August 3, 2026

West of the Tunnel

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  • Red Flag Warning Includes Most of Lane County An undated file photo of smoky skies over Eugene. ~ Photo by Karen Richards/KLCC August 3, 2026 KLCC

    Take care if you’re traveling towards Eugene over the next few days.

    The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the southern Willamette Valley for Monday from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. The warning area includes Eugene, Albany, Springfield and Cottage Grove.

    The agency said the smoke should arrive by Monday afternoon and linger in the area through at least Wednesday.
  • Department of Transportation facing $200 million shortfall in 2027-29 budget cycle A “closed” sign sits at a counter at the DMV office in Albany. Since Jan. 1, 2026, there have been 34 full day office closures across Oregon Driver and Motor Vehicle division offices because of staffing shortages. ~ Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle August 2, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Mia Maldonado

    Inflation and declining gas tax revenues are the primary causes of the predicted $200 million budget gap in Oregon’s Department of Transportation budget, according to this article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle.

    Without new revenue, the agency will need to eliminate almost 550 positions, according to agency deputy director Travis Brouwer. Cuts will be felt in road maintenance, and in DMV offices around the state, the article reports.
  • Oregon 39th out of 50 in New State Ranking The Blue Basin in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, in 2024. ~ Photo by Will Yurman July 29, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman
  • Pro-Data Center Ads in Oregon Funded by Industry Screenshots of similar videos from Connected Ohio, Oregon Connects, Pennsylvania Connects and North Carolina Connects. The groups were founded by leaders at the Data Center Coalition, a nonprofit data center advocacy group backed by large tech companies. (Collage by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) July 28, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Alex Baumhardt

    Recent ads promoting data centers in Oregon were paid for by Oregon Connects, a non-profit funded by an industry group that includes Microsoft, Google and Meta, the Oregon Capitol Chronicle reported in this story.

    Nearly identical ad campaigns are being run in more than half a dozen states around the country.

    Tax incentives in Oregon will save data centers $85 million in property taxes this year.
  • In Oregon, Safeway and Fred Meyer among companies with highest number of employees on Medicaid July 28, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Alex Baumhardt

    Safeway and Fred Meyer were among the most-listed employers on Oregonians’ applications for Medicaid in 2025, according to a report by the Oregon Capitol Chronicle.

    More than 5,000 people receiving Medicaid listed Safeway/Albertsons as their employer and just over 4,000 listed Fred Myer/Kroger.

    This comes as cuts to the federal program in 2025 could cost Oregon more than $9 billion in Medicaid funding over the next ten years, according to The Oregon Health Authority, the Chronicle reported.

     
  • Proposal to Ban Hunting Won’t be on November’s Ballot Members of the Yakama Nation harvest Pacific lamprey at Wilumpt, or Willamette Falls, near Oregon City on June 24, 2026. The lamprey are an ancient and culturally significant species for many Northwest tribes. Fishing would have been banned under an initiative that failed to gather sufficient signatures to make the November ballot. ~ Photo by Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle July 25, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Julia Shumway

    Initiative Petition 28, an effort to dramatically expand the state’s animal cruelty laws, won’t be on the ballot in November. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office announced the petition did not have enough valid signatures to qualify.

    The Oregon Capitol Chronicle reported that, “none of the other 88 initiatives Oregonians proposed this year submitted enough signatures, so this will be the first general election in decades without a citizen-led initiative on the ballot.”

    Read the full story at the Oregon Capitol Chronicle by clicking on this post.
  • Heceta Head Lighthouse Shining Again The Heceta Head Lighthouse in a 2023 file photo by Will Yurman July 24, 2026 Lincoln Chronicle | Dana Tims

    The lighthouse is back online after five months of repairs, according to this story from the Lincoln Chronicle. A $35,000 project replaced and repaired part of the mechanism that rotates the 10-foot-tall lens.

