Woodburn Independent · Gervais, OR
Earlier this year, the Oregon Department of Education announced the establishment of the Hòa Nguyễn Attendance Impact Awards, and the Gervais School District got some love. On Friday, Nov. 13, the Gervais School District was the recipient of one of those awards, earning the Family Partnership Award, in an event on campus. This award honors exemplary models of collaboration that center students, caregivers, and community partners as co-designers of attendance-supporting practices and solutions. “We are incredibly honored to receive the Hoa Nguyen Impact Award. Improving student attendance has been a districtwide priority because we know that being in school every day matters,” said Dandy Stevens, superintendent of Gervais School District.
Woodburn Independent · Woodburn, OR
Nearby: Woodburn, ORWork on the Mill Creek Community Center in Woodburn continues to roll along, with plenty of positive benchmarks being reached. As of now, the wall framing is in place and crews are working on internal systems and services before sheetrock installation begins. Planning for the renovation began in spring 2025 and if all continues to go well, the grand opening is slated for sometime in winter 2027. How We Got Here In January 2025, Woodburn City Council members voted to move forward with a revised plan for the community center project, capitalizing on the $15 million grant awarded to Woodburn by the State of Oregon. This funding would allow the city to use available resources to upgrade the existing Aquatic Center and expand it to incorporate essential community center features without incurring additional costs to local taxpayers.
Woodburn Independent · Woodburn, OR
Nearby: Woodburn, ORThe November “Who’s on Third” Community Concert will feature local singer/songwriter Joni Harms. Harms is known for writing most of her own songs, enjoying the process of writing about rodeo, cowboys, and the ranch way of living. However, she also notes that her favorite kind of songs to write are ballads or story songs. For this concert she has promised to share some new, recently created, songs with us; along with many of her favorite standards. For November, the concert will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 3-4 p.m. at the Woodburn United Methodist Church at 700 N. Cascade Dr., in Woodburn. As usual admission will be by freewill offering, taken at the entrance. All money collected goes to pay for future concerts and concert expenses.
Woodburn Independent · Woodburn, OR
Nearby: Woodburn, ORWoodburn’s annual Love Santa program is gearing up and sign-ups have opened. Families that need a little help this holiday season can sign up from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Woodburn Public Library. Other sign-up days are Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Wednesday, Nov. 11, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the library. Note: Online signups are not an option. Families must bring proof of Woodburn address (Oregon Health Plan ID, utility bill, etc.). This ID will be checked before entering sign-ups. For more information, email to [email protected]. To learn more about donating or volunteering, go to lovesantainc.org or Facebook.com/lovesantainc, or call Ben at 503-951-1048 or Jenny at 360-980-4412. Distribution of food boxes and toys will be on a Saturday in mid-December at Woodburn High School.
Woodburn Independent · Silverton, OR
Nearby: Silverton, ORAn area holiday tradition, the Silverton Christmas Market returns in November to spark the holiday spirit in young and old alike. The market runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 31 at the Oregon Garden in Silverton. The Silverton Christmas Market features two million twinkling Christmas lights, a German-inspired artisan vendor market, visits from Santa, ice skating, snowless tubing, cozy fire pits, live music, festive food & drink and more. This festive event annually brings holiday cheer to the Willamette Valley. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening. One thing to note, this is a cashless event. All vendors and food booths accept credit or debit cards. German Vendor Market Shop local vendors for handmade gifts, candles, ornaments, puzzles, and more. Silverton Christmas Market’s many unique offerings include tempting local food and drink, fresh baked goods and treats, and Glühwein, a traditional German hot spiced wine.
Woodburn Independent · Silverton, OR
Nearby: Silverton, ORAn area holiday tradition, the Silverton Christmas Market returns in November to spark the holiday spirit in young and old alike. The market runs Nov. 20 through Dec. 31, from 5 to 9 p.m., at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton and features two million twinkling Christmas lights, a German-inspired artisan vendor market, visits from Santa, ice skating, snowless tubing, cozy fire pits, live music, festive food and drink, and more. This festive event annually brings holiday cheer to the Willamette Valley. Here’s a quick look at what’s happening. One thing to note, this is a cashless event. All vendors and food booths accept credit or debit cards. German Vendor Market Shop local vendors for handmade gifts, candles, ornaments, puzzles, and more. Silverton Christmas Market’s many unique offerings include tempting local food and drink, fresh baked goods and treats, and Glühwein, a traditional German hot spiced wine.
Sandy Post · Salem, OR
Nearby: Salem, ORBids due: December 10, 2026 @ 9:00 AM Bid Closing for the projects identified below will be at 9:00:00 a.m. on the 10th day of December, 2026. Bid Opening will be at the Oregon Department of Transportation, 355 Capitol Street NE, Salem, Oregon, beginning at 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing. Bids will be received by BJ McCartney, Construction Contracts Manager. • Submit electronic bids, on-line, through Bid Express® (www.bidx.com) before 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing. Submit paper bids to BJ McCartney, Construction Contracts Manager: • Before 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing.
Sandy Post · Salem, OR
Nearby: Salem, ORBids due: December 17, 2026 @ 9:00 AM Bid Closing for the projects identified below will be at 9:00:00 a.m. on the 17th day of December, 2026. Bid Opening will be at the Oregon Department of Transportation, 355 Capitol Street NE, Salem, Oregon, beginning at 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing. Bids will be received by BJ McCartney, Construction Contracts Manager. • Submit electronic bids, on-line, through Bid Express® (www.bidx.com) before 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing. Submit paper bids to BJ McCartney, Construction Contracts Manager: • Before 9:00:00 a.m. on the day of Bid Closing.
