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About Oregon news herald. (Drain OR) 2025-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2025)
Oregon News Herald Oregon Public Safety Report Arrest for Murder in Eugene Shooting Eugene, OR -- On April 16, Eugene Police detectives arrested 18-year-old Levi Rosenthal Eva of Eugene for the murder of 24-year-old Bryon Jivan Fitzgerald, also of Eugene. The arrest stems from an incident Eugene Police responded to on March 3 near E. 23rd Avenue and Willamette Street. Eva was charged with Murder in the First Degree, Murder in the Second Degree, Assault in the First Degree, Robbery in the First Degree, and Unlawful Use of Weapon. He has been lodged at the Lane County Jail. Anyone who has information about this crime is encouraged to contact Detective Cooper at tcooper@eugene-or.gov or 541- 682-5187 and refer to The case # is 25-03498 Springfield Robbery Springfield, OR -- On April 30th, 2025, at approximately 11:23pm, an employee from the Arco Gas Station located in the 4200 block of Main Street, Springfield, called 911 to report an adult male attempting to rob the store. The caller further reported the suspect was indicating he had a weapon, demanding all the money from the till. SPD Officers were near the area when the call came in and arrived on scene within a few minutes. Officers surrounded the store and took the suspect identified as 20-year-old Kristopher Wallgren into custody without incident. Wallgren was not able to get any Man arrested in Death Investigation Cottage Grove, OR -- 59-year-old Mark Michael Detering has been booked into the Lane County Jail on a charge of second-degree abuse of a corpse. Officials say Detering and the victim -- who has not yet been publicly identified -- are believed to have been staying at a nearby hotel before her death. Police say Detering allegedly moved the woman’s to the sidewalk across from the Dairy Queen on Highway 99, where it was discovered around 4 a.m. on March 29. Police initially responded to reports of a woman lying on the sidewalk in the 700 block of Highway 99 and arrived to find her deceased. The cause of the woman’s death remains under investigation, and authorities are currently unable to confirm the relationship between the man and the deceased. According to court records, Detering, who previously lived in Harrisburg, has a criminal history that includes charges of sex crimes and domestic abuse convictions. Anyone with information related to the investigation is asked to contact Cottage Grove Police at their non-emergency line at 541-942-9145. Continued on Page 7 Cottage Grove Hospital Auxiliary Report The Cottage Grove Hospital Auxiliary is a cherished group of volunteers, working to support the Auxiliary Fund at the Cottage Grove Community Medical Center Foundation. Recognizable in their blue vests and warm smiles, this dedicated group has played a pivotal role in local healthcare for nearly half a century. Their core mission revolves around enhancing patient care within the medical center and promoting healthcare services in South Lane and North Douglas counties. The Auxiliary boasts 35 active members and 16 lifetime members. Together they have dedicated over 163,000 hours of service to the hospital. Their unwavering dedication to fundraising has resulted in over $350,000 worth of equipment and supplies donated to support the hospital and clinic. This includes essential medical equipment like heart monitors, digital mammography machines and carbon monoxide blood analyzer. The Auxiliary’s presence at the hospital’s front desk ensures a warm welcome and facilitates access to the inpatient unit. Their steadfast commitment exemplifies their role as health care champions in the Cottage Grove area. Thank you for your support! Heather Boydell, Auxiliary Volunteer Exciting things are coming to the Lower Umpqua Library! We are in the process of finalizing our participation in the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (imaginationlibrary.com ), which is dedicated to providing books and encouraging a love of reading for all children from birth to age five. Our library will host a kickoff party to promote this program (date to be determined). Also coming soon is our summer reading program. The theme this year is “Level Up at Your Library” and will begin with a kickoff party on June 18th at 11:00 am. During the summer, we will be organizing a games club, VA Terminates Home Loan Relief Program information about these changes, making it even harder for them to navigate the system. The lack of clear communication from the VA regarding the scope of these changes has only exacerbated the situation. Many veterans are left wondering what these changes mean for their access to healthcare, disability compensation, pension programs, and more. By staying proactive and exploring other resources, veterans can find the support they need to overcome this challenge and continue moving forward. It’s important to seek help and take action as soon as possible to ensure your home and financial future remain secure. Lower Umpqua Senior Center in Reedsport The Lower Umpqua Senior Center is located in Reedsport, across the street from the Community Center and City Hall. After ten years of service, Bill Whitney will be retiring as president of the board. The Senior Center Community would like to thank Bill for his dedication and years of service. I am excited to step in and continue Bill’s work as president of the board. I love our little town and look forward to making a difference. The Senior Center has received donations for the community. There is a table full of items and bookcases full of books and puzzles for your perusal. Do you need medical equipment? The center is full of donated wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, and bedside toilets for anyone. If you are in need, please come by. Other than coming in to visit, the Senior Center has activities on a weekly basis, such as mahjong, arts and crafts, and ceramics. Bingo is every Wednesday at 1:00. Make sure you arrive early so you can pick a good seat and get settled with your cards. There is no limit on how many cards you can get. It cost $1.00 per card, $5.00 for six cards, $3.00 for a blackout. Lunch is served for those 60 years and up every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 12:00. The Senior Center asks for a $3.00 donation, but will work with those in need. The Senior Center is looking for volunteers. Since the center is entirely volunteer Page 3 Exciting