Current News

By The New Era

The Willamette Valley Visitors Association (WVVA) has launched its seventh annual Ornament Hunt throughout the region and on non-wilderness trails of the Willamette National Forest and the Umpqua National Forest.

As many as 200 locally crafted wooden ornaments were hidden along non-wilderness trails for lucky hikers to find in the following ranger districts: Detroit, Sweet Home, McKenzie River, and Middle Fork on the Willamette National Forest, and Cottage Grove on the Umpqua National Forest.

Each year, WVVA chooses a unique theme for the Ornament Hunt that celebrates a special aspect of the Willamette Valley. This year it is on the theme of mountain biking.

WVVA plans to highlight accessible trails throughout the season, including six mountain biking destinations that underwent adaptive rider assessments in June, conducted by The UNPavement and C2 Recreation with support from WVVA, Visit Corvallis, and Travel Lane County. By making these opportunities available, WVVA hopes to empower everyone to experience the joy and adventure the Willamette Valley has to offer.

“This year, we’re proud to include other trail users, like mountain bikers, throughout the Willamette and Umpqua National forests,” said Tori Middelstadt, WVVA’s new executive director. “We also want to highlight our ongoing efforts to make the region’s hiking and mountain biking trails more accessible so that all visitors, regardless of their ability, have the opportunity to enjoy them.”

The tradition was born in 2018 when the Willamette National Forest provided the Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington D.C. from the Sweet Home district. With all eyes on the Willamette Valley, the hike-and-seek hunt was created to encourage locals and travelers to connect with public lands and increase outdoor recreation activities. Each ornament found includes instructions on how to register to win a grand prize, which is a two-day getaway to the Willamette Valley.

WVVA is also offering a limited number of additional ornaments that will be available for purchase at local tourism offices throughout the Willamette Valley. All proceeds will benefit Cascade Volunteers, a nonprofit organization that supports trail keepers and trail maintenance, and their work within the Willamette National Forest. Funds raised will support the organization’s mission of public land stewardship and help Cascade Volunteers supply tools and helmets to assist with maintenance efforts over the coming seasons. Learn more at https://cascadevols.org/.

The Ornament Hunt not only provides a hiking opportunity, but participants are also encouraged to go Christmas tree hunting. Register for a permit before taking home the perfect tree, straight from the Willamette National Forest. Learn more at https://bit.ly/wvhunt.

Additional volunteer efforts this year have allowed for the identification of trails and trailheads throughout the forests for those with varied abilities. Specific trail information and helpful guides to finding the best trail different abilities can be found at: https://www.willamettevalley.org/ornament.

“Our goal has always been to create an inclusive outdoor experience, and this year’s Ornament Hunt reflects that commitment,” said Augusta Stockman, WVVA’s destination development coordinator. “With the introduction of select trails and trailheads with accessibility information and detailed guides, we’re ensuring that all adventurers, whether using wheelchairs, strollers, or other equipment, can confidently explore our region. This year, we’re especially excited to feature mountain biking-themed ornaments, celebrating our region’s ongoing efforts to make these trails more accessible.”

Participants venturing into the forest are asked to abide by “Take Care Out There and Leave No Trace” principles. WVVA and the forest service encourage hikers to plan ahead and take a look at winter safety tips, which can be found at https://bit.ly/wntr.

The WVVA website, https://willamettevalley.org/ornament, will serve as the hub for ornament hunt details and where to register an ornament to win the grand prize.

This article first appeared in The New Era Newspaper Co and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

By Isabella Warren

Southern Deschutes County community members, nonprofits and government agencies met Thursday in Sunriver for the Newberry Regional Partnership’s Action Summit to discuss strategies and solutions to issues in an area they say is much different than most of the county.

“It is a turning point, because no one can do this on their own,” said Kathy DeBone, community coordinator with the partnership. “No one agency, no one government jurisdiction, no one nonprofit. We’ve all got to work together to make this happen.”

Stretching from Sunriver and the Three Rivers neighborhood down through La Pine to northern Klamath County, organizers say the Newberry Region is one of the most diverse yet forgotten areas of the county.

