BR Park Design Event – Open House!
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BR Park Design Event – Open House!

ByTom Atkinson

The Blue River Community Park (managed by the Blue River Park District) was heavily impacted by the recent Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. While this fire was a tragedy for so many, there is an opportunity to rebuild the park even better than it was before. Check here for more details on the plans. The…

The Rain is Finally Here – For a Few Days
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The Rain is Finally Here – For a Few Days

ByTom Atkinson

Rain through Tuesday night will clean up the smokey air a bit and cool off the McKenzie Valley after an unseasonably hot weekend. The National Weather Service and NOAA’s online weather resources are excellent and accessible here.

Residents Recount the Terror of the Holiday Farm Fire One Year Later
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Residents Recount the Terror of the Holiday Farm Fire One Year Later

ByTom Atkinson

Source: OPB.org By Brian Bull KLCC At first, Labor Day 2020 felt like a typical holiday: kids swam and anglers tried their luck in the deep green waters of the McKenzie River. Locals grilled burgers and enjoyed family get-togethers under the dense canopy of pine and fir trees that blanketed the hillsides. But in a…

Blue River’s Resilience And Rebirth Captured In Phoenix Sculpture
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Blue River’s Resilience And Rebirth Captured In Phoenix Sculpture

ByTom Atkinson

Source: KLCC.org By Brian Bull A monument to resiliency and rebirth now stands in the McKenzie River Corridor town of Blue River, which was ravaged by last year’s Holiday Farm Fire.  The metal phoenix sculpture – called “Viribus” was installed Thursday morning and will watch over Blue River as it rebuilds. Sculptor Jud Turner and…

Our HFF Anniversary Tribute
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Our HFF Anniversary Tribute

ByTom Atkinson

Monday September 7th 2020 On this day a year ago our lives were forever changed. We must remember those who have lost so much and honor those who risked their lives and fought to keep the flames at bay. We share with the community stories of heroism and hope to help in the healing process…

$4.7 Million Granted to Communities Impacted by Fires
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$4.7 Million Granted to Communities Impacted by Fires

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRiverReflectionsNewspaper.com McKenzie Valley projects receive $1/2 million The 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund, a collaborative effort led by the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) in partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust, The Ford Family Foundation, and American Red Cross, announced today $4,439,256 in grants to support 40 organizations throughout the eight Oregon counties ravaged by fires. Locally…

Lane County Permit Navigator New Upriver Hours
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Lane County Permit Navigator New Upriver Hours

ByTom Atkinson

Beginning August 12, no appointments are necessary at the Leaburg Annex (Leaburg Fire Station) on Thursdays and wildfire survivors are encouraged to drop-in between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to see Permit Navigator Marianne Nolte. Appointments are no longer required after a multi-week slowdown in the number of people registering for appointments. Marianne is also…