Lookout PM: PeaceHealth hearing continues

Good evening,

Health reporter Ashli Blow was in court for the fourth day of a hearing over the planned staffing transition of PeaceHealth’s emergency departments in Lane County. A federal judge told attorneys Monday there is “ample evidence” that the operations of ApolloMD — PeaceHealth’s recently chosen ER contractor — violate Oregon’s new corporate medicine law. Closing arguments in the hearing are set for Wednesday in Portland. The judge is being asked to issue an injunction blocking the transition.

The craft store chain Hobby Lobby plans to open a store in Eugene’s Bethel neighborhood next year. Grace Chinowsky reports that the company signed a lease to move into a building that used to be a Rite Aid, in the Echo Hollow Shopping Center. There will be a major renovation first.

Eugene police today identified the person hit by a pickup and killed while riding a bike Saturday morning on River Road as David Winston Morris, 61.

The footbridge over the Canoe Canal in front of Autzen Stadium will be closed again, beginning tomorrow, for about three weeks while workers complete repairs. If you use the Alton Baker Dog Park or the Canoe Canal Boat Launch, check the story for parking and access information.

Did you get your ballot yet? Mine showed up Friday. Of course, you have until May 19 to vote. Visit our elections page for information about candidates and ballot measures, including endorsements by our Editorial Board — with more to come over the next few days.

In our opinion section today, we have a crop of letters, most of them weighing in on the election:

Family forestland owner Wylda Cafferata of Dexter says Measure 20-373, the Lane County Watersheds Bill of Rights, is badly flawed.
Roger Knudson of Eugene disagrees, saying the measure is a chance to “protect our water and push back against outside influence.”
Sue Prichard of Eugene says she supports John Barofsky in his run for the Eugene City Council Ward 3 seat.
Larry Lewin of Eugene says when it comes to institutions like health care and education we should spend more time listening to front-line doctors, nurses and teachers, and less time listening to administrators.
North Eugene High School student Robin Galan-Hill says we all need to take a look at what we can personally do to help the homeless.

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

Hobby Lobby plans store in Eugene’s Bethel neighborhood

By Grace Chinowsky

A vacant big-box retail space on Echo Hollow Road will see a $3.9 million renovation to make way for the first Eugene location of the national chain craft store.