Story Ideas

Homeless man left bleeding by Springfield Police Dept

afinefish — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:50:43 GMT

Sunday morning a homeless man was jumped by 3 unknown persons in the Pacific Village Shopping Center at about 7 am. Local business owners found the man bleeding about the head, in and out of consciousness. The business owners called Springfield Police and asked for an ambulance for the man. The police and ambulance arrived after an unbelievable 56 minute response time. When the police arrived they first recommended, not a hospital visit, but transport to sober living facility. The local business owners were outraged that the police did not offer the man medical attention and finally convinced the police offer to take the man for medical evaluation and stitches for his wounds. Local residents and business owners are deeply disturbed at the time it took for the authorities to respond and also disturbed about how the homeless man was treated by the responding officers.

When CPS and the State Lie - the innocent shall suffer

cybermom — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:49:35 GMT

Yes - you don't think it really happens. Only parents who actually abuse their children whine. Only parents accused of hurting their child complain. But, what about those of us parents who never harmed our child, or any other? What about those of us parents who are not even accused of harming a child? What then? Why would DHS/CPS get involved?

In May of 2007, in response to a false allegation by the police that I must still be faced with in court(where there is no real evidence to say that I saw the ever dreaded, no-no word, child pornography on a computer and am now a monster in the face of everyone who's sold on the media - except those who know me and the truth - oh yeah, and was NEVER arrested because of the lack of evidence that will rely entirely on a scary, ghost story to mislead jurors, hoping that they media-hype created on this issue will cover up the facts that could otherwise provide my innocence), DHS began their investigation into this, single father. Aha! A man - so, I must be guilty. Oh, c'mon - don't be sarcastic in your reply - because THAT'S HOW I am being treated! Well, did they find any evidence of abuse? Nope. Neglect? Nope? Harm in any way? Nope. Should have been end of story, right?

Nope.

DHS/CPS has OAR rules governing what they do. They must use a GAP assessment form, complete a CPS assessment, and even if they determine a person is guilty, then proceed to find every way possible to return a child home, and if they don't - there must be a DARN good reason. But, of course, it took FOUR months, out of the 7 days (maximum), permitted by OAR laws for CPS to perform their assessment. Again, no one ever accused me of hurting my son, and there was no reason to believe it. So, they sent me to a clinic that is run by a man who has repeatedly presented himself in courtrooms as a 'doctor,' presented psychological profiles that he is not licensed or qualified to present, and has only been called on it by a few who were able to later find out - HE'S NOT A PSYCHOLOGIST! Well, OAR laws allow DHS to get a psychology evaluation. The evaluation they sent me to wasn't a psychology evaluation, but a traumatizing event I was forced to undergo that will leave me with nightmares for the rest of my life. Now - DHS has already violated multiple OAR laws, but next comes the so-called, 'doctor,' who is violating multitudes of state and criminal laws - and exceeds the boundaries of his evaluation to then state that not only am I a 'threat of harm,' to my own son, but all children and have probably been dangerous to children in the past.

Wait a sec? Didn't psychologists - or even, 'specialists,' who weren't doctors have to adhere to a principal of ethics that prevents them from fabricating facts and making up false reports that they didn't even use any scientific methods to determine?? Well, why should this guy adhere to any level of ethics - after all, he's helped falsely imprison many, many people (and yes, it's on record and proven), but abused his position to further his career by attacking licensed psychologists, falsely representing himself as more qualified and further condemning MORE people - AND MORE children! But - DHS wouldn't buy that, right? WRONG. DHS waited for his report - knowing that it would come back against me (although I forget to mention I passed all the physical exams and polygraphs proving my innocence), and THEN took my son, and for his best interest, sent him to my mother. But, here's where the real mistake was made - I complained. Yup, I wrote the director and codirectors of DHS who then used their position to help the caseworker get her vengeance (as I quoted to the directors, that the caseworker was violating OAR laws and endangering children).

So, in comes the caseworker, takes my son and gives him to his biological mother who has been absent for 7 years (abandoned him when he was 1), further fabricates lies, lies to courts, breaks OAR laws requiring them to try and see if my son can be returned home, completely circumventing that, literally SILENCING a judge in a court room to prevent me from presenting evidence of their lies, and then later admitted that they knew that their actions were causing my son extreme, emotional trauma and abuse (and yes, I have it recorded). They admitted they knew I hadn't abused him and weren't even worried I would - just that the 'threat of harm,' decided by the so-called, 'doctor,' was really, all they needed [to break the law, obviously]. And so, I've spent months trying to stop them, only to have my son's CASA worker, tell my family that once DHS takes a child that they will, NEVER give him back, to have DHS lie to me and my child causing him trauma and abuse that I can prove OVER and OVER again, having my son's biological mother neglecting my child SO badly that she has been sending him to school in soiled clothing risking E-Coli bacteria exposure and threatening his life, lying to him in detremental ways such as telling him that I have moved and his home and things are gone or that his kitty is gone and he will never see him again (the kitty my son had raised for a year, on his own and cared for and is sick over), and you can see the red circles under his eyes, see his continuing decline in school and social activities and know that other abuses are going on.

