Love Is A Scream. Lane County Clerk’s Office Still Signing Couples Up For Halloween ‘scaremonies’ - 10/05/26

The Lane County Clerk’s Office is getting ready to conduct marriage ceremonies in spooky style on Halloween.

There are still several spots available to reserve on a first come, first served basis. Ceremonies will be conducted in 30-minute intervals from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, at the County Clerk’s Office at 125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene.

The Clerk’s Office will perform marriage ceremonies in costume. Couples are also encouraged to dress in costume.

To schedule a scaremony, couples must first obtain a valid marriage license from the Clerk’s Office (125 E. 8^th Avenue, Eugene). To obtain a marriage license, couples fill out the online Marriage License Application and then must visit the Clerk’s Office at least three days before the ceremony to complete the license process.

The marriage license fee is $60 and a marriage officiated by the County Clerk’s Office is $117. Additional details, including license requirements and scheduling information, can be found on the Lane County Clerk’s website.

###

Are You Ready To Vote, Lane County? - 10/05/26

Election Day is quickly approaching, and the Lane County Elections office would like to encourage voters to register to vote or update their voter registration now, to be election-ready for the November 3, 2026 General Election. Voters in Lane County must register to vote no later than October 13, 2026.

“New Oregon voters must register by October 13 if they want to cast a ballot for the November 3 General Election,” said County Clerk Tommy Gong. “It’s also a great time for registered voters to double-check their registration details, especially if they have moved recently, to make sure we have all the information we need to send them a ballot.”

The voter registration deadline is October 13, 2026. If registering via www.oregonvotes.gov, it must be completed no later than 11:59 p.m. on October 13, 2026. If a voter registration form is hand delivered, it must be received no later than 5:00 pm at the Election Office (275 W 10^th Ave., Eugene) on that day. If mailed, it must be postmarked no later than October 13, 2026.

Local ballots will be mailed starting on October 15, 2026.  To track the status of a ballot, visit www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their ballot by regular mail, ballot drop box, or at the Elections Office. For ballot drop box locations, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

###

Lane County Youth Services Preparing To Host Free Community Holiday Meal In December, Donations Welcome - 10/01/26

The free 16^th Annual Community Holiday Meal with Lane County Youth Services is coming up on December 16. The free meal, which is open to everyone, also includes free raffle tickets for prizes and free food boxes to take home.

“The holiday meal is a highlight for our youth and for all the people who come to enjoy a meal together,” said,” said the event organizer, Senior Juvenile Justice Supervisor Shellye Reynoso. “Last year we served about 250 people and we hope to see at least that many come through the doors this year. Every contribution helps and it shows the youth who prepare the meal that our community cares.”

The event uses donations of food, services and financial contributions to help provide the food, sponsor the food boxes, and provide raffle prizes. Donations are tax deductible and donors are recognized on displays at the event.

Local companies or people interested in supporting the event through donations should contact Shellye Reynoso at 458-234-3180 or Shellye.Reynoso@LaneCountyOR.gov.

About the MLK Education Center

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Education Center is part of Lane County Youth Services and serves middle and high school students who have an active case with the division. This program is a collaboration between Youth Services and the Lane Education Service District (Lane ESD). In addition to academics, the MLK Education Center provides vocational opportunities, including in the culinary arts. The Culinary Arts Program offers youth the opportunity to learn different jobs involved in food service and catering. Students gain skills and learn to safely use the equipment in an institutional and commercial kitchen that prepares meals for youth in detention, a residential treatment program, and more. Students may participate in all aspects of catering including preparing foods, serving, and customer service.

###

ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Currin And Stewart Covered Bridges (Cottage Grove) - 09/29/26

Lane County Parks is working to stabilize Currin Covered Bridge and Stewart Covered Bridge, both east of Cottage Grove. The bridges have been closed to vehicle traffic for many years and are bypassed by concrete bridges. Both bridges remain closed to pedestrian access.

During the stabilization work, one lane of Layng Road and one lane of Garoutte Road near the construction may be closed at times. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers as needed.

Locations:

• Currin Covered Bridge is located alongside the intersection of Layng Road and Row River Road
• Stewart Covered Bridge is located alongside the intersection of Garoutte Road and Mosby Creek Road

Dates and Times: Now through December 31, 2026, Monday–Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Alternate Routes:

• Currin Covered Bridge can be avoided by accessing Layng Road from Mosby Creek Road
• Stewart Covered Bridge can be avoided by accessing Garoutte Road from Shoreview Drive

###

Im(Perfect) Food Faceoff Celebrates Food Waste Prevention Week Oct. 3 - 09/29/26

Two local chefs will race the clock to turn imperfect and commonly wasted foods into delicious dishes during the first Im(Perfect) Food Faceoff, beginning at noon Saturday, October 3, at the Farmers Market Pavilion (85 E. 8th Ave., Eugene).

