Nearly 10,000 people gathered outside the  Wayne Lyman Morse United States Courthouse in Eugene today, June 14, to take part in the nationwide “No Kings Day” demonstrations.

The protests were organized as an act of resistance to President Donald Trump’s military parade celebrating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army in Washington D.C., also taking place today in conjunction with the President’s 79th birthday.

“We are here because it matters,” Renè Ellis, a local resident and demonstrator said. “We are experiencing and witnessing an unprecedented attack on our democracy. We have no other option but to resist.”

Demonstrators, which observers estimate to have numbered nearly 10,000, gathered at the federal courthouse before marching West on E. Broadway, turning North onto Olive Street, and East onto 5th Avenue before marching by City Hall and concluding at Alton Baker Park — crossing Peter DeFazio Bridge and the Willamette River.

Boris Widdenfeld, an organizer with 5051 Eugene, the group that helped plan the demonstration, described the event as a success.

“We are thrilled (with the turnout). Eugene and Springfield are speaking very loudly here that just as we said in 1775 and 1776, that we don’t have Kings. We don’t do kings in the United States,” Widdenfeld.

Widdenfeld said that logistically, planning the demonstration was a massive undertaking. Organizers had to get the proper permitting, coordinate with police, and block off roads. Organizers had six teams of trained de-escalators (two to four per team), half a dozen medics, four legal observers, and several media liaisons. 

Widdenfeld said that organizers would have to check drone footage to get an accurate approximation of the turnout, but from their estimation, nearly 10,000 people showed up to demonstrate.

Gallery • 8 Photos

Michael Mehringer, another demonstrator, said he came because he believes “the Trump administration is deeply abusing the power of the presidency.” Mehringer said the administration is circumventing the power of Congress, the courts, and the people of the United States.

“We don’t want that, we don’t need that, we are here to make that clear,” Mehringer said.

Protestor Cindy McLaren said she came to the “No Kings” demonstration because “I don’t like what’s going on. (The Trump administration) is hurting the poor, and underprivileged people.”

Demonstrators held anti-trump signs and waved thousands of American, Mexican, Palestinian, Pride, and other flags.

The protest, which began at 12 p.m., concluded at approximately 2:30 p.m.

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Approximately 700 demonstrators gathered at the Morse Plaza in front of the Lane County Courthouse today, June. 11, in support of the hundreds of  demonstrators in Los Angeles and across the country protesting against ICE presence in their communities.

The demonstrators waved numerous American, Mexican, Cuban and Palestinian flags, and carried signs that read “No Human is Illegal,” “Ice Out of Our Communities” and “Abolish Ice.”

One of the speakers decried ICE deportations, particularly of immigrant children and declared “We are not going to let them win, this is our country.”

The demonstration initially began at approximately 5:30 p.m. and at approximately 6:30 p.m., demonstrators began marching down 8th Ave toward the Wayne Lyman Morse federal courthouse. 

Gallery • 6 Photos

Demonstrators gather for an “ICE-Out” rally in downtown Eugene on June 11, 2025.
(Lehman-Winters/Emerald)

After gathering in front of the federal courthouse, the demonstration continued for approximately another 20 minutes, as demonstrators listened to speeches and chanted “No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state.”

The rally concluded by approximately 7 p.m. and demonstrators dispersed.

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At a May 20 meeting of the Lane County Budget Committee, commissioners approved the largest reduction in full-time-equivalent positions in over a decade. The Fiscal Year 25-26 General Fund budget consisted of a $178,781,923 or 8.8% decrease from the FY 24-25 budget. 

Full-time-equivalent positions represent the total number of hours worked by employees, when those hours are converted to hours expected from a full time position. 

However, the committee did not advance a motion by Commissioner Laurie Trieger to reduce their individual $15,000 discretionary funds. 

Lane County commissioner discretionary funds are funds free from specific regulations that are available for distribution by the commissioner in question to any department or service they choose. 

The budget committee is composed of the five county commissioners and five non-voting committee citizen members.

Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky said that while the issue of raising expenses and outpacing revenue growth affects governments across Oregon, Lane County is in a particularly poor position due to its “artificially low tax rate.”

Mokrohisky highlighted that in Lane County, the base tax rate on property per $1,000 of assessed value is $1.28. When factoring in additional county property levies, such as for schools and public safety, the tax rate increases to approximately $2. However, this is low compared to other Oregon counties of similar population and economic situations, Mokrohisky said.