But - will anyone help? Nope - a public defender assigned to me who doesn't approve of single fathers, told me I should just, 'step out of the way and let his mother take him,' and who I now have to let abuse her position and force me to handle my case on my own just so I can make one last effort. The Governor and Senators - all of them, say, too bad. No response from the Attorney General, no response from the authorities - nothing. And, why? For the most part - because the media has trained the public to believe that anyone with child porn on their computer is a monster - and while that may be true to an extent, what they have FORGOTTEN to mention - is that it only applies when the computer wasn't HIJACKED and there is PROOF that it was!

So, down goes my son. Down goes a father's promise to protect him and care for him. Another statistic to add to the TENS OF THOUSANDS being wracked up by DHS. Oh yeah - the head director quit in 2007 - why? Because, as she puts it - she hopes now the state will pay attention and they can get away from the Federal report card of doing a, 'D,' (WAY below average) level job in child protection both in protecting abused children and placing them - including NOT taking away healthy children from healthy families). And, you can take the time to look it up, although I can quote multiple court cases now where this has happened repeatedly - but DHS has NO evidence of abuse, no VALID report of abuse (just the report that says I should stay away from kids --- but, no real reason 'why,' cause even the evaluator couldn't make up that many lies), a declining health of a wonderful, little boy - and rather than deal with it, they are AGAIN violating MORE OAR laws and trying to force the custody that I've had for 8+ years over to my son's biological mom. That will alleviate them of responsibility, and they can blame her when it continues to go wrong.

And, every day, every night, every minute is a nightmare. Every second of my life is torrential fear and concern. I see my son [maybe, if I'm lucky] twice per week. They won't let me see him without being frisked, and sealed containers with food, that I bring in for snacks, or sealed containers with a small gift, that I bring in for him, being torn through and examined. And, we sit behind a mirror like caged animals being watched. And no one helps. The media doesn't cover it - and I don't know why. What if we educated the people as to what DHS is doing? What if there were a story that DHS couldn't validate, verify, prove or back up that would PROVE the horrors that DHS is wreaking upon innocent children? What if there were a horror story of some computer-monster (like I'm being accuse of), that suddenly turned out to be such a farce that the public had a chance to be outraged and DEMAND change? What if we used the NEWS, to acutally educate people and report both sides of the story? Well, that would be a change, wouldn't it? Of course, I'm in Bend - and our NEWS doesn't exist. Help over here, doesn't exist. And DHS keeps hurting children, innocent families keep getting destroyed and everyone turns a blind eye to the truth - ONLY - when they know they are in a position to stop it, and don't.

From one who has lost hope and wonders if these are the last words I shall get to say, if these last few months of hell of my life will also be the last - for I have been condemned to death. Any father, who is truly a father, who has been taken away from the child he loves and has sworn to care for - is nothing. And, from my son, who cannot speak, for he too, like me, has been silenced - and cries out for them to let him come home, but no one listens, only lies and forces him to submit -

Thanks for listening. I wish you, and all your families the best. Being a dad was the happiest time in my life, and without help - there is no hope, and no reason to continue forward.

(written by cybermom for my son - who has limited computer contact)

Honoring our Veterans

mamaredd — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:37:10 GMT

Local Civil Air Patrol unit seeks sponsors for wreath-laying salute to (Eugene, OR) – Members of the Civil Air Patrol Mahlon Sweet Composite Squadron would like to invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths that we will place on the graves of veterans at Willamette National Cemetery on Dec. 12 to honor those who served our country as well as current military members. Sponsors can even designate where the wreaths will be placed in the cemetery. The squadron’s efforts coincide with tributes occurring simultaneously across the nation during Wreaths Across America observances. We are also collecting donations to purchase more wreaths.

As a key partner in Wreaths Across America for three Decembers now, the Civil Air Patrol has adorned memorials and veterans’ graves with evergreen wreaths to make sure the sacrifices of our nation’s soldiers are not forgotten.

