News

Thousands of Environmental activists, lawyers and students will be at the University of Oregon in Eugene this weekend for the Public Interest Environmental Law Conference. The 3 day event begins Thursday afternoon.

The theme of the law conference this year is "Running into Running Out"

Brinson: "With the 6th largest mass extinction currently happening, we've got to do something. So hopefully, this conference can be an opportunity for people to figure some of this stuff out."

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

The 1999 fire that burned Mt. Pisgah grasslands also benefited the site by eradicating poison oak. Similarly, the winter storm earlier this month both damaged and enhanced the Lane County arboretum.  Tom LoCascio, Mt. Pisgah site manager, says the deciduous forest got hit:

LoCascio:  “We saw a lot of tops breaking out of trees.  It seemed like the oaks in particular took it pretty hard, and some of the big leaf maples as well.”

In assessing damage, LoCascio says, sometimes we consider only the individual species, the single oak tree,

A group of disgruntled citizens in Deschutes County has succeeded in getting a special recall election. Voters in the Terrebonne Water District will decide April 1st whether to keep four of the five members on their utility board.

In an effort to reduce costly jail sentences, the city of Eugene is planning to establish a Community Court for certain offenses. City officials are asking residents to help choose which low-level crimes should be routed through the new system. 

Eugene Municipal Court Administrator Cheryl Stone became interested in this court model while doing research on high rates of failure to appear and recidivism. She asked herself this question:

Trillium Community Health Plan was expecting about 27,000 people to join the Oregon Health Plan over the course of two years. Instead, about 20,000 have signed up the past two months. This has put a strain on the health care infrastructure in Lane County, leaving about 9,000 OHP patients without a primary care physician. Trillium is taking steps to address the issues and build immediate and future health care capacity.

Saxophonist, vocalist and songwriter Grace Kelly has already had a very accomplished career. She’s released eight albums, and played with a range of jazz luminaries from Dave Brubeck to Wynton Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr. Now, at the age of 21, her new album Live at Scullers is her most vocally-oriented release, and finds her stretching more beyond jazz. Before performing at the Jaqua Concert Hall in Eugene, she joined Eric Alan in the KLCC studios for music and conversation.

The Eugene City Council is considering an ordinance that would require employers to provide sick leave to their workers.

The proposal was brought forward Monday night by Councilors Alan Zelenka and Claire Syrett. Eugene would follow Portland and Seattle, which have sick leave ordinances in place. Syrett said 25-thousand workers in Eugene don't have sick leave.

Immigrant advocates locked arms Monday morning at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. Their goal was to physically block the feds from deporting people who are in the US illegally.  These blockades are part of an ongoing, nationwide campaign.

Angelica: "You guys, hey. This way."

Angelica Chazaro sprints down a side street near the Tacoma detention center.

Chazaro: "Run that way, run that way….run run run."

Syndicated humor columnist Ned Hickson has been awarded “Best Local Column” from both the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association and the Society of Professional Journalists. He celebrates the release of his book, Humor at the Speed of Life, with a roasting at the Florence Playhouse on February 28th. He speaks with Eric Alan about the Winter Olympics, the Academy Awards, and how blowing things out of proportion helps give perspective.