Consultant Steven Ames helped organize the summit: “You have three very different kinds of communities sort of coexisting within this larger geographical area, and it’s different from the rest of Deschutes County in that regard and presents unique challenges.”

Over the course of nearly two years, the Newberry Regional Partnership and DeBone surveyed the community on top issues.

“The amazing thing to me is that the same top issues kept coming up over and over and over again,” DeBone said.

Those top issues include wildfire risk, which Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies discussed with summit participants, They broke into small groups to discuss that and other challenges.

One summit attendee said, “We found a chunk of land and used it as an experiment and found geographically that it had a wildfire risk, but it was manageable because of the size of camps.”

The recent troubles of the La Pine Parks and Recreation District after also on the table after the board resigned and workers were laid off. County commissioners recently appointed new board members.

A summit participant said, “I know the money is tight, so let’s go to the volunteers, which the client has tons of people who want to be involved in volunteering. But everyone’s a little hesitant right now to be like, ‘Do we want our names on what’s going on with all that?'”

Health services were another major topic. As one summit attendee stated, “People do not understand addiction, and they do not understand that when that person is out there living in those woods and just wrecking everything. They are not who they are.”

One strategy already has been implemented by the sheriff’s office, regional partnership and BLM. Inmate work crews have cleaned up abandoned homeless encampments in rural La Pine to reduce wildfire risk, following the Darlene 3 Fire.

Ames says that despite the issues and challenges being discussed this day, the future is bright for the region: “It’s just great to see people from different backgrounds and different perspectives working together to come up with common solutions.”

This article first appeared on KTVZ News Channel 21 and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

By Rachael McDonald

A community land trust is breaking ground on six affordable homes in Blue River on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 for people who survived the Holiday Farm Fire.

The fire swept through the McKenzie River Valley on Labor Day 2020. 517 homes were lost in the blaze, which burned more than 173,000 acres.

Brandi Crawford Ferguson is interim Executive Director for McKenzie Community Land Trust. She said, after the fire, property values actually increased.

Locals and community members decided to establish the trust to help with rebuilding so that people who had been there for years could afford to stay. Ferguson said the MRLT project runs the entire McKenzie River corridor.

“We are starting in Blue River, in downtown Blue River, because that was the highest impact,” she said. “Blue River lost everything including the library, the fire station, the clinic, and main street. The only thing left was a red picnic table.”

Ferguson said the project, called Rose Street Homes, will be six 3 bedroom, 2 bath homes. Income qualified applicants must be full-time Blue River residents.

The groundbreaking is on Friday at 2 p.m. in downtown Blue River.

Meanwhile, Ferguson told KLCC, more of Blue River is coming back. The Fire Station and Health Clinic have been rebuilt.

And on Saturday, the O’Brien Memorial Library will hold its ribbon-cutting.

“And then Melanie Stanley is very close to breaking ground on the first business, the Meyer General Store, as well,” Ferguson said. “So, it’ll be a nice opportunity not only to celebrate these first six community land trust homes but also just to celebrate with the community that has worked so hard to rebuild.”

Ferguson said the homes are built to be fire safe. The land is part of Pure Water Partners, which works to keep properties cleared of debris and invasive plants which helps with fire safety.

To make it more affordable, the MCLT will sell each home to a qualified buyer, and not the land. The homebuyer then signs a 99-year lease on the land. The Rose Street homes will be complete by winter of 2025.

MCLT purchased its second parcel in Blue River earlier this year. Funding for the Rose Street neighborhood was provided by Oregon Housing and Community Services LIFT funding, Lane County, PacficSource and Eugene Water and Electric. DevNW is the developer for the project.

MCLT operating costs are funded by foundations and private donations.

This article first appeared on KLCC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

By Steve Brown

Why do city councils need a quorum in order to make formal decisions?

Does the city manager have more or less authority than the mayor?

What are the city’s major departments?

Who creates the annual city budget?

If these questions leave you scratching your head, the City of Estacada’s inaugural Civics Academy may be for you.

The program is designed to give members of the community an inside look at the local government’s structure, projects and processes. The first cohort will meet from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays for six weeks beginning Jan. 13.

