Pollution Update 6-26-14

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is accepting comments through 4:30 pm Monday, June 30, on a proposed $410,000 settlement concerning groundwater contamination caused by McAyeals Cleaners (located immediately south of the Eugene Public Library in downtown Eugene). Visit http://goo.gl/miiyvW for info on commenting, and http://goo.gl/7kOLXt to view the proposed settlement. If more than 10 people (or a group with more than 10 members) request it, DEQ will hold a public meeting on the proposed settlement.  Continue reading 

Improvements to Amazon Creek underway

Here's the news, both good and bad: The bad news is that construction will temporarily close a portion of the Fern Ridge Path, but the good news is that it's in the name of Amazon Creek restoration. Between Chambers and Garfield streets, the city of Eugene will take up its $975,000 project to stabilize the erosion on Amazon Creek's banks, as well as add more than 13,000 native plants to restore some nature to the area. Continue reading 

Results of UO basketball player rape investigation

According to John Clune, the attorney for the young woman in the UO basketball player rape investigation, the UO has found the men involved, Damyean Dotson, Dominic Artis and Brandon Austin, responsible and has suspended them from the school. They cannot be on campus for four years or as long as his client is a student there — but not to exceed ten years. Clune calls the decision a relief for his client. EW has contacted the UO for the results of the investigation. More in this week’s issue. Continue reading 

Recount says no runoff in commish races: Moral of the story is VOTE

Lane County says the official results are in. Commissioner Faye Stewart avoided a runoff by 9 votes and Bozievich avoided it by 18. Still think your vote doesn't make a difference? Clearly races are determined by small margins. EW is wondering if any of the challengers are planning write-in campaigns for the fall — Dawn Lesley and Kevin Matthews were pretty darn close.   For Immediate Release 6/19/2014 Results Released for the East and West Lane County Commissioner Seat Recounts Continue reading 

Activist Alert 6-19-2014

• An Interfaith Peace Walk is planned for 6:30 to 8 pm Sunday, June 22, beginning at the Ebbert United Methodist Church Community Garden at 6th and D Street in Springfield and marching to The Learning Garden at Brattain on C Street. “The purpose of this walk is to build relationships in our neighborhood,” say organizers. “Community gardens are one way we in Springfield promote peace and goodwill in our community.” For more information, call June at 603-8706. Continue reading 

Biz Beat 6-19-2014

Hard Times Distillery will be opening a tasting room at 547 Blair Blvd., across from Tacovore and next to Mame. “The neighborhood has become known for food, beer and wine, but now there are locally made distilled spirits as well,” says Ben Maude of Hard Times. Call him at 414-9752. Continue reading 

DamNation Film Hopes to Bring Action

Photo by Mikal Jakubal

The Elwha Dam, illegally built without fish passage in 1913, blocked native salmon and steelhead from spawning in 70 miles of pristine habitat along Washington’s Elwha River. In 1987, Mikal Jakubal drew attention to the dam, tucked away in Olympic National Park, when he anonymously painted a large crack on it and the words “Elwha be free.” In 2013, the dam came down. Continue reading 

Skateboarding In Streets Proposal Hits Roadblock

Skateboarders should be allowed to ride in streets and bike lanes like bicyclists, according to Lee Shoemaker, Eugene’s bicycle and pedestrian coordinator. He has not gone to the Eugene City Council with the proposal because he has heard mixed opinions about it, he says. Eugene city law currently allows skateboarders to ride in the streets only while crossing them. Downtown, skateboarding on sidewalks is also illegal.  Continue reading