WTF: House of Reps Votes to DeFund Planned Parenthood
The House of Representatives voted to freeze funding for Planned Parenthood with a largely party-line vote of 241-187. According to Mother Jones: Continue reading
Camilla Mortensen
Camilla Mortensen is the longtime local editor of Eugene Weekly, the area’s alternative newspaper. The paper, which has been in print since 1982 (originally as What’s Happening) continues to print more than 27,000 copies a week in addition to its popular email newsletters and website. Camilla has a masters degree in folklore and mythology from UCLA and a doctorate in comparative literature from the University of Oregon. She has been a reporter and editor at EW since 2007 and teaches journalism at the UO in the mornings before heading to the Weekly’s office. She also teaches newswriting at Lane Community College and advises The Torch student newspaper.
Author: Camilla Mortensen
Oregon Lawmakers Take Up Counseling Records Issue
The University of Oregon has faced heavy criticism for taking the student counseling records of survivors who have sued the school — or even just threatened to sue the school — for mishandling their rape cases. While the Oregon Legislature has worked changed that, loopholes remain open. Continue reading
Cheap Bus Rides to Portland, Seattle and Beautiful Downtown Albany
This just in from BoltBus: more trips to Portland and a route to Seattle. BOLTBUS EXPANDS SERVICE IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST Affordable premium bus carrier launches direct service between Seattle and Albany/Eugene, adds frequency from Portland Continue reading
Concerns Arise Over Pesticide Spray Near School
The Triangle Lake area are no strangers to the issue of aerial pesticide sprays
Photo by Gary Hale / Forestland Dwellers Continue reading
Law & Oregon
Lane County’s new District Attorney Patty Perlow
“In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important, groups: the police, who investigate crime; and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders …” Continue reading
Local Boy Goes Big (Birding)
Local birder Noah Strycker has set a world record for most species of birds spotted in one year. New World Record for Most Species of Birds Seen in One Year Audubon Blogger Noah Strycker Notches 4,342 Species, Will Continue through 2015 Continue reading
Homeless Advocates Rally Today to Call Attention to ‘Unconstitutional’ Anti-Camping Laws
Advocates for the unhoused in Eugene are rallying at Wayne Morse Plaza (8th and Oak) and care oming before the City Council tonight. They point to a recent statement of interest filed by the U.S. Continue reading
Lane County Parks Plan Could Revive Large Events
Leasing water rights? Logging? What about bringing back Faerieworlds, the Dirty Dash and other events? Lane County’s park system is massive in scope — it encompasses 4,300 acres from the coast to the Cascades, including everything from marinas and campsites to hiking and horseback riding — and also massive is the draft master plan Lane County Parks produced last month. For the first time since 1980, Lane County is updating its Parks and Open Space Master Plan, and the county is now taking public comment on the almost 300-page document. Continue reading
South Willamette Area Plan Sparks Much Debate
There are almost 500 parcels that will be rezoned, and people don’t even know the plan is about to transpire
A rezoning plan for the South Willamette is raising hackles among some residents there, who say it could have serious impacts on the quality of life in the area. On the other hand, city planners say the South Willamette Special Area Zone (SW-SAZ) came about as a part of an Envision Eugene goal to create walkable, liveable areas in key corridors. Continue reading
Fired for Pregnancy?
Former employee takes R-G to court
A year and a half after journalist Serena Markstrom was fired by The Register-Guard, she has filed a lawsuit against the newspaper where she had worked for more than a decade. Markstrom, who also goes by her married name Serena Markstrom Nugent, was terminated by the paper shortly after informing her employer of her pregnancy. Markstrom was fired for being “dishonest, insubordinate and having destroyed company property” after checking her email while on pregnancy-related disability leave. The “destroyed property” refers to emails that Markstrom deleted. Continue reading