Community Corner
🌱 Eugene police probe Skinner Butte fire as possible fireworks arson
Coming up on the Eugene Patch calendar: Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Work Party
Hi there, Eugene! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Eugene police probe Skinner Butte fire as possible fireworks arson
- Eugene driver gets 10-year sentence for brutal hit-and-run crash
- New LaneTeenDriver.org site aims to simplify licensing for Lane County teens
Today's riddle: Why do fish live in salt water? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Thursday: Partly sunny and hot, with a high of 92 and low of 55 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Friday: Partly sunny, temps: high: 83, low: 56.
- Saturday: Pleasant with clouds and sun, with a high of 78 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Eugene: Fire at Skinner Butte now an arson investigation (dailydispatch.com) — A fire on the south side of Skinner Butte Monday afternoon is now being investigated as arson by the Eugene Police Department, which believes fireworks may be to blame. Dispatchers fielded numerous 911 calls about 20-foot flames and a loud boom, and quickly helped evacuate people from the butte while alerts went out to nearby residents. 
2. Eugene man sentenced to 10 years for hit-and-run crash that injured bicyclist (kezi.com) — A Eugene man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after hitting a woman bicyclist with a stolen truck and leaving the scene, according to court records. Eugene police say the May crash left the 40-year-old victim with extensive injuries requiring multiple surgeries and likely years of physical therapy before the driver was arrested in early June.
3. Lane council launches free website to help teens navigate Oregon driver licensing (kval.com) — Lane County families now have a free Eugene-based resource, LaneTeenDriver.org, to help teens navigate Oregon's confusing driver education and licensing steps. Created by Lane Council of Governments and partners, the site centralizes permit and license requirements, lists local driver ed providers, and supports a broader push to rebuild accessible, high-quality driver training for young people across the county.
4. Federal proposal seeks to repeal 'Roadless Rule,' opening millions of Oregon forest acres (kval.com) — A new federal proposal announced in Eugene would repeal the long-standing Roadless Rule, potentially opening nearly 2 million currently protected Oregon forest acres to new roads, logging, and other uses. Supporters argue it's needed to reduce wildfire risk, while conservation groups warn that more roads and logging could increase human-caused fires and damage older forests; public comments are open until September 21.
5. NAACP Eugene-Springfield to mark 50 years with Freedom Fund dinner Saturday (kval.com) — Eugene-Springfield residents are invited to the NAACP's 50th Anniversary Freedom Fund Dinner on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the Shedd, celebrating five decades of local civil rights work. The branch will highlight its history in Eugene, honor community leaders with the Dallas Boggs Connector Award, and raise funds for youth, health equity, food access, and other local programs that continue today.
📸 Around Eugene
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Eugene
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Native Plant Nursery Volunteer Work Party
City of Eugene Recreation Alton Baker Park Native Plant Nursery, 538 Day Island Rd -
9:00 am - Gardening with Modern Roses →
City of Eugene Recreation Owen Rose Garden - 300 N. Jefferson St. Eugene OR 97402
9:00 am - Instrument Petting Zoo (10:30 & 2:00)
Eugene Public Library - Kids Downtown Library - 100 W 10th Ave. Eugene OR 97401
10:30 am - 4th Annual Oregon Aloha Festival
City of Eugene Recreation Alton Baker Park - 200 Day Island Rd. Eugene OR 97401
12:00 pm - Movies in the Park: Sing (PG)
City of Eugene Monroe Park - 10th Avenue and Monroe St. Eugene OR 97401
9:00 pm - Owen Rose Garden Heritage Rose Tours
City of Eugene Recreation Owen Rose Garden - 300 N. Jefferson St. Eugene OR 97402
10:00 am - Willamette River Festival All ages
City of Eugene River House Outdoor Center - 301 N. Adams Street Eugene OR 97402
11:00 am - Fun with Paint →
Eugene Public Library - Kids Bethel Branch Library - 1990 Echo Hollow Rd. Eugene OR 97402
3:00 pm
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
📣 Eugene Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- I Hate Hamlet
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Cottage Theatre, 700 Village Dr., Cottage Grove
2:00 pm - Ribbon Cutting - GolfTRK →
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce 3000 Gateway Street, Suite 726 Springfield, OR 97477
2:30 pm - 90âs Themed Trivia with Geo!
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce PublicHouse 418 A Street, Springfield, OR.
6:15 pm - Family Support Group in person Springfield (3rd Thursday) →
Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce 129 9th Street Springfield, OR 97477
7:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Eugene PatchAM possible:
- Rae of Shine Cleaning — (458) 319-3030
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Xfinity Brings New WiFi-Based Home Protection to Eugene Customers —Jessica Bruck Read on Patch
- BEWARE - Wanted to inform my fellow neighbors of an attempted scam that is going around.
This afternoon I received a call from Lt Moore claiming to be from the Lane County Court. It was a local number. He claimed I had missed jury duty… (Nextdoor Southwest Hills) - i rescued this kitten yesterday and she got out through my bathroom window last night by popping the screen.
please keep an eye out for her, shes scared and im worried shes hiding somewhere. im worried sick about her. (Nextdoor Barger/Echo Hollow)
- PrimeFlight Aviation Services posted a job opening for Ramp Agent- EUG Airport in Eugene. Apply here.
- Big 5 Sporting Goods posted a job opening for Assistant Manager Trainee- Part Time in Eugene. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Eugene here.
Ok Eugene! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Pepper makes them sneeze (Thank you Karla H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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