Lane County Parks To Begin Parking Lot Improvements At Howard Buford Recreation Area - 07/20/26

Lane County Parks will begin construction on parking lot improvements at Howard Buford Recreation Area's Arboretum/Main Summit Trail parking lot on Wednesday, July 22. Construction is anticipated to continue through October.

The project is funded by the voter-supported 2022 Parks Levy and was identified though community feedback gathered during the Parks levy outreach process.

Planned improvements include:

• Full parking lot reconstruction and paving
• New ADA-accessible parking spaces and curb ramps
• An expanded passenger/bus drop-off zone with new amenities
• New stairs to connect parking levels
• Bio-engineered stormwater facilities to improve drainage and protect water quality
• New wildlife-friendly parking lot lighting

"This project responds directly to community feedback gathered during Parks levy outreach," said Brett Henry, Lane County Parks division manager. "Howard Buford Recreation Area is one of our most visited parks, and these improvements will create a safer and more accessible experience for visitors."

Visitor Access During Construction

The Arboretum/Main Summit Trail parking lot is expected to remain open, although visitors should anticipate limited parking and periodic closures during construction. Lane County Parks is working closely with the Mount Pisgah Arboretum to help maintain access for scheduled programs and events.

Construction activities will occur Monday through Friday. Visitors should expect construction noise, heavy equipment, flaggers directing traffic, and temporary work area closures. Parking on weekends may be limited depending on the stage of construction.

All trails, including Summit Trail #1, will remain open throughout the project. However, access from the Main Summit Trailhead may be limited. Visitors planning to hike are encouraged to use the North Bottomlands Trailhead or the East Trailhead for easier access during construction.

Visitors can access the summit from the following trailheads:

• North Bottomlands Trailhead: Follow Trail 7 → 17 → 1 or 7 → 3 → 1.
• East Trailhead: Follow Trail 2 → 6 or 2 → 1

Staying Informed

Questions can be directed to Lane County Parks at 541-682-2000 or LaneParks@LaneCountyOR.gov.

To stay updated on the project, visit the:

• Lane County Parks website
• Projects Map
• Lane County Parks Facebook and Instagram pages
• Parks quarterly newsletter

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Free ‘Fix-It Booth’ Repair Services Return To Cottage Grove, Florence & Oakridge - 07/15/26

It’s summer, which means it’s repair season again.

Lane County residents with broken or damaged household items can once again take advantage of free repair services this summer and early fall through the Fix-It Booth program, sponsored by Waste Wise Lane County, a part of Lane County Waste Management.

Now in its second season, the Fix-It Booth program offers repair opportunities in Cottage Grove, Florence, and Oakridge. The program launched last year to expand access to repair services in rural communities.  

Unlike larger Fix-It Fairs, which bring together multiple repair experts for a single event, the Fix-It Booth model features one repair specialist at a time. The fixers, focusing on one specific genre of repair, rotate bi-monthly, allowing for more frequent repair opportunities throughout the season. This approach provides residents with ongoing access to repair services while helping reduce waste and save money.

“Folks can bring in a wide variety of household items for repair,” said Mitra Gruwell, Lane County Fix-It Fair coordinator. “Bring bikes with flat tires, leather accessories, power tools, ripped pants, jewelry, small appliances, phones, and much more.”

Because each fixer specializes in different types of repairs, residents are encouraged to check the repair calendar before attending. Current schedules, locations, and repair specifics are available at fixitlanecounty.org/calendar.

Last year, approximately 100 residents—across Cottage Grove, Florence, and Oakridge—received free repair services from 16 specialized fixers. Nearly 90 items were successfully repaired, meaning they were diverted from the trash, and put back into use.

“Every item we repair is one less item sent to the landfill and one more opportunity to conserve resources, reduce waste, and save residents money,” said Angie Marzano, Waste Reduction supervisor for Lane County Waste Management. “Repairing what we already own is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build a more sustainable community, and we're excited to continue expanding these opportunities throughout Lane County.”

The program is made possible through partnerships with community organizations, including Shift Community Cycles, Lane Council of Governments, Florence Habitat for Humanity, Florence Farmers Market, Westfir-Oakridge Community Farmers Market, Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District, and the South Valley Farmers Market, which provide operational, venue, and financial support.

In addition to the Fix-It Booths, Waste Wise Lane County will host its annual Fix-It Fair on Saturday, September 20, at BRING in Springfield. The City of Eugene is also offering Fix-It Booths throughout the season at the Lane County Farmers Market.

For more information, visit FixItLaneCounty.org/calendar or follow Waste Wise Lane County on social media.

About Waste Wise Lane County

Waste Wise Lane County—a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit LaneCountyOR.gov/wastewise.

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Bat Found In Lane County Tests Positive For Rabies - 07/13/26

  Lane County Public Health (LCPH) today announced laboratory confirmation from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University of a rabies-infected bat found in Lane County. This is the third bat found in Lane County which has tested positive for rabies in 2026.

