8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL NOVEMBER 29, 2017
South Lane School district to replace 20 buses
District must comply with new federal standards by Jan. 1, 2025
By Caitlyn May
cmay@cgsentinel.com
South Lane School District is getting a new
fl eet. Sort of.
Twenty of the district’s 38 buses will have to be
replaced under the Diesel Emissions Reduction
Act by Jan. 1, 2025. Any bus with a diesel engine,
model year 2007 or older, will be redlined and un-
able to remain in service.
“That’s a big deal,” South Lane Transportation
Supervisor Theresa Bichsel.
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
has been passing laws starting in 2007…build-
ing to reducing emissions from diesel engines
because they’re bigger particulates, they cause
more problems,” she said. “It’s building towards
getting the older diesel engines off the road.”
The Diesel Emissions Reduction Act was fi rst
introduced in 2010, citing the need to focus on the
health of residents in relation to the exhaust emis-
sions from diesel engines. The law specifi cally
cites nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The
legislation set up $7.7 million to replace or retro-
fi t buses from 88 schools in 27 states. Financial
assistance has since been extended through state
grant and loan programs funded through federal
means.
While the law affects all older diesel vehicles,
school buses have gotten the lion’s share of the
attention as school districts grapple with the cost
of replacing aging fl eets or forgoing compliance
all together to opt for privatizing and contract-
ing transportation out to a third-party. Several
districts in the area, including Pleasant Hill use
third-party company Student First, but South
Lane is working to avoid giving up its control of
student transportation.
The district has applied for grants that would
help in the fi nancing of the 20 new vehicles it
needs to replace in order to be compliant by 2025.
“The EPA offers grants but on the grant, you
can’t just crush the buses,” Bichsel said. “It can’t
be possible they stay on the road in Mexico or
as someone’s RV. You have to drill holes in the
engine.”
School districts can also opt to retro-fi t their
older buses for a cost of between $20,000 and
$25,000 but according to Bichsel, that’s not a vi-
able option for South Lane because of the age of
the buses. The district’s oldest bus in from 1991,
making a $25,000 investment less than fi nancially
sound.
The 20 buses that would no longer be fi t for
the road in 2025 include 12 regular school buses
and eight special education vehicles. The current
cost of special education buses is approximate-
ly $75,000. A larger bus, $136,000. Whether the
school district is going to replace the exact fl eet
is has now has not yet been decided but Bichsel
noted that as individualized education for special
needs students increases, it means a greater need
Museum holiday tradition is back
Eight historic stained glass windows once again
take center stage at the Cottage Grove Museum’s
annual holiday celebration: Stained Glass and
Candlelight, on Saturday, December 2nd from
6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Cottage Grove Museum
147 N. H St., in Cottage Grove. The event is part
of Cottage Grove’s tree lighting ceremony and
downtown holiday celebration.
Stained glass window historian Joanne Skelton
will conduct a guided tour of the windows that
will include highlights of details of the window
designs. The tour begins at 6:30pm.
This year’s celebration will feature music by
local singer and songwriter Ron O’Keefe, who
will perform songs he has written about Cottage
Grove.
Visitors may also view the museum’s holiday
exhibit, Holiday Bling from the Past, which fea-
tures beautifully beaded, sparkly clothing and
accessories from the museum’s historic textile
collection.
The stained glass windows will be illuminated
throughout the holiday season on Friday, Satur-
day and Sunday evenings from dusk until 10pm
beginning December 2nd through New Years Eve.
Stained Glass and Candlelight is free and open
to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For information, contact: Cottage Grove Mu-
seum Board President Becky Venice at 541-
942-4269 or b_bvenice@msn.org., or TaraSue
Hughart, Cottage Grove Museum Coordinator at
541-968-2254 or tarasuehughart99@gmail.com.
for special education buses and it’s not unusual
for the district’s transportation yard to run those
buses all day long.
