Trillium commits to close gap for thousands of incoming members who have out-of-network providers

80-acre fire near Oakridge sent smoke skyward for hours

A fire near the Hills Creek Reservoir in the Willamette National Forest — about 15 miles south of Oakridge — grew to 80 acres Wednesday, Aug. 26. It sparked around 2:15 p.m. Oregon Hazard Lab detection cameras showed smoke billowing steadily throughout the afternoon until the early evening hours, when the plume started to taper off. The U.S. Forest Service, which has primary jurisdiction over the land where the fire is burning, closed nearby Sand Prairie Campground. The agency asked the public to avoid the area and Forest Service Road 21.  Four aircraft, including helicopters, backed up workers on the ground, […]

A bipartisan idea for Congress: Ease permitting for power grid expansion | Letter to the editor

A franchise in desperate need of an active owner has too good of an opportunity to pass up with Phil Knight’s reported $2 billion offerPhil Knight (middle) at Autzen Stadium in 2014. (Jose Magana/GoDucks.com)PORTLAND — USC has an old press box. I won’t say bad, because there’s history to the Coliseum and the view of […]

Committee finds ‘misconduct’ by Cottage Grove police officer, but recommends he keep certification

The committee was looking into several questionable actions by Matthew Walker, who remains a Cottage Grove police officer. But it partially blamed past leadership at the department for the culture it fostered.

To understand and address homelessness, we must resist black-and-white labels | Letter to the editor

In agreeing with congressional candidate Monique DeSpain’s guest column about homelessness in Eugene, Kel Williams’ letter to the editor separates people experiencing homelessness into those suffering from mental illness or substance use and those who are “transient by choice.” As Williams identifies himself as a retired local police officer, I don’t question his experiences. I […]

Despite court cases, vote-by-mail is ‘business as usual’ in Lane County, officials say

Oregon’s ballots will go out to voters as usual this election cycle, state and local election officials say, amid federal litigation over the Trump administration’s efforts to attack vote-by-mail.