Morning Lookout: Springfield school board shakeup, scientist's forest work in jeopardy

Good morning, Lookout Eugene-Springfield,

Yesterday afternoon, the Springfield Board of Education voted to remove its chair, Jonathan Light, and its vice chair, Ken Kohl, although they will remain on the board. The two had been the subject of complaints from Springfield schools administrators. Lilly St. Angelo reports.

For 40 years, scientist Mark Harmon has been studying how dead trees in Oregon’s forests beget life. However, as he hands off his work to a new generation, federal funding for long-term scientific research has become increasingly uncertain. Ashli Blow has the story.

Lane County prep soccer teams remain in the hunt for a state championship, with second-round games kicking off today. Meanwhile, three county volleyball teams have advanced to state tournaments, beginning Friday. Mike McInally has the rundown.

A Lookout Eugene-Springfield editorial: It is past time to give Kenneth Hass’ death at the Oregon State Hospital the scrutiny it deserves. It’s time for public hearings, so nothing like it happens again.

In case you missed these stories published Monday…
• Champion of the underdogs: Youth soccer coach’s commitment to kids spans 47 years
• Fire breaks out at Radius Recycling scrapyard
• Scam targeted Springfield planning and development applicant

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Springfield Board of Education removes board chair, vice chair from roles

By Lilly St. Angelo

After a nearly two-hour executive session, the board elected a new chair and vice chair and formally censured former board chair Jonathan Light.

A 200-year experiment: If a tree falls in a forest, does it really die?

By Ashli Blow

For 40 years, scientist Mark Harmon has been studying how dead trees in Oregon’s forests beget life. But as he hands off his work to a new generation, federal funding for long-term scientific research has grown uncertain.

Our View: Schedule Oregon State Hospital hearings now

By Lookout Eugene-Springfield Editorial Board

What does accountability look like when the person who needs it most is no longer here? For more than six months, Lookout Eugene-Springfield has chronicled the safety concerns and missteps that preceded Lane County resident Kenneth Hass’ death at Oregon State Hospital in March, as well as attempts by state health officials and Gov. Tina […]