Lane County, Oregon Local News

Oregon sues relief founder over $837,000 diversion from wildfire victims

Oregon says a relief founder diverted nearly $837,000 meant for wildfire and flood survivors, including Blue River families rebuilding after the 2020 fires.

Marcus Williams•2 min read•04:40 AM

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Comprehensive local news coverage for Lane County, Oregon. Stay informed about government decisions, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Eugene, Springfield, Cottage Grove, Florence, Veneta, and surrounding western Oregon communities.

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Video

South Eugene tops Lane County high school rankings in U.S. News list

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Video

Oregon Mozart Players to spotlight young cellists at Eugene concert

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More Local News

Business

Springfield woman accused of stealing more than $10,000 from dentist

A Springfield woman is accused of taking more than $10,000 from a Lane County dentist after working there, raising fresh questions about inside theft at small businesses.

Sarah Chen1m read

Government

Lane County urges voters to register, update party affiliation by April 28

Lane County voters have until April 28 to register or change party affiliation before the May 19 primary, or they may miss party candidate races.

James Thompson2m read

Education

UO opens Knight Campus Building 2 to expand bioengineering research

UO’s new 185,000-square-foot Knight Campus Building 2 opened at 1100 Riverfront Parkway, adding lab and startup space that Lane County will judge by jobs and biotech spinouts.

Lisa Park2m read

Healthcare

Eugene first responders train for mass casualty emergencies downtown

Police cars and fire crews will fill the old University District hospital campus this week as Eugene first responders rehearse a mass-casualty response downtown. Officials say the drill tests how fast they can move, talk and decide.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Government

Lane County man arrested in Arizona on rape, trafficking charges

A Lane County man was arrested in Arizona after prosecutors tied him to rape, trafficking and car theft allegations involving two women in Eugene.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Eugene skate community honors Ben Moody, spotlights mental health support

Ben Moody’s 21st birthday became a skatepark outreach event, pairing remembrance with crisis resources at Washington Jefferson Skatepark.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Springfield appoints Jill Cuadros as Ward 4 interim councilor

Jill Cuadros will represent Ward 4 through 2026, giving central-east Springfield a voice on budgets, housing and public safety before November’s election.

Marcus Williams2m read

Healthcare

McKenzie-Willamette ER plan advances after Eugene land use hearing

McKenzie-Willamette’s West 6th Avenue ER proposal cleared a Eugene hearing, but the city still must issue a final written ruling before construction can move ahead.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read

Community

Downtown Eugene ArtWalk returns May 1 with reggae and artists market

Downtown Eugene’s free ArtWalk will fill the Farmers Market Pavilion on May 1 with gallery stops, reggae, and a bike-month kickoff crowd.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Glen Phillips to play Eugene benefit concert for Lane Arts Council

Glen Phillips will bring Toad the Wet Sprocket songs to east Eugene on May 13, with $35 tickets benefiting Lane Arts Council programs and grants.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Lane County Republicans question delay in removing inactive voters from rolls

Lane County says inactive voters do not get ballots, even as Republicans press Oregon over a 2-year cleanup lag.

James Thompson2m read

Business

New Tesla Supercharger with 8 stalls rising in Florence, boosting coastal EV charging

Florence is getting an 8-stall Tesla Supercharger that could cut the coast’s fast-charging gap, where drivers now rely on slow resort charging or a 14-stall Springfield stop.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Greenhill adds humans-only race to Bark in the Park fundraiser

Greenhill is opening Bark in the Park to runners without dogs, betting a new Fast Furless 5K will bring more people to Alton Baker Park and push the fundraiser past $100,000.

Lisa Park2m read

Government

Lane County seeks dismissal of ex-photographer’s child porn conviction after ruling

Lane County prosecutors moved to erase Randall DeWitt Simons’ conviction after the Oregon Supreme Court threw out key Wi-Fi evidence from an Oakridge case.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Greenhill Humane Society volunteers log 33,775 hours helping animals in Lane County

Greenhill said 754 volunteers gave more than 33,775 hours in 2025, the work of roughly 16 full-time jobs for Lane County’s animal shelter.

Marcus Williams2m read

Government

Aufderheide Drive bridge work continues, limiting McKenzie corridor access

Bridge beams are up near Rainbow, but Aufderheide Drive stays closed through April 30, cutting off Cougar Reservoir and Terwilliger Cougar Hot Springs from Highway 126.

James Thompson2m read

Community

Multi-agency crews battle late-night structure fire near Creswell, no injuries reported

Five fire crews and deputies rushed a late-night Creswell-area structure fire, and firefighters stayed until about 1 a.m. No injuries were reported.

Lisa Park2m read

Community

Lane County dispatchers answer emergency calls, guide help across the county

A 911 call in Lane County starts with a dispatcher, and those first words can decide what help gets sent, how fast it arrives and how the scene unfolds.

Sarah Chen6m read

Community

Oregon Mozart Players to spotlight young cellists at Eugene concert

Emma Jang, 13, and Koyuki Blaumer, 16, took center stage at Beall Hall as Oregon Mozart Players used a prime slot to showcase Oregon’s next classical talent.

Marcus Williams2m read

Community

Cats in costume draw crowds, adoptions at Eugene show

Moose the tourist-clad hairless cat stole the spotlight at Lane Events Center, where rescue groups also took adoption applications for cats needing homes.

Lisa Park2m read

Education

South Eugene tops Lane County high school rankings in U.S. News list

South Eugene led Lane County again, while a 79% district graduation rate and wide college-readiness gaps showed how much ground still separates local schools.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Eugene man gets prison for shotgun threat that led to officer shooting

Tyler James Johnson got 18 months in prison after pointing a shotgun at people in the Whiteaker. The threat ended with a Eugene officer firing in self-defense and a live round still in the chamber.

James Thompson2m read

Business

Eugene burglary fits pattern targeting Asian American business owners' homes

A west Eugene break-in matched a burglary pattern police say has hit Asian American business owners and other professionals for months.

Sarah Chen2m read

Business

Eugene entrepreneur’s new device connects homes directly to 911

More than 500 families have signed up for a Eugene-made button that calls 911, sends video and home details, and is built for emergencies when a phone is out of reach.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

Sold-out Eugene Marathon raises record funds for local charities

Sold-out race teams have already raised more than $535,000 for 20 charities, turning Eugene’s marathon weekend into a major civic and economic event.

Sarah Chen2m read

Community

UO hosts elite track invitational at Hayward Field in Eugene

Hayward Field brought Oregon, Utah and other power programs to Eugene for a rare team invitational, with free entries, TV coverage and June championship stakes.

Sarah Chen2m read

Government

Springfield library budget sparks outcry over proposed staffing cuts

A social media claim that Springfield quietly cut two library jobs set off packed City Hall backlash, but budget papers show one technician slot and fewer hours.

Marcus Williams2m read