Woodburn Independent · Salem, OR
Nearby: Salem, ORMayor Keyser named to OMA board slot The Oregon Mayors Association (OMA) selected new officers and board members for 2027 during its annual membership meeting at the League of Oregon Cities (LOC) 101st Annual Conference earlier this month in Salem, and Molalla’s mayor was one of the choices. Scott Keyser was named one of six to the board of directors spots. “I’m absolutely honored to represent mayors of the state and be a resources for them when it’s needed,” said Keyser. The purpose of the OMA is to increase the knowledge and skills of Oregon mayors and make a strong, collective effort to influence state programs and legislation. OMA is an affiliate organization of the League of Oregon Cities. Corthell tabbed for regional group’s board During its annual membership meeting earlier this month, the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) elected new officers and board members, including a Molalla representative.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORChallenger Elise Yarnell Hollamon’s lead in the race for Newberg mayor has widened, according to the most recent count released by the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office. Results in the race were updated Nov. 12, with Hollamon’s lead increasing from 50.4% to 50.5% of the vote to incumbent Bill Rosacker’s 49.5%, a drop of 0.1 percentage points from the Nov. 5 tabulation. The disparity in votes between the two candidates grew from 79 to 106 votes. More than 680 voters did not check the box for either candidate on their ballots, while 25 write-in votes were received. There were so far 11,470 ballots received out of the 17,368 voters registered, a rate of 66%. “With the last ballots counted and reported last night, our lead grew and I’m confident that Newberg has chosen a new direction,” Hollamon said in a text. Hollamon, however, stopped short of announcing an outright victory.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORA band that takes its lead from the maritime traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Scandinavia and North America will soon travel to Newberg to take the stage. The trio that comprises the Celtic band Kalos will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Chehalem Cultural Center, 415 E. Sheridan St. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors and students and $5 for Arts for All members who possess an Oregon Trail Card. The band’s emphasis on maritime tunes is reflected in its two latest albums — “Harbour” in 2019 and “Headland” in 2023 — and were intended to “honor the meeting point between the land and sea (as) they sing songs about shorelines, seafarers and drownings,” a release said. “They revel in the driving danceability of Irish tunes, but also take inspiration from the pastoral melodies and naturalistic metaphors of Scottish music,” the release continued.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORA pair of local organizations are on the receiving end of the most recent spate of grants from the Oregon Community Foundation. Newberg Area Habitat for Humanity netted $25,000, while the Vivian Lee Foundation received $15,000 to continue to expand its assistance program for families living with cystic fibrosis. Habitat Executive Director Shannon Selah said she already has plans for the grant money. “We will apply that toward our ReStore truck,” she said. “We are raising money to replace our aging box truck that we use to pick up donations for and drop off purchased items from our ReStore.” The local nonprofits are among the nearly 260 organizations throughout all of Oregon’s 36 counties that received a total of $5.3 million in the fall round of giving from the foundation’s Community Grants Program. “Behind each grant from the statewide funder are people stepping forward to meet local needs and opportunities,” a release from the foundation said.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORAnyone with information on these individuals may call the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, its detectives or the Newberg-Dundee Police Department. The sheriff’s office crime information tip line is 800-577-1707. Newberg police can be reached at 502-538-8321 and Yamhill County detectives can be reached at 503-43407508. Nov. 11 – Max Guenter A. Kliese-Hartzog, 37, is wanted for failure to appear (FTA) to face a charge of second-degree criminal mischief. – Edward A. Klingensmith, 65, is wanted on an FTA for DUII. – Joshua Joseph Klupenger, 37, is wanted on an FTA for DUII. – Randy James Koenighain, 59, is wanted on a probation violation for possession of controlled substances (PCS). – Melody Jo Krewson, 61, is wanted for violating post-prison supervision on a conviction for custodial interference. – Matthew Eric Kurtz, 42, is wanted on a warrant for first-degree theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, first-degree attempted theft and second-degree theft.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORElection Day has come and gone, and the voters of Newberg, Dundee and Yamhill County have made their wishes known in races ranging from Newberg’s mayor and county clerk. Mayoral race Results in the race for Newberg mayor remained unchanged over the weekend, with challenger Elise Yarnell Hollamon earning 50.4% of the vote to incumbent Bill Rosacker’s 49.6% — 79 votes apart according to the most recent tabulations released Nov. 5. “Given the heightened partisan energy surrounding this midterm election and our short 67-day campaign, I knew this would be extremely close,” Hollamon said in a text to the Newberg Graphic. “I needed to cut through the national political noise and speak directly to voters with a clear, compelling vision for Newberg’s future grounded in improving our livability, and I’m incredibly honored that it appears we’ve done just that.” Hollamon added that she will demur from claiming victory until the final ballots are tallied.
The Newberg Graphic · Newberg, OR
Nearby: Newberg, ORThe Newberg Community Band’s fall concert, unofficially called “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas” after one of the tunes it will perform, is on tap this weekend. Set for 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, in Bauman Auditorium, 1009 E. North St. on the campus of George Fox University, the lineup for the free concert includes a variety of music genres. “It is a ‘hodgepodge’ of styles from marches to serious music,” said director Dick Elliott, a veteran of more than two decades with the 55-musician band. Rehearsals for the performance began in September, Elliott said, adding that the band’s other 2026 performances were in March, during a Fourth of July celebration at Friendsview Manor and during the Old Fashioned Festival in late July. The Nov. 15 date will be the last performance of the year. “Our next performance will be after the new year as we do take some time off for family during the holiday season,” he said.