Washington, Clackamas, Marion, Jackson and Deschutes counties all have effective tax rates, levies included, of $3.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

That means that Lane County’s tax rate is “37% lower than the average,” Mokrohisky said. 

Mokrohisky pointed out that the tax rate in Eugene is conversely 37% higher than that of other similarly sized cities.

“The average among the cities not including Eugene … is $5…The City of Eugene’s total…is $7.87. So there is a 2.87% difference greater between our largest cities and the others — interestingly, 37% higher,” Mokrohisky said.

According to the county’s calculations, Lane County has the third lowest tax rate of any Oregon county. This prevents the District Attorney’s office from having manageable caseloads, prevents the sheriff’s office from being able to provide adequate service to rural residents and prevents the county assessor’s office from hiring the staff needed to re-appraise properties. “We are not going to be able to fix the fundamental problem until we address the revenue side of the equation,” Mokrohisky said.

Following Mokrohisky’s presentation, Trieger introduced a proposal that would shrink each commissioners’ discretionary fund from $15,000 annually to $5,000 annually. Each of the five Lane County Commissioners possesses a discretionary fund that can be utilized for constituent services and additional staff.

Trieger said that the proposal was keeping in mind that commissioners generally don’t spend all the money allocated in their fund, as well as for the commission to demonstrate “some shared commitment to that pain” being brought about by the cuts.

Commissioner Ryan Ceniga said that while he appreciated Trieger’s thoughts on the topic, he has used part of his fund to help the Mapleton School District fix its potable water issues, and that the fund is particularly useful for those representing rural constituents. 

Commissioner David Loveall concurred with Ceniga, and proceeded to highlight how he spent his discretionary fund. 

Loveall said he invested approximately $2,000 in the Springfield block party, $1,500 to provide the Springfield High School Mariachi Band with new uniforms, he contributed “a couple thousand” to the Springfield Police Departments’ drone program and he contributed funding for the Kinkel Scholarship — helping students to bridge the gap in education funds.

“To me, I think these funds are a direct reflection about how the commissioner is involved not only in their district, but also understands the specific needs of their district,” Loveall said.

Commissioner Pat Farr expressed his position on maintaining the discretionary funds at their current level. Commissioner Heather Buch said she would “be fine with” reducing the fund to $5,000. She believes having the funds to provide administrative assistance to the commissioners would be “of greater impact to what we do, and what this was originally meant for.”

The commission did not bring the issue of discretionary funds to a vote, but did vote unanimously to approve the reductions in the FY 25-26 budget.

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At a May 20 meeting of the Lane County Budget Committee, commissioners approved the largest reduction in full-time-equivalent positions in over a decade. The Fiscal Year 25-26 General Fund budget consisted of a $178,781,923 or 8.8% decrease from the FY 24-25 budget. 

Full-time-equivalent positions represent the total number of hours worked by employees, when those hours are converted to hours expected from a full time position. 

However, the committee did not advance a motion by Commissioner Laurie Trieger to reduce their individual $15,000 discretionary funds. 

Lane County commissioner discretionary funds are funds free from specific regulations that are available for distribution by the commissioner in question to any department or service they choose. 

The budget committee is composed of the five county commissioners and five non-voting committee citizen members.

Lane County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky said that while the issue of raising expenses and outpacing revenue growth affects governments across Oregon, Lane County is in a particularly poor position due to its “artificially low tax rate.”

Mokrohisky highlighted that in Lane County, the base tax rate on property per $1,000 of assessed value is $1.28. When factoring in additional county property levies, such as for schools and public safety, the tax rate increases to approximately $2. However, this is low compared to other Oregon counties of similar population and economic situations, Mokrohisky said.

Washington, Clackamas, Marion, Jackson and Deschutes counties all have effective tax rates, levies included, of $3.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. 

That means that Lane County’s tax rate is “37% lower than the average,” Mokrohisky said. 

Mokrohisky pointed out that the tax rate in Eugene is conversely 37% higher than that of other similarly sized cities.

“The average among the cities not including Eugene … is $5…The City of Eugene’s total…is $7.87. So there is a 2.87% difference greater between our largest cities and the others — interestingly, 37% higher,” Mokrohisky said.

