Lookout PM: Stolarczyk sentencing

Good evening,

Scott Stolarczyk, who was convicted last week in the car crash that killed Sharon Schuman, was sentenced this morning to more than six years in prison. A jury had found him guilty of second-degree manslaughter and drunken driving. Stolarczyk, who is 52, told the court, “I take full responsibility for my actions, and I hope to come out of this a better person.” Jaime Adame’s report also includes comments from Rebecca Schuman, Sharon Schuman’s daughter.

Eugene Emergency Physicians, the local doctors’ group that has staffed PeaceHealth emergency departments in Lane County for more than three decades, wants a federal judge to halt the health care system’s plan to bring in a new contractor backed by out-of-state ApolloMD. The motion is part of a lawsuit filed last month in Lane County court that has since been moved to federal court. Ashli Blow has the story.

Lane County has lost an appeal in its effort to get a permit to build its $150 million CleanLane recycling facility in Goshen. The Oregon Court of Appeals upheld an earlier denial. The county’s Short Mountain Landfill is another possible site for the project. Ben Botkin has the story.

If you are looking for something to do this weekend, check out the annual Friends of Eugene Public Library book sale at the Lane Events Center. Most books are priced at $2. Proceeds help fund programs at the library. Last year, the sale raised $88,000. Mike McInally previews the event.

EWEB commissioners heard a briefing about a persistent underground chemical plume at the International Paper mill in Springfield. The plume dates from the days when the mill was owned by Weyerhauser, which used a toxic chemical called pentachlorophenol. Officials continue to monitor the pollution. Ashli Blow has the story.

In our opinion section today:

A guest column from Terry Parker of the local chapter of League of Women Voters says citizens should try to spend a little time attending public meetings. There’s no better way, she says, to understand how your elected officials do their jobs.
A letter to the editor endorses Thomas Hiura for the West Lane seat on the Board of Lane County Commissioners.

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

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DAILY DIGEST

Driver gets more than 6 years in prison in death of Sharon Schuman

By Jaime Adame

Rebecca Schuman, daughter of the former UO professor who was killed in the crash, told the court before sentencing she found herself “compelled toward mercy.”

International Paper’s inherited chemical plume persists near drinking water sources

By Ashli Blow

Three public utilities continue to track a decades-old groundwater plume at the site of the Springfield mill. The chemical contamination is pentachlorophenol, a toxic wood preservative used at the site by the former owner, Weyerhaeuser.

Local doctors group asks federal judge to block PeaceHealth ER transition

By Ashli Blow

The motion is part of a lawsuit, filed last month, that seeks to stop PeaceHealth’s plans to contract with Atlanta-based Apollo MD for its emergency departments. The case was recently moved from Lane County court to federal court, where plaintiffs have asked for an expedited hearing.