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This November, Oregonians have the chance to make their state the first to require genetically modified organisms (GMOs) to be labeled as such. In the wake of failed GMO-labeling ballot initiatives in Washington and California, representatives of Oregon’s “Yes on 92” campaign have invited biologist Michael Hansen to drum up support for the measure. Continue reading
Do you know the three reasons Eugene City Hall should not be torn down? 1) It will cost taxpayers many millions more than other options. 2) The plan calls for a “ceremonial” City Hall to house only the council chambers, mayor’s office and city administration. 3) The plan violates the city’s commitment to sustainability. Here’s a pop quiz to see how well you understand the issues. What will the city lose in tearing down City Hall? Continue reading
Oregon DEQ has settled Christopher John Bartels’ appeal of the civil penalty assessed against him by DEQ in July of 2013 for illegally discharging wastewater from his meat processing and packing facility to ditches flowing to Fern Ridge wetlands on two occasions in 2011 (EW 6/27/13, goo.gl/Xb41PD), by reducing the $15,600 penalty originally assessed to $10,200. DEQ’s settlement with Bartels also includes an additional $7,600 penalty for illegal discharges of blood waste to Fern Ridge Reservoir in February of this year (EW 5/8, goo.gl/BhX5vP). Continue reading
• Lane County Commissioners are meeting at 9 am Tuesday, Sept. 9, to consider the use of herbicides along county roads. Chemical agriculture lobbying groups want the county to use toxic sprays. Sign up at Harris Hall at 8:45 am to voice your concerns. • Giustina Land & Timber, 345-2301, plans to hire Western Helicopter Services, Inc., 503-538-9469, to aerially spray 43 acres near Crow Creek with aminopyralid, glyphosate, imazapyr, metsulfuron methyl and/or sulfometuron methyl. See ODF notification 2014-781-00875, call Brian Peterson at 935-2283 with questions. Continue reading
KWVA's Occupy Radio broadcast hosted by David Geitgey Sierralupe and Rivera Sun discusses Gaza and … Eugene this week. Specifically we get into what is undercovered in Eugene media. I only talk really fast a couple times. Continue reading
We just heard that Tom Peter, noted journalist, author and foreign correspondent, will be speaking at noon Sunday, Aug. 31, at First Church-Christ Scientist, 13th and Pearl in Eugene. Peter has most recently been covering Syria, and before that Afghanistan and Iraq. See http://www.tomapeter.com/ Continue reading
• Beyond Toxics is planning a “Bee Jazzy” benefit to save bees from 6 to 8 pm Thursday, Aug. 28, at Silvan Ridge Winery, 27012 Briggs Hill Road, 15 miles southwest of Eugene. Music by Zac Wolfe Band. Tickets are $30. Call 465-8860 or email events@beyondtoxics.org. Continue reading
Medical marijuana dispensaries in Oregon are rallying to support the measure on the November ballot that would legalize, regulate and tax marijuana use by adults in the state. Lane County dispensaries are sending representatives north to a kick-off event for the group Dispensaries for Measure 91 at 5:30 pm Thursday, Aug. 28, at Opal 28, 510 NE 28th Ave. in Portland. See voteyeson91.com to get involved. Why are dispensaries supporting “competition” from legalized pot? Continue reading
With the new school year kicking off Sept. 3, Eugene School Board 4J wants to reformat its current curriculum adoption process. After three years of using College Preparatory Mathematics (CPM) in the district, the board has not yet actually voted on the official adoption or rejection of the controversial middle school and high school CPM curriculum. Part of this revamp includes reconvening the Instructional Policy Council, which according to board members has not met for years and once played a role in choosing district curriculum. Continue reading