Lane County’s Deeds & Records Office Opens Today In New Location - 08/21/25

Starting today, the Lane County Deeds & Records Office has relocated from the Elections Office at 10^th and Lincoln in Eugene back to the County’s Public Service Building at 8^th and Oak in Eugene.

The services that returned to the Public Service Building (125 E. 8^th Avenue) are:

• Real property recording (including deeds, titles or interest to real property located in Lane County)
• Marriage licenses and ceremonies
• Domestic partnership declarations
• Property Value Appeals Board (PVAB)
• Public research library

Deeds & Records will be open Monday–Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, including the public research library.

The Elections Office will remain at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene.

About the County Clerk’s Office

The County Clerk and his staff are responsible for conducting elections, recording real property, issuing marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations, and coordinating the Property Values Appeal Board. Services are being relocated to 125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

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SOUTH LANE CLINIC HOSTS OPEN HOUSE FOR THE COMMUNITY - 08/21/25

COTTAGE GROVE, OR - Community Health Centers of Lane County (CHCLC) is hosting the grand opening of its South Lane Clinic. The event will take place on Thursday August 28 from 9:00am to 12:00pm, at 1275 South River Road, Cottage Grove.

Although the clinic has been serving patients since fall 2024, this is the first opportunity to officially open the doors to the public for tours, introductions, and celebration. Attendees will have the chance to explore the clinic, meet staff, and learn about the health services available.

The grand opening will include remarks from Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch, Lane Community College President Dr. Stephanie Bulger and members of the Community Health Council.

The South Lane Clinic is the ninth CHCLC site and represents a major expansion of health care access in rural Lane County. Developed in partnership with Lane Community College, PeaceHealth, Be Your Best, South Lane School District and South Lane Mental Health, the clinic was established to better serve residents who often face long travel times and limited access to care.

“Residents of South Lane County often must take time off work and travel to Eugene or Springfield to receive services,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director Eve Gray. “This clinic is about bringing quality health care closer to home and helping families meet their health needs in their own community.”

Media are welcome to attend. Providers and staff will be available for interview. Journalists should RSVP to Jason Davis, Lane County H&HS PIO, at 541-510-6257 or jason.davis@lanecountyor.gov.

Lane County To Open 2025–2026 Community & Economic Development Grant Program - 08/18/25

Lane County’s 2025–2026 Community & Economic Development (CED) Grant Program solicitation will officially open for applications on September 3, 2025, with a submission deadline of October 8, 2025 at noon. Application materials are available now to give interested agencies a chance to prepare.

The CED Grant Program offers competitive funding to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and government entities that serve Lane County. The program supports projects and initiatives that strengthen our local economy, foster innovation, support entrepreneurs and small businesses, invest in workforce training, and revitalize Main Streets and downtowns across the region.

With a total of $200,000 available for the 2026 grant cycle, individual grant awards will range from $5,000 to $30,000. Priority will be given to proposals that:

• grow employment or wages in key sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, technology, food and beverage, biosciences, and childcare;
• support small businesses and entrepreneurs through technical assistance and incubation;
• foster innovation and industry engagement; and
• enhance Lane County’s downtowns and commercial corridors.

“We are really excited to launch this program again,” said Jason Harris, Community and Economic Development manager for Lane County. “These grants enable us to support innovative projects in our community that might not otherwise have funding. We encourage potential applicants to begin preparing their proposals and take full advantage of this year’s offerings.”

More details, including application materials and FAQs, are available now at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/CEDgrant or by contacting CED@LaneCountyOR.gov. Applications will be accepted via Lane County’s procurement site, Bidlocker, between September 3, 2025 and October 8, 2025.

Las solicitudes y aplicaciones también están disponibles en Español.

About Lane County Community and Economic Development
Lane County Community and Economic Development is your Oregon Video Lottery dollars at work! Community and Economic Development programs support building vibrant communities by partnering with local business support organizations, cities, special districts and economic development agencies to facilitate community development and create economic prosperity. This program fosters economic opportunity across Lane County with a specific focus on rural and unincorporated communities.

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South Lane Clinic Hosts Open House For The Community - 08/11/25

COTTAGE GROVE, OR - Community Health Centers of Lane County (CHCLC) is hosting the grand opening of its South Lane Clinic. The event will take place on Thursday, August 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at 1275 South River Road, Cottage Grove.