“Ultimately, on Jan. 1, 2025 any buses that
don’t meet the requirement are redlined and we
can no longer drive them,” Bichsel said. “We and
Oregon state parks offer sales
This holiday season, give
your loved ones a year of
unlimited access to Oregon's
state parks with an annual
day-use parking permit. From
Dec. 1-31, holiday shoppers
can buy the annual parking
permit for only $25--that's $5
off the regular price of $30.
The permits are transferable
from vehicle to vehicle.
"Give the gift that will in-
spire your family and friends
to explore the parks and his-
torical sites that make Oregon
special," said Lisa Sumption,
Oregon Parks and Recreation
Department director.
Shoppers can round out
their gift with holiday gear
branded with the iconic Ore-
gon State Parks shield, includ-
ing hats, water bottles, dog
bowls, ornaments and stick-
ers. The holiday gear will be
on sale during the month of
December.
Gift gear and parking per-
mits are for sale online at
store.oregonstateparks.org/.
Parking permits are also
sold at major OPRD offi ces,
some state park friends' group
stores and selected local busi-
nesses throughout the state.
For a complete list of vendors,
visit oregonstateparks.org/.
Alternately, if you would
like to give back to the parks
you love, consider becoming a
member of the nonprofi t Or-
egon State Parks Foundation.
The Foundation is dedicated
to raising funds to enhance the
state park experience. Those
who give a tax-deductible
donation of $45 or more will
receive a 12-month day-use
parking pass as a thank you.
Parking costs $5 a day at
26 Oregon State Parks unless
you have a 12- or 24-month
parking permit or a same-
day camping receipt. The
24-month pass is $50.
LORANE NEWS
Lorane Grange meets on December 7 at 7 p.m. Their Christmas Dinner and Open House is
scheduled for Sunday, December 10 at 1:30 pm. Turkey, potatoes, gravy, and beverages will be
provided. Just bring a side dish or dessert and a while elephant gift to exchange.
Rural Art Movie night is on Saturday, December 9 starting at 6 p.m. After a delicious soup din-
ner, prior to the main feature, the ukulele group will preform. Plan on attending this great evening.
Just a reminder that the food boxes are up in most organizations. When shopping, remember
those in our community less fortunate.
The Angel Trees are going up soon at the Lorane Family Store and the Crow High School gym.
The felt angels have suggestions or ideas for gifts items for children in our community whose
family is in need of assistance. Be watching for the trees and let's help those children have a great
Christmas.
Worship
Directory
DRAIN:
HOPE U.M.C.
131 W “A” St. Drain, OR
541-315-1617
Pastor: Lura Kidner-Miesen
Fellowship & Song: 11:30am
Potluck Lunch: 12:00pm
Worship: 12:30pm
Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd.
541-942-4851
Lead Pastor: Kevin Pruett
www.cg4.tv
Full Childrenʼs Ministry available
Service: 10:00am
Delight Valley
Church of Christ
33087 Saginaw Rd. East
541-942-7711
Pastor: Bob Friend
Two Services:
9am - Classic in the Chapel
10:30am - Contemporary in the
Auditorium
COTTAGE GROVE:
6th & Gibbs Church of Christ
195 N. 6th St. • 541-942-3822
Pastor: Aaron Earlywine
Youth & Families Pastor:
Seth Bailey
Service times: 9am & 10:30am
Sunday School: 9am for all ages
Christian Education
Nursery for pre-k - 3rd Grade
www.6thandgibbs.com
Another dental visit?
Turns out, you have better things to do with
your time.
the district are working very hard to make sure
that doesn’t happen. Our goal is to replace the
buses on a timely manner in a way we can afford.”
The 18 remaining buses in the district’s fl eet
would not violate the regulations of the law and
can remain on the road.
