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Eat, sleep, Mountain Bike Oregon
Twice a summer hundreds of riders from all over the country flock to the former logging town of Oakridge, OR, for a three day festival featuring some of the nation’s best singletrack.
Link: Full Story in Bend Oregon’s The Source Weekly
Additional photos and alternate video link at Eugene’s CBS affiliate KVAL : Eat, sleep, Mountain Bike Oregon
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Video featured on The Source Weekly (Bend, OR) and KVAL.COM (Eugene, OR, CBS):
A Tale of Two Visions: The Oregon Riverfront Research Park
(Written 5/2010) by Sebastian Foltz
Just west of the Autzen footbridge, trees line the south shore of the Willamette River. Two ducks land in a small inlet that offers a quiet resting place from the fast moving current. It would be a scenic image if it weren’t for the charred remains of a vagrant’s campsite underfoot, an empty bottle of cheap liquor, some cardboard and a dirtied piece of clothing. Down river, a graffiti artist has laid claim to a parcel of shoreline with his spray painted tag. Nearby a stream feeds into the river, its banks coated in a copper colored sludge.
Up from the river’s edge are large spans of invasive blackberry thickets, a poorly maintained portion of the Willamette bike trail and an over 30 acre vacant lot surrounded by a tattered chain link fence. Inside the fence, the enclosed land is as barren as a fallow field, covered by weeds and broken up remnants of concrete. The property has sat vacant and largely unattended for decades. “It’s an eyesore,” says runner Stephanie Weaver, “easily the ugliest part of the path.”
The blighted area is well overdue for restoration, and far from being the majestic riverfront some believe it could be. The issue of what should be done with this land is of some contention and part of ongoing debate and litigation. Some want it converted into parks and open space, but the current plan is for developing the area as office buildings, part of a research park affiliated with the University of Oregon.
The site has a long history. It was once heavily industrialized land. Prior to 1970 it was owned and operated by Eugene Sand and Gravel, and used for asphalt production. The lot also included a gravel pit and landfill. Purchased by the state in the late 60’s as eminent domain, it was then intended to be converted into parks and open space. The University of Oregon was granted conditional usage of the land but did not develop it. At one point the U of O leased a portion of the property as an extension of the neighboring Eugene Water and Electric Board lot. EWEB used it as a storage space for telephone poles and other industrial equipment.
The area has been essentially undeveloped since Eugene Sand and Gravel owned it. Those in favor of developing the land argue that formerly industrialized land is unfit for a park due to compacted soil and waste buried underground. They believe it is ideally suited for housing research based groups associated with the University, and that developing the land is the only viable option. Those in favor of preserving the land believe it can be restored and converted into park space.
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Ron Lovinger sits in his office, surrounded by landscape designs, models, blueprints, sketches, architectural texts and paperwork. For forty five years that section of the Willamette shoreline has been on his mind, since the day in 1965 when the chair of the University of Oregon landscape architecture department came to him and said, “Ron, the University is thinking about buying this property; what would it look like as a park?” It would become the first design studio project that Lovinger, then a 25-year-old assistant professor, would work on at the University. In the years since, Lovinger has been a professor in the school of architecture. He and his students have created multiple designs for the space as a recreational area.
For Lovinger, the land along the Willamette is a precious resource that needs to be preserved. “This is the Willamette,” he says emphatically, “it’s sacred land.” He remains a staunch opponent to building at the site. Building offices would be “visual pollution,” says Lovinger. “This isn’t Houston. It’s Eugene.” His view represents one end of the spectrum regarding riverfront development plans. Along with colleagues, students and community members he helped establish Connecting Eugene, a group opposing the current development plans. They are campaigning for more public input into the process and have appealed the city’s approval of the current plan to start building offices and research facilities.
