BROWNSVILLE, Ore. -- A three-alarm fire broke out in Brownsville Tuesday morning on Main Street. The call came in just before midnight.
Thirty-five firefighters from multiple agencies arrived to smoke and flames billowing from the Corner Cafe. The building is located in the historic downtown area of Brownsville, and is estimated to have been built in the 1910's.
There is no word yet on the extent of damage. No one was injured. The cause of fire is still under investigation.
CRESWELL, Ore. --At Monday night's meeting, there was an attempt to address the fall-out from last month's raucous city council meeting.
Councilwoman Jane Vincent asked the council to re-visit the situation where the mayor had the room cleared. The minutes recorder called the time "an adjournment."
Vincent asked the council to have the official minutes withdrawn from the meeting and re-evaluated. In effect, she wanted the official record of what transpired in October to be re-examined to make sure no laws have been broken.
However, the council voted, 5-2, not to take up Vincent's motion. Vincent says she might consult an attorney.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Cliff Harris pleaded not guilty to all three traffic violations that got him suspended from the Duck football team for the second time.
Eugene's municipal court reports that it got a letter from Harris informing the court that he hired a Eugene attorney.
The Duck cornerback was cited for driving uninsured, driving while suspended and failing to use a seatbelt.
TRI CITY, Ore. -- A Myrtle Creek woman was killed on Monday when she pulled out in front of an oncoming vehicle.
Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on South Pacific Highway in Tri City on Monday evening.
They found that 86-year-old Palma Carnine had pulled her 2008 Suzuki out in front of a pickup which left no time for the 16-year-old driver to stop or avoid a crash.
Carnine was pronounced dead at the scene.
A number of special elections measures will be voted on in western Oregon Tuesday.
There are two for Lane County, including a possible property tax increase of 60 cents per $1,000 assessed value over 5 years in Junction City. This is to fund the local fire department. There's a similar measure on the ballot in Goshen.
A Benton County ballot measure for North Albany would propose a five-year operating local option tax levy to help finance the North Albany rural district.
A $3.5 million bond measure is on the ballot in Coos County for the Myrtle School District. A previous bond was defeated by residents, so this current bond is a scaled back version.
There are five measures on the special elections ballot in Linn County. That includes a property tax measure to fund maintenance at Sweet Home Cemetery. This measure may cause property taxes to increase to more than 3 percent.
All ballots must be received by 8 p.m. Tuesday evening. We will bring you the latest elections result on KEZI 9 News at 11.
By Sonia Talati
EUGENE, Ore. -- A new study reveals one in three Oregon drivers admit to using a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. Of those violators 26 percent say they also text behind-the-wheel.
As of January 2010, you can get pulled over for using a cell phone while driving, with fines starting at $100. According to this poll from Pemco Insurance, half the drivers on the road think the punishment should be harsher.
"People just do it and they don't care, so why have a law if nobody cares," said Eugene resident Pamela Goebel.
"It's depressing to know people aren't paying attention to the road, especially with how big trucks nowadays. It's sad to know people are texting and driving," said Salem resident Justin Hall.
Eugene Police say they have the lowest officers per capita in the country, which makes enforcing the cell phone law a low priority.
By Lauren Mickler
EUGENE, Ore. -- A Springfield mother claims Occupy Eugene protesters harbored her 16-year-old daughter after she ran away from home, but protesters say that's not true.
Christine Patterson says she used to support Occupy Eugene's ideals and peaceful protests, but she says hiding her runaway daughter at their camp is neither political nor peaceful.
Amanda Patterson has run away before.
"What was different this time is that I didn't have a fix on where she was within 24 hours of here being gone," Christine Patterson said.
Patterson says it took nine days for her to locate her daughter.
She printed flyers, called police, organized search parties to try to track down Amanda and eventually looked at the Occupy Eugene camp.
"They gave her a toothbrush and she slept in some person's tent and they gave her a coat. It's a very easy place to get lost in the shuffle if you don't want to be found," Christine said.
While the atmosphere might not sound so bad, protesters' actions are what really bothered Patterson.
"When the police came, they hid her because she was there, and she admits that she was there when the police came," Christine said.
But Occupy Eugene protesters say they do not harbor runaways and they did not hide Amanda from police.
They say they have rules about underage kids coming to the camp.
"We try and peacefully resolve the situation by either coaxing them to return home and let their parents know that they're safe or at least giving them a call and saying, hey mom this is where I'm at," Jambit said.
Patterson says what protesters should have done is called the police.
"Tons of people were looking for her. I've been worried sick, and it's just simply unacceptable to hide a child," Christine said.
Protestors say they weren't hiding Amanda, they just don't like to bring police in if they don't have to. They felt they could convince Amanda to go home, which they said is exactly what happened.