Last year, members of the public sponsored placement of more than 100,000 wreaths on veterans’ graves across the U.S., an increase of nearly 70,000 wreaths from 2007. These wreaths will be placed in ceremonies at cemeteries in all 50 states. Worcester Wreath Co. donated more than 17,000 wreaths for the remembrances, 10,000 of which will be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. CAP units lead almost half of 372 observances and participated with other color and honor guards at many additional locations, including Arlington National Cemetery.

For more information on how to sponsor wreaths, contact:

SM Roxanne Cole 541 510 1862.

Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which was started in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. Wreaths Across America ceremonies were conducted largely by CAP wings and squadrons with the help of veterans’ organizations; private citizens; the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., which annually assists with the laying of wreaths at Arlington; and the Patriot Guard Riders. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information about Wreaths Across

America and participating locations.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years. For more information on CAP, please visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Contact info:

Roxanne Cole

P.O. Box 23233

Eugene, OR

C: (541) 510-1862/510 1863

mamaredd@comcast.net

Citizens Serving Communities … Above and Beyond

Saturn Closing Up Shop In Eugene

sillyme — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 03:00:07 GMT

I just heard that Saturn is closing down and the next nearest dealer for them is Medford. I bought my Saturn SL (which I love!) brand new off the lot in 2002 (my first new car at 23 I should add) and when I bought it I purchased a lifetime oil change package. I had my last oil change only a few days ago, but now that the dealer is closing down are they expecting me to drive to Medford to have my oil changed? This isn't right! I feel horrible for the employees, many who I have dealt with since I bought my car. I as the consumer shouldn't get cheated out of something I have already paid for.

High Priestess "free tattoo day" is news ?

clueless — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 01:43:37 GMT

You guys will not run a story on bike thefts in Eugene, but run a story about free tattoo day for High Priestess Tattoos ?

And I actually had some respect for you at one point for reporting the news, I guess I am going to start watching KEZI.

Sisters Traffic

badgerrr — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:17:20 GMT

I've been driving thru Sisters, on and off, for 33 years. It always seemed strange to me that 126 should run right down the main drag of this little town. As the years passed the congestion problem slowly got worse. Now with nearby Bend having exploded in population, the situation has become absurd.

Is anything in the works to improve this situation? I myself have developed the tactic of diving right onto the backstreets as soon as I hit the edge of town and get to the other side on the back roads. This helps a bunch but......something has to change.

EWEB

saney — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:28:57 GMT

Anyone else having a hard time getting through to customer service? Leaving country in morning and can't get through!!!!! Not happy

My landlord stopped using my rent for mortgage..house in forclosure HELP!!!!

Becca11 — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:28:40 GMT

We are a family in need of an Angel

Here is our situation. The house we are renting is currently being foreclosed upon. In an attempt to save his credit, our landlord is trying to make a short sale happen before the house is set to auction on May 13th. Thats right...May 13th! A Realtor has recently jumped and it is likely the auction will be postponed but we are in the 11th hour which emphasizes the possibility of a good discount on a great house with great renters who would eventually like to buy it!

We would like to buy now but we aren't quite there yet. Even with good credit, we have both been self employed without tax returns done by a CPA to adequately document our earnings. But we believe that in no more than three years we will be able to finance a purchase. We believe that someone with resources and wise vision will see this as an opportunity to co create a sound investment that contributes toward a good purpose for good people.

It's a great house that we love and believe suits us perfectly. It's near the new RiverBend Hospital in a great neighborhood and is a great tri-level layout. BUT it needs some work as well as cool upgrades we're chomping at the bit to do if we found someone who sees the same potential that we do. As a couple with the burning desire to make this property beautiful, we see our selves as the greatest asset in the equation. Most of the work is cosmetic, and can be done in stages. We can invest sweat equity if you can invest money.

WE NEED COMMUNITY HELP!!

We are very scared that we may be homeless..does anybody have any help, advice

We believe in unlimited possibilities, we believe that someone is out there with resources and capital to invest. We believe that every problem has a solution just waiting to be had.

Bikes on narrow roads

henhunter — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:43:01 GMT

Apirl 15 2009. Two log trucks almost had a head on collion. One log truck with logs was swriving around a bike rider.(Both log truck drivers were in the right. There was a passing line marking) (The bike rider was on the white line.) As he was in the incoming line, another log truck was a prouching from around the courner. There was no room for the two logs trucks to pass each other and the bike. They both had to slam on there brakes leaving blue smoke from their tires. I watched this happen in front of my house. If there was a bike line for the bike to ride on the two trucks could of pass with no problems. See the problem is there is no room for a bike to ride out here. On the other side of Marcola the road narrows. There is no room for people to pull over for emergency vehicle to pass by. Let alone a bike. If you get into the gravel, you might not get out. We need to pass a bill that bike can only ride on roads that have bike lines. This will help and save everyone life.