The plan under appeal was first established in 1989. It is very different from any of Lovinger’s concepts. This master plan by the University calls for the space to be developed as part of a Riverfront Research Park project. It established a 20 year goal for constructing multiple buildings in the space. The plan’s most recent incarnation calls for the first phase to be built as soon as possible and consists of one office building which will house the Oregon Research Institute, ORI. This first building will occupy 4.3 acres of the 30 acre lot. Advocates say the plan for the ORI building will help revitalize the shoreline of the blighted area by reconstructing the bike path, landscaping the riverfront and removing invasive blackberry bushes.
Not all members within Connecting Eugene completely oppose building on the site with the same fervor as Lovinger, but they do oppose the current plan and believe there may be an acceptable compromise. Part of their complaint is that the community has been left in the dark with regard to planning for the public lands. “There should be a process that’s inclusive, open and democratic,” says Connecting Eugene member Paul Cziko.
Many within the organization cite the neighboring EWEB lot as an example of active community planning. Unlike the research park plan that includes the ORI building, EWEB has reached an agreement with the community for their neighboring riverfront property. They recently held forums and listened to public input in potential designs for a riverfront shopping area on land adjacent to the proposed research park. Connecting Eugene members say the EWEB plan incorporates the riverfront as an aesthetically pleasing public space that makes use of riverfront green space. They charge that unlike EWEB the Research Park does not, and that the plans are based on the out-of-date 1989 master plan. Lovinger also adds that the EWEB property is closer to downtown, and thus a more appropriate place to build on, where as the research park site near the University should be preserved.
Diane Wiley, director of the Riverfront Research Park, argues that there has been community involvement. She says the original master plan went through a process in 1989 that was open to public input. Wiley also assures that, “We will do this first project [the ORI building] and then revisit the original master plan.”
Some members with Connecting Eugene believe a middle ground could be agreed on if the ORI space and future buildings were constructed in a more nature-friendly manner that better incorporates green space and river access. They fear limitations to river front accessibility. Their primary source of contention is the large parking lot in the ORI building plan. They see it as an eyesore and worry about car pollution so close to the river. They also see the ORI building as the first step toward over developing the riverfront.
Wiley and Kathryn Madden, a representative from ORI, point to changes in the plans for the ORI building, changes that were established after meeting with members of Connecting Eugene. The changes include decreasing the number of parking spaces and setting the building and parking lots further away from the river, allowing more riverfront space. But Lovinger disparages the accommodation: “It’s like parsley around a turkey or lipstick on a pig.” While opponents have claimed the building will restrict riverfront access, Wiley and Madden assure that the riverfront bike path will be maintained and vastly improved. Madden also mentioned that Connecting Eugene was asked for data regarding the optimal setback for a building from the river. She said they failed to provide the information.
Wiley gives the impression that the community will be involved in the process in the future, and assures that it has been to this point. Both Madden and Wiley believe that developing the abandoned property is the best solution. “It’s a brown field; we’re taking it and repairing it,” says Madden. She and Wiley insist new buildings will still allow access to the river and serve to revitalize the bike path area.
Litigation in the development is ongoing. “Its been real frustrating,” says Madden. The University has filed for an extension of their original 20-year development plan with the City Planning Department. Connecting Eugene is currently appealing the decision to the State Land Use Board of Appeals.
Get some lift service at Willamette Pass
By Sebastian Foltz
For the mountain bikers who hate to ride up hill, Willamette Pass is a must ride. Late in June, when the snow has melted, the pass converts their six-person chair to a gondola for mountain bikers, hikers, disc golfers and sightseers. The ski slopes give way to some intense single track riding. “It’s a little slice of heaven,” said season pass holder Jeremy Fritts.
Biking at Willamette Pass
Willamette Pass boasts one of only two mountains in Oregon that offer lift serviced mountain biking. But The Pass isn’t for the faint of heart. As their website says, “our trade mark is the kind of stuff that attracts the untamed of the bunch. You better have your groove on, and helmet, gloves, and any body armor you can find.”
