As a kid, I looked forward to 250. Now, I don’t feel like I can celebrate

Keep Lane County's rural trash transfer stations open | Letter to the editor

Growing up in a rural community, I can say that closing transfer stations where residents take their trash, as Lane County is considering, isn’t a good option. If the Walton and Low Pass transfer stations were to close, it would just cause more problems, because many residents are too old, disabled and poor. People would […]

New outdoor playground opens as part of Eugene Science Center expansion

The outdoor science park, which opened last week, doubles the museum’s footprint and offers a fenced-in area for children to climb, slide and run. Three more play structures will be added in the fall.

Fight for universal healthcare is about to heat up | Letter to the editor

I believe everyone deserves access to reliable, affordable healthcare.  A recent Oregon Health & Science University study found that when people with diabetes or other chronic conditions lose access to healthcare, their health gets worse. Managing chronic illnesses takes regular checkups, medication adjustments and consistent treatment. When that care is interrupted — whether because someone […]

An ode to America, hero and villain, on its 250th birthday

During the Vietnam era, protestors who found fault with American policies and actions were admonished to “love it or leave it.” But if you love something, you look at it with eyes wide open, and you say what you see. If you love something you want to make it better. You are committed to make it better.

American pride? For veterans like me, it's a complicated subject. | Letter to the editor

The question is “proud or not proud” to be an American. I will give my two cents worth: I was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. At least when we were thinking about it, “proud” was not the word: “cause” was the word, and we were fighting for what turned out to be a […]