2A | THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL
On The Record
State, federal tax season for 2020 opens Jan. 27 Volunteers sought for ‘Point
• There are many free load and print it from
The Oregon Depart- more taxpayers have a
in Time’ homeless count
ment of Revenue will tax to pay or may have or low-cost preparation www.oregon.gov/dor/
begin processing state
tax returns on Jan. 27,
the same day the IRS
will begin processing
federal returns.
Taxpayers can submit
their returns earlier, but
processing won’t start
until the tax season offi-
cially begins.
Once processing be-
gins, returns will be
processed in the order
received. However, the
Oregon Department of
Revenue won’t be issu-
ing personal income tax
refunds until after Feb.
15. This refund hold
is part of the state’s tax
fraud prevention ac-
tivities and will allow
confirmation that the
amounts claimed on re-
turns matches what em-
ployers report on forms
W-2 and 1099.
The IRS is also hold-
ing federal tax refunds
until after Feb. 15, but
only for those taxpayers
claiming the Earned In-
come Tax Credit or the
Additional Child Tax
Credit.
Federal changes from
the 2017 Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act directly im-
pact Oregon’s personal
income tax, including
changes to calculating
withholding allowances
for tax year 2019.
This may mean that
more tax to pay than
usual. The department
encourages taxpayers to
use its online withhold-
ing calculator to check
their state withholding,
so they can make any
necessary changes to
2020 withholding.
Also, because of these
federal tax changes, Or-
egon now has its own
W-4 called Form OR-W-
4. Taxpayers can request
the new form from their
employer or download it
at www.oregon.gov/dor,
fill it out and return it to
their employer.
It’s important to note
that beginning Jan. 1,
any changes to your
state withholding must
be made using Form
OR-W-4 because Or-
egon withholding is
calculated using allow-
ances, unlike the federal
form.
Here are a few other
things for taxpayers to
keep in mind this tax
season:
• E-filing is the fastest
way to get your tax re-
fund. On average, tax-
payers who e-file their
returns and request
their refund via direct
deposit receive their re-
fund sooner than those
who file paper returns
and request paper re-
fund checks.
options available for
both federal and Oregon
tax returns.
• Some software com-
panies offer free soft-
ware use and e-filing
for eligible taxpayers.
Be sure to access the
software through the
department’s website, or
the company may not
allow you to take advan-
tage of the free offer.
• AARP and CASH
Oregon provide free and
low-cost tax preparation
services throughout lo-
cal communities.
• All Oregon taxpay-
ers preparing their own
return can file electron-
ically at no cost using
Oregon’s free fillable
forms. For more infor-
mation, visit www.ore-
gon.gov/dor and click
on “Free tax preparation
services” under “More
Topics” on the depart-
ment’s homepage.
• Taxpayers can order
copies of past returns,
letters or other corre-
spondence — from 2015
to current — through
their Revenue Online
account. They can also
order and pay for these,
or older documents,
over the phone at 800-
356-4222.
• Anyone who needs a
personal income tax re-
turn booklet can down-
forms.
They can also order a
copy online, by calling
503-378-4988 or 800-
356-4222, or by mailing
their request — along
with their name, phone
number, and mailing
address to:
Forms
Oregon Department
of Revenue
PO Box 14999
Salem, OR 97309-
0990
• Some eligible Orego-
nians may not be claim-
ing the federal Earned
Income Tax Credit. For
more information about
the credit and eligibili-
ty, visit the IRS website
at www.irs.gov. Those
who qualify for the
EITC are also eligible to
claim Oregon’s Earned
Income Credit, which
is 8 percent of their fed-
eral credit amount, or
11 percent if they have
a qualifying dependent
under 3 years old.
Employers must file
their income tax with-
holding returns and re-
ports and remit the in-
come tax withheld from
their employees’ pay-
checks by Jan. 31.
For information about
an employer’s filing or
payment responsibili-
ties, visit www.oregon.
gov/dor.
The City of Cottage
Grove is partnering with
Lane County for the Un-
sheltered Point in Time
(PIT) Count on Thurs-
day, Jan. 30.
All volunteers will be
required to participate
in a training prior to the
count.
DEATH NOTICES
NELSON—Opal Ma-
rie Nelson, 97, of Cottage
Grove, died Jan. 15, 2020.
