson, who started the band more than eight years ago.

More than 100 miles south, in Eugene, Ty Warren said he came out to protest

because the country needs a visual display to indicate how upset people are with the direction Trump is taking the country. He scoffed at Republican depictions of No Kings Day as “hate America rallies.”

“It’s hard to say we’re hating America when you’ve got inflatable unicorns and frogs out here,” he said.

Bohemia Gold Mining Museum Open. 1-4 p.m., 308 S. 10th St.

Cottage Grove Public Library Movie: Beetlejuice (1988/PG/92 min). 3 p.m. Shepherd Room. 700 E. Gibbs Ave. Free Admission. Downtown Cottage Grove Halloween Trick-or-Treat.

3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Historic Downtown District. CG Public Market Halloween Celebration.

3:30-8 p.m. 926 E. Main St.

“Let the Ghoul Times Roll” Live Music from Stone Hart’s Household Ghosts,

food trucks, costume contest, ice cream, beer and wine & prizes. Haunted House: Not too scary from 3:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Very scary from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church Trunk-or-Treat. 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Sixth and Quincy. All are welcome.

American Legion Post 32 Bingo. 5 p.m.- 7 p.m. 826 W. Main St. Coast Fork Brewery Halloween Party. 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. 106 S. Sixth St. Features costume prizes, special drinks and eats. Live music

“I see a lot of love. These people here probably love America more than Mike Johnson and Donald Trump do.”

Inflatable frog costumes have become a fixture of regular protests outside Portland’s ICE detention facility as Portlanders seek to use whimsy to refute Trump’s descriptions of their

by Loose Ends. Multi genres from rock to country 1960+.

6:30-9:30pm Art Walk, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Historic Downtown District. Free community event showcasing local artists, live music, and extended hours at participating businesses.

Weekly Pool Tournament, 7 p.m. Bohemian Tavern, 48 N. 9th St. Entry Fee: $5 and BCA rules Bohemian Tavern Halloween Costume Contest. 9 p.m.– midnight. 48 N. 9th St. Kade Tot spins spooky dance music. Costume contest judging is from 9-11 p.m. Winners announced by 11:30 p.m. Multiple cash prizes. Axe’s Halloween Bash. 9 p.m.– midnight. Axe & Fiddle. 657 E. Main St. Features dance music with DJ Alex Bradley, costume contest, themed drink and food specials. NOV. 1 South Valley Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-

Capital Chronicle reported.

See the report at: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/10/18/ tens-of-thousands-protestacross-oregon-as-part-of-nokings-day/

Turid Dahl Vaught

August 24, 1943 - October 5, 2025

Turid Dahl Vaught, 82, of Cottage Grove, Oregon, died peacefully on the morning of October 5, 2025, of multiple myeloma.

She was born August 24, 1943, in Bergen, Norway to Edith and Kaare Dahl. She was the eldest of three children.

Turid came to America all alone at age twenty-one with a position lined up to work for Karl Strauss and his family, owner of Karl Strauss Brewery. She later started her own house cleaning business, Scandia Cleaning Service, continuing to care for the homes of others until her retirement.

Turid and her first husband Bernardus (Ben) Van Lier married on July 26, 1969, and raised two daughters, Irene Yvonne and Sonja Christina. They lived in California (Fountain Valley), Holland, and Norway for several years and then back to Lake Forest, CA until Ben’s passing in 1988.

Turid met Thomas L. Vaught in 1990 at a Parents Without Partners meeting. They were married on October 19, 1996. They spent many years involved in the Sons of Norway organization. In 2008, after early retirement they moved from Southern California to Cottage Grove, Oregon until

Tom’s recent passing in December of 2024.

Turid was deeply rooted in her faith and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove. Her faith and her family were the most important to her.

Turid is survived by her daughters, Irene Rantala and Sonja Van Lier, and their children: Erik Rantala, Nicholas Van Lier, Ashley (Ash) Van Lier, and Andrew (AJ) Bishop. She is also survived by her stepson, Travis Vaught, wife Suzanna, and their children: Autumn, Ian, and Meredith Vaught-Martin. Additionally, Turid leaves behind her two brothers, Konrad Dahl and Geir Dahl, along with their families in Norway. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Phillip Vaught, his wife Linda, and her niece Kelli Wesolowski, and Kelli’s husband, Steve.

Turid was preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Kaare Dahl, her first husband Ben Van Lier, and her second husband Tom Vaught. Turid is interred at Fir Grove Cemetery, along with Tom Vaught. Turid’s memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel.