Although the clinic has been serving patients since fall 2024, this is the first opportunity to officially open the doors to the public for tours, introductions, and celebration. Attendees will have the chance to explore the clinic, meet staff, and learn about the health services available.

The grand opening will include remarks from Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch, Lane Community College President Dr. Stephanie Bulger and members of the Community Health Council.

The South Lane Clinic is the ninth CHCLC site and represents a major expansion of health care access in rural Lane County. Developed in partnership with Lane Community College, PeaceHealth, Be Your Best, South Lane School District and South Lane Mental Health, the clinic was established to better serve residents who often face long travel times and limited access to care.

“Residents of South Lane County often must take time off work and travel to Eugene or Springfield to receive services,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director Eve Gray. “This clinic is about bringing quality health care closer to home and helping families meet their health needs in their own community.”

Media are welcome to attend. Providers and staff will be available for interview. Journalists should RSVP to Jeanne Campos, Lane County H&HS Acting PIO, at 541-912-4084 or jeanne.campos@lanecountyor.gov.

Tommy Gong Hired As New Lane County Clerk, Will Oversee Elections (Photo) - 08/11/25

Lane County is excited to introduce Tommy Gong as the new Lane County Clerk. Gong, an experienced election administrator, started in his new role in July. 

“We are so pleased to bring an experienced elections administrator and a passionate advocate for building public trust in elections to our community,” said Lane County Operations Director Lorren Blythe. “Elections are a cornerstone of our democracy, and we value the ability of all eligible voters to participate – Tommy holds the same value and we look forward to continuing to enhance our service to the community with his help.”

Gong was selected following a competitive national search. He succeeds Dena Dawson, who served as the County Clerk for three years and left Lane County to join the State of Oregon’s elections team. The County Clerk and his staff are responsible for conducting elections, recording real property, issuing marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations, and coordinating the Property Values Appeal Board. 

“I am honored to serve in beautiful Lane County and the great state of Oregon,” said Gong. “I am committed to upholding the accessibility, integrity, impartiality, and transparency of our elections for every voter in our county.”

Gong has served in election administration for 22 years. He previously served as an election administrator in California’s Contra Costa County, San Luis Obispo County, and Stanislaus County. He is also a member of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Task Force on Elections, a member of the Election Workforce Advisory Council, and on the Board of Directors for the California Voter Foundation.

Among his accomplishments, Gong led the effort to form the Coalition of Bay Area Election Officials for neighboring counties to join forces and collaborate on building public trust in elections in shared media markets. The Coalition earned the prestigious Democracy Award for best practice of 2022 by the National Association of Elections Officials – The Election Center.

In addition to earning his Bachelor of Arts at the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Business Administration at San Francisco State University, Gong was one of the first graduates of the California Professional Election Administrator Credential in 2005 and completed the national Certified Election Registration Administrator (CERA) program in 2021.

When not administering elections, he has been practicing and teaching martial arts for over 40 years. His instructor was a student of Bruce Lee, which led to his serving as a board director for the Bruce Lee Foundation.

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Lane County’s Deeds & Records Office Moving August 21 - 08/07/25

The Lane County Deeds & Records Office is relocating from the Elections Office at 10^th and Lincoln in Eugene back to the County’s Public Service Building at 8^th and Oak in Eugene.

The move will be effective starting on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The last day for services at the current location will be Tuesday, August 19. Deeds and Records services will be unavailable on Wednesday, August 20, and the new-old location will open for service on Thursday, August 21.

“Moving our Deeds and Records services to the Public Service Building will help us provide better access to our real property recording and other non-election services offered by the County Clerk’s Office,” said Lane County Operations Director Lorren Blythe.

The services that will move back to the Public Service Building are:

• Real property recording (including deeds, titles or interest to real property located in Lane County)
• Marriage licenses and ceremonies
• Domestic partnership declarations
• Property Value Appeals Board (PVAB)
• Public research library

Deeds & Records will be open Monday–Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day, including the public research library.

The Elections Office will remain at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene.

