Proposed Raise in Room Tax
The Eugene Emeralds are on borrowed time at their current home facility at PK Park and that has caused a move to potentially strike a deal for a new stadium in the Eugene Springfield area. On Tuesday the Lane County Board of Commissioners directed staff to look into a new facility and how to pay for it. One of the ways was to increase the tourism room tax and car rental tax by two percentage points. Florence Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Bettina Hannigan says while it may be a good idea for part of the county, it is not something that is good for the western portion. Hannigan believes that tourism dollars generated in west Lane County should benefit west Lane County, but the proposal which would help generate a portion of $80 million would also include monies from the coast. The transient room tax is already 8%, and while Travel Lane County has said it is lower than some areas the two percent increase along the coast would not benefit bolstering businesses in one of the most widely used recreational portion of the County, Florence. While the move is still exploratory, staff is expected to return some of its findings at their September 13th meeting.
Bus Driving Practice
While you may see school buses out on area streets and roads over the next week, they won’t have students on them just yet. Siuslaw School District runs 13 different routes and with a few new drivers, some of them will be familiarizing themselves between now and Labor Day Weekend. Transportation Supervisor Tammy Trendholm says they have a full contingent of drivers, but she would be more comfortable with additional substitutes. To qualify, drivers need to pass a criminal background check and drug screening. Then Siuslaw will train drivers for their Commercial Driver’s License and state certification. Classes begin for 6th and 9th graders Tuesday September 6th, Grades one through 12 the next day, and then Kindergarteners hit the books Monday, September 12th.
Sea Lion Caves Celebration
At this evenings celebration of Sea Lion Caves 90th birthday at the Siuslaw Pioneer they will be the ones presenting a gift. Steve Saubert is the grandson of one of the three families that initially operated the caves which opened in 1932. Two of the three families still own the attraction. Saubert says they’ll be providing a – quote – “significant” gift to the museum. In addition, anyone else who donates at least $10 during the celebration will receive a family pass to Sea Lion Caves as a thank you. The birthday bash is this evening from 5 to 7 pm.
Elsewhere in Lane County…
Lane County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by several other law enforcement agencies, served a search warrant at a large-scale illegal marijuana grow early Wednesday morning. The operation, approximately five miles west of Junction City on High Pass Road consisted of approximately 32 separate green houses. Sergeant Tom Speldrich said more than 8,700 illegal marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. He also said there were several migrant workers living in “deplorable and unsanitary conditions” in the adjacent forest. They were detained, interviewed and released after being provided with information about local support services available to them. Speldrich said it was believed the workers were victims of human trafficking. 27-year old Julian Marin was located nearby and investigators determined he was in charge of the site. The Sergeant also said evidence indicates this criminal grow operation was funded and overseen by an organized criminal organization based in Mexico.