Floods damaged over 100 homes in Lane County

EUGENE, Ore. - More than 100 homes suffered damage in last week's floods, prompting the county to declare an emergency.

Reports have already come in from Cheshire, Deadwood, Cottage Grove, Florence, Eugene, Mapleton, Junction City, Springfield, Veneta, Vida, Swisshome and West Lake, the county said.

Early damage assessments found more than $900,000 in damage to public inrastructure.

Lane County continues to work to tally damages and encourages community members and business owners to continue to report initial damages. You can report damages online at www.lanecounty.org/damages or call the Sheriff’s Office Phone Bank at 541-682-3977
Noon – 8 p.m., each day through Sunday, January 29.

The Lane County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 to adopt an order for Emergency Declaration in Lane County.
 
This 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Pete Sorenson absent, came early Friday afternoon.

Screwball comedy radio play ‘Philadelphia Story’ runs Feb. 10-12 at Wildish Theater

Fred Crafts’ Radio Redux Players present “The Philadelphia Story” – one of the greatest screwball comedies of all time –Feb. 10-12 at Wildish Community Theater, 630 Main St., Springfield.

The play, presented by Willamalane Park and Recreation District, will be staged in the manner of a 1940s radio broadcast. It includes vintage commercials and period sound effects and music that honor the Golden Age of Radio. The show is performed in front of a studio audience as if being broadcast live on the air.

“The Philadelphia Story” will be performed on three consecutive days – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 10-11 and 2 p.m. Feb. 12.

Tickets – at $13 for adults and $10 for students/seniors (ages 62 and up) – are available at any Willamalane facility or by calling 541-736-4544.

The plot is about a socialite whose impending wedding plans are upset by the simultaneous arrival of her ex-husband and a tabloid magazine reporter.

“This show has it all – a witty script, crackling dialogue, sharp characters, a high society setting and a preposterous premise,” said Fred Crafts, the show’s producer and director.

Free Noche de Lotería set Jan. 27 at Willamalane Adult Activity Center

An evening of games, dinner, music and prizes is scheduled Friday, Jan 27, at Willamalane Adult Activity Center in Springfield.

Noche de Lotería is scheduled 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the center, 215 W C St. The free event includes an enchilada dinner that runs 6-7 p.m. Additional enchiladas are $1 each. Lotería, a traditional Mexican game of chance, is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Flood? Yes. Disaster? Maybe

EUGENE, Ore. - Was last week's storm a disaster?

Lane County officials are still compiling the damage assessment and expect to have an answer by Friday, said Linda Cooke with emergency management.

For the county to declare a disaster, 25 or more homes must be damaged by a weather event and/or the county must suffer $1.2 million in public infrastructure damage.

Cooke expects damage from last week's flooding will qualify for a disaster declaration. She encouraged residents to document damage before they make repairs.

Even as people clean up from last week's storm, another round of rain brings the threat of flooding back to the region.

"We are very concerned about landslides," Cooke said. "Anyone who lives in a slide-prone area or a base of a hill should evaulate their property and make sure they are keeping themselves out of harm's way. That is a huge concerns for us right now."

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Naming new school: 'At least it's a fun decision to make'

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. - The name for a new Springfield elementary school is still still up in the air, but the school naming committee has narrowed it down to three names.

After months of research and discussion, the committee has narrowed their search down to these three names: Two Rivers Elementary, Washburne Elementary or Spring Mountain Elementary.

The committee has met four different times since October to evaluate community and student submissions for the new school that will be housed in the former Springfield Middle School facility in fall 2012.

Moffitt Elementary and Brattain Elementary are closing due to budget cuts, and these students will be attending the new school.

There were 238 responses to an on-line survey which consisted of 92 unique names.

Springfield Elementary was the most popular name the committee received.

Landslide closes Hwy 126 between Vida and Blue River

VIDA, Ore. - A landslide closed Highway 126E between Vida and Blue River on Thursday. The highway will remain closed overnight.

The slide presents too great of a safety risk to attempt to clear in the dark, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. 

Flaggers will be on scene overnight to redirect motorists on each side of the closure. 

The slide will be reassessed in the morning and an update will be issued.

Free sand and bags available during floods

EUGENE, Ore. - Residents facing floods can get free sand and sand bags at Jerry's Home Improvement Centers in Springfield and Eugene, thanks to Jerry's Delta Sand and Gravel.

Jerry’s asks anyone needing sand and sand bags to take what they need. 

A shovel is provided to help you load your sand. 

The free sand and sand bags will be available in Jerry’s parking lots while the threat of flooding remains imminent, the company said.

Eugene Jerry’s, 2600 HWY 99N | Springfield Jerry’s, 2525 Olympic St