Mountain supervisor Israel Fuller echoes that sentiment and also recommends a full suspension bike. In fact, riders, pass employees, and bike shop workers all say you can ride Willamette Pass on a hard tail bike but recommend a dual suspension bike to really enjoy the trails. Fuller and Fritts, as well as Willamette Mountain Mercantile bike shop(Oakridge) manager Eugene Cathcart, all agree that while there are beginner trails, the mountain is predominantly intermediate to advanced riding. Many of the trails are technical and have steep vertical descents. Cathcart adds that “soil conditions make it fairly challenging.” Many trails have loose soil that can make traction difficult. He goes on to say that trails can be “pretty badly eroded by the end of summer.” Rider Jeremy Fritts recommends big tires for better traction.
The Pass has some serious jumps
With safety a major concern, Willamette Pass offers a complete first-aid station with EMT level certified staff on site. Although Fuller pointed out that there have been no major reported accidents this season. He said that most people just leave with minor cuts and bruises that usually go unreported. He added that in previous seasons shoulder injuries have been the most common. Jeremy Fritts laughs off the danger, “I’ve crashed a lot… no significant injuries.”
The mountain biking season at Willamette Pass runs from when the snow melts until it comes back, roughly late June through early October. Day passes for bikers are $25, sightseers and hikers can take a single ride for $15. Season passes are available for $75.
Willamette Pass also hosts disc golf tournaments and will be holding two downhill bike competitions in July and August. The races are being run by OBRA, the Oregon Bicycle Racing Association.
For more information on events and other activities, go to Willamettepass.com.
If you’re looking for something a little less intense or maybe a little cheaper, the nearby town of Oakridge has a lot of trails to offer. For some trail suggestions check out Willamette Mountain Mercantile in Oakridge, their staff is very knowledgeable about biking in the area and can point you in the right direction. And after riding, for a cold beer in nice English style pub, check out the Brewers Union Local 180 pub in downtown Oakridge.
Building a Skatepark: a Plan for Revitalization
By Sebastian Foltz
For Janette Brown, of Eugene, taking her son to a big skateboard park is currently an all day affair. “We load up the Suburban and go.” She, like many parents of skaters, has to pack up the car and travel up to two hours to Newberg, Winston, Harrisburg, or Portland to go to a big “destination” skatepark. That is why she recently joined the efforts of Skaters for Eugene Skateparks to have the city build a major skatepark in downtown Eugene.
Skateboarders and their families believe their needs are often underrepresented in park facilities compared to sports like baseball. . According to Skaters for Eugene Skate Parks and the Eugene Parks and Open Space department the nation’s 16 million baseball players have over 110,000 baseball diamonds, whereas America’s 13 million skateboarders must make do with just2,300 skateparks.
What is the reason for this lack of facilities? “Skateboarding historically has a bit of a bad rap,” says Eugene parks project manager Emily Proudfoot. Traditionally skaters have had to fight stereotypes as ruffians and troublemakers. Pro skaters like Tony Hawk have helped bring the sport into the mainstream of America. Skateboarding is currently one of the fastest growing sports in the nation. Collette Ramirez of the recreation services department echoes the thought saying skating “is mainstream now.” She cites the city’s youth skateboarding programs as, “one of the most popular,” mentioning that kids often have to be put on wait lists for the programs.
If things go as planned, soon parents like Janette Brown won’t have to drive two hours to take their children to big skateparks. Proudfoot is overseeing the plan to build a $500,000 18,000sq/ft skatepark to be located under the Washington Jefferson St. Bridge. The hope is that the park will improve the local community and revitalize a rundown part of the downtown park. Currently the site contains a rundown sand playground and public restroom. It is an area known for having a problem with vagrants gathering, and petty crime. It’s believed that the skatepark would drive away the unwelcome presence, and also encourage business development just as Portland’s Burnside Skatepark transformed a similar zone in Portland.
Located under the Burnside Bridge in Portland, Burnside Park was started by skaters without the city’s consent, though eventually the city granted permission for the park. Prior to the park’s construction, the area was considered to be an unsavory part of town. Burnside Park helped revitalize the neighborhood. The park is now considered one of the premiere skateparks in the world. It’s been featured in video games, and world famous pro-skater Tony Hawk has listed it as one of his favorite parks.
