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Good evening,
A developer wants to build more than 370 homes — mostly apartments and townhouses — in the Laurel Hills area, near 30th and Spring Boulevard. The city has tentatively approved the plans. Ben Botkin reports on the project.
Michael Alan Kirchhefer, 29, was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison for kidnapping a child in Florence last year. He pleaded guilty in May to charges including kidnapping, sexual abuse, strangulation, assault and burglary.
We also have three letters to the editor fresh on the site this afternoon:
- First, a cousin of the man shot by police in Springfield a few days ago offers a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a “loving and joyful” child overwhelmed by schizophrenia, paranoia and fear as he grew into a young adult.
- A reader flat-out disagrees with an earlier letter suggesting the primary challenger of Rep Val Hoyle should “sit down.” Democracy depends on people doing the opposite. “Stand up,” the writer says.
- Finally, a letter-writer sees a misguided effort among those trying to repeal new fees on paddleboards and kayaks — fees to be used to combat invasive species.
Keep ’em coming. We love getting letters for publication. We love giving you a place to speak your mind. And we love that you won’t have to go on Nextdoor to do it!
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DAILY DIGEST
Developer seeks to build hundreds of homes in new subdivision in Eugene’s Laurel Hill area
By Ben Botkin
The city has tentatively approved the application for 372 apartments and townhomes. The site also would have two single-family homes and preserve about 70 acres as natural open space.
Man sentenced to 18 years in prison in Florence child kidnapping
By Jaime Adame
A Lane County Circuit Court judge has sentenced a 29-year-old man to more than 18 years in prison after he admitted to entering a Florence home and kidnapping a child.
‘Beautiful, sweet soul behind the schizophrenia’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
“It was in his early 20s that mental illness transformed Daniel into someone we did not recognize. His life became a true tragedy both for himself and the strangers he harmed. The one thing his mental illness could not take away was his love of his family.”
Don’t want potential candidates to ‘sit down’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
“Political experience is no guarantee of good government. An individual’s character, integrity, ideas and commitment to serving the public are first and foremost. I look forward to hearing more from Wiedenfeld-Needham and others in our community who are willing to ‘stand up.’ “
Permit fees for paddleboarders, kayakers: ‘No revenue, no clean/safe waterways’ | Letter to the editor
By Letters to the Editor
“The fees for paddleboarders and flatwater kayakers are to raise revenue for the purpose of fighting invasive species, which the petitioner says he supports. I think that was made clear. I really do not understand folks who do not comprehend the concept of taxes and certain fees to citizens.”
Enjoy the evening,
Bob