According to the county’s calculations, Lane County has the third lowest tax rate of any Oregon county. This prevents the District Attorney’s office from having manageable caseloads, prevents the sheriff’s office from being able to provide adequate service to rural residents and prevents the county assessor’s office from hiring the staff needed to re-appraise properties. “We are not going to be able to fix the fundamental problem until we address the revenue side of the equation,” Mokrohisky said.

Following Mokrohisky’s presentation, Trieger introduced a proposal that would shrink each commissioners’ discretionary fund from $15,000 annually to $5,000 annually. Each of the five Lane County Commissioners possesses a discretionary fund that can be utilized for constituent services and additional staff.

Trieger said that the proposal was keeping in mind that commissioners generally don’t spend all the money allocated in their fund, as well as for the commission to demonstrate “some shared commitment to that pain” being brought about by the cuts.

Commissioner Ryan Ceniga said that while he appreciated Trieger’s thoughts on the topic, he has used part of his fund to help the Mapleton School District fix its potable water issues, and that the fund is particularly useful for those representing rural constituents. 

Commissioner David Loveall concurred with Ceniga, and proceeded to highlight how he spent his discretionary fund. 

Loveall said he invested approximately $2,000 in the Springfield block party, $1,500 to provide the Springfield High School Mariachi Band with new uniforms, he contributed “a couple thousand” to the Springfield Police Departments’ drone program and he contributed funding for the Kinkel Scholarship — helping students to bridge the gap in education funds.

“To me, I think these funds are a direct reflection about how the commissioner is involved not only in their district, but also understands the specific needs of their district,” Loveall said.

Commissioner Pat Farr expressed his position on maintaining the discretionary funds at their current level. Commissioner Heather Buch said she would “be fine with” reducing the fund to $5,000. She believes having the funds to provide administrative assistance to the commissioners would be “of greater impact to what we do, and what this was originally meant for.”

The commission did not bring the issue of discretionary funds to a vote, but did vote unanimously to approve the reductions in the FY 25-26 budget.

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Oregon Congresswoman Val Hoyle held a town hall at Lane Community College earlier today, primarily addressing constituents’ concerns regarding the Trump administration’s potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare as well as other “senior-related issues.” 

Hoyle was joined by former U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio and Max Richtman, president and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. The event, which had roughly 200 attendees, was moderated by Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson.

“They (Republicans) are trying to privatize the system (Social Security),” Hoyle said during the town hall. “They are trying to throw as many people off of Social Security as possible. Understand: the chaos they are causing is intentional.”

Richtman said that Republicans in Congress are perpetuating a “big lie,” which he said was that undocumented immigrants are stealing Social Security when in reality, they are contributing to it.

“They (Republicans) are coming at it (Social Security) from every direction…they want to kill it,” DeFazio said.

In response to a question on how Congress can obtain what information the Department of Government Efficiency has acquired on American citizens, Hoyle said she and her colleagues are working on freedom of information requests to see what DOGE has gained access to. 

However, Hoyle said she and her colleagues had seen an email from the Trump administration to Social Security employees “saying that they should not respond to congressional inquiries or the inquiries of advocates.”

“Elon Musk has probably gathered through his DOGE people every bit of information on every person in the United States… including your bank, tax returns and everything else…what is the richest man in the world going to do with that?” Richtman said. “That is the question that needs to be answered and the Republicans and Donald Trump need to answer for that too.”

An attendee said that she had two sisters with extensive disabilities who are 100% dependent on Social Security and Medicaid for survival. “One of them is up for renewal in early May for her Medicaid eligibility, and I am really afraid for what that is going to be like,” she said. “How did the executive branch seize the power of the purse from Congress, and what’s the plan to get it back?”

Hoyle said that Republicans caved on their responsibility. “(They have) decided it’s more important to stay out of a primary that is funded by Elon Musk…than it is to stand up for their constitutional obligation.”

Richtman, commending Hoyle’s courage, said “I am glad I am here with two members of Congress (Hoyle and DeFazio) who are not afraid.” Richtman then presented a massive pair of red boxing gloves to Hoyle.