John Faulkner, owner of Board Sports in Eugene, said that the proposed Washington Jefferson Skatepark would, “easily be 3 times as big as Burnside.” Mark Scott, one of the pioneering skaters credited with building Burnside, and his company Dreamland Skateparks have been working on designs for the Eugene City Skatepark.
The idea for a downtown skatepark was first brought to the city’s attention in 2004 by Skaters for Eugene Skateparks (SES), a grass roots organization started by the owners of Tactics board shop. The group organized and petitioned the Eugene Parks Department asking for a premiere skatepark to be built. It was not until 2006 that the Eugene Parks Department agreed to make a destination skatepark a top priority.
After years of work, the skatepark is finally close to becoming a reality. It will be the result of cooperative efforts between the Skaters for Eugene Skateparks, the City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Department and the downtown Rotary Club. Designs have been proposed by Oregon based Dreamland Skatepark, a highly regarded skatepark builder. Community involvement has been a key to the skatepark design thus far. Dreamland and the Parks and Open Space department have held workshops to receive feedback form skaters about proposed designs. Dreamland has adapted their designs based on the feedback. A final concept will presented to the public for consideration on December 15th. Skaters and the community will have an opportunity to suggest final modifications and voice any further concerns. The completed design will be unveiled January 19th. Dreamland’s proposed designs can be viewed at skateeugene.org.
The project has met with some skepticism but project coordinator Emily Proudfoot says it has been easy to win over support for it. “Once people see the benefits of the skatepark, they’re on board.” Proponents often cite Burnside skatepark as a prime example of what good a skatepark can do for a community
Skepticism still exists regarding funding. And meeting funding deadlines is also a major concern. The park is expected to cost around $500,000 to build. A price that skeptics say is a huge investment for the city, though the city is only covering a portion of the cost. The plan is for the skatepark to be jointly funded by the city and private investors. The Parks and Open Space department has arranged for the city to set aside close to $300,000 in capital funding from building permit collections. Skaters for Eugene Skateparks hope to raise an additional $250,000 in private donations by the April 2010 deadline. Currently they stand at $32,000, but the Downtown Rotary of Eugene has pledged to raise a $100,000 by April. That is an amount that Rotary committee chair Lee White hopes to exceed
Proponents of the skatepark assure its benefits far outweigh the cost. Skate enthusiasts make up a growing demographic and the community as a whole could benefit from the park.
As for a cost comparison, the new playground in nearby Skinner’s Butte Park cost close to 1 million dollars and area swimming pools costs are even higher. Like the skatepark the playground was paid partially by the city. A significant portion of the money came from fundraising by the Rotary club.
Park development coordinator Carrie Peterson and SES fundraising volunteer Janette Brown anticipate funds to be raised by the April deadline. They believe that they have made progress with the private sector and expect more donations. That would mean that that the park may even be completed by the end of next summer, a seemingly ambitious proposition. Should funding fall short there are plans to build the park in phases. A plan which some representatives form the parks department suggest could make the skatepark’s completion more difficult.
Upcoming dates for the project include the final design proposal December 15th and the unveiling of the modified final design January 19th. Both events will be open to the public. For more information on the park and planning go to skateeugene.org or visit the Eugene Parks and Open Space Department through the city government website at http://www.eugene-or.gov
Jeremy Frits: With a B.S. in Recreation and Tourism
By Sebastian Foltz
In Utah, at Canyon Lands National Park, the Colorado converges with the Green river in Cataract Canyon. It has been described as some of the largest whitewater rapids in North America. Most rational people might watch a You Tube video of a boat flipping on that river and think “that’s nuts.” Former raft guide Jeremy Frits is the guy that looks at the same video and says “when can we go?”
In May Jeremy got a call from an old rafting friend, Luke Peterson, who invited him along to guide one of the rafts on a trip Luke was planning with some friends. That invitation and a few You Tube videos was all it took, a month and a half later Jeremy and his girlfriend Kathryn were on the banks of the Colorado about to embark on a 100 mile raft trip that Jeremy would later call, “the most humbling personal raft experience I’ve ever had.”
