ALBANY

County to hold Tree of Remembrance Ceremony

The Linn County Victim Impact Panel will hold the Tree of Remembrance Ceremony at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The ceremony, which is held every year to remember those who have been killed or injured by impaired drivers, will be held in the council chambers at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin St. S.W.

Guest speakers will be State Rep. Andy Olson, Linn Circuit Judge Daniel Murphy and Linn County District Attorney Jason Carlile. Two members of the Eugene Symphony will perform.

Christmas ornaments inscribed with the names of victims of impaired drivers will be hung on the tree.

Following the ceremony, the tree will be on display at Heritage Mall as a reminder to not drink and drive during the holidays.

Anyone who would like to add a name to the list of those being remembered and to have an ornament hung on the tree can contact Officer Robert Hayes at the Albany Police Department. He can be reached at 917-7680 or robert.hayes@cityofalbany.net.

In 2006, an estimated 17,602 people died nationwide in alcohol-related traffic crashes. The deaths were 41 percent of all traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Hospital to hold annual craft fair

Samaritan Albany General Hospital will host its annual winter craft fair from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday on the hospital's fourth floor.

The air will be filled with holiday melodies and the smell of cider. More than 20 vendors will sell items such as handcrafted jewelry, handbags, quilts, handmade cards, stained glass, metal art and holiday decorations.

For more information, contact Evonne Walls at 812-4638 or ewalls@samhealth.org.

BENTON COUNTY

Snow closes Marys Peak road

Snowfall on Marys Peak last weekend prompted Siuslaw National Forest officials to close the newly installed gate at milepost 8 on the Marys Peak road.

The upper gate, added this fall near West Point, will remain closed throughout the winter. It will open when the road becomes clear of snow and debris. The lower gate, located at milepost 5.5 near Conner's Camp, is open but it could be closed later this winter, depending on weather and road conditions. The road below the gates will not be plowed during the winter. Forest Road 30 to the town of Harlan will remain open year round.

For more information, visit fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw or call 750-7000.

LEBANON

Watershed council to hear about early land use

The Santiam Watershed Council will meet Wednesday at the Lebanon Senior Center at 65 Academy "B" St. The board of directors will meet at 6 p.m. and a general council meeting will follow.

Bob Zybach, who has a Ph.D. in environmental sciences, will present "Early Land Use and Forest Fire History of the South Santiam Watershed."

The meeting is open to the public.

Democrat-Herald