Ben Botkin

2 weeks ago | lookouteugene-springfield.com | Ben Botkin

QuickTake: The Trump administration released a list of sanctuary jurisdictions last week, saying the counties and cities, including Eugene and Lane County, are “defying federal immigration law.” After a national sheriffs’ organization complained, the feds yanked the list. The Trump administration last week placed Eugene and Lane County on a national list of sanctuary jurisdictions and demanded they follow immigration law.

2 weeks ago | lookouteugene-springfield.com | Ben Botkin

QuickTake: Oregon’s Asian-American community has concerns after Gov. Tina Kotek’s office denied an extradition request from Lane County for a suspect allegedly involved in a burglary ring that targeted Asian households. Gov. Tina Kotek denied a request from the Lane County district attorney to extradite a suspect in Texas wanted in connection with burglaries that targeted the Asian-American community in the region.

2 weeks ago | lookouteugene-springfield.com | Ben Botkin

QuickTake: Lane County’s Point-in-Time count of the homeless population increased by 14% compared to the count a year ago. On the night of Jan. 29, 2025, there were 3,509 residents of Lane County experiencing homelessness. Jon Decker sleeps each night in a tent inside a cavernous indoor facility filled with 86 tents along the 400 block of Garfield Street in Eugene. Each tent shelters a homeless person from the harshness of sleeping out on the streets.

3 weeks ago | lookouteugene-springfield.com | Ben Botkin

QuickTake: Looking Glass Community Services can reach and serve more youth in crisis in rural Lane County after a $195,000 federal grant helped it expand a drop-in center. Inside a drop-in center in Cottage Grove, young people can get hot meals. Supplies of clean clothing are on the shelves. A washer and dryer are available. Outreach workers with Looking Glass Community Services run the center, which serves youth 11 to 20 years old.

3 weeks ago | lookouteugene-springfield.com | Ben Botkin

QuickTake: A Eugene organization that serves youth in crisis faces tough choices as the state has reduced its funding. A grassroots nonprofit in Eugene serves youth so they can survive and weather crises related to homelessness and poverty — and have better lives. It works with youth 16 to 29 years old, providing them with food, tools to prevent drug overdoses and helping to avoid evictions and navigate social services.