From the first day there were indications that the group of 6 might be in over there head. The river flow was much higher than they had anticipated, meaning the rapids would be bigger. As they were about to push off in their two 18 foot oar rafts, a group next to them was making preparations to set off in a motorized “J-Rig” raft that was nearly twice the size of theirs. The larger commercially operated motorized raft was the standard for the river. Small privately organized raft trips like theirs were rare.
The first day of their trip was mostly flat water, but on the very first rapid Jeremy nearly flipped the boat on a wave. His girlfriend, Kathryn, said it felt like “a bad omen.” It shook Jeremy’s confidence a bit with much larger rapids looming ahead. The next day he found himself off of his intended rowing course and heading straight for “The Button,” a dangerous river feature known as hole.
In his book, Whitewater, author Mark Blaine says “few things inspire more fear in boaters than holes.” They occur when water flows over an obstruction causing the water to pour over and re-circulate almost like a washing machine. In larger holes a person could easily be sucked in and drown.
“I got off my line” Jeremy recounts, “I could hear Luke yelling, ‘Pull Jeremy! Pull!” urging Jeremy to row past it. Jeremy further explains, “we new this was a hole that flips boats and you want to avoid. This isn’t a feature you want to run for fun. So you go around it, you don’t go through it.”
Jeremy’s girlfriend Kathryn said of the moment, “Literally I saw my life flash before my eyes.” “I thought I was going to die.”
Knowing it was to late to avoid the hole Jeremy recalls, “I just teed up to it and we dropped down…”
How does a person get to a point where it seems like a good idea to row a small raft on a river that has rapids named “Little Niagara,” “The Ledge,” “The Claw,” and “Satan’s Gut”? For Jeremy Fritz it’s just a part of who he is. He lives on a whim always thinking: “what’s the next big trip we can do or when’s it gonna start snowing(so he can go snowboarding)?” He seemingly throws caution to the wind in what many would consider life threatening pursuits, though he would describe them more as calculated risks. He clearly has confidence in his ability level, but it is a quiet confidence free of narcissism. Of his Colorado rafting trip he says, “I want to make the distinction, it was above my experience, but it wasn’t above my skill level.” It was that skill that caused him to make the last second decision that kept his boat from flipping while going through “The Button.”
I wanted to profile Jeremy to find out what drives him to take risks most would balk at. Risks that could be life threatening like guiding a rafting trip on class IV rapids, or hucking a back flip in a snowboard park. I’ve seen first hand his lack of hesitation in approaching a cliff drop on a snowboard, a 20 foot gap jump on a mountain bike, or cliff diving off of a particular 40ft cliff for the first time. He could qualify as an expert snowboarder, mountain biker, rafter, and kayaker. He’s the adrenaline junkie, thrill seeking type. His girlfriend Kathryn describes him as having an “anti-survival instinct” and as being “balls to the wall in every sport he does.” But Jeremy doesn’t see himself as a risk taker. If anything they are calculated risks. He has a confidence backed by years of experience.
The self described “man of many passions,” Jeremy is the embodiment of an outdoorsman. He talks about his experiences and hobbies with a child like enthusiasm and underlying confidence. Jeremy looks like the kind of person you’d picture being from Alaska or Colorado, a tall broad shouldered 29 year old, with varying lengths of beard(depending on season or impulse). An Alaska native, Jeremy grew up in and graduated from high school in Fairbanks.
Jeremy primarily credits his father’s influence for his enthusiasm for outdoor sports, “he’s been the reason I am the way I am.” At a young age Jeremy was introduced to most of his outdoor hobbies by his father. Jeremy also points to life experience for the confidence he has in himself and his exploits. He continued to develop his proficiency for outdoor sports during college at Colorado State. He even majored in Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. Living in Alaska and Colorado afforded him the opportunity for much exposure to a variety of outdoor activities. Regarding confidence in his abilities he says, “I think it helps to learn in your formative years. The years you have less inhibition.” That would seem to be the reason he doesn’t hesitate to hit the big jump or navigate the big rapid. As far as rafting experience Jeremy also spent two seasons as a raft guide on the Nenana River at the edge of Alaska’s Denali National Park. There he learned the skills to navigate category IV rapids as well as the rescue techniques of a professional raft guide. In effect, his years of experience do make his actions more like calculated risks, than truly dangerous ones.