Crime Rate in Eugene

clueless — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:07:53 GMT

Is anybody else incensed with the crime rate in this city ? I was born and raised here (until 1985), moved to California for 20 years and moved back in 2005. In my 20 years in CA I had one item stolen which was a bicycle I left unlocked in front of a 7/11 which was taken while I was waiting in line (I just barely missed the guy when I ran out the door). Since moving back in 2005 I have had my door window smashed and car burglarized at Church, My garage has been burglarized, just the other day I had a Bicycle stolen which was locked in the racks (see letter below) at the west entrance at VRC. My Mother works for a local retail business downtown and they had to build a separate room in order to house bicycles due to thieves. I understand a "police state" is not an option, but the press is woefully lacking in covering this issue. The management at Valley River Center has no cameras, no warning signs (to thieves or customers) and seems to do very little to inhibit thieves, which in my view is completely unacceptable.

March 26, 2009

Valley River Center Management Office

293 Valley River Center Drive

Eugene OR 97401

To Whom It May Concern,

On Monday March 23 2009, at approximately 12pm, I parked and locked my bicycle in the racks with a 3/8 inch cable lock near the West entrance (near Gottschalks) of the Mall. I entered the store, went directly to Sports Authority to look at some portable basketball equipment I was interested in, was in the mall for approximately 20 minutes, and upon leaving I discovered my bicycle was stolen.

Needless to say I was shocked that this could occur in such a short period of time, and upon further consideration I have several questions.

1. Why is there no security surveillance equipment or signs in the area?

2. Why is there no signs posted alerting customers of the potential dangers ?

Valley River Center is obviously being “cased” by thieves, and I refuse to believe this to be an isolated incident. I also do not believe it to be a quantum leap for me to assume Mall Management fears that by alerting customers and/or installing security cameras and/or signs warning thieves, that this would destroy or jeopardize the false image the mall has portrayed as being a “family friendly environment“ into what it really is, which is a haven for thieves and hoodlums that prey on legitimate consumers.

In case you hadn’t noticed “American Consumerism” is in a dire situation at present and the days of “shopping till you drop” are over. Paying customers just may be a bit more of a valuable commodity in the future and you can rest assured Valley River Center or its merchants will not receive another penny from my household.

Regards,

Cc: KMTR News Director

KEZI News Director

KVAL News Director

Eugene Register Guard News Director

Amber alert updates

MagicBus — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:46:53 GMT

KMTR
Amber alert updates takes only a few seconds of air time.
When you report on an Amber Alert on your station, please post updates.

GPS/Cellular Vehicle Technology

LKilburn — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 23:04:17 GMT

Like most, I understand that technology changes daily. But you do not know about the latest advance in GPS Tracking systems. This new technology has taken us to a higher plain in Tracking, Locating, Management and Protecting our Business or Personal vehicles in addition to monitoring teen/elderly drivers. It has become the World-Leader in this field and gives you value and capibilities no other system can even come close to; not even the well known ones like GM's OnStar® or LoJack® . After being sold to Government and large companies, it has now been made available to the public. If you would like complete details visit the company web site at www.findvehicle.net

Or you can go directly to CBS news station KPIC Channel 4 in Roseburg, OR at www.kpic.com/younews/20154574.html and see what some actual cusomers had to say.

Kids riding without bike helmets

sunoocoo — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 23:56:07 GMT

Ok with the recent accident, it brings up a very real issue..I live by willamette high school and many grade and middle schools..every day I see alot of kids under the age of 16 riding with out helmets, and with the high trafic and speeds that people go through the school zone on barger it is just a matter of time before this happens here, and it is a goign to be a kid that pays the price...the police im sure are much more concerened with other issues and see this as a small problem, but with the number of kids that are riding with out, and the number of cars that are on this road..its goign to happen, not a question of if, but when..sad thing is then it will make news, some parent telling everyone that there child was killed by a car, and how it is the fault of everyone but the parent who lets there child ride with out a helmet...its the law! maybe a ticket to a parent will help save a life?

Coquille Valley Crime Stoppers

Angelina — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:18:15 GMT

There is a newly formed organization in the Coquille Valley area. It is dedicated to raising reward funds to be offered to help solve unsolved crimes in the surrounding communities. The membership is open to all individuals and businesses and it is free to join. If you can't attend monthly meetings or help with fundraising events, you can still be a participant on the website forums. It is a great way to offer support to victims' families (they visit often), communicate with members, give suggestions, or exchange ideas.

