Beer zone may be extended

Wed., Sept. 12, 2007

Associated Press The Spokesman-Review

EUGENE – Drunken-driving activists are protesting a proposal to expand the legal drinking area around Autzen Stadium when the Ducks are playing football at home.

Allowing more University of Oregon football fans to drink legally at tailgating parties would lead to more alcohol-related accidents, injuries and deaths, they told the Eugene City Council.

“You have the opportunity to send the message to our community that the public safety of our citizens takes priority over the estimated 20 percent of Duck fans that consume alcoholic beverages in and around Autzen Stadium during every Saturday home game,” said Lois Harvick of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

The council plans to vote on the expansion Sept. 24.

Eugene bans drinking in public. The University of Oregon has an exemption for its stadium lot on game days.

The proposal would give private parking lot operators near Autzen the same game-day exemption.

The private-lot operators would have to register with the city and post signs and distribute fliers about rules such as not distributing alcohol to minors.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.