"We need to step up. The community, the city and the leadership at Occupy Eugene and say this is unacceptable," Christine said.
By Jeff Skrzypek
EUGENE, Ore. -- Maybe protesters saw Thursday as a triumph, but it was the opposite for bank customers.
Many banks took proactive measures, like closing for most of the afternoon, which left customers locked out. Customers say that while they support Occupy Eugene's right to protest, Thursday's situation made them look down upon the movement.
"This is very frustrating when I have got to pay bills, I've got to do business and they're stopping me from doing business," said Umpqua Bank customer Max Jordan.
Some customers had to find creative ways out of the banks because the doors were locked. Over at Wells Fargo, the bank eventually opened its doors using security guards and let customers to go in and out to do business.
By Jeff Skrzypek
EUGENE, Ore. -- Occupy Eugene's goal was to occupy area banks and commit acts of civil disobedience, but the day didn't go according to plan.
They rallied at the free speech plaza, signs in hand and voices loud and clear. This was Eugene's contribution to the International Day of Action. Protesters marched to numerous banks in downtown to let the establishments know their policies aren't popular.
The plan was to infiltrate the banks and once inside, occupy. Managers quickly got wind of what was happening, and locked their doors just in time. That didn't stop demonstrators from committing acts of civil disobedience, like blocking the banks' doors.
"I think the folks who remain are willing to deal with the consequences of their civil disobedience and that's why they're here right now," said Grace Warner of Occupy Eugene.
Eugene Police kept an eye on the situation, scurrying from bank to bank on bike to make sure order was in check. The banks we covered decided against removing demonstrators and opted to cool their heels inside.
"I think every second that they lock that door is a second that they're not doing money and their not doing business with their customers," said Kristen Carpenter of Occupy Eugene.
In Occupy Eugene's view, despite the bank doors being locked, the day was a success. As for the banks, it put them in a tough spot, trying to balance service with safety.
"I think it's misguided. My understanding of the whole occupy is talking about corporate greed, wall street. Umpqua Bank is a community bank based in Oregon," said Terry Gent, Umpqua Bank.
While Thursday's protest didn't pan out according to script, Occupy Eugene says it's important that a message was sent.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Occupy Eugene was out in full force Thursday to join in the International Day of Action.
Everything was quiet by 5 p.m. on 11th and Willamette, but that was not the case earlier that afternoon.
Chase Bank was the sight of one protest Occupy Eugene had. Multiple people were arrested.
It all started around 3 p.m. when a group of at least 10 people put themselves in front of the doors, barricading the entrance.
Police started to arrest some of them one by one.
Non-violent protests were staged at five banks in Eugene.
Before the protests, police said they met with Occupy Eugene organizers and bank employees to make sure everyone involved would stay safe.
According to Eugene Police, 17 people were arrested, including one juvenile.
The Eugene Police Department Thursday night released a list of those arrested:
Jacob Robert Keeton, 21, Eugene
Shantia Marie, Gambill, 27, Idaho
Gwendolyn Maeve Iris, 29, Springfield
Nicholas Joseph Ingram, 23, No address
Zachary Aaron Quale, 22, Eugene
Austin Earle Roland Wilson, 26, Eugene
Alicia Denise Markus, 26, Eugene
Michelle Ryan Ankin, 25, Eugene
Ambrose Stormrider Holtham-Keathley, 19, Eugene
Terra Rene Williams, 23, Eugene
Terry Thompson Graham, 23, Eugene
Danielle Nichol Anderson, 25, No address
Ira James Allen, 27, Eugene
Julie Katherine McDonnell, 29, Eugene
Colby Ross Clipston, 18, Eugene
Juvenile Female, 16, Eugene
Tracy Ann Winston, 30, No address
Police estimate that between 200 and 300 protesters took part in the downtown demonstrations.
By Jake Zivin
EUGENE, Ore. --- After De'Anthony Thomas fumbled against Stanford, plenty of his Oregon teammates came up to give him encouragement.
Senior safety Eddie Pleasant made a point of grabbing Thomas on his way off the field, forcefully stopping him, and saying a few words.
To find out what Pleasant said, watch today's Daily Duck by clicking on the above image.
The Ducks basketball team looks for its first win of the season while Oregon State is off to its best start in a decade. Plus, find out what Duck safety Eddie Pleasant told running back De'Anthony Thomas after his fumble in the Stanford game.
By Erik Elken
EUGENE, Ore. -- The Ducks (1-1) trailed for most of the first 30 minutes of the game, but got a late surge thanks to good defense and easy buckets.
Oregon beat Eastern Washington 73-65 for its first win of the season in the home opener at Matthew Knight Arena.
