Lookout PM: Gardening help

Good evening,

Well, this is the last you’ll have to put up with me this week. I’m off on vacation till next Monday. If you need me, I’ll be in Idaho.

Today, we published our Spring Garden Guide. Anchored by gardening columnist John Fischer, it offers advice on improving your soil, dealing with pests, watering efficiently and the fact that urine can be used as fertilizer (hey, I’m just the messenger). Oh, and there’s a piece by my wife, extolling the unexpected virtues of our unkempt, low-yielding front-yard garden. It’s not about the veggies; it’s about community.

After President Donald Trump said the government would deploy ICE agents to some U.S. airports to help with security — as TSA agents have been working without pay — Eugene Airport says no ICE agents are currently working there and TSA is functioning normally.

A spat has erupted in Oregon between a labor union and a trade association representing 1,000 nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The Service Employees International Union is trying to use the state’s open-records law to get the names of those who have jumped through some paperwork hoops in order to do caregiving work in the state. Oregon Health Care Association says that violates the workers’ privacy. Our partner the Oregon Journalism Project has the story.

Eugene City Club is planning a forum on Friday to discuss the pros and cons of a ballot measure you’ll be seeing in May: The Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights. It’s intended to protect water quality, but some critics say it is overly broad.

Lane Community College needs someone to serve on its budget committee after the resignation of former member Ron Preisler. Learn how to apply.

In our opinion section today:

Joshua Purvis discusses what he sees as in vitro fertilization’s serious moral and ethical questions.

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

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DAILY DIGEST

Union’s effort to get names of long-term care workers runs into opposition

By Nigel Jaquiss / Oregon Journalism Project

Two of the most powerful groups in Salem are at loggerheads over a public records request. At issue: a request that the Service Employees International Union filed last November with the Oregon Department of Human Services.

City Club to dive into watershed ballot measure

By Lookout Eugene-Springfield Staff

Two speakers will discuss a Lane County ballot measure intended to protect local watersheds at the Friday, March 27 meeting of the City Club of Eugene.