That said he has the lengthier medical record and list of close calls one would expect of an extreme sport enthusiast. He told me about tearing his ACL snowboarding at Steam Boat, and tearing ligaments in his ankle while mountain biking on the red rocks of Moab, Utah. In the last year he added a separated shoulder to his record while over shooting a mountain bike jump. While no injuries have come from rafting or kayaking, Jeremy mentioned a few close calls on the trip on the Colorado.
Have the injuries slowed him down? He says yes, and jokes, “I know I can’t land on my head anymore.” His girlfriend Kathryn says, “the years have sobered him a little, but not much.” His slower pace is still much faster than most. He still does not hesitate to back flip off of a ski jumps, claiming, “back flips are easy.” So what motivates him to take these “calculated” risks? Kathryn says he “lives on adrenaline.” Jeremy admits he loves the feeling of satisfaction he gets in accomplishment and the “escape from the mundane.” He enjoys, “reaching a critical moment and testing yourself.” With experience backing him he believes his actions are not actually substantial risks. Who’s to say if he’s right or not? What’s certain is while he claims to have slowed down his Colorado rafting trip indicates he has no intentions of stopping.
“I don’t know if I believe in god, but I think he might believe in me…”
-Jeremy describing his close call on the Colorado River
Skatepark Design Workshop Held to Unveil Final Two Concept Designs
By Sebastian Foltz
Representatives from Dreamland Skateparks presented the final two design propositions for the city’s planned downtown skateboard park to eager Eugene area skaters and bikers Tuesday night. It was part of the third City Center Skatepark Design Workshop held in the conference room of the downtown library and organized by the Eugene Parks and Open Space department. The workshop was intended to get feedback from the community on the proposed designs for the skateboarding park to be built under the Washington Jefferson St Bridge. The skatepark is to replace a rundown playground located at the site and will hopefully revitalize the neglected area.
Dreamland Skatepark designers Mark Scott and Burke Morris presented their respective designs as 3D computer images. There was a palpable excitement for the park in the room. Many skaters believe it is a long time in coming. “This design is Ill,” voiced one skater during the presentation. Hopes are high that this park will be one of the premier skateparks in the northwest and that the park may lure pro competitions in the future.
After Dreamland’s design presentations, a question and answer session and small focus group meetings were held in order for those in attendance to voice their opinions on the designs and suggest modifications. Dreamland designers had modified earlier design concepts to create the final two proposals based on community input from the earlier workshops. They plan to create a final design proposition based on feedback from Tuesday’s meeting.
Both designs feature a combination of “street” features like sidewalk curbs, hand rails and stairs, as well as transitional features like ramps and empty swimming pools. All of the features are designed for skateboarders to do tricks on. Two of the key features of Mark Scott’s “Concept D” are a large pool that is shaped like a flower with a smaller pool in the middle. The other feature, called the snake run, could best described as a curving concrete path with raised sides for tricks. The most noteworthy aspect of Burke Morris’s “Concept E” was the interconnected nature of the features in the design. Skaters feel they could skate more readily between features in the Morris’s design than the Scott’s which has features that are more independent and not necessarily as well connected. Skaters in attendance seemed to universally favor Morris’s design, but many also expressed hopes during the focus groups that some popular features from Scott’s design could be added to Morris’s plan. The flower shaped pool in Scott’s design did not meet with any of the focus group’s approval. “It sounds cool but it could easily fail, and then your screwed,” expressed one observer. Dreamland designers spent a great deal of time hearing design feedback and taking notes on comments from those in attendance. They plan to incorporate suggestions into their final proposal.