Right now the group is focusing on raising money for the reward fund in the case of Leah Freeman. She was murdered in Coquille, OR on Jun. 28, 2000, and her case is unsolved. The group is also working to publicize the case of Jeremy Bright, who disappeared from Myrtle Point, OR on Aug. 14, 1986 and his case is still unsolved also.

Please visit www.cvcrimestop.com to learn more about this organization and see how you can help. Thank you for caring.

Going Green With Baby Can Save A Bundle

FrugalGreenMom — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:07:07 GMT

Many young families who struggle with the financial challenges of raising a baby might feel that green choices are beyond their budgets. At greenbabyguide.com, a new website designed by two local moms, we believe it's possible to save time, money and the planet. We are up to our elbows in the adventures of early parenting so we know it can be challenging, but we also know that reducing and recycling with baby can have huge cost savings and great benefits for the planet.

We would love to provide a brief, entertaining, and informative cloth diaper demo for your viewers. Over 45,000 babies are born in Oregon each year—that’s many new parents who are searching for green products and ideas. With the arrival of spring, new babies, and Earth day, our appearance on your show would be a perfect fit for your viewing audience.

We’re also willing to do a series of regular segments to bring information to parents who are eager for green options.
1. Beyond Disposables: (Described above)
2. Organic Baby Food: Whether you buy produce to home blend or plan to use prepared baby food, we’ll discuss your options and how to feed baby for less.
3. Greening The Nursery On A Budget: By buying used, buying less, and investing in quality products, it’s possible to outfit baby’s room for hundreds less.
4. Best Green Baby Gear: Many new parents are looking for organic, “green” baby gear for the health of their babies and the planet. We’ll show them where to find the best deals on non-toxic baby supplies, from mattresses to bottles.
5. Quick Energy Savings Ideas for Expecting Parents. The average family increases its energy usage 25% when a new baby enters the picture. Learn a few easy ways to cut down on that increase, saving money and the environment.

If the segments don't work well with the news format, we would love to have our site reviewed by your news channel. KPTV's Better Portland recently featured our site on their program with a glowing review that helped to build our online community of green parents. Thanks for considering our story!

violent & mentally ill to the new state hospital? No. to your home next door.

barbarag — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:06:47 GMT

I work in a state operated group home, a house in a neighborhood like yours. Our clients are known in the area. They are developmentally ill, with retardation and other handicaps like, autism. But things are going to change. Our department is changing so that people will come to us straight from prison, state hospitals, and youth authority lock ups. The facilities say they do not have the knowledge, training or ability to treat their illness, or their illness is not treatable, as with a sociopath. So the state has begun placing them, some while on parole or probation for violent acts, in the group homes with Mentally retarted roommates. They, for the most part have normal to high intelligence, have been jailed or confined a good part of there lives and have become used to holds, both physical and medicnial. And of course the ones from prison have learned a whole lot of things. Since they have come into our group homes, there have been many staff out from being hurt, since we are not allowed to protect ourselves. We that work in the group homes deal with behaviors physical and emotional. We are used to it, we have been trained to work with DD clients. The new ones however, we have no clue. I am confused too, are we going to be a new kind of Jail? since some of these people are on parole, or unfit for the community. I work on a busy street with a bus stop in front of the house. I am over 50 and only 5 ft. tall. I hope I can stop a violent sociopath from jumping our 5 ft. fence & hopping on a bus. But I don't feel confident.

maybe you could ask a few questions, find out why this is happening & if we, the state are going about it the correct way.

Barbara Bollinger

I'm seeing RED

SAHM2two — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:00:36 GMT

Last I knew, red lights only meant "SPEED UP" after you crossed into California. However, the trend has seemed to move up north to our lovely city of Eugene.

My son started preschool last fall, which has me traveling on roads that I previously didn't frequent as much. My route is pretty straightforward, travel up River Road/Chambers to 19th, and back. I'm always seeing 1, 2 or sometimes even 3 or more cars running the red light at 6th & Chambers on my way to school.

However, that isn't the worst location. For me, the worst is as I head North on Chambers @ 7th street. I always see at least 1 vehicle running the red light here. Frequently (and, in my opinion, the worst offenders) there are larger trucks hauling a trailer or two. I've had at least 3 occasions where I was sitting first at the light, in the right lane, started out at a green light, and had to SLAM on my breaks to avoid hitting a car that decided the red light didn't apply to him/her (I couldn't see what the traffic was doing because of a large vehicle in the left hand lane - I have now stated to let the left lane go first).

I would like to see the community made aware of these dangerous drivers (TAKE THEIR PICTURES AS THEY RUN THE LIGHT AND SHOW IT ON THE NEWS - Please!). If enough awareness is brought to this problem area, then we can avoid a fatal, and completely unnecessary, crash. If the community is aware, then the cops will start staging stings in the area more frequently (heck - these tickets should pay for the officers to sit there!). And, if it continues to be such a problem area, maybe they can add a warning light 20 feet back...? Who knows... It just takes making the community aware...