Carol Waterhouse

November 9, 1955 - October 14, 2025

Carol Waterhouse, aged 69, passed away on October 14, 2025, in Eugene, OR. She was born on November 9, 1955, in Aurora, Colorado, to Norman and Connie.

A life-long learner, Carol earned an associate’s degree in business, which served as a stepping stone to a fulfilling career that spanned 28 years at Lane Community College. In her leisure, Carol found comfort in the simple pleasures of life: spending time with family, preserving memories through photos, enveloping herself in the pages of a compelling book, and expressing her creativity through various crafts.

Family was the foundation of Carol’s life. She married the love of her life, Jerry Waterhouse, sharing a bond that remained unbroken until Jerry’s passing in 2021. Carol leaves behind her beloved mother Connie, her devoted children Rhonda and Eric with his wife Liz, and her siblings Karen with her husband Ron, Bob with Melanie, Clent with Cheri, and Mark with Barb. She was a nurturing presence in the lives of her treasured grandchildren Brittany with John, Breanna, and Brandy, and her cherished great-grandchild Eliza. Her memory will be celebrated and remain a guiding light for her family and friends. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel.

Why Pre-Plan?

Pre-Planning makes matters easier for those you love.

Pre-Planning allows you to provide guidance to your family after your death.

Pre-Planning allows you to control potential expenses of a funeral and disposition.

Pre-Planning provides an advanced opportunity to assemble life data.

Michael Eugene Sellars, 73, of Creswell, Oregon passed away on October 14, 2025. Arrangements are in the care of Smith-LundMills Funeral Chapel and Crematorium.

Oregon Aviation Museum Open. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. 2475 Jim Wright Way.

Trinity Lutheran Church Free Community Dinner. 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m. Seventh & Quincy Avenue. (Take-Out Only)

Coast Fork Brewing Trivia Night. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. 106 S. 6th St. Up to 7 players on a team.

NOV. 7

Cottage Grove High School Veterans Appreciation Luncheon. 10 a.m.– noon, 1375 S. River Rd. Hosted by the Leadership Class. RSVP required by Nov. 5 Call 541-942-3391 to make a reservation.

NOV. 9

Riverbend Pediatrics and Ronald McDonald House Sewing Potluck. noon-3 p.m. Riverstone Mobile Home Park Community Room. 77500 South 6th St. “Calling all stitchers!” Bring your sewing machine, a favorite dish and join hands in sewing pillowcases for hospitalized children.

NOV. 10

250th Anniversary Marine Corps Ball. 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

Cottage Grove Armory. 628 E. Washington Ave. Tickets: General Admission $10/ person. Admission with table seating $25. Celebration features live music, dancing and camaraderie. All military branches welcome – dress uniforms appreciated but not required. Food and beverages available on site for purchase.

NOV. 15

The Row River Sunshine Club Fall Rummage and Bake Sale. 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Row River Christian Fellowship Church in Dorena. All rummage items are only 25 cents. BBQ lunch. All Veterans receive free lunch and gratitude for their service to our country.

Gary Lee Bohna

01/14/1942 - 10/20/2025

Gary Lee Bohna of Cottage Grove passed away on October 20, 2025, he was 83. Gary was born on January 14, 1942, in Eugene, Oregon to Alfred and Marie (Williams) Bohna. Gary served in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War as a Corporal and was very proud to serve his country. He worked as Forman/ Lineman for Pacific Power and Light, where he retired. Then later, he went to work for ILB. Gary was a member of the Elks Lodge. He enjoyed spending his time hunting, fishing, boating, and shooting guns. His passion was working on his 74 Ford Truck, which he

City

restored after he retired, some would call it an obsession. He is survived by his two sons, Monte Lee Bohna of Philadelphia, PA and Dale Edwin Bohna of Eugene, OR; sister, Carolyn Heisel of Bend, OR; and two grandchildren. Gary is preceded in death by his parents and brother William Bohna. A funeral service with military honors will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 1:00 pm at Major Family Funeral Home in Springfield. He will be laid to rest at Pleasant Hill Pioneer Cemetery. Visit www. majorfamilyfuneralhome.com to share a memory of Gary.

looks at revitalizing 243 acres for ‘new’ Cottage Grove

WEELDREYER

CINDY

Cottage Grove Sentinel

Cottage Grove City officials are hopeful a new effort will help to revitalize undeveloped areas with the city limits.