First Presbyterian Church
3rd and Adams St
541-942-4479
Pastor: Karen Hill
Worship: 10:00am
Sunday School: 10:00am
www.cgpresbynews.com
Calvary Baptist Church
77873 S 6th St • 541-942-4290
Pastor: Riley Hendricks
Sunday School: 9:45am
Worship: 11:00am
The Journey: Sunday 5:00pm
Praying Thru Life: Wednesday
6:00pm
Calvary Chapel Cottage Grove
1447 Hwy 99 (Village Plaza)
541-942-6842
Pastor: Jeff Smith
Two Services on Sun:
9am & 10:45am
Youth Group Bible Study
Child Care 10:45am Service Only
www.cgcalvary.org
Center for Spiritual Living
Cottage Grove
700 Gibbs Ave.
(Community Center)
Rev. Bobby Lee
Meets Sunday 3:00 p.m.
cslcottagegrove@gmail.com
Church of Christ
420 Monroe St • 541-942-8565
Sunday Service: 10:30am
Cottage Grove Bible Church
1200 East Quincy Avenue
541-942-4771
Pastor:Bob Singer
Worship 11am
Sunday School:9:45am
AWANA age 3-8th Grade,
Wednesdays Sept-May, 6:30pm
www.cgbible.org
Hope In The Grove
700 E. Gibbs • 541-520-9529
Pastor: Wayne Husk
Sunday services:
Worship: 8:30a
Coffee Fellowship: 9:30a
Bible Study: 9:45a
Hope Fellowship
United Pentecostal Church
100 S. Gateway Blvd.
541-942-2061
Pastor: Dave Bragg
Worship: 11:00am Sunday
Bible Study: 7:00pm Wednesday
www.hopefellowshipupc.com
“FINDING HOPE IN YOUR LIFE”
Living Faith Assembly
467 S. 10th St. • 541-942-2612
Pastor Rulon Combs
Worship & Childrenʼs
Church 10:00 am
Youth 180 Mondays 5:30-8pm
Non-Denominational
Church of Christ
1041 Pennoyer Ave
541-942-8928
Preacher: Tony Martin
Sunday Bible Study:10:00am
Sunday Worship:10:50am & 5:30pm
www.pennoyeravecoc.com
Old Time Gospel Fellowship
103 S. 5th St. • 541-942-4999
Pastor: Jim Edwards
Sunday Service: 10:00am
Join in Traditional Christian Worship
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
and St. Philip Benizi
Catholic Churches
1025 N. 19th St.
541-942-3420
Father: Joseph Hung Nguyen
Holy Mass:
Tue-Thu: 8:30am; Sat:5:30pm
Sun: 10:30am
Confession: After daily mass,
Sat. 4-5pm or by appointment
St. Philip Benizi, Creswell
552 Holbrock Lane
541-895-8686, Sunday: 8:30am
St. Andrews Episcopal Church
1301 W. Main • 541-767-9050
Rev. Lawrence Crumb
“Church with the fl ags.”
Worship: Sunday 10:30am
All Welcome
Seventh-day Adventist Church
820 South 10th Street
541-942-5213
Pastor: Kevin Miller
Bible Study: Saturday, 9:15 am
Worship Service: Saturday, 10:40
Mid-week Service: Wednesday, 1:00
Trinity Lutheran Church
6th & Quincy • 541-942-2373
Pastor: James L. Markus
Sunday School & Adult Education
9:15am
Sunday Worship 10:30 am
Comm. Kitchen Free Meal Tue & Thur
5:00pm TLC Groups
tlccg.com
United Methodist Church
334 Washington • 541-942-3033
Pastor:Lura Kidner-Miesen
Worship: 10:30am
Comm. Dinner (Adults $5,
Kids Free)
1st & 3rd Monday 5-6:00pm
umcgrove.org
“VICTORY” Country Church
913 S. 6th Street • 541-942-5913
Pastor: Barbara Dockery
Worship Service: 10:00am
Message: “WE BELIEVE IN
MIRACLES”
Worship With Us!
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Our Worship Directory is a weekly feature
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leaving more time for whatever is important to you.
would like to be a part of this directory,
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Cottage Grove Sentinel
@ 541-942-3325