things are coming to the Lower Umpqua Library cash. Wallgren was lodged in the Lane County Jail for Robbery in the Second Degree (Robbery II). Case Number: 25-02970 Veterans Cor ner Veterans across the country are grappling with unexpected changes in their benefits and support systems, as recent reports indicate significant shifts in VA programs. These alterations have left many veterans confused and uncertain about their future, with some facing a sudden loss of crucial assistance. In a move that has caught veterans and advocacy groups by surprise, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently announced it would halt its mortgage rescue program, which had been designed to help veterans avoid foreclosure. Launched just a year ago, the program provided financial assistance to veterans at risk of losing their homes. Now, veterans who were counting on this support are left scrambling for alternative solutions, further complicating their already challenging financial situations. The Sudden Discontinuation of the VA Mortgage Rescue Program “I’ve been depending on this program to keep my home, and now it’s gone. I don’t know what I’m going to do,” said one veteran affected by the program’s termination. Beyond the mortgage program, veterans are also facing adjustments to their service-connected disability claims and other VA benefits. Some veterans have reported receiving little or no May 2025 which will be open to all patrons. In preparation, we have collected a number of games (available for checkout) including Chess, custom playing cards, and Magic the Gathering and other games (for in-house use only) such as Scrabble, Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, etc. Please keep an eye on our website (LULD.org), Facebook, or call the library for more information. The library is always on the lookout for more volunteers. Volunteer activities include everyday operations such as shelving, processing newly obtained books and DVDs, and transporting books to neighborhood library modules in outlying areas. There are also specialized projects, such as facilitating clubs, for example. If you would be interested in participating in or helping to facilitate a games club or any other similar activities that you would like to see in our community, please contact the library. Alex Kuestner, Library Director/ District Manager Lower Umpqua Library District 395 Winchester Ave Reedsport, Oregon 97467 (541) 271-3500 www.luld.org 40 Year Anniversery of Drain Civic Center May 17th Celebration The North Douglas Library District in partnership with the Civic Center Advisory Committee and Friends of the Mildred Whipple Libraryare throwing a party for the Drain Civic Center! 40 years ago this May, the building was dedicated after the Whipple and Woolley families along with businesses and community members raised funding to build the Civic Center to house the library and community events. May 17 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm we hope the community will join us for cake and punch and a look back in time to the people and groups that supported the building then and now. Support Future Rockhounders of America run, things do not happen if we do not have enough help. The open hours are 9:00 to 4:00 Monday through Friday, but if we do not have volunteers the building is locked up. The positions needed are greeters, servers, kitchen workers, board members, and events. Our Meals on Wheels workers are understaffed and need volunteer drivers. Meals on Wheels provides meals to people who are homebound due to various reasons. It is an important service that provides food to those who may not be able to get to the store. Please consider volunteering, even if it is only a few hours a month. Come by the Lower Umpqua Senior Center in Reedsport at 460 Winchester Ave. We would love to see new faces and hear fresh ideas. Give us a call at 541-271-4884 if you would like more information on volunteering or activities. Stacey Broussard, seniorcenterboard25@gmail.com Fathers Day Rock and Gem Show in Reedsport Lower Umpqua Gem and Lapidary Society, a NonProfit, has their, Friday through Sunday, annual Father’s Day weekend show coming up in June. As a non-profit supporting the Library, Fire and Police, our income comes from this show. We have members from Florence to Bandon and would love to expand inland. Thanks much, Cindy Wegner, Co-chair advertising Lower Umpqua Gem and Lapidary Society Annual Rock and Gem Show Fathers Day Weekend Reedsport Community Center 10am Friday thru Saturday June 13-15 2025 Free admission, vendors, raffle, auction, games, contests & prizes. Elkton Community Education Center Celebrates Mothers with Weekend Extravaganza The Elkton Community Education Center (ECEC) is thrilled to announce its Mother’s Day Weekend Extravaganza, a three- day celebration filled with activities and opportunities for the whole family. From May 9th to 11th, ECEC invites the community to join in a weekend of fun, shopping, and supporting each other. The festivities kick off on Friday, May 9th and continue through Sunday, May 11th, with events running from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Highlights of the weekend include: Plant Sale & Hanging Baskets: Find the perfect gift for Mom with a beautiful selection of plants and hanging baskets. Bake Sale: Indulge in delicious treats and support ECEC’s Ellie Smartt Community Library with a delightful bake sale. Electronics Recycle Drop-Off: A convenient opportunity to declutter and recycle old electronics responsibly. Gift Shop Open: Discover unique gifts and treasures at ECEC’s gift shop, where they feature local artisans. Art Class (RSVP Required): Unleash your creativity with a special art class (pre- registration is a must!). Cafe Open (Drinks & Snacks 10 am-3 pm): Enjoy refreshments and snacks at the ECEC Outpost cafe. Evergreen Clinic at ECEC (Friday - Appointment Only): Access convenient healthcare services with the Evergreen Clinic. Rummage Sale (ECEC Fundraiser with Community Vendors): Find hidden gems and support ECEC at the community rummage sale. “We’re excited to offer a diverse range of activities that celebrate mothers and bring our community together,” said Deb Gritton, co- executive director at ECEC. “This weekend is a wonderful opportunity to find beautiful plants, unique gifts, support local artisans, and enjoy a fun-filled day with family and friends.” Contact: Deborah Gritton, Co-Executive Director, Elkton Community Education Center (541) 584-2692 deborah@elktonbutt erflies.com
