Morning Lookout: How Willamette High School principal rolls; Springfield advances payroll tax

Good morning, Lookout Eugene-Springfield,

For Alyssa Dodds, principal at Willamette High School, it’s important to see and be seen. So she roams the school during the day, working from her makeshift mobile desk. At night, she’s pursuing her doctorate. Oh, and she’s only 37. Lilly St. Angelo has this profile.

The Springfield City Council is moving forward on a payroll tax. City staff will begin developing the details and bring them back to council for review early next year. The earliest the payroll tax would go into effect is Jan. 1, 2027.

Also seeking additional funding is Lane County District Attorney Christopher Parosa, who spoke to county commissioners yesterday about the looming crisis in his office. He said his staff is “dramatically overworked.”

The speed limit on a 2-mile stretch of River Road is being lowered to 35 miles per hour after many serious crashes during the past several years.

The city of Eugene in January launched a five-year push to build 1,000 new units of downtown housing by 2030. One year in, that goal is on shaky ground. Elon Glucklich writes about what the city needs to do as it enters year two.

In case you missed these stories published Tuesday…
• Flock activated camera during ‘pause,’ chief says, pushing city to axe contract
• Eugene sets aside funds for future immigrant community support
• Search continues for missing mushroom picker south of Mapleton

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Purple sneakers and 15,000 steps a day: Willamette High principal keeps on the move

By Lilly St. Angelo

Alyssa Dodds delivers coffee to teachers, chats up students, aims to inspire more women to become leaders, has a “desk” she can roll around the school — oh, and after hours she’s working on a Ph.D.

Springfield councilors ask staff to design possible payroll tax

By Lillian Schrock-Clevenger

City staff will begin developing details for the payroll tax and bring them back to council for review early next year. The earliest the payroll tax would go into effect is Jan. 1, 2027.