We generally keep this column intentionally local, but dear reader, we need to talk about what’s happened at Eugene Weekly, the alternative paper that hails from just south of our fair little burg.
Sadly, they’ve needed to lay off their staff and suspend printing – the result of a once trusted employee that apparently embezzled tens of thousands of dollars. They are at the end of the day, a small locally owned business, subject to the same pitfalls as any other like organization.
Here’s What Happened: Last Thursday, the paper posted a story to their website saying there would be no print product for now.
The post, titled Where’s the Damn Paper also disclosed, “Shortly before Christmas, we discovered that EW had been the victim of embezzlement at the hands of someone we once trusted. We are still counting up the damage, but it’s thousands upon thousands. The theft of EW’s funds remained hidden for years and has left our finances in shambles. A team of private forensic accountants is analyzing our books and accounts. We’ve reported the thefts to the Eugene Police Department, which is conducting an investigation.”
The post went on to disclose, “We’ve discovered that many companies we do business with — vendors who turned out to be very patient — haven’t been paid in months. EW employees who thought they were paying into retirement accounts have learned the money never arrived at its destination. We had to lay off the entire 10-person staff EW three days before Christmas. One of our biggest creditors, our printer, says it will print EW again only if we pay upfront.”
What the Future may Hold: In a hopeful sign, the folks at Eugene Weekly are already saying staff is doing everything they can to keep the paper going, and social media response has been largely positive. Corvallis Advocate publisher Steve Schultz said, “For obvious reasons, what’s happened at EW just makes me sick.” He also said, “I think EW is better positioned to overcome this than most newspapers would be – they have an extraordinarily committed community, staff and ownership.”
Notably, Eugene Weekly continued its print issue throughout the pandemic, and had been showing recent signs of growth.
Some Post-Holiday Catch-Ups
Grass Roots Books and Music has announced it will move later this quarter – but that move won’t be far. They’ll be taking the space previously occupied by the Shoe Hutch at 251 SW Madison, which is essentially around the corner from the bookstore’s current digs.
Owner Jack Wolcott is especially excited about the dimensions of the new space, which should allow for a more open look, and a new small events space. Grass Roots has been continuously owned by Wolcott and his wife Sandy since 1971.
Robnett’’s Hardware has announced it will close its doors on March 31, after 130 years of serving Corvallis residents.
Castor Kitchen and Bar has built itself a solid reputation these last six years and are now in the midst of opening three new downtown ventures. An arts and event space called The Magnolia Room, and two new eateries, Luca Taverna and Hey Y’all Parlor & Market.
Benton County’s Unemployment Rate: The state didn’t release November numbers for our fair burg until quite late last month, but honestly, you didn’t miss much.
The Benton County unemployment rate was 3.0% in November, unchanged from its revised rate of 3.0% in October. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in November was 3.6%, unchanged from its revised October rate of 3.6%.
Benton County’s employment gains in November were more than normal; total nonfarm employment increased by 280 jobs, when an employment increase of 120 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment increased 160 jobs between October and November.
Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is now up 2.8% from the level in February 2020, 1,220 jobs above its pre-pandemic level. Over the past year Benton County’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment is up 1,760 jobs or 4.1%.
The private sector overall shed 50 jobs over the month. Professional and business services employment declined 70 and manufacturing shed 30 jobs in November. The public sector overall added 330 jobs in November. Local government education employment added 340 jobs. State government employment was unchanged and federal government shed 10 jobs in November.
And, Here’s Your Business Events Calendar
Going Into Business: 6:30 to 7:20 pm, Tuesday, Jan. 9, virtual Zoom class from Linn-Benton Community College Small Business Development Cetner, click here to register. In just one session, you’ll get all the basic information you will need to begin planning your successful business. Rules, regulations, financing, customers, markets, and feasibility will all be discussed in this FREE seminar.
Nonprofit Perspective, Rural Responses to Opioid Use: 12 to 1 pm, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 – this is a virtual event, click here to register. Mainstream media portrayals of rural America tend to focus on themes of political conservatism, lack of resources, and exodus of younger adults. But these stereotypes miss innovative work happening in rural areas, and a long-standing capacity among community building and collaboration around important issues like public health. This presentation will provide examples of rural-based care and responses to the opioid crisis in Southeast Washington, from staff of an independent nonprofit. Public-private partnerships, state and federal grant funding, volunteerism, and mobile-based services will be examined for their utility across a few different models of care.
Real Estate License Exam Class: 6 to 8:50 pm, Wednesday, Jan 10 – this is 11 sessions ending Saturdaay, Mar 16. Class will be at the North Albany branch of Coldwell Banker. $695. Have you been thinking about a career as a real estate agent? This class is the first step. An accelerated pre-license HYBRID weekly class, self-study, and a 9-5 pre-test cram session on Saturday, March 16th will get you ready for the Oregon Real Estate Broker’s License Exam. You must attend all class sessions through Zoom or in person and have online access to complete the self-study portion of this course. Click here for more info and to register.
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com