Biz Beat 10-22-2015

More than 400 technology companies are now up and running in the Eugene-Springfield metro area and the Technology Association of Oregon (TAO) now has a director, Matt Sayre, in the southern Willamette Valley. A board meeting and sold-out “Tacos, Tequila and Tech” event was co-hosted by Arcimoto in Eugene Oct. 9, according to a guest column by Skip Newberry, president of TAO, on the Portland Business Journal website. Continue reading 

War Dead 10-15-2015

In Afghanistan • 2,363 U.S. troops killed (2,363 last month) • 20,071 U.S. troops wounded in action (updates NA) • 1,616 U.S. contractors killed (1,599) • 16,179 civilians killed (updates NA) • $716.1 billion cost of war ($713.4 billion) • $286.4 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($285.4 million)   Against ISIS • $6.4 billion cost of military action ($6 billion) • $2.6 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($2.4 million) Continue reading 

Biz Beat 10-15-2015

Cascade Manor rises two and three stories above the sidewalks on 29th and 30th avenues in south Eugene, and the large campus of up-scale retirement apartments and assisted living is often mentioned in discussions about the controversial plans to rezone and develop the nearby South Willamette neighborhood into a more urban area with high-rise buildings. “There is a common misconception that Cascade Manor has something to do with the city’s rezoning effort but they absolutely do not,” says Lauren Witt, a spokesperson for Cascade Manor. Continue reading 

Biz Beat 10-8-2015

PeaceHealth Medical Group (PMG) has a new anti-marijuana policy that was posted about the same time recreational marijuana become legal for adults in Oregon. The policy reads, “Our doctors are not able to sign Oregon State attending physician’s statements for medical marijuana, even though some of our providers have signed the forms in the past.” The memo was signed by Robin Virgin, M.D. of Vancouver, Washington, who is the medical director of primary care at PMG. Continue reading 

Activist Alert 10-8-2015

• Blood banks in Oregon responded to the Umpqua Community College mass shooting Oct. 1 and are now trying to replenish their supplies of red cells, platelets and plasma. Blood types A along with B negative and O negative are needed. The Lane Blood Center is at 2211 Willamette Street. Drop by or better yet, call 484-9112 ext. 700 to make an appointment and avoid waiting. Continue reading 

Activist Alert 10-1-2015

• Lane County’s new Performance Auditor Shanda Miller will be available to talk about her work in a series of public meetings that will include at least one county commissioner. The next will be at 3 pm and again at 6 pm Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Siuslaw Public Library in Florence. Future meetings will be at 5:30 pm Monday, Oct. 19, at the Brewstation in Cottage Grove; 7 pm Tuesday, Oct. 20, at South Eugene High School cafeteria; and noon Thursday, Nov. 19, at Springfield City Club. Continue reading 

Biz Beat 9-24-2015

Local businesses can benefit from a collection of useful web links regarding surveys, zoning, planning, building permits, flood hazard, wetlands, restaurant inspections and more at lanecounty.org. Lane County’s Geographic Information System and property records online have been updated into a new system that can be accessed by computer or cell phone. Look for “Maps and Property Info” under “Quick Links” on the county website’s home page.  Continue reading 

Activist Alert 9-24-2015

 • Lane County is taking public comment on its draft 20-year Parks Master Plan, which will guide the management of county parks from 2016 to 2036. This is the first comprehensive update to the original 1980 master plan. The draft plan is available at city libraries and an open house runs from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Sept. 24, at Harris Hall, 125 E. 8th Ave. Continue reading 

Biz Beat 9-17-2015

We hear Pacific Recycling has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is currently closed. The scrap metal processor based at 3300 Cross Street in Eugene had employed an average of 55 full-time workers. It listed assets and liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million in a petition filed in Oregon Bankruptcy Court, according to a story Aug. 31 in the industry newsletter American Metal Market. Company President Rod Shultz told AMM that “we’ve overcome many obstacles while heavily investing in new capital improvements. Continue reading