The skatepark project slated to be built under the Washington-Jefferson St. Bridge, has been the goal of a grass roots campaign started in 2004 by a group called the Skaters for Eugene Skateparks (SES). The group petitioned the Eugene Parks Department asking for a premiere skate park to be built. The group received a great deal of support from the community, including the endorsement of Mayor Kitty Pearcy. The Parks Department agreed to make the skatepark a top priority in 2006. Funding for the park is to come in part from an 2007 allotment of $292,000 in public money from the Capitol Improvement Program (CIP). Another $250,000 for the park is expected to come through private donations raised by the Skaters for Eugene Skateparks. The downtown chapter of the Rotary has pledged to raise $100,000 of the $250,000. Currently SkateEugene.org(the SES site) lists private funds raised at $32,000. Organizers expect construction of the park to begin in mid 2010.
Dreamland plans to incorporate suggestions from Tuesday’s workshop and decide on a final design proposal to be presented at a December 15th public meeting. That meeting will take input from community members as to final modification suggestions. The completed design will be unveiled at a January 19th design celebration. The two final designs presented Tuesday are expected to be released to the web through skateeugene.org in the next few days.
For more information on the park and planning go to skate Eugene.org or find out about the designers at dreamlandskateparks.com
(Name of defendant changed for purposes of anonymity)
——– Bryan , 31, will spend the next 54 months (4 and ½ years) in prison with plenty of time to reassess the direction his life has taken. Bryan waved his right to trial, pleaded guilty and was convicted today on multiple charges, including two counts of felony possession of a firearm, felony possession of heroin, robbery, theft and criminal mischief. These convictions stem from multiple incidents; two of the charges are additions to a prior conviction for reckless driving and an attempt to elude police.
The original incident took place in April of this year, when Bryan was arrested and sentenced to 90 days in jail following a high speed chase through Eugene and Springfield including portions of highway 105. Witnesses to the chase reported that Bryan had thrown items out of the window of his car during police pursuit. Further investigation revealed a bag of heroine and a stolen gun both with Bryan’s fingerprints along the route of the chase. While on parole from the driving conviction, Bryan was charged with the additional heroin possession and possession of an illegal stolen firearm.
Bryan’s second incident occurred on September 17th, while on probation and with the heroin and gun charges pending. He was caught by a security guard while attempting to steal $50 worth of merchandise from a local Buy-Mart. Bryan tried to flee on his bicycle, assaulting the guard and damaging a vehicle in the process.
Bryan, white, with a shaved head, tattoos, and a bouncer’s build stood before the judge today. He was handcuffed wearing the jail issued teal jumpsuit awaiting sentencing. His right hand bandaged- he had accidentally shot himself while on parole-, he appeared confident and at ease even smiling at times in response to the proceedings. Both prosecution and defense attorneys agreed to a proposed 54 month sentence based on the circumstances of the case and the number of charges against him. Presiding Judge Charles M Zenache ruled in favor of the sentence.
These convictions contribute to an already extensive rap sheet that totals 12 separate cases with at least 8 felony convictions since 1996. Prosecuting attorney, Erin Zemper, described Bryan as, “in and out of jail and prison his whole life.” When asked by Judge Charles M. Zenache as to the reason for so many legal issues, Bryan took responsibility for his actions, “I’m a loser, I don’t blame anyone but myself.” Judge Zenache proceeded to offer prison as a potentially positive solution, hoping Bryan will take advantage of drug counseling programs and “sort himself out.”
-by Sebastian Foltz
The Williams Creek Fire, along the North Umpqua River, continues to wreck havoc on local business and threatens rafting and fishing areas. The fire, burning since July 28, has spread to approximately 4,500 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service interagency Incident Information System (InciWeb). It has more than doubled its reported size between Friday and Sunday. Only 20 percent of it is contained and State Hwy 138 remains closed between milepost 29 to 39. Williams Creek and Bogus Creek Campgrounds, along 138, are also closed, the extent of damage to those campgrounds is unclear. The Steamboat Inn, between Bogus and Steamboat creek, has been evacuated, but Umpqua National Forest Incident Information Officer Tom Lavagnino is confident that there will be no structure damage to the inn.