"All pet owners should make certain their dogs and cats are vaccinated against rabies.  When our pets are protected from rabies, it provides a buffer zone of immune animals between humans and rabid wild animals, such as bats," says Dr. Emilio DeBess, State Public Health Veterinarian.

While bats help control insect populations, including mosquitoes, they are the primary reservoir of rabies in our wild animal communities.  Thus far this year in Oregon 13 bats have tested positive for rabies. 

Lane County residents and veterinarians should be aware that other animals could be exposed to the rabies virus and should, therefore, be alert to potential signs of the disease.  Rabies is a viral disease that affects the nervous system of humans and mammals.  It is almost 100 percent fatal once symptoms begin.  The virus is carried in the saliva of an infected animal; transmission can occur when that animal bites, or in rare instances, scratches another animal or person. If bitten by a bat the wound should be immediately and thoroughly cleaned with soap and water.  In addition, medical attention should be sought.  Finally, if easily accomplished, the bat should be captured and the event reported to the Lane County Public Health.

There are several strains of rabies found in the U.S. (e.g., bat, skunk, fox, raccoon) but only bat rabies is found in Oregon.  Other animals that have tested positive for rabies in Oregon have contracted it from bats. People should stay away from bats and not handle them. 

LCPH recommends the following:

·         Vaccinate your pets (dogs and cats) against rabies

·          Do not handle bats with bare hands

·         Watch wildlife from a distance. Do not approach or attempt to handle wild animals.

·         Do not feed wild animals

·         Keep garbage in secure containers and away from wildlife

·         Feed pets indoors

·         Seal openings in attics, basements, porches, sheds, barns and screen chimneys that might provide access to bats and other wildlife

·         If your pet has contact with a bat, contact your veterinarian

For a statewide map showing the distribution of rabies in bats for 2026, please visit:https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/RABIES/Documents/rabiesmap26.pdf

Lane County Public Health is a division of Lane County Health & Human Services is a department of Lane County. Their programs and services create a healthier and safer community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Learn more about the work of Lane County Health and Human Services at: http://www.lanecountyor.gov/HHS

Changes Coming To Lane County’s Rural Waste Transfer Sites (Photo) - 07/08/26

--Corrects the earlier version that stated the budget gap was $3. It's $3 million. Apologies. --

Following a robust discussion, the Board of County Commissioners voted to close a $3 million budget gap in Lane County’s Waste Management Division by increasing fees and reducing some services.

“Our community values rural transfer sites, and they are an important part of our solid waste system,” said Waste Management Division Manager Jeff Orlandini. “We rely on the fees people and haulers pay when they bring us materials to fund our transfer sites and other services, but those revenues have declined sharply in recent years. These changes will allow us to balance our budget while preserving as many of our services as possible.”

The budget gap is the result of several years of waste exportation by Waste Connections, which owns Sanipac, EcoSort, and County Waste & Transfer. Historically, communities and solid waste haulers have helped fund transfer sites and other services, such as household hazardous waste collection and recycling programs, by paying a fee when they bring garbage to Lane County sites. By taking waste out of Lane County to a site owned by Waste Connections near Medford, Ore. Lane County is unable to collect enough fees to keep services at the current level and the Waste Management Division does not receive tax funding.

While haulers in unincorporated Lane County and the cities of Eugene, Florence and Oakridge are required to bring their waste to Lane County to support our local system, other cities have refused to require their haulers to do the same, including Cottage Grove, Creswell, Springfield, and Veneta.

The changes adopted by the Board of Commissioners will take effect on Monday, August 10, 2026 and include three components: a fee increase, reduced hours at multiple locations, and closure of the Walton Transfer Site. After August 10, Lane County will still operate 14 solid waste transfer sites—more than any other county in Western Oregon—and the new minimum fee remains lower than Lane County’s five comparator counties, where minimum disposal fees range between $28 and $53.63.

Summary of changes that take effect on Monday, August 10:

• Fees
  • The fees for using transfer sites will increase by 5 percent and the new minimum fee at all transfer sites will be $25 (formerly $15). There are no fee changes for municipal solid waste brought to Short Mountain Landfill by commercial haulers.
  • There will no longer be a $1 discount for bringing recyclables.
• Reduced hours
  • Creswell Transfer Site (34293 Cloverdale Road):
    • Creswell will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday. It will be open Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Veneta Transfer Site (24444 Bolton Hill Road):
    • Veneta will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It will be open Wednesday–Saturday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Other transfer sites:
    • Many other locations will have slightly reduced hours. See attachment.
• Closures
  • The Walton Transfer Site (18585 Transformer Road) will permanently close on August 10, 2026.

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Lane County Human Services Releases Homeless By Name List Count Estimate - 06/25/26

The number of people experiencing homelessness in Lane County is trending slightly lower than last year based on the latest data and the higher number continues to show homelessness is a crisis in the region.  This tracks with local housing issues because a lack of available and affordable housing is a root cause of homelessness. A total of 4,490 individuals experienced homelessness in Lane County during the month of January 2026. This represents a 7.5% decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness compared to the January 2025 Homeless By Name List (HBNL).