Held in celebration of Food Waste Prevention Week (Sept. 28 to Oct. 4), the free event is presented by Waste Wise Lane County (Lane County Waste Management) in partnership with City of Eugene Waste Prevention, Lane County Farmers Market, Burrito Brigade, Fossil Free Eugene, local chefs Garrett Kirsch (Seasoned) and Kathryn Nordgren (Sunriver Brewing Company) and market vendors—with sponsorship from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

Just before this 20-minute competition begins, Kirsch and Nordgren will receive a surprise box of distressed, imperfect, or commonly wasted foods sourced with help from Lane County Farmers Market vendors. As the chefs cook, attendees will hear the stories behind the ingredients, learn simple ways to prevent food waste at home, and learn about local food resilience resources.

James Beard semifinalist Isaiah Martinez, chef and co-owner of Yardy Rum Bar, will emcee the event.

“Preventing food waste doesn’t have to be complicated,” said Daniel Hiestand, Lane County Waste Reduction outreach coordinator. “Sometimes it’s as simple as using what you already have, storing food so it lasts longer, or seeing possibility in something that doesn’t look perfect. This event gives us a fun way to bring those ideas to life while celebrating the incredible partners working throughout Lane County to keep good food from going to waste.”

Attendees can watch the competition (in person and streamed online via the @WasteWiseLaneCounty Facebook page), sample the finished dishes, and pick up practical tips for meal planning, food storage, freezing, using leftovers, and making the most of food already on hand. Learn more at wastewiselane.org/food.

Watch. Taste. Learn. Try it at home.

Food Waste Prevention Week highlights the environmental, economic and community benefits of preventing wasted food. When food goes uneaten, the resources used to grow, process, transport, refrigerate and prepare it are also wasted.

The Faceoff also highlights the local partnerships that make food waste prevention possible. Burrito Brigade brings its experience in food rescue and community food access, while Lane County Farmers Market and participating vendors connect the competition to local food producers and ingredients. Fossil Free Eugene donated induction burners for the chefs, BRING created a trophy with used materials, while Lane County Waste Wise and City of Eugene Waste Prevention will provide education and resources residents can use to prevent food waste at home.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is providing financial sponsorship as part of Food Waste Prevention Week.

Event details

When: Saturday, Oct. 3, at noon

Where: Farmers Market Pavilion & Plaza

What: Live two-chef cooking competition featuring imperfect and commonly wasted foods, tastings, storytelling, and food-saving tips

Cost: Free

The event takes place during the Lane County Farmers Market, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more about the competing chefs and food waste prevention at wastewiselane.org/food.

About Food Waste Prevention Week

Food Waste Prevention Week brings together communities, organizations, businesses, and individuals around practical ways to prevent wasted food. Learn more at foodwastepreventionweek.com.

###

Ecological Burn Planned At Mt. Pisgah Today, September 18 - 09/18/26

Lane County Parks, in cooperation with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, as well as Rivers to Ridges partners, will be conducting an ecological – or prescribed – burn at the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA) today, weather permitting.

Ahead of each burn, weather, humidity, and wind conditions are closely monitored to meet safety standards, including air quality.

HBRA represents one of the largest blocks of remaining prairie and oak savanna habitat left in the Willamette Valley. This ecological burn will occur in the Meadowlark area of the park. It will help reduce the risk of wildfire by reducing the available fuels in the burn area. About 20 acres will be burned. Ecological burning is funded by a combination of grant funding from the Bureau of Land Management for fuels reduction and the Lane County Parks levy.

Closures

• East Trailhead and parking lot.
• Trail 2 between the intersection with Trail 6 on the south and Trail 4 on the north.

** Media Opportunity ** A test burn will be conducted between at 12:00 p.m. and if conditions are right the full burn will move ahead. Media are welcome to be on-site during the test burn and burn. Please call ahead to confirm with Lane County Natural Areas Coordinator Ed Alverson (541-517-8818) that you plan to be there.

Lane County parks and partners have conducted more than a dozen prescribed burns in HBRA since 1999. Executing ecological burns is always dependent on weather and ensuring atmospheric conditions will disperse smoke upward and away from densely populated areas.

Signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the trail closures. A trail map is available online.

Visitors to the park should be aware of localized smoky conditions and the presence of fire crews within the park during the burn. 

Follow Lane County Parks on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Why the County conducts ecological burning:

Ecological burns are an essential management tool to sustain and expand native plant communities in these rare Willamette Valley habitats. The Willamette Valley was once dominated by savannas and prairies rich with diverse grass and wildflower species. These now-rare ecosystems require regular disturbance, such as fire, to maintain native species and to prevent conversion of open prairie to a closed woodland or forest. Historically, disturbance was provided through regular intentional burning by Native people or ignition by lightning. Many of our native prairie wildflowers, such as camas and Bradshaw’s lomatium, have evolved with fire for thousands of years and flourish after a site is burned. 

Ecological burns in the park’s prairies accomplish several biological and fire safety goals including improved seed germination, removal of built-up thatch, and short-term soil fertilization.  All these factors help native, grassland species thrive, including the declining Western Meadowlark (Oregon’s state bird), which nests in prairies and other open grassland habitats. In addition, prescribed burns protect the open prairie structure, as well as reduce the future risk of high intensity wildfires through the removal of standing, dead vegetation.

###

Public Agencies To Auction Surplus Vehicles And Equipment In September - 09/17/26

Each year Lane County auctions vehicles because of age or mileage. Lane County Fleet Services will conduct a public, open-bid (with proxy bidding) auction from Thursday, September 24, to Saturday, September 26.

Vehicles may be previewed before the sale by visiting http://fleetauction.lanecounty.org. In-person viewing is available during the auction from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday. Lane County Fleet Services is located at 3040 North Delta Highway in Eugene.

Highlights from this year’s auction:

• More than 60 pieces of equipment, including cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, buses
• Street sweepers, dump truck, forklift and other heavy equipment
• Trailers, various smaller equipment

Proceeds go to a replacement fund that helps offset the cost to buy replacement vehicles.

Bids must be submitted online and will be received until 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 26. All bids start with a minimum set amount. No faxed, voice or paper bids will be accepted. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, credit cards (an on-site credit payment may be subject to a processing fee), cashier's checks, money order or certified check made payable to Lane County Public Works. Personal checks for $50 or less are also accepted. Full payment is due within 48 hours of notification.  

This is the twenty-seventh year Lane County Fleet Services and other municipalities have combined their auctions to reduce the cost of disposing of surplus equipment. This auction is in partnership with Lane County, City of Eugene, Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB), Lane Transit District, and others.

For more information, call 541-682-8587, 541-682-8580, or email lcfleet@lanecountyor.gov.

Lane County makes no warranties or guarantees and will not be held responsible for advertising errors or omissions. All equipment is offered to other municipalities before the public and therefore is subject to prior sale.

###

Ecological Burn Planned At Mt. Pisgah Tomorrow, September 16 - 09/15/26

Lane County Parks, in cooperation with the Friends of Buford Park & Mt. Pisgah, as well as Rivers to Ridges partners, will be conducting an ecological – or prescribed – burn at the Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA) tomorrow, weather permitting.

Ahead of each burn, weather, humidity, and wind conditions are closely monitored to meet safety standards, including air quality.

HBRA represents one of the largest blocks of remaining prairie and oak savanna habitat left in the Willamette Valley. This ecological burn will occur in the North Bottomlands area of the park and will restore native grasses and wildflowers in a former hay field that was dominated by non-native species for many years. It will also help reduce the risk of wildfire by reducing the available fuels in the burn area. A total of 25 acres will be burned. Ecological burning is funded by a combination of grant funding from the Bureau of Land Management for fuels reduction and the Lane County Parks levy.

Closures

• Small portions of the trails located in the North Bottomlands, particularly on the west side of that area, will be closed. Visitors are asked to check in with trail sentinels and be flexible with their routes.

** Media Opportunity ** A test burn will be conducted between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. and if conditions are right the full burn will move ahead. Media are welcome to be on-site during the test burn and burn. Please call ahead to confirm with Lane County Natural Areas Coordinator Ed Alverson (541-517-8818) that you plan to be there.

Lane County parks and partners have conducted more than a dozen prescribed burns in HBRA since 1999. Executing ecological burns is always dependent on weather and ensuring atmospheric conditions will disperse smoke upward and away from densely populated areas.

Signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the trail closures. A trail map is available online.

Visitors to the park should be aware of localized smoky conditions and the presence of fire crews within the park during the burn. 

