Springfield News

Student Muralists Honored

Submitted by Bob Wernick on Fri, 2009-11-20 14:42

The 13 Hamlin Middle School students who collaborated on the mural that now hangs outside of the school were honored today in a brief ceremony.

The students: Jessica San Vicente, Adeyline Gabuya, Christel Arciga, Diana Moncada, Laura Gonzalez, Mayli Galvan, Michelle Valdovinos, Gabriela Cordova, McKenzie Ellickson, Alexander Hogan, Victoria Emmons, Lacey Anheluk and Chayse Lee, each received a commemorative poster.

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The kids are all right: Hospital lifts ban on child visitors

Submitted by Mark Furman on Fri, 2009-11-20 10:05

Press release

Due to a sustained decrease in H1N1 flu activity in our community over the last three weeks, PeaceHealth Oregon Region is lifting the temporary visitor restrictions put in place on Oct. 29 that prevented children 12 and under from visiting patients at Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend and University District, as well as Cottage Grove Community Hospital.

Effective Nov. 20, the restrictions are lifted in all areas of the hospitals except for the following units at RiverBend: Labor & Delivery, Mother/Baby, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). To ensure the safety of patient populations most at risk of complications from H1N1, visitors to these units are restricted to two adult support people. No other visitors will be allowed to enter.

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Cuts for Kids pairs Eugene barbers with Springfield kids

Submitted by Mark Furman on Fri, 2009-11-20 09:59

Press release

Some Springfield families hit hard by the tough economy will be treated to free cuts next Monday, thanks to a team of Eugene barbers.

Barbers from Mos Faded Barbershop, located at 7th and Blair, Eugene, and well-known for its exterior artwork, will set up at Springfield Middle School on Monday, Nov. 23, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cuts are available to Springfield Middle School students and their siblings.

The program is a reprise of the popular “Cuts for Kids” program offered in the past.

“The barbers really enjoy this, they feel like they’re giving back, especially in these tough times,” says Gene Chism, a multicultural liaison for Springfield Public Schools and the program’s organizer.

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AMP open house Thursday, Nov. 19

Submitted by Mark Furman on Wed, 2009-11-18 14:08

Press release

Springfield High’s “After-school Miller Program,” referred to as AMP, will hold an Open House on Thursday, November 19, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.

The program, now in its second year of funding from a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, allows up to 300 students opportunities to focus their talents and skills in constructive ways after school, including art, music, conditioning and computer repair. A partnership with Willamalane Park and Recreation District provides instructors.

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Springfield student honored

Submitted by Bob Wernick on Wed, 2009-11-18 12:07

Springfield High School senior Loren Jessen is one of just two Oregon students to be honored with the Oregon Youth Senate Award.

Jessen wins a $5,000 scholarship and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Homeless man says he was attacked by three men in Springfield

Submitted by Mark Furman on Wed, 2009-11-18 09:39

A homeless man was allegedly beaten by three men this last weekend.

KVAL News heard about the alleged attack from a tip to the Springfield.kval.com Neighborhood Web site.

Springfield police told KVAL News the attack happened at Gamebird Park near gateway street.

Police said that Sunday afternoon they got a call about a homeless man with a bloody nose. The homeless man said three Latino men assaulted him in the park.

He was taken to the hospital to get checked out.

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Crime

Employer: Man accused of sex crimes passed background checks

Submitted by Mark Furman on Tue, 2009-11-17 15:46

The director of a treatment facility where a man accused of sexually abusing boys worked told KVAL News reporter Laura Rillos that the accused passed a background check.

Joshua Thomas Friar, 26, is in the Lane County jail being held on almost $2 million bail.

Dave Ziegler, director of Jasper Mountain where Friar worked, said the staff are absolutely shocked. He said Friar passed backgorund checks and interviews and that, if the accusations are true, Friar "flew under the radar."

Ziegler said Friar had worked at Japser Mountain since 2006 and worked with kids in the school and residential programs.

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Crime
News

Local mattress store opening second location

Submitted by Mark Furman on Tue, 2009-11-17 11:20

Press release

Mayor Sid Leiken will be cutting the ribbon at Springfield's newest retail store.

Family owned American Mattress (also on West 11th in Eugene) has added employee's and expanded to their new store in Springfield.

Contact Casey Brazil at (541) 343-2690 for more information.

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OSP accuses man of sexually abusing emotionally disturbed children

Submitted by Mark Furman on Tue, 2009-11-17 10:12

Press release courtesy Oregon State Police

Detectives believe there may be other victims related to a joint investigation by Oregon State Police Criminal Investigations Division (OSP CID) detectives and Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) that led to the arrest Saturday in Lane County of a 26-year-old man on multiple sex offense allegations involving juvenile males.

The suspect has worked for about 3 years at an area private treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children.

He allegedly abused children who were placed into his home as foster children, after he met them at the private treatment facility.

On November 14, 2009, OSP CID detectives arrested Joshua Thomas Friar, 26, at his residence located in the 600 block of S. 41st Street in Springfield.

Detectives served a search warrant and seized evidence at two Springfield residences where Friar lived the last three years, which are located at 636 S.

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