Eugene woman extradited for inmate death in Umatilla County
EUGENE, Ore. - A woman arrested in Eugene is now facing charges in Umatilla County for allegedly supplying methamphetamine to an inmate, resulting in his death, according to court documents. Court records show that Heather Sutherland was extradited after being charged with second-degree manslaughter, unlawful...
Eugene, Springfield air quality decline as wildfire smoke rolls in
Lane County air quality took a turn for the worse Thursday afternoon as shifting wind pulled in smoke from regional wildfires. Air quality in Eugene and Springfield declined from “good” to “moderate” levels shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, according to monitors from the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency.
Investigation underway following cyclist death on Jasper Road
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - A 33-year-old bicyclist found unresponsive on Jasper Road last Friday later died in the hospital of his injuries, according to the Springfield Police Department. Springfield Police Department officials said that multiple units responded to the scene in the 4200 block of Jasper Road around 9:21...
Fat Shack owners sued over fatal 2023 shooting by employee
A lawsuit filed Monday, Sept. 15, contends the local owners of Fat Shack restaurant were negligent in employing a shift supervisor who shot a 19-year-old man after being told the man had sprayed paint on the building. The estate of the victim, Fernando Giffen-Vallejo, filed wrongful death and negligence claims...
90,000 people in Lane County face uncertainty as PacificSource plans Medicaid exit
More than 90,000 people in Lane County who are enrolled in Medicaid-funded Oregon Health Plan may lose their current coverage through PacificSource. That represents about 70% of the nearly 131,000 people in the county who rely on Medicaid for health care. The Springfield-based insurer faced a Sept. 18 deadline to...
Bicyclist killed in Springfield collision, police say
A 33-year-old man died from injuries after being struck by at least one vehicle Friday, Sept. 12, Springfield police said. The collision involving a bicyclist took place in the 4200 block of Jasper Road at about 9:20 p.m., according to a news release Thursday. When police arrived, they found the...
Eugene police use tech to recover stolen cars in record time
EUGENE, Ore. - Technology aided in Eugene police recovering stolen vehicles over three days, according to the Eugene Police Department. EPD officials said that, on Sept. 14, a stolen Chrysler 300 was quickly located after being reported at Roosevelt Boulevard and North Cleveland Street. An officer on patrol received...
Healthy Kids: DTaP vaccine offers protection from whooping cough and other illnesses
EUGENE, Ore. — As we transition from summer into the fall and winter, local doctors expect to see more respiratory illnesses, including pertussis, also known as whooping cough. While pertussis is highly contagious and extremely dangerous for younger children, it is vaccine preventable. Unfortunately, it has also been...
CEO of EWEB to retire in 2026
Eugene Water & Electric Board announced Thursday, Sept. 18, its CEO and general manager, Frank Lawson, plans to retire next year. Lawson, 64, has served nearly a decade in the role after working about six years as an engineering supervisor. He told the board of commissioners in early August of his plans to leave.
University of Oregon trustees approve new budget despite union pushback
The University of Oregon’s Board of Trustees voted Tuesday to approve UO’s budget for its next school year. The board advanced a $1.54 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which started July 1 and will run through next June. At the Trustees meeting in Portland Tuesday, union...
