News: Page 275

Animal Services Euthanizes Mother Dog, Draws Criticism

News

A female dog euthanized in late December at 1st Avenue Shelter is the subject of some online uproar. City of Eugene Animal Services and 1st Avenue Shelter say the pregnant dog had a bite record and repeatedly demonstrated aggressive behavior, while advocacy group No Kill Lane County maintains that the dog could have been rehabilitated.  Molly Monette, animal welfare supervisor with City of Eugene Animal Services, says a Eugene citizen picked up the stray boxer on Nov. 20. While in that person’s custody, the dog escaped from her enclosure. Continue reading →

Tax Exempt, Design Optional

A review of MUPTE design quality requirements past and present

News

An urban promenade, balconies, sloped roofs, trellises, tables and chairs on the street. Those features were all promised in Capstone Collegiate Communities’ application for a Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) submitted to the city of Eugene on Jan. 24, 2012. City Manager Jon Ruiz recommended the application to the City Council, which voted to approve Capstone for the exemption, allowing developers to pay no taxes on the new structure for 10 years — or the equivalent of a $16-million tax break.  Continue reading →

Oregon Cattlemen’s Association and Oregon Wild Speak Out Against Malheur Armed Takeover

News

It's pretty much once in a blue moon that pro-wolf conservation group Oregon Wild and the Oregon Cattlemen's Association find themselves on the same side of the fence on a public lands issue. But when it comes to the Bundy militia's takeover of a federal building on the Malheur Wildlife Refuge they agree that they are against it. The OCA is against the takeover, but the group does support the Hammonds, the ranchers' whose beef with the BLM (and arson episodes) launched this debacle.  Continue reading →

Changes To Federal Cider Rules Benefit Oregon Cider Makers

Federal legislation is broadening definitions and easing off taxes

News

Instead of reaching for a glass of champagne this New Year, grab a hard cider and toast to Oregon’s booming hard cider industry. Recent changes in federal legislation, co-sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer and Sen. Ron Wyden, have smoothed the process for craft cider makers by broadening definitions of hard cider and easing off taxes. These changes are especially relevant to Oregon, says Lee Larsen, CEO of 2 Towns Ciderhouse in Corvallis, because Oregon has around 6 percent of the market share for hard cider, while the national average is 1 percent. Continue reading →