Melorie Begay

The Portland-based Home Share Oregon, a non-profit, is working on rehousing wildfire evacuees in Lane County. The program matches homeowners with spare rooms with renters. 

Chances of precipitation and thunderstorms could create additional hazards for the Holiday Farm Fire area. The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch early Thursday morning for areas east of Springfield, starting from 5 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday morning. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Urban Search and Rescue Team working on the Holiday Farm Fire announced they completed 431 structural evaluations in the area. Results showed 308 structures were destroyed, 7 were failed, and 14 were damaged. The remaining 102 structures had no reported damage.

People hoping to get back on Highway 126 will have to wait much longer than expected. The road has been closed for the past week to make room for emergency crews working on the Holiday Farm Fire and for public safety.

The Beachie Creek Fire, burning east of Salem, is currently 188,935 acres, with a total of 563 personnel working on the fire, as of Sunday afternoon.

Fire officials working on the Echo Mountain Complex Fire on Sunday morning said much of the fire line has been completed. The fire, near Lincoln City,  is 20 percent contained and is about 2,435 acres in size. 

As of Sunday morning, the Lionshead fire burning 20 miles west of Warm Springs, was 5 percent contained. The fire is approximately 138,718 acres.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Holiday Farm Fire has been 5 percent contained and is approximately 161,826 acres, according to fire officials. There are 628 personnel assigned to the fire.

Wildfire officials working on the Archie Creek Fire, east of Roseburg, said they contained 10 percent of the 121,379 acre fire.

The Archie Creek Fire in Douglas County east of Roseburg is now at 115, 857 acres and is 0% contained as of Friday afternoon. Officials say the fire is currently burning in the North Umpqua drainage on the west slope of the Cascades. 

Crews battling the Beachie Creek fire east of Salem spent Thursday morning mopping up areas along the southern fire front along Highway 22. The fire size, as of Friday morning, is 186,856 acres, according to a fire officials.

Several families of people killed by police officers in Oregon gathered yesterday in Eugene for a vigil. The event was hosted at Alton Baker Park by Pacific Northwest Family Circle and Stephanie Babb.

A small group of volunteers called Visible Helpers have placed several red heart-shaped pantries around Eugene. The idea is to make food, water, and other supplies easily accessible for people in need.

Slug Queen's didn't let the pandemic cancel their 38th annual SLUG Queen Celebration event this year. Last Friday, organizers and contestants gathered virtually to sing, dance and reminisce about pre-pandemic times.

The 38th annual Slug Queen Eugene competition and coronation is going virtual this year. Organizers say they plan to bring the same level of energy and quirkiness online as they would have in-person.

At least 100 protesters marched in solidarity with Black Unity (B.U.) in Springfield on Thursday. Marchers criticized the Springfield Police Department for hitting and dragging some protesters while making arrests at Wednesday’s B.U. protest. They also claim SPD failed to fairly police counter protesters. 

A group of at least 100 protesters gathered at Peterson Park in Eugene on Monday in remembrance of Summer Taylor, who was killed during a hit and run at a protest in Seattle over the weekend. 

A Black Unity activist, Isiah Wagoner, was hit by a driver with a vehicle on Sunday during a children’s protest in Eugene. He was taken by medics and treated for non-life threatening injuries at a nearby hospital. The Eugene Police Department says they've detained the suspect involved in the incident.

Eugene city officials are weighing next steps after hearing demands from protesters to reduce or eliminate funding for police. Protesters have sent hundreds of emails, voiced concerns during city meetings, and some have shown up outside the homes of city officials.

Eugene City Councilors unanimously voted (8-0) to adopt the City Budget without any amendments Monday night. Councilors made the decision after facing heavy criticism from speakers who demanded the city reallocate police funds to other services. 

Eugene joined nationwide Juneteenth observations on Friday. An event hosted by the organization Black Unity saw hundreds of attendees who celebrated and learned about the holiday through, speakers, music, art, and food.

In a unanimous decision Monday evening, Eugene City Councilors voted to appoint Sarah Medary as City Manager. Medary has served in an interim role for the position since October 2019, following Jon Ruiz's retirement.