Lookout PM: Kids head back to school

Good evening and happy back-to-school, kids!

Lookout photographer Isaac Wasserman set up a makeshift portrait studio on the pavement outside 4J’s Holt Elementary School in north Eugene to chronicle the arrival of families and teachers for the first day of kindergarten yesterday. Very sweet bunch of photos. Worth a browse.
Hop Valley Brewing plans to close its Eugene pub in the Whiteaker tomorrow. Plus more dining and drinking news in Vanessa Salvia’s “Food Scene” column.
As long as we are talking brew pubs, the Ken Kesey mural on the outside wall of the Plank Town Brewing building in downtown Springfield is going to get a touch-up during the Springfield Block Party this Friday. Organizers are also promising an appearance by Kesey’s storied old hippy bus, Furthur.
Police shut down 30th Avenue for several hours this morning after a shooting around dawn sent a person to the hospital. Police used drones and dogs to search near the top of the hill on 30th, at Spring Boulevard. Police said the shooting appeared to be an “isolated” dispute between two people, and there was no ongoing threat.
The Legislature’s special session has been put on hold for two weeks. Lawmakers are trying to figure out what to do about layoffs and road maintenance cuts that are planned at ODOT. The House passed a bill to increase the gas tax and vehicle fees to alleviate the cuts. But Democrats delayed a vote in the Senate until one of their colleagues returns from back surgery, suggesting it’s going to be a close vote. We’ll pick that story back up later this month.

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

DAILY DIGEST

First day of kindergarten, in pictures

By Isaac Wasserman

As kindergarten began in the Eugene School District 4J on Tuesday, Sept. 2, we set up outside Holt Elementary School for some first-day-of-school photos — and thoughts.

Food Scene: Hop Valley to close Eugene pub Sept. 4; a salmon dinner; more

The brewery plans to look for a new location downtown, but no details yet. Also, tickets are available for a farm-to-table salmon dinner; and Provisions will host local vendors during a showcase at its 5th Street Market store.