Arrangements are being
handled by Smith-Lund-
Mills Funeral Chapel in
Cottage Grove.
• Trespassing was re-
ported at Kentucky Fried
Chicken as a subject
refused to leave after
smoking cigarettes in the
bathroom. The individ-
ual also impeded vehicle
traffic in the area.
Jan. 14
Jan. 15
• Graffiti written in
“Hispanic language” was
found by school staff in
the rear of Cottage Grove
High School on the gar-
bage bins and surround-
ing wall
Jan. 16
• Criminal mischief
• Video evidence of
was
reported when an
shoplifting was reported
unknown suspect caused
at Grocery Outlet.
an estimated $6 of dam- reported stolen from
age to a private fence.
a parked vehicle at El
Tapatio after the vehicle’s
Jan. 17
passenger side window
• An unknown person was damaged to gain ac-
cut four tires of a 2001 cess.
Volvo sedan on North
Jan. 19
19th Street.
• Graffiti was reported
Jan. 18
at the Chambers Cov-
• Personal items were ered Railroad Bridge.
1975-2020
Bryan Paul Linse of Cot-
tage Grove, OR, passed away
January 14th, 2020 at the age
of 44. Bryan was born May
27th, 1975 in Watsonville, CA
to parents Robert Paul Linse
and Sandra Kaye (Barth) Linse.
Bryan worked as a dump truck
driver and was passionate
about his work. He loved his
children and pets and enjoyed
fi shing and four wheeling in
1932-2020
Betty J. Schnell, 87, of Cot-
tage Grove, OR passed away on
January 9, 2020. She was born
on October 24, 1932 in Eugene,
OR to the parents of Claude
and Mamie (Wilson) McMil-
ate’s degree in dental hygiene
1952-2019
from Lane Community College
Melvin Columbus Walston
1924-2020
triot who loved his country
in 1972 and a bachelor’s degree
and proudly displayed the
in Community Health Edu-
American fl ag at all times.
cation from the University of
He
woodworking,
Oregon in 1980. She married
enjoyed
Born in the hills of Shady,
burg, Oregon; granddaughter,
writing poetry, and watch-
Neil M. Jacobson on December
Arkansas on September 16,
Tami Miles of Cottage Grove,
ing
movies.
9, 1948; they later divorced.
1924. Passed away on Janu-
Oregon; a grandson, Tanner
Rex met his best friend & lov-
On May 29, 1953 she married
ary 7, 2020 at home in Cot-
Walston and his wife Heidi of
ing wife, Judy, while attending
Henry H. Whetham; they also
tage Grove, Oregon. He loved
Cottage Grove, Oregon; and
High School. Th ey were mar-
to hunt, grow his garden, go
his grandkids, including Erin
ried on December 23, 1972
to church and watch his fire.
Howell of Cottage Grove, Or-
His wife, Marquita Walston,
egon and Brynden Howell of
proceeded him in death on
Cottage Grove, Oregon. Also,
at home on December 25th,
January 2, 2015. He is sur-
numerous nephews, nieces and
Jess). Th eir home was always
2019 peacefully, in his sleep.
vived by his son, Jim Walston
cousins. We all miss you but
open to many other children
Rex was born to parents Dan
who grew up with admiration
and his wife Sharon of Rose-
will see you again in heaven.
& Billie Mitchel, on July 20th,
for the loving home they kept
1952
Pete Gerstner
1934-2020
Pete Gerstner died January
9, 2020 at the age of 85. He
was born September 5, 1934
in Montrose, Colorado. He
moved to Culp Creek, Ore-
gon with his family in 1942.
He went to work at Bohemia
Plywood at the age of 16 and
worked there until they shut
down and he retired. He mar-
ried Joyce Barton in 1957,
they later divorced. He en-
joyed fi shing and hunting and
loved driving the mountains
and the coast. He is survived
by his daughter Shelia Lazzar
and husband J.R., sisters Irene
Hird and Gerty Pritchard, 6
grandchildren, 9 great grand-
children, many nieces and
nephews, and sister in law
Dorothy Gerstner. He was pre-
ceded in death by his parents
Pete and Genevieve Gerstner,
son Th omas Gerstner, broth-
ers Juluis, Isadore, John, and
Martin Gerstner, sister Lorene
Williams, and long-time com-
panion Pansy Stranton. A cel-
ebration of life will be held at a
later date.