Council President Greg Ervin and urban renewal consultant Elaine Howard appeared before the Lane County Board of Commissioners earlier this month to request support for the creation of a new urban renewal district aimed at revitalizing underdeveloped areas within city limits.

Ervin chairs the newly formed Cottage Grove Urban Renewal Agency, which is spearheading the proposal. The plan outlines a 243-acre renewal area and a maximum indebtedness of $65 4 million, funded through tax increment financing over a 30-year period.

Howard presented findings from a 2024 feasibility study and detailed the proposed investments in transportation, utilities, parks, and emergency preparedness. City leaders emphasized the importance of county collaboration, noting that several taxing districts would be impacted by the plan’s implementation.

The Commissioners heard testimony during their October 14 meeting in Harris Hall. The urban renewal plan is currently undergoing a consultand-confer process with affected agencies and will be reviewed by the Cottage Grove Planning Commission before returning to the City Council for final adoption.

Ervin began the presentation by acknowledging all agencies and organizations are financially challenged. He explained how Cottage Grove officials are in the process of closing a gap in their budget which requires making cuts or raising revenues. Officials say inflationary costs exceed the annual three-percent cap on assessed property value and believe expanding the existing tax base with new development and major improvements will provide much needed additional revenue to support its public services.

“In these times, it focuses our efforts and priorities, and we’ve decided to take on the fight of developing,” Ervin said. “We’re going to aim at increasing revenue by

expanding our tax base, in a way that honors our history, preserves our culture, but ushers in the new Cottage Grove.”

He added, “We’re building on some huge wins. A revitalized downtown and upcoming planned developments (Project Sparrow) are very positive. We want to take this time to bring you our plans because now is the time to build on those successes and raise the bar to address our funding gaps.”

COMMISSION DISCUSSION

Following Howard’s presentation, the commissioners each weighed in on the proposal with individual support.

East Lane Commissioner Heather Buch expressed her strong support for re-establishing an urban renewal district in Cottage Grove. She commended the city officials for the years of planning that led to the proposed new district and complimented them for successful past planning efforts.

“The trust in this particular project is so high,” she said. “I am absolutely supportive of the project and very interested in seeing what develops as a result of moving forward.”

North Eugene Commissioner and former Eugene City Councilor Pat Farr served ten years on Eugene’s Urban Renewal District Board. He noted this tool for redevelopment can be used and abused using the example of the failed Eugene Downtown Mall and more recent success in building the Eugene Library and demolishing the long vacant Sears building to create housing for students.

“I welcome this plan with open arms,” Farr said.

“I have a strong feeling, from the presentation and the work you have put into it, that you will go it right. I love your town, man, because when I go there, I feel like I’m stepping back in time because the downtown area is so well preserved. It’s a beautiful town.

Bravo!

South Eugene Commissioner Laurie Trieger congratulated the city officials for their planning efforts and commented that new special districts require additional county staff time in the Assessment and Taxation Department and in the Elections

Division without any corresponding administrative fee to offset those increased staffing costs.

“I trust the local community to know what it needs and to understand its own capacity for voters to support these kinds of initiatives,” Trieger said. “There is a cost of doing business and this (new district) will add a little bit of costs to do our business in support of local communities. I am aware of that, yet in no way does it affect my support of the project or my interest in learning more about it as it moves forward.”

West Lane Commissioner Ryan Ceniga said feedback from people he knows in the business and building industry describe Cottage Grove as a model for being solution-oriented with the ability to think outside the box related to development.

“I’m excited! There is not a doubt in my mind, this is going to work in Cottage Grove, Ceniga said. “(Using urban renewal dollars) Downtown Springfield is doing great now and I look forward to Cottage Grove being on that list.”

In the past decade, Springfield Commissioner David Loveall has been actively involved in the redevelopment of the city’s downtown area. Based on that experience, he praised the plan’s focus on infrastructure development and noted a planned boutique hotel in Cottage Grove’s historic district is forward thinking because people want to stay near where they are going to tour. Public Works Director and former County Commissioner Faye Stewart addressed Loveall’s question about the city’s preparedness to work with developers to meet the historic preservation requirements of our old buildings.

“I’m interested in seeing how you cobble up the needed land and what owners or developers will now be willing to sell their land to support your plans,” Loveall said.

Ervin told The Sentinel, “I went away encouraged, knowing our efforts have the support of the Commission and the benefit of their extensive experience with the successes and failures of previous Urban Renewal Districts.”