Opinion – It Seems to Me…
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Opinion – It Seems to Me…

ByTom Atkinson

Source: McKenzieRiverReflectionsNewspaper.com By Tim Laue – July 1st 2021 It has been nine months since the Holiday Farm Wildfire devastated more than 170,000 acres and destroyed more than a thousand structures and five hundred homes in the McKenzie Watershed. Three seasons (Fall, Winter, and Spring) since thousands of McKenzie folk had to run for their…

Can Do Spirit
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Can Do Spirit

ByTom Atkinson

Source: EugeneWeekly.com By Henry Houston Claim 52 is raising money to support McKenzie River watershed recovery The McKenzie River is Eugene’s only water source. Without it, the area’s breweries would be missing a vital ingredient to their beverages.  Claim 52 is creating a special beer that supports McKenzie River Trust’s efforts to restore the McKenzie…

Vida McKenzie Community Center Call to Action
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Vida McKenzie Community Center Call to Action

ByTom Atkinson

Dear Valley Business Owner, As you know, among the many structures lost in the Holiday Farm Fire, Vida McKenzie Community Center burned to the ground.  The Board of Directors of VMCC intends to rebuild the Center as  a more accessible and flexible venue, transforming it into a true community hub, utilized every day for group…

Update: Don’t Miss Tokatee’s July 2nd Celebration!
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Update: Don’t Miss Tokatee’s July 2nd Celebration!

ByTom Atkinson

Update: After conserted community backlash to the planned firework display Tokatee canceled the worrisom display but threw a great paty anyway! Back for 2021, Tokatee golf course, located in the heart of the McKenzie River valley, is holding a family Celebration this Friday July 2nd with music from country star @benruemusic followed by fireworks. When…

UMCC Temp. Library Ribbon-Cutting 1pm July 5th
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UMCC Temp. Library Ribbon-Cutting 1pm July 5th

ByTom Atkinson

The new Temporary Library is opening at the Upper McKenzie Community Center on Monday, July 5th at 1 pm.  There will be doing a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1pm with light refreshments, drinks, some children’s gift bags, and an ‘Adopt a Book’ table where you can pick up a free book (some good and some not…

McKenzie International Brings Track to community hit hard by wildfires
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McKenzie International Brings Track to community hit hard by wildfires

ByTom Atkinson

Source: KEZI.com By: Andrew Haubner In many ways, track is about birth and rebirth. You start each lap at 0 even if the race clock says otherwise. The Mckenzie area’s recovery after the holiday farm fire is a marathon. But a track event this week signalled the start of a new lap that may lead…

Land Management Drop-in at Leaburg July 10 @10am
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Land Management Drop-in at Leaburg July 10 @10am

ByTom Atkinson

Lane County Land Management is hosting a drop-in session for residents to get help with their rebuilding applications.  Drop by on Saturday, July 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the McKenzie Fire & Rescue Station in Leaburg.  Talk with planners and building staff about your rebuild, including: What forms are required What records…

Animal Rescue is More Than a Hobby for Toni Ray – It’s a Way of Life.
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Animal Rescue is More Than a Hobby for Toni Ray – It’s a Way of Life.

ByTom Atkinson

Source: UOScienceStory.com Written By Austin Johnson The Holiday Farm Fire drew its first fire-filled breath on the evening of September 7, 2020, near the Holiday Farm RV Resort in Blue River, Oregon. For weeks the fire burned, filling the air from the McKenzie Bridge to the coastal town of Florence with hazardous levels of smoke….

Excessive Heat Warning & County Advice
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Excessive Heat Warning & County Advice

ByTom Atkinson

EXTREME HEAT SAFETY FAQ This weekend we are under an excessive heat warning, with temperatures projected to be over 100 degrees.  Please help spread the word about these cooling center options in the Eugene/Springfield area. Updates will be posted on the Lane County’s website. To address families and individuals who may need a place to…

Guide to insurance and debris removal cleanup costs
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Guide to insurance and debris removal cleanup costs

ByTom Atkinson

Source: DebrisCleanupNews.com With debris removal work completed on more properties every day, the next question for many property owners is: do I need to pay for this, either directly or through my insurance?  The short answer is no, not up front. The State of Oregon is covering all up-front costs of debris removal cleanup. In…