Every two years, Lane County is required by HUD to conduct a full Point in Time (PIT) Count of people who are sheltered and unsheltered in the region. which includes utilizing the Homeless ByName List (HBNL) to understand who, in a given night, was sheltered and unsheltered, This is supplemented with a physical count whereby outreach teams go out into the community and survey people living without shelter who may have not accessed services in the last few days. The next full PIT count will be conducted in 2027. 

In 2026, Lane County utilized the Homelessness By Name List (HBNL) to estimate the number of individuals experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness during the month of January. This method uses information entered into the local Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) by over 30 organizations who serve community members who are low-income, sheltered and/or unhoused. 

Key Takeaways of the January HBNL

A total of 4,490 individuals experienced homelessness during the month of January 2026. This represents a 7.5% decrease from the January 2025 HBNL and a 3.4% reduction from the January 2024 HBNL. 

Trends

Lane County’s Homelessness By-Name List decreased by 7.5% between January 2025 and January 2026. This is aligned with preliminary national estimates that indicate homelessness rates may be decreasing slightly. Comparing previous January HBNL counts, the 2026 number is less than the 2025 and 2024 counts, 

This could be attributed in part to an increased focus on transitioning people who are unhoused rapidly into permanent housing through the Diversion program. This program provides creative problem-solving conversations and one-time flexible funding to break down barriers to housing, including providing move-in cost assistance, utility payments, RV space fees, moving support and basic need items. From January 2025 to January 2026, Diversion assisted 1,047 households with rapid exits from homelessness. Among those who transitioned out of homelessness, 926 (89%) households remained housed over sixmonths. Partnerships with homelessness, behavioral health, health care and substance abuse treatment providers are vital to the program’s success. 

While the number of people who are chronically homeless decreased, it did so at a lower rate than the number of people who are not chronically homeless This led to the proportion of individuals in the January 2026 HBNL who were chronically homeless being higher than in January 2025. People who are chronically homeless have at least one disability and have been experiencing homelessness for a significant length of time. This population often has greater vulnerabilities and needs additional supportive services to access and maintain housing. Thereduction in people who are chronically homeless can be partly attributed to Homes for Good opening the Bridges on Broadway Permanent Supported Housing program in September 2025. This 57-unit building houses people who experience chronic homelessness and are most likely to die on the streets. This program offers intensive supports to residents in order to build relationships, connect with resources and increase their overall housing stability and quality of life. 

Housing Inventory Count and Shelter Bed Availability

On the night of January 28, 2026, Lane County had 1,046 year-round Emergency Shelter beds. An additional 372 overflow beds were not open on the night of the housing inventory but wereavailable on cold weather nights.

Lane County publishes a monthly bed inventory, utilization rates and project type descriptions for all residential project types on the Inventory and Utilization Tableau page.

About the Homelessness By Name List (HBNL)

Since 2020, Lane County has maintained a Homelessness By-Name List that meets Built for Zero’s quality by-name requirements. This lists each individual known to be experiencing homelessness in Lane County, and statistics about this list are published monthly on the Homelessness in Lane County, OR Tableau dashboard.

Although it is not an exact count, the HBNL has widely been considered to be a more accurate count than the PIT and is used year-round for local estimates of homelessness. For January 2026, Lane County performed additional analysis on the HBNL data to provide information on specific sub-populations similar to what is reported to HUD in an unsheltered PIT count. 

Community Health Centers Of Lane County Announces Plan To Stabilize Operations In Response To Revenue Losses - 06/24/26

• Changes related to the Coordinated Care Organization (CCO) transition
• Changes affecting the 340B pharmacy program (a Federal policy requiring pharmaceutical companies to provide discounts to eligible providers)
• New patient revenue that has not met projections
• Patient encounter volumes and reimbursement levels that have not kept pace with expectations

• Increased costs for medical supplies, medications, and vaccines
• Rising health insurance expenses
• Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) costs, and annual cost-of-living adjustments

• $3 million in one-time revenue sources
• $3.5 million in expense reductions, representing approximately $4 million in annual savings

• Medicaid scope change requests, and Medicare payment adjustments
• Commercial payer contract reviews and fee schedule adjustments

• Restructuring financial and revenue cycle oversight
• Ensuring schedules are filled whenever possible, increasing access for assigned patients
• Continuing to focus on quality metrics during every patient encounter
• Implementing technology solutions that improve care team efficiency
• Using new digital medical records tools to identify and support patients at risk of losing Medicaid coverage and to document medical frailty when appropriate
• Continuing advocacy efforts at the state and federal levels to support Community Health Centers as essential medical homes
• Significant work has already been completed to reduce non-personnel expenses, including:
• Medical supply cost reviews
• Elimination of temporary provider staffing expenses
• Review of all vendor contracts
• Evaluation of interpreter service costs
• Additional review of expenditures