“It’s a shame, I’m really sad about it” says recent first time rafter Stephanie Weaver of the fire. “Part of what made the trip so great was the scenery.”
Local tourism businesses are feeling the effect of the fire, not because they can’t operate but rather because people aren’t coming. “We’re one frustrated business community,” says Sharon Blodgett of North Umpqua Outfitters, an area rafting company. While the fire has closed a stretch of the North Umpqua to rafting, Rafting companies are still running the river on sections upriver from the fire. “We’re open for business,” says Blodgett of local business. The fire is, however, “killing bookings.” To date, she reports two full boat trips have canceled, adding up to at least 20 people. The trips that have run have been able to reach the river via detours of highway 138. Blodgett says it’s rumored that 138 may open soon.
According to Blodgett the quality of the trips has been unaffected. Even at the raft pull out closest to the fire, she says the air quality is good because of a favorable wind pattern. With the exception of cancellations, it’s business as usual as far as North Umpqua Outfitters is concerned. They hope and encourage anyone to continue with plans to visit the area.
While the incident information website estimates the fire to be fully contained by Friday, Lavagnino says the date may be “optimistic.” Lavagnino described the south flank of the fire, along highway 138, as the most contained. The north, west and east flanks are currently uncontained, but secondary lines of defense are being set up.
Firefighters are working around the clock to try to contain the fire. “A lot of good work was done today, but we still have more to do,” said Brett Fillis, Deputy Incident Commander, in a press release over the weekend. The fire was first reported at approximately 1pm Tuesday July 28th.
Fortunately, according to Forest Service press releases and spokesman Tom Lavagnino, there is reason to believe that the upper 16 mile rafting segment of the Umpqua will remain unaffected by the fire.
The U O Outdoor Program offers low cost rentals
If you are looking to get outdoors for a weekend this summer you may want to stop by the U of O Outdoor Program first. It is one-stop-shop for outdoor rental equipment. From rafts to sleeping bags they have just about everything you might need for a weekend excursion. Best of all, their prices are lower than a lot of their competition.
Dave Villalobos, the Outdoor Program trip facility manager, offered explanation as to how the program is able to cut costs for rentals and excursions. The program functions as an outdoor co-op. Trips cost less because they are independently directed by members of the co-op not the company staff or professional guides. As a result the program has less liability than a private rafting company and therefore a lower cost. If you are a first time rafter, you may want to consider guided trip with another company, since trips are not always led by professional raft guides.
Non-students can be members as long as they pay membership dues. University Faculty, alumni, and area residents may join the program as a co-op member for an annual fee of $12 to $15 per year..
Villalobos said that the program does get some money allocated to it from the State. However, it amounts to a small line item in the overall student union budget allocations. The OP is also able to keep costs low because of funding from a portion of student activities fees that are required to be paid by students along with tuition. Non-student membership dues help to lowers cost as well. Villalobos mentioned that the majority of their business is with current students, alumni and faculty.
The Outdoor Program certainly does charge significantly less than their competition. A thirteen-foot long paddle raft, for example, costs $95 dollars at Oregon River Sports. The UO Outdoor Program charges $55. Other gear like snowboard rentals however are comparable to Bergs, a local area ski and snowboard shop. The OP also rents a wide variety of camping and hiking gear. As for rafting trips, a full day excursion with Oregon River Sports costs $100 per person. An upcoming Outdoor Program member led trip costs $16 per person. Be cautioned, an OP trip can be led by any OP member, not necessarily an experienced raft guide. Less experienced rafters may feel more comfortable with a professional rafting company.
The UO Outdoor Program predominantly caters to students. It is apparent that students and university employees take advantage of and appreciate the low costs. As OP renter Jeremy Fritts said, “It’s a great service, I use the OP because their they’re cheap. It’s a great deal.”
By Sebastian Foltz
