It’s always a great day when we get to announce a new journalist at Lookout Eugene-Springfield. It’s even better when we get to bring a journalist back to the business.

Taylor Goebel, a Philadelphia native and former food writer at The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, has joined Lookout as our food and dining correspondent.

While at The Daily Herald, Taylor tried morels for the first time, documented the gutsy work of a fourth-generation fishing family, fell in love with olive sourdough made from locally grown and milled flour, and profiled a Sasquatch-themed coffee stand that brewed free coffee for firefighters during the 2022 Bolt Creek Fire.

“I’m excited to become Lookout Local’s food correspondent because I feel strongly about people not only eating enough but eating well,” Taylor said.

Taylor is a graduate of Salisbury University in Maryland and has her master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago.

Before going to Everett, she worked as a reporter for the USA TODAY Network in Delaware and Maryland. Most recently, she worked in communications at Clarifi, a nonprofit in Philadelphia that provides financial and housing services for low and moderate-income families.

“I joined Lookout Local because it was created with the understanding that journalism belongs to the people,” Taylor said. “I love that community engagement is part of Lookout’s model, and I genuinely can’t wait to hear from members: Give me your restaurant recommendations, invite me to go foraging, grab a coffee with me, tell me your concerns (as a business owner dealing with high overhead costs, a farmer navigating land and regulation issues, a resident struggling to afford groceries — I want to hear all of it), and send in your strongest food and drink opinions.”

You can reach her at taylor@lookoutlocal.com. Our members get full access to Taylor’s journalism. If you are not already a member, now is a good time to join.

Thank you to all our members

As we close in on the end of our first full year at Lookout Eugene-Springfield, I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported local, independent journalism in Lane County by becoming a member, being a marketing partner, a civic partner or just a reader.

During our first nine months, the Lookout Eugene-Springfield newsroom — the largest local Oregon news team outside of Portland — told stories of impact; stories that celebrate; stories that reflect the moment in Lane County.

These stories include deep coverage of turmoil at Oregon State Hospital, a comprehensive project about food insecurity in Lane County, and coverage of ICE and the local impacts of the second Trump administration. Here’s a link to some of our best journalism.

We’ve also celebrated life in Lane County. Each Tuesday, we profile interesting people that keep our community running. On Thursdays, William Sullivan takes you along on his favorite outdoors adventures, and Annie Aguiar shares her list of events you should put on your to-do list.

This year will bring more big stories, including extensive coverage of the 2026 elections and the continued effects of Trump administration policies on Lane County.

Thank you for supporting Lookout Eugene-Springfield. If you are not a member, consider joining this movement to increase local, independent, nonpartisan journalism.

Dann Miller is the executive editor of Lookout Eugene-Springfield, bringing decades of leadership experience in both traditional and digital newsrooms.