Good morning, Eugene.

City Club of Eugene held a meeting on Sept.

11 that explored neighborhood associations' role in boosting local emergency preparedness. Speakers Andrade and Hawkins discussed how groups improve disaster readiness with radio networks and grants and urged residents to join community efforts (see Eugene EmComm) for better public safety.

A late-night report on Sept.

10 in the Cape Creek area led deputies and volunteers to search for an overdue mushroom picker with his puppy. They found the man at 2 p.m. and later located the woman at 3:20 p.m. — all were uninjured.

The annual Coats for Kids campaign is collecting insulated winter coats for children from Sept.

14 to Oct. 12; community members can drop off donations at designated locations (monetary contributions are also accepted).

A report on Sept. 10 of an overdue mushroom picker in Cape Creek led Lane County Search & Rescue to launch a search that found a man with his puppy at 2 p.m. plus his woman by drone at 3:20 p.m. on Sept.

11; both were uninjured.

GasBuddy’s survey (78 stations) shows average gasoline prices in Eugene rose by 10.6 cents to $5.05 per gallon today amid global tensions, marking a 43.6-cent increase from last month and 90.1 cents from last year.

Eugene high school students returning this month may face larger class sizes after 4J laid off staff, with freshman and sophomore classes possibly having around 30 students and junior and senior classes around 34.

District officials said ratios will mirror past levels and cuts will continue for another year.

EWEB completed construction on two seismic-resilient water tanks on College Hill that hold 7.5 million gallons each and boost the local water system.

The utility plans to fill and test the tanks in December and begin backfilling ahead of replanting and public access in late 2027.

City officials began phase one of the Patterson Street Safety Pilot Project yesterday by converting the west lane into a bike and bus/parking lane on the four-block stretch between 18th and 24th Avenues.

Phase two will add flexible bollards later this fall or winter 2026.

ShelterCare is using a $75,000 Kaiser Permanente grant to renovate two rooms for medical care and telehealth at its Eugene facility, where guests recover up to 60 days with meals and case management.

Renovations are underway with new air conditioning installed, and the updated rooms will be ready by year-end.

After Oregon fell 39-31 to Oklahoma State on Monday, Sept.

14, the Ducks dropped to No. 21 in the AP Top 25 while Texas advanced to No. 1 following a historic comeback win against Ohio State. College football rankings shifted significantly after these contest results.