LTD is a fraud!

redcity8 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:13:46 GMT

Here's a story idea for you - but I'm sure it's much bigger than kmtr would like to get involved in: LTD, by which I mean the entire bus system, is a fraud. How so? They have always portrayed themselves, and sold the concept to the city/public, as a mass-transit system. This just isn't true: What LTD is, is a 'transport of last resort'. Anybody who has alternatives to riding the bus, uses them. If you can't afford a car, or can't drive, (due to disability, or lack of age), and can't catch a ride with anyone, then, and only then, do you ride the bus. (Yeah, I'm sure there are your usual 4% of eco-zealots that ride tho they don't have to). What's the difference - mass transit or transport of last resort?? Mass transit emphasizes speed and volume. Hence the 'bus lanes' and giant accordian buses. Both very spendy. 'Transport of last resort' would emphasize flexabilty and convenience, NOT speed. Probably thru mini-buses, house to destination - like a city supported taxi service. Not as fast as a taxi, but a lot cheaper. By using a 'mass transit' model to fill a 'transport of last resort' need, you do a lousy job of it, and you spend WAY more money then you need to.

SHOP FOR TOTS

SAHM2two — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 06:08:03 GMT

SHOP FOR TOTS

Join us for an exciting FREE event at Tiny Tots Indoor Playground!Saturday, April 12th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Community vendors will be selling infant, toddler and preschool products and services. There will be a Scholastic Book Fair at the event with special guest Clifford the Big Red Dog! Bring your little ones to play...while you shop!

This event will kick-off early enrollment for 2008-2009 Tiny Tots Membership. Sign-up at the event and receive a discount on membership.

http://www.tinytotsco-op.org/

485-3793

Airport Shuttle

badgerrr — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 17:35:15 GMT

You may have done this story and I missed it but.....

A good, useful story idea might be to investigate the particulars for using the HUT Airport Shuttle to Portland from here and back. (Prices - Scheduals - Pick-up locations - Customer interviews - etc)

The current status of the bird flu H5N1

Liath — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 07:56:52 GMT

I would like to see an in depth story on the possibility of a pandemic of H5N1. Including what steps are the state, county, and city doing to prepare for a bird flu outbreak. What preperations should individuals take. Are the local hospitals and clinics capable of handling a pandemic? The whole issue of the bird flu seems to have disappeared from the news.

childrens protective services is broken

Don Coffee — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 22:45:37 GMT

i start this story where life really got interesting for me... 2001..

i met ( and ended up marrying ) the wrong woman! things were all good to start with... the problems didnt arise till we actually signed that piece of paper that gave us the same last name.

it started with Me seeing once in a while her hitting one or the other of her kids.... for some reason or another.. they were 7 8 and 13 at the time.... just kids... she would let her 13 y/o daughter go out till all hours of the early morning in a town that was rampant with drug use and rapists... dealers and gangs.. and when i approached her about it.. she only gave me this as a reply... " i trust my daughter because I raised her "... little comfort i found out later. adn she aslo would let the kids WALK all over her like a cheap rug till she couldnt handle it anymoe and she would then just start yelling and swinging.

well... after we started to have hard times where we lived in washington... she asked if i would look for work here in the eugene area so that she could live closer to her family... then our lives really went to hell...

i got work here in the moving industry.. but not before we ended up in a homeless shelter ( her pregnant with my son at the time) . and i worked my ass off to get us a place... ( while still fighting with her all the time about her abuse of the kids and me... ( by this time she had put nine staples in my head from a beer glass and a couple stithes in my foot from a glass baking dish she threw at me one time... not to mention all the times she hit me out of anger cause i told her i was not going to stand by and let her just beat on her kids cause they are kids and test their limits like kids do.)

well... once we got into a place here... things only got worse... we tried counseling but she wasnt into itand quit when i got a job that took me up and down the highway as a truck driver ( makin good money for us ).. and get us off housing and a few other state assistances because we didnt need them anymore...

now... in all honesty i HAVE to say i AM NO ANGEL in this myself.. i never laid a hand on her in anger except to restrain her from hitting me or the kids ..( but in this state even THAT is considered domestic violence)... i DID have my own temper tantrums and threw things ( at the walls not at people)... punched holes in doors and walls out of pure frustration with her and her behaviors.... i have NO excuse for doing these things other than i wasnt thinking clearly at the time.

