Lookout PM: BLM logging operation halted

Good evening and happy Friday,

A federal judge has ordered the Bureau of Land Management to stop a logging operation in the Coast Range after Eugene-based conservation groups reported finding stumps from large old Douglas fir and red cedar trees that they say should have been protected as part of a timber sale in the so-called Blue and Gold project. Ashli Blow is covering the story.

Police and courts correspondent Jaime Adame reports on two events in the aftermath of a Eugene police body-cam video revealing a now-former officer making racist remarks. On Thursday, it was a topic of discussion at the city’s citizen Police Commission, where one commissioner said: “I just hope there’s a large focus tonight on how EPD plans to address those concerns that the incident kind of reflects a deeper issue.” And today, Jaime went out to cover a news conference featuring Tim Lewis, who initially posted the video, and others, some of whom called for a change in leadership at the police department.

Members of the University of Oregon’s classified staff union rallied today outside Erb Memorial Union before marching to Johnson Hall, home of the UO president’s office. The union was protesting what leaders say is a UO proposal to freeze wages and balance the budget “on the backs of the folks who make this campus work.” Lucas Hellberg was there.

A tanker truck this morning crashed near Belknap Springs, spilling diesel fuel and milk into a creek that flows into the upper McKenzie River. Grace Chinowsky reports.

In our opinion section today:

Ross Williams of Springfield questions why some of the people on a task force making recommendations about library cuts don’t even live in Springfield.
High school science teacher Dani Tubman says Gov. Tina Kotek’s order against using furlough days to help balance school budgets will end up hurting students.
Lesa Artzberger of Springfield disagrees with the Lookout editorial board’s recommendation to vote no on the Lane Fire Authority levy.
And we have another installment of “Look Back” featuring a cartoon by illustrator Jesse Springer. This one looks at lackadaisical turnout in primary elections.

What’s on your mind? Send us a letter to the editor (350 words or less, please): lte@lookoutlocal.com

Have a news tip on something we should cover: newsroom@lookoutlocal.com

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here to receive Lookout PM in your inbox every weekday afternoon.

DAILY DIGEST

Judge stops timber operation after protected trees cut in old-growth forest

By Ashli Blow

A judge halted the Blue and Gold timber project near the border of Douglas and Lane counties, ordering BLM to restart its environmental review.

At two separate events, reaction continues to police body-cam video

By Jaime Adame

The officer who resigned after the public release of body-camera video capturing racist comments about Black people on the night of a declared riot likely did not know he was being recorded, Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner said. The department reviewed additional body-camera video of other officers and found some conversations between officers that Skinner said did […]

Union says UO proposes four-year wage freeze for classified staff

By Lucas Hellberg

After speeches at the Erb Memorial Union, SEIU 503 members marched to Johnson Hall chanting “union power” and “fair contract” as union leaders criticized UO spending priorities and warned stagnant wages would deepen financial strain for campus workers.