    “Everything is fully restored and it all looks beautiful,” said Hylah Furnish, park manager for the state-managed property that includes the 132-year-old lighthouse. “We’re all really excited.”
  • National Carousel Day Celebrated in Albany Volunteer Dale Gray hands out rings for the brass ring game at the Albany Carousel on July 13, 2026. ~ Photo by Kendra Schertell/KLCC July 24, 2026 KLCC | Kendra Schertell

    The Albany Historic Carousel and Museum is celebrating National Carousel Day on July 25th with free rides for visitors. Hours and pricing are on its website.

    The Albany Carousel includes a greyhound named Neil who is missing a toe. As are most of the wooden animals in the carousel, Neil is modeled after a real pet, a former greyhound racer who lost a toe and had to stop racing.

    All of the animals have been crafted by hand by a team of 30 or so active artists. It took four years to carve Neil, appropriately the fastest carving ever for the museum.

    Click to read the whole story on the KLCC website.

     
  • Help Buying Home Arrive Executive Director Dana Shepherd Fuller, left, with tenured board member Mike Shcrader and Arrive Founder and Former Executive Director Peg Malloy. ~ Photo Courtesy of Arrive July 22, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Mia Maldonado

    Arrive, an Oregon non-profit, helps people on a low income buy a home.

    Formerly the Portland Housing Center, Arrive helps marginalized Oregonians achieve homeownership with counseling and lending services. In 2025, it expanded its lending services statewide to support Oregonians living outside the Portland area.

    A one-time $99 fee provides access to a housing counselor and finance, homebuying and homeowner classes such as plumbing 101 or estate planning.
  • Lane County Fair Opens The "Vertigo" ride was one of the options at the 2025 Lane County Fair. Photo by Kendra Schertell / KLCC July 22, 2026 KLCC | Hannah Bush

    The Lane County Fair opens July 22 and runs through the 26th.

    As KLCC reports, the fair has new attractions and events, including “Canine Stars” and a BMX bike and acrobatics show. The fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, July 22 at the Lane Events Center, 796 W. 13th Ave In Eugene.

    For tickets and information, go to atthefair.com.

More Local News

  • Fee increases proposed for Siuslaw National Forest August 2, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest

    The Siuslaw National Forest has proposed fee increases to nearly two dozen recreation sites in the national forest area. Click to see the full list of sites, and the proposed fee changes.

    The public is invited to comment, and the Forest Service has extended the comment period through September 18. See the press release for how to submit your comments by mail, email or online.
  • New: The Puzzle #6 August 1, 2026
  • Sutton Lake Boat Ramp Closing July 22, 2026 Press Release

    According to a Siuslaw National Forest press release, “Sutton Lake Boat Ramp and day use facilities will be closed for construction from August through November 2026 to replace the deteriorating boat ramp and floating docks.”

    The facilities will close August 3.
  • Local firefighters helping with southern fire July 14, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman

    Area firefighters have been sent south to help fight the East Evans Creek Fire.

    UPDATE: As of 7/25 the fire has spread to 15,705 acres, and is 46% contained.
  • Black & White Collection July 9, 2026 Press Release The City of Florence’s annual Black and White Collection event will be held Saturday, August 22 from 10am – 1pm in the Siuslaw Middle School south parking lot. The city collaborates with the county and other local agencies to provide, for free, a place to bring unwanted items such as tires, refrigerant, appliances and propane tanks, as well as household items such as used paint, mattresses and more. Donations will also be accepted for non-perishable human and pet food. Click to read more and learn how you can volunteer to help.
  • Higher Fees in Florence July 2, 2026 City Notice

    The Florence City Council approved higher utility fees as of July 1, 2026. The new rates will be reflected in bills received in August.
    Rates went up for water, wastewater, stormwater, street maintenance and public safety.

    According to the city, for the average residential customer, the total increase will be $7.30 per month.

    Click to view the city’s utility page where you can find the current rates.
  • Electricity rates to rise 3% June 30, 2026 Press Release Central Lincoln, which provides electricity to most of our area, is raising its rates 3%, effective July 1. In the press release, they say that even with the increase, the rates are lower than most of the state.
  • The New Website Design June 27, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman
  • New Shop in Old Bike Store June 27, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman A new business on Route 101
  • Dollar Days from LTD June 27, 2026 Press Release During July and August, Lane Transit is offering discounted tickets, including for the Rhody Express.