Each meeting will have a different topic and an opportunity to meet different members of local government. Topics will include: local government operations, budget, decision making, and overviews from departments. The culmination of this series will be a greater understanding of government operations and opportunities to get involved.

The city hopes this series helps residents feel more connected and involved in their community.

Program participation is free, but spots are limited so if you are interested in being a part of the city’s first Civics Academy fill out the form on the website — https://www.cityofestacada.org/civics-academy/ — or pick up an application at City Hall to apply for a spot. The city asks that all applicants be able to dedicate the time to attend a minimum of five of the six meetings. The deadline to apply is Dec. 16.

“The Civics Academy is a project which was identified from the council’s goal ‘Community Engagement and Education – Stronger Together Connections and Knowledge.’ This program educates community members on how their local government functions, what each department handles, and ways that they can get involved. We expect that residents who participate will complete the series with the ability to understand how their city runs,” said Melanie Wagner, city manager.

This article first appeared in Estacada News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – June is officially Pride month in many places around the world and not just the U.S., celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and community in places like Australia, Hungary, the UK – and now the Oregon coast.

Lincoln City joins in the pride parties with a hefty helping of activities and events that show off an array of talents from around the Pacific Northwest. Lincoln City Pride Fest takes place on June 29, and is a family-friendly festival of riotous fun that takes place at the Lincoln City Cultural Center, sponsored by Explore Lincoln City, Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital, and Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital.

The lineup of performances and activities happen both indoors and outdoors, with most participants actually from around the central Oregon coast and Lincoln City area.

In that old-timey, historic auditorium, the spotlight will shine on drag performers. Kicking off the festivities at 1:30 PM, the fabulous drag pianist Sweeney Gray will set the stage on fire. Brace yourself for the dynamic lip-syncing extravaganza by the drag queen sister duo, Mai Faye Rit & Lexi Vaughn, at 2:45 PM. Following that comes captivating performances by Portland’s own drag artists – Max Little, Mars, Given, and The Infinite Urkscape – starting at 3:45 PM.

Miss Robbie Dee

And yet there’s still more frivolity to be had. Outdoors, the entertainment continues to sizzle. At 12:15 PM, the Conexión Fénix ballet folclórico dancers hit the stage, followed by the enchanting moves of the Hokus Pokie dance crew at 12:45 PM. Local singer-songwriter Kathy Redwine takes the spotlight at 1:30 PM, right after the Pedestrian Pride Parade. Get ready to groove to the modern alt-rock vibes of Katelyn Convery at 2:45 PM. And at 4 PM, it’s the haunting solo violinist Miss Robbie Dee, all the way from Florence. Wrapping up the day at 4:30 PM, there’s a performance by Lincoln City’s very own acoustic duo of wives, Alanna & Catherine Baumann.

The Poetry Path hosts the fun ‘n funky Pedestrian Pride Parade at 1 PM, where public participation is encouraged.

“All are invited to don their most fabulous attire and join the promenade around the Lincoln City Cultural Center’s grounds in celebration of queer love and joy,” said organizers.

Kathy Powers

Hungry? Thirsty? Here’s the ticket: Zeller’s Bar and Grill’s beer garden awaits, offering frosty brews and savory chowder. Then if your taste buds crave more, explore the food vendors for more central Oregon coast delights, with Bobablastic, Grub’s On, and La Wawa on-hand for the culinary adventures.

The rollicking times continue as the outdoor resource and vendor fair runs from 12 PM to 5 PM, featuring over 30 booths. Discover local and regional organizations, snag unique goods, and dive into educational materials.

Indoors, let your creativity soar. Sponsored by Tah-Lume: Curiosities and Gifts, the Dance Studio invites you to craft paper crowns and contribute to a commemorative community art journal. Royalty awaits within.

For those seeking a moment of tranquility, a quiet room in the yoga studio will provide a safe space to slow down for a moment. New Moon Yoga teachers will also guide peaceful meditations, schedule to be posted on the studio door during the event.