life was BAD for us for a long time... but I thought that with time and patience she would do these things less and less if i only kept up on loving her as best i could and trying to make life easier on her by working as much as possible and getting the bills paid and keeping a good roof over our heads.. but as it turned out... she loved it that i was gone all the time so she could continue her behaviors and find someone new to be with while i supported her and her lifestyle by being gone all the time....

after a while the older kids started in on the two babies... MY kids... with the kind of abuse that their mom had been teaching them by example for years!....

i then had had enough.. and gave her an ultimatum... either stop now and get help and counseling... or I was going to to the best i could for MY two kids and get them and Me out of a bad bad situation... she only took this as threats to take her children if she didnt do what I TOLD her to do.... as her mind was so wrapped up in her abuse that she didnt even recognize that i ws really trying to protect her kids and mine from her in the first place... but being a woman and having all the friends in our relationship... she made up all kinds of stories about how I was the one responsible for the abuse going on in our home..and got her friends to back up her lies.. ( even though i was GONE six days out of the week by then working to support her and her new swinging lifestyle.

well... this is where it really goes wierd( meaning our system of dealing with domestic violence in this country and this state especially is broken and needs to be fixed NOW!)

i went to the case workers who were starting to get involved in out life after she was arrested for domestic violence on me and asked them for help.... counseling for the older kids.. and marriage counseling for us... ( man was i really blind)... but she had gotten to them first ( of course as I was gone all the time).... and told them i really needed help because this was really tearing my family apart...

well... in their infinate wisdom.. they chose to believe her.. ( well she IS a woman and ALL men are abusers right? ) and they decided to take our kids and split us up in the process ( which i applaud them for now even though they had the story wrong and were really feeding into her sickness)...

well.... over the last 2 1/2 years... she kept them snowed ( and me as well).... and did what she had to do to get the kids back... ( being very dual in her personality she was able to continue her lifestle of abuse ( and drugs too i think) with her new boyfriend ( while telling the case workers and me that she wanted to work it out in counseling and try to get our family back together in the end)...

well... when i found out that she was playing me for a fool.... and the case workers too... i told them that we had been breaking the no contact order almost daily cause she had been telling me that she wanted to get back together in the end...

well... THAT was a mistake cause they only believed HER that I had been the one pulling the strings and making HER break the order threatening to make up stories of abuse that she ahd not really done and make life hell on her... and then wait for them to give the kids back to her and then ( she told them) i told her that i was going to take the kids from a visit and disappear with them... which was NOT true,.... but hey IM A MAN SO IT MUST BE TRUE.... and they believed her....

well... as i saw my life going to hell.. and my kids along with it... i got a job which kept me at home so i could be here for visits and such with my kids... got a counselor to be able to deal with all the crap that was going on in my life and my kids lives ( and the twisted reality she was protraying to the case workers.) volunteered for parenting classes so that IF i could get time with my kids i would be prepared for the kind of problems they would have from having to deal with living in an abusive home once they WERE given back to her...

i tried and tried to get the case workers to understand that she had been lying to them and that it was really the other way around... but i was told i was only in denial of my own abusive ways and that they were thinking that adoption was the best course for my kids..... stating reaons ( on MY end ) that i was not able to care for them properly as i couldnt even maintian my own place to live and how was i going to support two little kids when i couldnt even support myself...

well they forgot to take into account .. or didnt care to think... that they had started a child support case against me a YEAR after all this had started to occur in the first place.... and in this state child support is up to and not to exceed 50 % of my pay... so thats what they started to take... ( after i had taken a job already making only half what i was making as a driver).. and that brought my income down to 5 dollars an hour... ( i dont know anyone who can survive on 5 dollars an hour alone AND support two kids...

so i was then told that i was not doing good enough for them and i was not going to be even considered for placement for my kids because i was now homeless ( after being evicted from my apartment i had gotten for my kids and I should they finally see the truth and perhaps consider me for place ment for my kids)

well...then she died.... the stress of this all and her heart and body couldnt handle it... and yes i believe drugs were involved as well there but i dont KNOW and cant prove it.... so now the state says that they are going to work with me to get my kids back to me...but they still dont believe that she was responsible for the abuse in our home to begin with and so they are making it hell to even try to get them back because they THINK that i was abusive to start with.. and that i will only continue to be in the future... they really have no reason to believe this as Im not in any relationship at this time ( they quote domestic violence as a reason to be wary of placing my kids with me)... and parenting concerns as well( when they have NO REASON to think im not a good dad as EVERY visit report they have on me is positive and i have NEVER had a problem with dealing with my kids... but they still believe the word of a now dead woman over Me and all the PROOF they have otherwise now....

not to MENTION my psychologist ( who has been seeing me pro bono because she KNOWS im not abusive and will be a great dad!) she tells them that I am not abusive... but thats not good enough for them either as she is not on their :"approved provider list"...

