The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Friday, April 18, 2025
Willamette Valley Weather
Stay updated with the National Weather Service and NOAA for the latest information on evolving conditions.
Oregon Historical Society and America 250 Oregon Commission Encourages Participation in “Two Lights for Tomorrow” – As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
— On the night of April 18, 1775, Paul Revere, William Dawes, and others rode to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning minutemen and households about the approach of British forces. Behind him, lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church were shining the agreed upon code made famous by poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “One if by land, and two if by sea.” The next day, April 19, were the battles of Lexington and Concord — and the colonists were well prepared.
As part of the nationwide commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the America 250 Oregon Commission joins semiquincentennial commissions across the country in Two Lights for Tomorrow, a multi-state initiative that reminds citizens everywhere that our shared history is grounded in coming together to build a more perfect union.
Oregonians are called to participate by shining two lights on April 18, 2025, in their homes and community spaces.
“The America 250 Oregon Commission hopes that communities across the state will join us in Two Lights for Tomorrow to kick off the semiquincentennial commemorations,” said Kerry Tymchuk, Executive Director of the Oregon Historical Society and Chairman of the America 250 Oregon Commission. “Any kind of light can be used in any size building, be it a home, office, museum, community center, or government building. Using the imagery of shining lights as a uniting call to action, Two Lights for Tomorrow reminds us of the importance of working together for a promising future.”
If you or your organization is interested in getting involved with the America 250 Oregon commemoration, please contact egon.250@ohs.org” > oregon.250@ohs.org or sign up for the official America 250 Oregon email list.
About the America 250 Oregon Commission – The mission of the America 250 Oregon Commission is to coordinate, provide guidance, and ensure that Oregon’s official observance of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States is inclusive and shares the histories of Oregon’s diverse populations, including the histories of the Indigenous peoples who have resided here since time immemorial. Learn more at oregon250.org.
Lots of Events Over the Weekend for Easter
Lane County Farmers Market · Our Earth Day Market block party in collaboration with Eugene Saturday Market is this Saturday, 4/19!
Reminder: the streets will be closed around 8th & Oak to ensure a safe environment for a variety of our Earth Day activities. We encourage you to walk, bike, or bus your way there! Below is an agenda of some of the free activities we will be offering:
Collage-Making Booth (ESM side): Make your very own collage using recycled materials! Come let your creativity flow on the West park block from 10:00-3:30, while supplies last.
Planting Station (ESM side): Get your hands dirty by planting your own seeds! Planting will happen on the West park block from 10:00-3:30, while supplies last.
Seed Bomb Station (LCFM side): Seed bombs are a natural, guerilla-style method of planting. Make your own seed bombs for spring near the Pollinator Gardens on the South side of the Farmers Market Pavilion from 9:00-3:00, while supplies last.
Fruit Tree Grafting Demo (LCFM side): Come learn how to graft your own fruit tree from Kevin Prier of Agrarian Sharing Network, and take home a free fruit tree of your own! Demos start at 11:00 and 12:00 inside the Farmers Market Pavilion.
Willamalane Park and Recreation District
nSdoeposrtm8232ai563iffm818umim1g12765023mfg0t90h2c79m2tic73 · With so many different egg hunts and fun activities going on, you’ll need a map to find your way around! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/564662402862110/?post_id=586859893975694&acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A%2229%22%2C%22ref_notif_type%22%3A%22admin_plan_mall_activity%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D¬if_id=1744836992601178¬if_t=admin_plan_mall_activity&ref=notif
Easter Bunny Express, April 19th! Get your tickets now
It’s spring, the flowers are blooming and the bunnies are hopping—time for a delightful spring train ride behind a steam locomotive!
Polson #2 is coming out of the Enginehouse to pull all three runs of the Easter Bunny Express Saturday, April 19. Trains leave at 1pm, 2:30pm and 4 pm. Come along to smell the flowers and take selfies with our Easter Bunny. Enjoy a scenic 45-minute ride along the Willamette River in Portland to Oaks Park and back.
Hop aboard the first ride of the season! Get your tickets at https://orhf.org/saturday-train-rides/.
Run for the Trees – the Bob Ross-inspired Happy Little (Virtual) 5K
Oregon Parks Forever — Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for the Trees at www.orparksforever.org.
Inspired by American painter and PBS television personality Bob Ross’ love of the outdoors, Oregon Parks Forever is sponsoring a virtual 5K race to help plant trees in Oregon’s parks & forests. You must register by April 1st in order to get your shirts and medal before the event.
Participants can walk, run, paddle or roll to complete their 5K anywhere outdoors anytime between April 19 and 27 (covering Earth Day and Arbor Day). Participants are encouraged to register by April 1 to ensure that your swag arrives before the event week. If you register after April 1, you may not receive your swag before race week. Registration will close on April 15.
For $36 per person, each participant will receive a keepsake Happy Little T-shirt, a commemorative bib number and a finisher’s medal. All Oregon race proceeds support tree planting and forest protection efforts in Oregon parks. Ten trees will be planted in Oregon for each registration. This year, the trees will be planted in the Santiam Canyon.