old
western
in Drain, Oregon. Together
Rex L Mitchel, 67, of An-
chorage, Alaska, passed away
in
Eugene,
they raised one child: Car-
rie A Mitchel (also known as
his spare time. Bryan married
Naomi Sansburn on August
8th, 2008 at the Mosby Creek
Family Ranch in Cottage
Grove, OR. Together they had
two daughters. He was a mem-
ber of the Cottage Grove Bible
Church. Bryan is survived by
his wife Naomi Sansburn of
Cottage Grove OR; their chil-
dren Mykala Marie Linse and
Myah Kaye Linse of Cottage
Grove OR; his parents Robert
and Sandra Linse of Cottage
Grove, OR; and his sister Bob-
bie Kaye Wilson. A Celebration
of Life will be held following
interment at Sears Cemetery
at the Cottage Grove Bible
Church on Sunday, January
26th, 2020 at 4PM. Arrange-
ments in the care of Smith-
Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel in
Cottage Grove, OR.
Betty J. Schnell
len. Betty received an Associ-
Rex L Mitchel
TRISKA—Bill Bertram
Triska, 92, of Eugene, died
Jan. 19, 2020.
Arrangements
by
Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral
Chapel in Cottage Grove.
Bryan Paul Linse
POLICE LOG
Jan. 13
To sign up for the Un-
sheltered PIT count, you
can register at www.lan-
ecounty.org/homeless-
count.
For more informa-
tion on volunteering in
Cottage Grove, contact
Teresa Cowan or Jessica
Klarr at 541-942-1185.
divorced, and she married Carl
A. Schnell on October 5, 1985.
Betty enjoyed sewing, knitting,
reading and traveling. She was
the president of the Cottage
Grove branch of Habitat for
Humanity in 2007 and volun-
teered for many years. Betty
was preceded in death by her
husband, Carl Schnell and
grandson, Casey R. Whetham.
Betty is survived by her daugh-
ter, Linda Trombly (John); son,
David S. Whetham; daughter,
Sarah Turpin (Randy); son, Jd
Whetham (Susan) all of Cot-
tage Grove, OR; step-son, Alan
A. Randol (Sacra) of Vancou-
ver, WA; step-daughter, Erica
Randol; sister, Reta Porath,
Springfi eld, OR; 6 grandchil-
dren, 4 step-grandchildren;
12 great-grandchildren and 3
great-great grandchildren. A
Memorial Service will be held
at the Dorena Grange at 4:00
PM on Saturday, January 25,
2020. Arrangements in the
care of Smith Lund Mills Fu-
neral Chapel, Cottage Grove,
OR.
Final
Arrangements
Handled with Care
Oregon
and the support they willingly
and grew up on Buck Creek.
provided to all who entered.
He graduated from North
Rex is survived by his wife,
Douglas High School in 1971
Judy, daughter, Carrie (Jess),
and was one of the last men
grandson, Mason, sisters La-
draft ed for Vietnam in 1972.
Donna & Diane, three broth-
Rex was a gypo logger for over
er-in-laws, and many niec-
20 years, primarily with Harris
es, nephews, and beyond.
Logging out of Drain, Oreg on.
He was preceded in death
He moved to Alaska in 1990,
by his parents, Dan & Billie
entering into partnership with
Mitchel, and his sister, Sue Cox.
Todd Mueller to run Cedar
Th e family has entrusted An-
Source, a high quality cedar
chorage Funeral Home & Cre-
lumber yard in Anchorage.
matory with the arrangements.
Aft er 16 years, they closed the
A private viewing was held for
yard down in October of 2006.
Rex’s wife and daughter; no fu-
Rex went on to run the An-
neral is scheduled at this time.
LIKE
chorage location of Valley Saw-
His ashes will be interred into
BUTTON!
mill until he retired in 2014.
his family burial plot at Pleas-
Rex was a veteran and pa-
ant Hill, Oregon.
• Cremation Options
• Memorial & Funeral Planning
• Monuments & Memorials • Cemetery Options
• Family Owned & Operated
123 South 7th • Cottage Grove, Oregon
541.942.0185 • smithlundmills.com
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