Follow Lane County Parks on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Why the County conducts ecological burning:

Ecological burns are an essential management tool to sustain and expand native plant communities in these rare Willamette Valley habitats. The Willamette Valley was once dominated by savannas and prairies rich with diverse grass and wildflower species. These now-rare ecosystems require regular disturbance, such as fire, to maintain native species and to prevent conversion of open prairie to a closed woodland or forest. Historically, disturbance was provided through regular intentional burning by Native people or ignition by lightning. Many of our native prairie wildflowers, such as camas and Bradshaw’s lomatium, have evolved with fire for thousands of years and flourish after a site is burned. 

Ecological burns in the park’s prairies accomplish several biological and fire safety goals including improved seed germination, removal of built-up thatch, and short-term soil fertilization.  All these factors help native, grassland species thrive, including the declining Western Meadowlark (Oregon’s state bird), which nests in prairies and other open grassland habitats. In addition, prescribed burns protect the open prairie structure, as well as reduce the future risk of high intensity wildfires through the removal of standing, dead vegetation.

###

Lane Transit District Providing Complimentary Bus Passes For Sept. 20 Fix-It Fair - 09/10/26

For the second consecutive year, Waste Wise Lane County—part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—is partnering with BRING to host a Fix-It Fair. The free community event will take place on Sunday, Sept. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at BRING (4446 Franklin Blvd., Eugene).

Fix-It Fairs promote reuse and repair by connecting attendees with skilled volunteer fixers who can help give broken household items a second life. Attendees can have items repaired, watch fixers at work, learn basic repair skills, and connect with local repair resources all while keeping usable items out of the trash and saving money.

“This year, we’re especially excited to partner with Lane Transit District (LTD) to provide complimentary bus passes for attendees traveling to and from the event,” said Angie Marzano, Lane County Waste Reduction Program supervisor. “Removing transportation as a potential barrier makes this event more accessible to our community, and BRING provides such a great setting for residents to learn new skills, connect with repair resources, and see firsthand the value of keeping materials in use longer.”

Anni Katz, LTD public information officer, said LTD is excited to help attendees more easily reach the event, and the process for redeeming bus passes is simple.

“Download the Umo app, create an account, select the menu button, and click on ‘Redeem Benefit Code,” Katz said. “Before boarding, go to your ‘Wallet’ and select the pass and validate as you board.”

This year’s event will offer repairs for lamps, small appliances, bicycles, power tools and lawn tools with small motors. Bicycle repair support will be provided by Shift Community Cycles and Lane Council of Governments. The event will also feature an upcycling activity and tool sharpening services. See more details at fixitlanecounty.org/calendar.

Repairs typically take about 30 minutes. Attendees should bring only items they can reasonably carry into the event.

Food will be available for purchase from Red Five Hot Dog Company.

About Waste Wise Lane County

Waste Wise Lane County (Lane County Waste Management Division) offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. Learn more about repair resources at fixitlanecounty.org.

About BRING

BRING is one of the nation’s oldest non-profit recyclers. Since 1971, the nonprofit has encouraged people to rethink what they use and what they throw away. BRING helps the community keep useful items out of the landfill, find ways to use less stuff, reuse as many things as possible, and recycle the rest. Learn more at bringrecycling.org.

About Lane Transit District

Lane Transit District (LTD) is a special district of the State of Oregon led by a seven-member volunteer board of directors appointed by Oregon’s governor. LTD’s budget is funded through a combination of fares, taxes paid by local employers and employees, and from state and federal sources. Learn more at ltd.org.

About Lane Council of Governments

LCOG is one of the oldest councils of governments in the nation. LCOG was first organized in 1945 under the name Central Lane County Planning Commission and had only six members. LCOG serves as a regional planning, coordination, program development, and service delivery organization in local communities across Lane County. Learn more at lcog-or.gov.

Multimedia Resources

Video and photos available at: https://laneco.sharefile.com/i/ibfb558b57854aa5a

NOTE: To access this shared folder, you must create an account. (1) Click the above link. (2) Fill out the form to send an activation email to your account. (3) Click on the activation email “Go to Folder” link. (4) Fill in the email and proceed to the page with the password. Click on the “Forgot password?” link. Send yourself a link. (5) In the inbox, click on the “Reset your password” link. (6) Create a new password. (7) Login.

###

Update: North Jetty Road Closure Extended Through October (Florence) - 09/08/26

The closure of North Jetty Road has been extended through October 31, 2026, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no alternate route. 

Lane County is reconstructing the parking lots for North Jetty Park and the dive park on North Jetty Road. 

###