News

Even though progress has been made in the fight against AIDS, the disease still requires continued education. Saturday, the HIV Alliance is holding a health fair aimed at addressing the specific needs of the LGBTQ community. Lane County Health and Human Services Spokesman Jason Davis says even though advances have been made to fight the disease, it's still serious.

Davis: "There still is no cure and individuals can still and should still engage themselves in preventative practices to avoid the circumstance all-together."

The first Wordcrafters in Eugene writers’ conference will be held at the Eugene Hilton from March 7th through 9th, with a particular focus on fiction. Author Elizabeth Engstrom, a conference organizer, joins Eric Alan in the KLCC studios to preview the conference.

The Oregon Legislature must wrap up the current session no later than March 9. To get an update on what the Oregon House and Senate are still working on, KLCC's Angela Kellner spoke with our Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman.

A U.S. Treasury grant will give access to capital to economically distressed Oregonians.

Springfield’s Community LendingWorks was awarded $420,000 to help expand small businesses, or personal livelihood. The non-profit is an affiliate of the Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation, or NEDCO. Executive Director Claire Seguin says the people they work with don’t have a relationship with a mainstream bank that allows them to borrow.  

The earliest signs of spring can be observed at the marsh.  The return of Turkey Vultures, Tree Swallows and the amorous croaking of Pacific Tree Frogs signal the retreat of winter.

The northwest is famous for political activism-- WTO protests, tree-sits, Occupy… When activists get arrested, there's a law firm in Eugene that might represent them for no little or no money. Lauren Regan's Civil Liberties Defense Center celebrates its tenth year at the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference this weekend.

The Eugene Concert Choir presents Faure’s Requiem   at the Hult Center in Eugene on Saturday, March 1st, joined by the Oregon Mozart Players and guest vocalists Sharla Nafziger and Anton Belov. Diane Retallack, Artistic and Executive Director of the Eugene Concert Choir, speaks with Eric Alan.

Fallen trees from the recent ice storm in the South Willamette Valley can still be seen littering parks and yards.  After the storm, it became obvious that certain kinds of trees were damaged more than others.  KLCC wondered why.

Alby Thoumsin is an arborist with Eugene’s Sperry Tree Care.  He says Oregon white oaks, silver maples and sweet gums were hit the hardest during the ice storm.  The reason has to do with the silhouette of the trees.  Vase-shaped trees sustained more damage than those shaped like cones.  

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is drafting a new plan to better manage timber harvest, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

The Lane County Board of Commissioners has voted to hire Steve Mokrohisky as the new county administrator. Wednesday the board voted four to one to negotiate the final details of the job offer and contract. Sid Leiken voted against the measure.

Board chair Pat Farr says Mokrohisky brings a wealth of experience and skill to Lane County. He currently serves as Douglas County Manager in Nevada. The 36-year-old beat out four other finalists during interviews with the board.