S ERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF C OTTAGE G ROVE , C RESWELL , D ORENA , D RAIN , E LKTON , L ORANE AND Y ONCALLA C ottage G rove THURSDAY EDITION | DECEMBER 10, 2020 | $1.00 S entinel VOL. 131, NO. 49 • Est. 1889 Your Local News Delivered Your Way: In Print. Online. On the Go! Bundle home & auto to save $$. OSAA announces latest high school sports season calendar for 2020-21 The Oregon School Activities Association’s plan pushes start date to late February, beginning with fall sports By Ned Hickson nhickson@cgsentinel.com (541) 942-0555 WEATHER Showers with a high of 43 and a low tonight of 37. Full forecast on A5 COLUMNIST On Monday (Dec. 7), the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Executive Board offered its revised calendar, which moves the start of activities to late February. In explaining its latest decision, the board said it had been hopeful that the state’s landscape was going to improve when it adopted the previous calendar back in August, which had a start date in December. But as COVID-19 cases contin- ue to rise along with changing county risk level metrics and restrictions, activities have not City Council to vote on used merchandise business licenses comments made during the meet- ing that the OSAA and its member schools are bound by the rules, regulations and guidance set forth by the Governor’s Office and the OHA. While the OSAA can’t waive state mandates or provide excep- tions for certain activities or coun- ties in the state, OSAA staff remain in contact with the Governor’s Office, OHA and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) to work toward a safe return to in-person learning and high school activities. In Monday’s revised calendar, fall sports has been moved to “While disappointed that we need to adjust our original schedule, we believe that keeping three distinct seasons ... maintains potential opportunities for all students moving forward.” — Peter Weber, OSAA Executive Director been approved by the Governor’s Office and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). “Today’s decision by the execu- tive board is another reminder of the impact the pandemic has had on Oregon students and schools,” said Peter Weber, OSAA executive director. “While disappointed that we need to adjust our original schedule, we believe that keeping three distinct seasons — albeit in shortened seasons — maintains potential opportunities for all stu- dents moving forward.” The new plan encompasses three seasons, each of which will last six weeks and include a culmi- nating week. Board members made it clear in See SPORTS 5A Lane County off ering small business grants All aglow in The Grove Last week, Lane Coun- ty opened the portal for applications from small businesses for Emergen- cy Grants and will be open through Sunday, Dec. 13. An aid amount of $3.6 million has been set aside for grants and businesses are encouraged to get their application submit- ted as soon as possible at www.communitylend- ingworks.org. After the application period closes, there will be a two-phase lottery system to ensure an eq- uitable and fair distribu- tion. Grants will be distrib- uted in the following amounts in Lane County, based on number of Full- Time Equivalent (FTE) employees: By Damien Sherwood dsherwood@cgsentinel. com Bettey Kaiser’s Cook’s Corner B1 COMMUNITY Oh, Christmas Tree! A3 • RECORDS Obituaries Official releases A2 • LORANE NEWS B1 • CLASSIFIEDS Listings and public notices B5-B6 FOLLOW US FOR THE Following a Nov. 9 discussion regarding used merchandise busi- ness licenses, the Cot- tage Grove City Coun- cil is set to vote on the corresponding munici- pal code next week. During the Dec. 14 session, the council will consider an alter- native to its current licensing code, which came under council scrutiny last month for its lack of effi cacy. Chapter 5.28 of the Cottage Grove Munic- ipal Code establishes licensing, operating and recordkeeping re- quirements for used merchandise business- es within the city lim- its. License renewals are required on a yearly basis. During last year’s renewals, city staff re- ceived comments ques- tioning the necessity of the licenses. Before sending out notices to the busi- nesses this year for re- newals, the issue was brought before the city council for discussion in its Nov. 9 meeting. Grant Amounts Sole proprietor $7,500 1-5 FTE $15,000 6-15 FTE $20,000 16-25 FTE $25,000 DAMIEN SHERWOOD/COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL All-America City Square (aka Opal Whiteley Park) lit up on Saturday, announc- ing the Christmas season with the vibrant glow of colored lights decked throughout bushes and the park’s prominent Christmas tree. The lighting ceremony was held virtually this year to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. General Eligibility Requirements To be eligible, a busi- ness must have been ad- versely affected in either one of the following two ways: • The business was See GRANT 6A See COUNCIL 7A LATEST NEWS : Deadline for Drain business licenses passes with few applicants 541- 942-3325 ph • 541-942-3328 fax P.O. Box 35, Cottage Grove, OR 97424 A recent change to Drain city code requiring business licenses passed its deadline for applications Dec. 1, though most businesses have failed to file. Drain Mayor Justin Cobb said the city would be sending out re- minder letters rather than issue fines for the time being. “It’s not uncommon for people not to pay bills on time,” he said. “My position at this point is it’s still a learning experience for both the businesses … and the city and right now we’re both trying to learn how to deal with this new system in place.” Creation of the ordinance was prompted by the opening of Drain business Top of the Bowl this June, which controversially includes The Jewelry Girl, LLC L ISA R USSELL • (541)556-9598 25+ Years Experience 2001 Franklin #3 Eugene, Oregon N SURE Test Water Quality And Water Flow Rate D ON E LICENSED N I Gold, Silver, Scrap, Men’s Jewelry, Costume Jewelry, Pieces & Parts. Even Junk! See DRAIN 6A Install, Service, and Replace Pumps and Water Filtration Systems I BUY & SELL forthcoming about the intent to in- clude nude dancing. The subsequent ordinance add- ed new definitions of prohibited conduct within city limits in re- gards to adult entertainment as well as introduced business licens- es to the city’s code. The ordinance also requires that owners and employees of adult D Free Appraisals I’ll Come to You! adult entertainment in the form of nude dancing. The business has billed itself as a bar and restaurant with “special events,” which include sports view- ing parties, poker tournaments, live music, burlesque shows and both male and female topless danc- ing. However, some in the commu- nity called foul, protesting that the establishment’s owner was not D By Damien Sherwood dsherwood@cgsentinel.com B @CGSentinel D /CGSentinel SURE Bonded Licensed Insured CCB# 225978 Brandon Ervin (Owner) Tel: 541.649.8100 • For service after hours, Call (503)991-9159 For service after hours, Call (503)991-9159 Email: ervinfamilypumpervice@gmail.com