Initially, the “Happy Little Trees” program began with a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Bob Ross Inc., with hundreds of volunteers helping to plant “happy little trees” at locations hard-hit by invasive pests and tree diseases. The partnership quickly expanded to include the Run for the Trees / Happy Little (Virtual) 5K.
As the Happy Little 5K gained popularity, more states have joined the effort. Now in its fifth year, the Happy Little 5K has expanded its reach to include eleven other states. Together, Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia and Tennessee will “lock arms” as they help raise awareness and funding for stewardship efforts in each state’s parks.
“We are thrilled to partner with Bob Ross, Inc. and these other eleven states on the Happy Little 5K concept as a way to honor the late Bob Ross and create a legacy event to plant trees,” said Seth Miller, Executive Director of Oregon Parks Forever.”
Oregon Parks Forever is joining this event as an expansion of our efforts to fund the replanting of trees killed by wildfires, heat domes and invasive insects. Over the past two years, Oregon Parks Forever has been able to fund the replanting of more than 800,000 trees across Oregon.
“The official Bob Ross 5K is probably our most favorite initiative,” says Joan Kowalski, president of Bob Ross Company. “It’s the perfect blend of everything Bob held dear; nature, taking care of the environment, and happy trees too of course. He would have been so pleased to see how it’s getting so popular around the world.” — Learn more about the program at www.orparksforever.org.
2025 Oregon Coast Easter Events
The Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale Starts Friday
The 25th annual Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale returns over Easter weekend —- The Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale is April 18-20, 2025. Explore home decor, tools, books, furniture and unique finds while enjoying scenic coastal towns.
From Otis to Depoe Bay, more than 70 participants open their garages, driveways and yards to bargain hunters, collectors, and treasure seekers.
Each participating location is listed on an easy-to-navigate garage sale map. View addresses, sale hours and descriptions of the items for sale. Some sellers include their preferred payment methods.
View the Great Oregon Coast Garage Sale map here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=18kkhdroP9JihcSD2f376KUxgfvC9nOQ&hl=en&femb=1&ll=44.911217158709334%2C-123.97164985000002&z=11
Be sure to bring cash, reusable bags, snacks and a water bottle to make the most of your garage sale experience.
Lane County Government — Part of being prepared for an emergency is knowing how you will receive emergency alerts and life safety information. Lane County uses several tools to alert residents.
Watch the video below to learn more about those tools and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster. 
https://vimeo.com/565852770 Sign up to receive Lane Alerts emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org#NationalPreparednessMonth
“When It Hits The Fan”: Podcast by Lane County Emergency Management
This month on Lane County Emergency Management’s 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑛, Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown shares essential tips on what to do in an emergency.
Get ready, stay informed, and make sure you’re prepared for anything! 
Listen now: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube
About Lane County Emergency Management – Lane County Emergency Management is committed to preparing the community for emergencies and disasters through education, planning, and response coordination. Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan.
White Bird Clinic – · Crisis intervention is a 24/7 need in our community, and CAHOOTS, as part of White Bird Crisis Intervention programs, responds.
White Bird CAHOOTS Springfield Coverage: 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week (541-726-3714)
Starting in the new year, White Bird Dental Clinic will offer more walk-in clinic times. Currently, we offer walk-in clinics at 1415 Pearl St. every Monday and Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. In January, we will also add every other Friday at 7:30 a.m. Find more information at whitebirdclinic.org/dental
Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene
Registration open for our FREE programs.
Some programs are drop-in, so no registration is required—just show up and get involved!
For more information and links to register, visit our website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4888/Youth-Empowerment-Program
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
LCSO Case #25-1277 Search continues for Eugene man missing in the Hall Road area west of Cheshire
Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue continues to search for Jonathan Allen House west of Cheshire. Yesterday, SAR K9 Mercy and her people searched additional areas.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue (SAR) continues looking for 63-year-old Jonathan Allen House of Eugene. House was last known to be in the 25600 block of Hall Road, west of Cheshire, as recently as March 15th.
Search efforts over the past 9 days have included: – 5 days of drone aerial search by deputies – 4 days of K9 searches by SAR K9 volunteers – 6 days of ground searches by SAR volunteers – 1 day of Eugene Mountain Rescue assisting in steep areas
The search has spanned a large, rugged area complicated by steep terrain and dense vegetation: – 50 miles of roadways – About 500 acres by ground – Far more area by drones Deputies and detectives have also spent about 40 hours analyzing cell phone data and combing through area security and game camera photos and videos.
The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the FBI and MMIW Search & Hope Alliance for their assistance on this case. Thanks also to Lane Fire Authority for allowing SAR to use their area fire station as a base of operations during ongoing searches, and to area landowners for their cooperation.
House is described as a white male adult, standing approximately 5’10” tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He has gray hair, blue eyes, and a mustache and stubble. He was last seen wearing glasses, a black or brown hooded coat, t-shirt, blue jeans, and work boots. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141.
Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.
It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com