(still with me here?). ( see whats going on?)

so they sent me to another one... a conselor who specializes in cases with domestic violence and even HE is telling them that IM NOT A THREAT!!...

so now they are quoting my housing situation as a reason to be concerned about me having my kids... ( now wait a minute) if i didnt LOSE my apartment due to CHILD SUPPORT.. they wouldnt HAVE that to be concerned with.... plus they keep bringing up things from the past as reasons as well... and when i tell them what really happened they tell me i need to get over the past and just admit i was abusive and get help...

NOW WAIT A MINUTE...!!! they are the ones who keep bringing it up and then telling ME to get over it!! how is THAT helpful?

when i tell them it was NOT what they thought it was in the beginning and that it never was...and never will be... they say that i am only still in denial and that concerns them that i will be abusive to my kids because of it!!

how am I supposed to get the truth through to them when they think inside this tiny little box that the MAN is always the abusive one and that women can do nothing but be victims of abuse!!

well... now i am trying to only deal with my kids... my behavior will show itself in time... and they will either see it ( the case workers) or they wont.... but i KNOW how i am and will be with my kids and if the case workers dont believe it thats really THEIR problem!!...

my psychologist is going to stand in court for me and tell the judge that there really IS no reason to keep my kids from me other than the housing problem that THEY helped create in the first place... and that they should help me put back together our life since they are the ones who really ripped it apart in the first place.... and that ITS NOT always the MAN who is responsible for the abuse in the home... especially IF HE WASNT EVEN THERE !!

so.. now its all on the judge... and we'll see just how wise he is when we present this in court and plead for my kids to return home as soon as possible.. and for the court to ORDER the case workers to HELP me instead of FIGHT me at every turn JUST because IM A MAN!

so we'll see....

List your Christmas Light Display with Christmaslightsguide.com and show off your work today!

MRPhoto — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:35:24 GMT

Christmaslightsguide.com is a On-Line Christmas Light Display Listing for the greater Eugene / Springfield area. Christmaslightsguide.com helps you find some of the areas finest, brightest and colorful displays this area has to offer! If you would like to add your Christmas Display please e-mail us today and we will post it! We also will come take a photograph of your display and post it online free!

☠ BEWARE of buying gas here! ☠

Rebel — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 15:41:20 GMT

Beware of buying gas at the 76 station on Hwy 99 [1395 Hwy 99], if you use a credit card!!

Last month I bought gas there, as I do occasionally, and after I got home I looked at the receipt and was surprised to find that I had paid 8 cents per gallon more than I expected. I called the station, and was told that credit card users pay a higher price than cash customers. I asked why this wasn't posted on the big price sign, and was told there is a sign at the pumps. Well it must be pretty darn inconspicuous, because in all the times I've been there, I've never seen it. I wonder how many hundreds [thousands?] of other people have been charged more than they thought. This sneaky overcharging is obviously intentional. Why is the low cash price posted on a huge sign for everyone to see, but the higher credit price posted on a small, inconspicuous sign where many people won't see it? Why aren't the two prices posted in equal size, or the higher price on the large sign? We know why-because people would see it and go elsewhere. This amounts to bait-and-switch!
If people pulled in after seeing the higher price posted, they would be thrilled to find they were getting a lower price for paying cash [if they saw the sign]. Instead, people pull in thinking they'll be paying a low price, and then get furious when they see they've been ripped off!
My trip to that station cost me more than $1.50 extra, but that was my last trip there! I will no longer patronize that station, cash or not. I know of no other station in the area [except AM/PM] that charges more for using credit cards.

After contacting the station, I then contacted KMTR and the Register Guard about this, but they didn't feel it important enough to warrrant a story.

Tow Truck Drivers

cwtr — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 05:06:27 GMT

Ok I have been reading on a web site: tow411, I am shocked at all the tow truck drivers that have been injured and killed. However from my research I have found that the Move Over Law in Oregon dose not include Tow Trucks in the law. I think some one needs to get out and see what we go thrue every day out there on the street. I have worked for Ray's Towing in Eugene, F&M Towing in Springfield, and now I am working for Cascade West Towing in Oakridge. I have worked Down Town, on the Freeway and now Highway 58. Acording to the American Tow Truck Association We have lost an avarage of 60 Tow Truck Drivers a year, the same as in the Law Enforcement feild. It looks like not many from around here however our profesion is extremly dangerous and needs to be reconized. I hope that you will look into this for me. Thank you for your time.

David