Gallery • 3 Photos

Val Hoyle hosts a Social Security and Medicare town hall on April 23, 2025, at Lane Community College. (Mathias Lehman-Winters/Emerald)

One of the audience members spoke of her son who is in assisted living and who relies on Medicaid and Social Security. “There is deep concern that if Social Security is cut…his availability to function in society will end.”

Another audience member said she used to live in a trailer park along Blue River, and that “most” of the older residents there relied on a food bank to survive. “These people are going to die without all of these benefits coming to them in a timely manner.” they said. “How are we going to feed them?”

Hoyle responded saying that “Our values as a community…from the most conservative to the most progressive part, (is) that we take care of our neighbors. That is why Social Security is so critically important…cuts hurt real people who can least afford it,” Hoyle said. “That is wrong, and we will continue fighting for them.”

Hoyle emphasized that anyone in need of help navigating Social Security or Medicare can contact her office.

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During an April 14 Eugene City Council meeting that ran past its initial allotted time of 10 p.m., community members came to express disappointment, anger and fear about what the future of Eugene looks like without Crisis Assistance Helping Out on the Streets, commonly known as CAHOOTS.

The council meeting included a public comment section in which dozens of community members spoke in support of the now-defunct CAHOOTS in Eugene.

Before the public comment section began, Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson laid out a timeline of the conclusion of CAHOOTS in Eugene. Knudson did so to “clarify that the city of Eugene did not initiate the discontinuation of CAHOOTS service within Eugene.”

According to Knudson, on March 25 the City of Eugene received a notification from White Bird that they would be reducing services and laying off staff effective April 7. As such, White Bird would be unable to fulfill their contractual obligation with the city to provide 24/7 mobile crisis services within city limits. Following this, the city agreed to a mutual contract termination on April 7, the same date layoffs would take effect, as White Bird would no longer be able to fulfill their end of the contract.

Knudson emphasized that “mobile crisis response, mobile crisis services do still exist in the city of Eugene” through the provision of Lane County’s mobile crisis services.

One of the community members that spoke that evening was 18-year-old Victoria Acosta, who shared her experience with CAHOOTS.

Acosta said that in her sophomore year of high school, she fled her home after an altercation with her father, and as she sat barefoot on her neighbors couch, a police officer told her that she should “go to church more.” 

“It was only while at school I had and received proper crisis assistance from CAHOOTS and accurate emergency housing,” Acosta said. “I am truly disappointed in this city for not advocating and fighting more, and even more heartbroken for future little girls like me who will not have access to the help they so rightly deserve.”

Councilor Mike Clark, after the first 90 minutes of public comment, said the city is not at fault for CAHOOTS termination of operations in Eugene.

“Nobody at this table (gesturing to councilors) has voted to defund CAHOOTS. Nobody, none of us think it’s a good idea,” Clark said. “All of us voted to fund them fully in our last budget. We didn’t fire the White Bird; they quit.”

Another speaker that evening, Casey Spore, said she has heard that the council supports CAHOOTS, but “I think what people are asking is to do something. We are here hurting, scared, sad for our community and we are saying ‘do something.’”

Councilor Matt Keating said that he shares “a deep mourning for the loss of CAHOOTS,” and is “deeply saddened” by White Bird’s “dismal” retention rate of 20%. This means that 80% of White Bird’s workforce is leaving annually, playing a role in White Bird being unable to fulfill their contractual obligations with the city according to Keating.

Keating also said that White Bird is “apparently unwilling” to collect data that will allow it to obtain federal funding in the form of matching Medicaid dollars.

Nick Austin, a community member who works full-time at a Eugene homeless shelter, shared impassioned words with councilors about what he perceived as their inability to show leadership.

“Repeatedly in the most harrowing moments of my professional life, these outstanding, exemplary front-line workers we call CAHOOTS were there for me when no one else was,” Austin said. “And we are watching you stand here in front of the town you serve and pass the buck.”

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At an April 9 meeting of the Eugene City Urban Renewal Agency Board, consisting of all Eugene City Councilors and the Mayor, the board voted unanimously to begin the process of adding an additional apartment complex to the city’s downtown core.

The land in question is known as the North Butterfly lot, and is located adjacent to the Farmers Market Pavillion, at the intersection of East 7th Avenue and Oak Street.

In a presentation to the board by Eugene Economic Development Section Manager Anne Fifield and Downtown Manager Eric Brown, the city officials laid out a two phase plan of identifying how the lot will be utilized.

