Lookout PM: 31 Oregon mayors want ICE out

Good evening,

Things have been quieter over at the Eugene Federal Building the past few days. About 5 p.m. today a couple dozen protesters were on the corner of Seventh and Pearl, demonstrating peacefully. No sign of federal officers.

Meanwhile, 31 Oregon mayors, including Eugene’s Kaarin Knudson, joined Gov. Tina Kotek in their own statement of protest today: a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Trump border czar Tom Homan demanding an immediate halt to immigration enforcement in Oregon. Ben Botkin has the story — including a copy of the letter.

In a court case that involved testimony about a Cottage Grove woman — a “permanent resident” — who was dragged out of her car by ICE officers in November, a federal judge has issued a ruling that would limit federal officers’ ability to make warrantless immigration arrests in Oregon. Jaime Adame explains what it means.

In other news:

The chair of Springfield’s school board, Heather Quaas-Annsa, announced today she is resigning from the board, saying she has received threats and that the volunteer position had become “untenable.” Lilly St. Angelo has the story.
A Eugene police investigator asked a judge for a warrant to inspect the car that hit and killed UO doctoral student Erick Munene Njue on Jan. 25, while Njue was riding a bike. Documents related to the warrant revealed that the driver was estimated to be traveling 50 mph on Patterson Street at the time, 25 mph over the posted speed limit. Jaime Adame reports.
Eugene School District 4J finalized its budget-cutting for the next school year at a meeting Wednesday night. The bottom line: the district will cut up to 269 full-time staff members at the end of the school year. Also, it is official now that the alternative elementary Family School will move into the same building with Camas Ridge Community School. Lilly St. Angelo has the details.
Lane County officials are supporting a bill that would change the agency responsible for how some cannabis funds get distributed for local addiction recovery and mental health services, after an audit raised questions about the current governance by the Oregon Health Authority. Ben Botkin has the story.
OK, need something more fun? For those of you who enjoy the Oregon Country Fair: early bird tickets go on sale tonight — just after the stroke of midnight, so you’ll have to stay up late. Annie Aguiar has the details.

In our opinion section:

A guest column from Kathy Lara says Oregon urgently needs to improve working conditions for those who care for the elderly.

A letter-writer calls out what he sees as an unsafe practice involving motorists and people on bikes.

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DAILY DIGEST

Eugene mayor signs onto letter asking DHS to halt to immigration enforcement in Oregon

By Ben Botkin

Kaarin Knudson joined Gov. Tina Kotek and 30 other Oregon mayors who signed the letter, calling for an immediate pause on enforcement activity until the completion of investigations into federal officers’ use of force in Minneapolis and elsewhere.

Springfield school board chair resigns, citing safety threats, rumors

By Lilly St. Angelo

Heather Quaas-Annsa stepped down Feb. 5, saying that escalating threats to her family’s safety and “persistent misinformation and false narratives” have played the largest role in her decision to leave the board.

4J school board approves last budget reductions, putting next year’s staff cuts up to 269

By Lilly St. Angelo

In addition to 110 more personnel cuts, the board voted to move the Family School at Camas Ridge Community School and adjust the middle school schedule from seven to six periods.