We've got issues.
The crux of the City Hall debate appears to be what makes sense economically: tear down or rebuild? And appearance: Can we sustain the function of this building and upgrade its tattered look? That’s what the Eugene City Council will be considering when it meets for a work session and regular meeting Sept. 22 and additional work session Sept. 24. Does our City Council know: Continue reading
In Afghanistan • 2,343 U.S. troops killed (2,340 last month) • 19,984 U.S. troops wounded in action (19,930) • 1,530 U.S. contractors killed (1,530) • 16,179 civilians killed (updates NA) • $747.9 billion cost of war ($739.6 billion) • $294.6 million cost to Eugene taxpayers ($291.3 million) Against ISIS • $692.9 million cost of military action • $272,900 cost to Eugene taxpayers In Iraq Continue reading
Oregon AFL-CIO President Tom Chamberlain sent out this statement today on the 2015 minimum wage: “Today's announcement that the 2015 minimum wage will be $9.25 is welcome news. Oregon has long been ahead of most states by ensuring our lowest-paid neighbors aren't falling even further behind. But in reality that amounts to $19,240 a year, or $1,603.33 a month, to help families make ends meet. More and more new jobs pay minimum wage or close to it. It's time for us to do more. Continue reading
• Eugene PeaceWorks/Eugene Media Action will host a reception with refreshments from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Sept. 11, upstairs in the Growers Market, 454 Willamette, celebrating its new office space and an FCC-approved, low-power FM radio station. The group is working to “get progressive voices on the air focusing on environmental sustainability, economic justice and music made in the Northwest.” Call Craig at 505-2564. Continue reading
About $24 million in federal funding for the West Eugene EmX project passed the Metropolitan Policy Committee unanimously last week, according to Rob Zako, executive director of Better Eugene-Springfield Transit (BEST). “We are looking forward to work proceeding efficiently with minimal impacts, and to seeing the new EmX line open in just over two years,” he says. BEST has been holding “listening sessions” with the community over recent months and plans to release a report next month. An online survey is at best-oregon.org. Continue reading
When you live in Eugene, the phrase “track town” is so ubiquitous it borders on cliché. But as the latest movie being filmed in Eugene by former UO runner and filmmaker Alexi Pappas, Tracktown hopes to illuminate the allure of the local running obsession. On Friday, Aug. 29, Pappas and her team rounded up 150 or so locals and 20 professional runners to be extras for a scene with legendary local runners Andrew Wheating and Nick Symmonds filmed at UO’s Hayward Field. Continue reading
Four years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Halliburton is paying $1.1 billion to residents, local governments and businesses affected by the disaster. Continue reading
“Probably some of my fondest olfactory memories are the smell of burning marijuana at the University of Oregon,” says Joshua Marquis, district attorney for Clatsop County. “I smoked dope when I was a freshman, and it didn’t kill me, and it didn’t turn me into a drug addict.” Continue reading
Neighbors were curious to say the least last year when Clay Gautier and Gail Baker decided to demolish a single-story house on 32nd Street in southeast Eugene and custom-build a net-zero home in its place. A net-zero home produces as much or more energy than it uses, and the homeowners were happy to answer the questions of inquisitive passersby. “Everybody has always been welcome to come take a look and walk around,” Baker says. Continue reading
Oregon DEQ recently sent Oregon Resources Corporation (ORS) a pre-enforcement notice for serious violations of environmental law discovered via a DEQ compliance inspection of the stormwater collection and treatment system for ORS’s chromite mining operation outside of Coos Bay. Violations include millions of gallons of unreported discharges, and false statements to DEQ associated with these discharges. Continue reading