Phase I involves identifying the best development firm for the project. The Agency will request each firm’s qualifications, experience and track record. The hope is that by soliciting teams before having a site-specific proposal, the city will receive more applicants, helping city officials recommend the best team to the board for approval.

Phase II will involve completing the proposal with specifics such as the number and type of residential units, affordability, green building practices, parking, etc. During this phase the city will solicit input from the community. It is also during this phase that a budget will be drawn up and any proposal deal points will be approved by the board.

After the presentation by Fifield and Brown, councilors asked questions regarding the proposal.

Councilor Jennifer Yeh asked city officials what type of housing the development would offer. “Are we assuming this project is going to be a rent situation or is there a possibility that it could be owner occupied,” Yeh said.

Brown responded that in all likelihood the new development would consist of rental units, 

Under current plans, any developer that takes on the project would likely be granted an Accelerated Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption — or a 10-year property tax exemption for taxable value associated with new construction involving eligible housing developments. During an Accelerated MUPTE, taxes on the land itself are still paid, however the application process is shortened from six months to two months.

Councilor Lyndsie Leech expressed concern that some residents may not understand how the MUPTE operates, and that they view it as the city “giving tax dollars away.” 

Leech emphasized her support for the project, saying that, “If we give this assistance, in 10-years, we will be creating millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city.”

Fifield pointed out that according to her teams’ research, there has not been any privately owned market-rate housing constructed in the downtown without some form of public assistance since at least 1956.

Councilor Clark pointed out one of the potential hurdles to the project, that current interest rates are not creating a favorable environment for development firms taking on new loans.

Fifield said that the Downtown Urban Renewal Agency has a construction loan program offering flexible financing to potential firms “that would absolutely be available.” However, the city could only contribute some financing and could not provide loans to cover the entirety of the project.

The council and mayor voted unanimously to move forward with the project.

According to the tentative timeline put forth by city officials, the city will stop accepting submissions by firms in July 2025, will be evaluating submissions in August, and will come back to the board with a recommended team in fall 2025.

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The Eugene 4J School District announced the selection of Dr. Miriam Miralles Mickelson as the district’s next superintendent at their April 2 board meeting.

The announcement follows a months-long search and selection process by the board.

Mickelson, who most recently served as a superintendent of the Sedro-Woolley School District in Washington, has over two decades of experience as a teacher, high school principal and executive director. 

“I am deeply honored to join Eugene School District 4J,” Mickelson said. “Public education changed the course of my life, and I carry that responsibility and privilege with me into this role.”

Mickelson was born in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States at the age 22. She earned her doctorate in educational leadership from Seattle Pacific University.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Mickelson to 4J,” Board Chair Jenny Jonak said. “She brings a wealth of professional and life experience and a heart centered on students.”

Mickelson will be 4J School District’s fourth superintendent since 2020 and will officially begin her tenure on July 1, 2025.

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At 3:11 p.m. the Eugene Police Department received a 9-1-1 call reporting a shooting on E23rd Ave and Willamette Street.

According to EPD Spokesperson Melinda McLaughlin, one person has been transported to the hospital.

EPD violent crime investigators are on the scene. 

According to McLaughlin, the shooter and injured individual knew each other.

There is no active threat to nearby citizens, and police are interviewing witnesses.

McLaughlin would not provide any information on if the shooter had been detained, but reiterated there is no active safety threat.

This is a developing story, please stay with us for updates.

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On Jan. 16, Thomas Matthew Dunlap, age 37 of Eugene, was sentenced to three years in prison for numerous charges including burglary, theft and “criminal mischief.”

According to the Eugene Police Department, Dunlap was known to “consistently target campus-area residences belonging to college students.” He frequently used a torch-lighter to burn doors and windows in an attempt to gain entry and conceal his crimes.

EPD’s press release also said Dunlap has a history of criminal complaints made by women in which he would be observed looking inside their windows or watching their homes.

In one incident, Dunlap, after realizing a camera had caught him looking into a woman’s resident’s home in the West University area, tried to destroy the camera with the torch-lighter. When this failed, he stole the camera.

According to court records, Dunlap has a history of charges relating to burglary and theft in Oregon dating back to 2006. 

Dunlap pleaded guilty to all charges made against him. He is not scheduled for release until 2028.