“LC Pride Fest is a celebration of Lincoln City’s queer community, because we deserve it! It’s my hope that this festival becomes an unforgettable day full of queer joy, resilience, and love,” said organizer Zoe Vincent. “Please join us on June 29th to support our small but mighty town’s LGBTQ+ community. It’ll be all kinds of fun!”

For details or to contribute, contact Vincent at 541-994-9994, zoe@lc-cc.org.

www.lincolncity-culturalcenter.org

This article first appeared on Oregon Coast Beach Connection and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

By Grace Wesson, RARE AmeriCorps Member at OSU-Extension

On one of the first bright, sunny days of spring, I met with Mary Repar to interview her. Mary gave me a croissant and we sat out in the sun together. She shared her story while I listened, jotting down notes.

It’s hard to come up with just one sentence to describe Mary. It feels like she has lived many lives in one, weaving together her experiences as a geophysicist, a veteran, an immigrant and an advocate. In Mary’s words, “I’ve had a lot of variety in life.” Her enduring hope and unique perspectives broaden her advocacy for causes ranging from environmentalism to affordable housing.

Mary was born in Croatia, and her family immigrated to the United States in 1959. She credits her upbringing, especially her mother, for her dedication, work ethic and courage. She was taught that there is no such thing as failure, just an opportunity to do something different.

“’The world is your oyster’ may be a cliche, but it really is,” Mary reflected.

In 1990, Mary moved to the Gorge from Houston, Texas, to be closer to family. Mary jokes that she was “here by mistake,” settling in “the last apartment in Stevenson.” The town of Stevenson, with a population just under 1,500, has become a very important place for Mary over the years. “There is so much to do in our community,” she said.

Mary lived in the same rental in Stevenson for 29 years. However, in 2019, her rent increased drastically, jeopardizing the living situation for her and her cats. Housing insecurity and the resulting stress galvanized Mary’s advocacy.

She found that many others struggled with housing insecurity, too. Mary emphasized that educators and first responders often can’t find affordable housing in the Gorge, and there could be a greater threat to workforce housing in the future.

The data shows that more folks are in unstable housing situations or are worried about housing. The 2022 Columbia Gorge Regional Community Health Needs Assessment found that 13% of survey respondents had insecure or unstable housing, a large increase from 6.8% in 2019. Mary cares deeply and speaks passionately about this community issue: “If the asteroid hits tomorrow, will the money do anything for you? What about friends? Neighbors?”

Her community-based problem solving led to her involvement with the Homeless Housing Council and the Healthy Skamania Advisory Board, where she advocates for sustainable solutions and policy change. “You’re going to have to change — why not change incrementally, not waiting until your survival is on the line?” she asked.

Mary emphasizes the importance of “learning something new every day,” especially when it comes to large, complex problems.“These issues make our heads hurt – you have to spend time and effort to understand them,” she said.

Wellness among older adults is another of Mary’s passions. For example, Mary just started a term with the Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington, with the goal of enhancing nutrition, transportation, and the Meals on Wheels program. She also worked in home aide care for five years.

Mary centers seniors in her work with the Stevenson Community Garden. “I grow food for the seniors in one plot,” she said.

The Stevenson Community Garden, located at the west side of the Skamania Fair Grounds, was formerly sponsored by Stevenson Grange No. 121. Under Mary’s leadership, the Stevenson Grange was re-certified and won honors from The National Grange. It now offers a variety of events, like community resiliency workshops, film screening series, and the two annual plant and seed swaps.

Local animals also benefit from Mary’s contributions. For the last 17 years, she has been feeding the cats in downtown Stevenson, affectionately named Missy, Big T, and Cuddler.

When she isn’t busy at the Grange or at local advocacy coalitions, Mary loves to spend time outdoors foraging for mushrooms or simply appreciating the beauty of the Gorge. She recalled watching double rainbows over Rowena Crest, surrounded by grass widows and wild cucumbers.

Mary’s gratitude for nature and the beauty of our community reignited my own hope. “If you pay attention to nature, you notice differences…you have a connection. If you lose connection, you lose caring,” she reflected.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Mary and I watched a sparrow hop along the sidewalk. “No two are alike,” Mary laughed. “Nature is amazing.”

This article first appeared on Columbia Gorge News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.