Garrett Sim scored a game-high 17 points. Tyrone Nared was perfect on the night shooting (4-4 FG, 2-2 3PT, 5-5 FT) to finish with 15 points.
Turnovers (21) and free throws (28-44) were still an issue for the Ducks.
Oregon will host Southeast Missouri State Sunday.
By Stacia Kalinoski
Willamette Pass, Ore. -- There's no question it's winter now, at least in the higher elevations.
Cold weather on top of snow and rain sent ODOT crews out in full force Thursday morning, and they continued to plow highways overnight into Friday morning.
More than a foot of snow fell overnight up at Willamette Pass.
ODOT laid down sand and plowed snow off the shoulders.
Crews have already closed the Old McKenzie Highway, and plow drivers want drivers to keep in mind that though they are hard at work, motorists shouldn't be overconfident, given the conditions.
"It seems like when the road is well sanded, people tend to pick up their speed, and that can cause a lot of problems for folks that get going too fast," said Jon Skordahl, ODOT snow plow driver.
More snow is expected Friday and into the weekend. ODOT now requires that vehicles towing must carry chains or traction tires.
The snow started piling up late last night and is going to continue to do so through Saturday morning.
Here's a shot up at Willamette Pass this morning. 
The Cascade passes are reporting over a foot of snow and climbing.
The freezing level has dropped down to 1,500 feet and will continue to drop down to about 1,000 feet late Friday.
Scattered showers will continue to bring in significant snow for the
higher foothills and passes, light snow down to about 1,000 feet and a
wintery mix to the valley floor.
Here's how it breaks down by region:
For the Valley (Below 1,000'):
Friday through Sunday will stay cold. Highs will only make it into
the upper 30s and low 40s and overnight lows will drop close to or
below freezing each night.
The valley floor could see rain/snow mix during the day, especially during heavy showers and brief periods of sticking snow early Saturday morning.
For the Mountains:
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for the Cascades, Cascade Foothills, and Coast Range.
The Advisory for the Cascades is in effect from 4 p.m. Friday.
Accumulations Expected Near at the Cascade Passes (Above 4,000'):
(Already picked up close to a foot overnight)
Friday: 6-10"
Friday night: 2-4"
Saturday: 1"
Accumulations Expected in the higher Foothills (Above 2,500'):
Friday: 3-6"
Friday Night: 1-2"
Saturday: 0-1"
Accumulations Expected in the lower Foothills (1,000-2,000'):
Friday: 1-3"
Friday Night: 1-2"
Saturday: 0-1"
For the elevation of your town click here. Stay tuned the Stormtracker 9 Weather Team for the latest on this Winter Storm over the next 24 to 36 hours.
EUGENE, Ore. --[UPDATE] 8:30 AM - Traffic is now open on E 11th to all traffic. There is no update on the victim of the collision at this time.
[ORIGINAL STORY]
7:45 AM - Eugene Police have closed off E 11th Ave from High St to Pearl this morning until at least 8 AM this morning.
Police responded to the crash at 2:36 AM Friday after a Toyota 4Runner, driven by Patrick Compton, rear-ended a bicylist travelling westbound on E 11th Ave.
Compton has been arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Assault and DUII.
The 24-year-old bicyclist has sustained life-threatening injuries due to the crash. His name is not being released until his family is notified of his condition.
More on this story as it develops.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Another occupy event is planned for Saturday.
A children's march will happen at 1 p.m. at the Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza.
Chldren from Eugene and Springfield are invited to join Occupy Eugene and march to City Hall in support of a better future for themselves and all the children of the world.
LANE COUNTY, Ore. -- With temperatures expected to dip, the Egan Warming Centers will open Friday.
The centers that will open are downtown Eugene, Valley Covenant Church, Grace Community Fellowship, the Fern Ridge Center, Hosea Youth Services. In Springfield, First Church of the Nazarene will be open.
Click here for more information.
Cottage Grove is also opening its warming center. The "Beds for Freezing Nights Coalition" will be open Friday and Saturday night for adults and families from 7 p.m. at night until 7 a.m.
It's located at First Presbyterian Church on South Third Street. The shelter will remain open after Saturday, if the overnight temperature is predicted to be 29 degrees or less.
TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore. -- One Oregon ski resort is opening Friday.
Lifts will be turning at Timberline Lodge for the 2011- 2012 ski season. This is the 75th anniversary season.
hey say they've got enough snow for a "soft opening." Just two lifts will be open and lift tickets are discounted.
EUGENE, Ore. -- The Eugene City Council wants to hear more about a proposed low-income housing project before it votes.
Councilors will hold a public hearing Monday night on the Bascom Village project, a 101-unit apartment complex in the Gilham area.
The public hearing is scheduled at 7 p.m. inside council chambers.
The council is expected to vote on the issue Nov. 28.