About the County Clerk’s Office

The County Clerk and his staff are responsible for conducting elections, recording real property, issuing marriage licenses and domestic partnership registrations, and coordinating the Property Values Appeal Board. Services are being relocated to 125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene) from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

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Road Closure: Martin Creek Road (near Cottage Grove) - 08/07/25

Road Name: Martin Creek Road

Road Location: South of Cottage Grove

Closure Location: At the railroad crossing at the beginning of Martin Creek Road

Dates and Times: Thursday, August 14, at 4:30 p.m. through Friday, August 15, at 6:00 a.m.

Alternate Routes: None

Reason for Closure: Railroad crossing improvement project

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Lane County Awarded Certificate Of Achievement For Excellence In Financial Reporting For 22nd Time - 08/05/25

Lane County’s 2023–2024 comprehensive financial report has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This is the 22^nd time Lane County has received this award.

This is the highest form of recognition in governmental budgeting and represents a significant accomplishment by Lane County and its staff. According to GFOA: “The report has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive ‘spirit of full disclosure’ to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the report.”

Lane County’s annual comprehensive financial report serves to provide the Board of County Commissioners and residents with detailed information about the County’s financial position, the results of operations of the County, and to demonstrate fiscal and operational accountability in the use of County resources.

“It is an honor to be recognized again for our work to provide an accessible and transparent accounting of how Lane County uses its financial resources,” said County Treasurer Greg Holmes. “The ability for our residents to review how we have used our limited resources to provide critical services to our nearly 400,000 residents is something we take great pride in and I am so proud of the team in my division that worked hard to pull this report together.”

The award was established in 1945 by the GFOA to “encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare annual comprehensive financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure.” Nominated documents are reviewed by GFOA staff and outside reviewers with expertise in public sector budgeting.

The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving more than 25,000 government finance professionals throughout the United States and Canada.

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Community Health Centers Of Lane County Celebrates National Health Center Week 2025 - 07/31/25

[Eugene, OR]—Community Health Centers of Lane County is proud to celebrate National Health Center Week (NHCW) 2025, taking place August 3-9. The annual event highlights the essential role Community Health Centers (CHCs) play in improving public health and providing Americans equal opportunity to access critical healthcare services. CHCs represent the nation’s largest primary care network, serving 32.5 million patients nationwide.

This year’s NHCW celebration, launched by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), focuses on the theme: “America’s Health Centers Celebrating 60 Years of Improving our Nation’s Health.” CHCs nationwide are marking the week with resource fairs, health screenings, and visits from local, state, and national leaders. Here in Lane County, Community Health Centers will celebrate all week with activities that include patient portal enrollment support, a diabetes education session, and a spotlight to their board members.

With a mission to make high-quality, affordable care available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or insurance status, CHCs save lives and healthcare costs on the front lines of our nation’s most pressing public health challenges. They are powered by a workforce of over 310,000 dedicated professionals who reach beyond the exam room to address the social and environmental factors that influence health.

As Dr. Madhavi Murthy, Medical Director of Community Health Centers of Lane County, explains:
“Community Health Centers of Lane County are not just providers of integrated and comprehensive care—they are trusted spaces where people feel valued, supported, and truly cared for.”

CHCs are racing against a September deadline as our federal funding expires, creating unprecedented financial strain. The recently enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" is also projected to cost CHCs $7 billion annually in higher uncompensated care costs and jeopardize coverage for 4 million patients. While CHCs never turn patients away, anticipated Medicaid coverage reductions will force impossible budget choices. NACHC projects these combined pressures could lead to workforce cuts and site closures, resulting in up to 6,000 preventable CHC patient deaths annually.

Over 1,500 CHCs nationwide are the health care home to: 

• One in 5 uninsured people 
• One in 3 people living in poverty 
• One in 5 rural residents 
• 9.4 million children 
• 419,000 veterans  

CHCs serve 10% of the U.S. population but represent roughly only 1% of total annual healthcare spending nationwide. Keeping people healthy by providing comprehensive primary care doesn’t just save lives – it saves money.

As the Community Health Centers of Lane County join the nationwide celebration, Dr. Murthy adds: “This National Health Center Week, and every week, we celebrate that commitment to connection and healing.”

To learn more about the mission and accomplishments of CHCs, visit www.nachc.org. You can learn more about NHCW and view a listing of events at www.healthcenterweek.org.