Committee finds ‘misconduct’ by Cottage Grove police officer, but recommends he keep certification
A Cottage Grove police officer rehired after losing his job for misconduct should keep his law enforcement certification, a statewide police committee recommended Thursday, Aug. 20. Matthew Walker’s October 2023 termination came after an independent investigation. Following arbitration, he regained employment in April
Eugene police lead safety trainings for YMCA staff after closure
Following an incident on Friday, Aug. 14 where the Eugene YMCA closed for the day after concerning comments from a form employee, the Eugene Police Department (EPD) worked with the staff to conduct trainings and safety assessments. The EPD Community Engagement Team held a series of trainings and assessments, which...
Valley River Center back-to-school giving tree clothing drive runs through Sept. 8
With many students set to head back to school next month, Valley River Center is urging shoppers to help local children start the year with new clothes through its Back-to-School Giving Tree clothing drive. The drive is running now through Sept. 8. Shoppers can take an apple-shaped donation tag from...
Springfield district restores high school Spanish dual immersion program
After months of public criticism, Springfield Public Schools reinstated its high school Spanish dual immersion program. Administrators announced the news Monday, Aug. 24, at a school board work session, saying leftover funds from two state grants allowed them to rehire a high school teacher and establish a K-12 dual im
Woman charged with DUII after police find dozens of cans of nitrous oxide in...
Eugene Police Department took a woman into custody late on the night of Tuesday, Aug. 25, after police found her crashed down an embankment and described her as the most impaired driver they had ever seen from nitrous oxide use. At 11:20 p.m., a Eugene police officer was called to...
Two pedestrians sent to hospital after being struck by car on River Road
Two pedestrians were sent to the hospital on the evening of Tuesday, Aug. 25, after being hit by a vehicle on River Road, according to Eugene Police Department (EPD). The pedestrians, a man and a woman, were in a crosswalk on River Road when a vehicle that was going westbound on Green Lane turned north on River Road an
Crews battling wildfire on timberland south of Cottage Grove
Firefighters were responding to the Jasper Creek Fire that was burning on Weyerhaeuser timberland Tuesday, Aug. 25, about 10 miles south of Cottage Grove near the border between Lane and Douglas counties. The size of the blaze was estimated at about an acre, said Tim Hoffman, a spokesperson for the...
State State Investigation Targets $1.5 Million Payments
The Oregon Department of Justice is investigating the McKenzie Watershed Alliance after the nonprofit reported more than $1.5 million in "unauthorized payments," raising questions about whether public and utility funds were involved. The McKenzie Watershed Alliance serves as the fiscal sponsor for the McKenzie Watershe
Eugene police raid leads to seizure of guns, drugs
EUGENE, OR — The Eugene Police Street Crimes Unit had an active morning Tuesday, serving search warrants with the help of the SWAT team, Drones, Crisis Negotiation Team, and the Investigations Division. The search warrants stemmed from an ongoing investigation of narcotics dealing and felon in possession of a...
McKenzie Watershed Alliance employee fired in $1.5M theft
The McKenzie Watershed Alliance says it discovered more than $1.5 million in unauthorized payments tied to an employee, prompting state and federal investigations and the employee’s firing.
