The New Era · Lebanon, OR
Lebanon residents gave a big thumbs-down to reopening the Lebanon Municipal Jail in the Nov. 3 election. An $8.3 million levy that would have reopened and sustained the city jail for five years failed 79.99% to 20.01%, or 6,074 votes to 1,519, with a total of 7,593 votes. The levy would have cost $1.06 per $1,000 assessed property valuation, taking effect just as a bond measure to build the jail was paid off. That’s a… Continue reading — subscribe to unlock the full article.
The New Era · Sweet Home, OR
Nearby: Sweet Home, ORNewly elected City Council member-to-be Matthew Scott Bechtel Sr. was arrested and jailed late Thursday evening, Nov. 12, after allegedly punching family members. According to Sweet Home police, who stated that they could provide limited details because the incident involved ch ildren, Bechtel, 50, was lodged in Linn County Jail on a charge of felony fourth-degree domestic assault and a misdemeanor count of fourth-degree assault. According to SHPD, officers responded about 10:56 p.m. to Bechtel’s residence, at 108 Holley Road, to a 9-1-1 report of a physical disturbance. An investigation, including interviews with family members and witnesses, determined that Bechtel had been drinking and had become “aggressive” with family members and had punched a child under 15 years of age. Then, when his wife, Deena Palmtag, 41, tried to intervene, he allegedly punched her, too, police said. According to witness statements, further fighting occurred before the parties separated, police said.
The New Era · Sweet Home, OR
Nearby: Sweet Home, ORNov. 22, 1951 City police are making a direct appeal to Sweet Home citizens in an effort to halt vandalism which has resulted in 68 shattered street lights. What started out as 16 bulb-type lights out due to, it was believed, Halloween tricksters has continued two weeks now, resulting in a total so far of 68 shattered bulbs. Police would like a little cooperation from the public in putting a stop to the shenanigans.… Continue reading — subscribe to unlock the full article.
The New Era · Sweet Home, OR
Nearby: Sweet Home, ORA combination effort between the Sweet Home School District, the Rotary and Interact clubs, and local businesses have resulted in repairs to the Sweet Home Skate Park. The park has been at at 1957 Long St., next to the Sweet Home School District headquarters, was established in 2005 and most of the equipment in the park was installed in 2010. “Our kids and our adults have used it well,” said Larry Horton, former school district… Continue reading — subscribe to unlock the full article.
The New Era | Sweet Home, OR · Sweet Home, OR
Nearby: Sweet Home, ORA public finance expert considers the way forward for Oregon after the Nov. 3 blue wave. By OJP Staff In the wake of the Nov. 3 election, and as Oregon begins to grapple with the impact of looming federal tax cuts on a variety of entitlement programs, including Medicaid and food stamps, OJP wanted to talk to an expert in public finance. We found one in Sarah Emmans, who advises governments in Oregon and across the country from her home in Olympia, Wash. Emmans, 46, previously worked for ECOnorthwest, the Brookings Institute, the Pew Research Center and the Washington Legislature. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. OJP: What message do you think the Nov. 3 election sends to state leaders and policymakers in Oregon? Sarah Emmans: It’s pretty telling that the governor, who hadn’t been super popular, won. It’s encouraging that she seems to want to work in a bipartisan way, especially on her “Prosperity Roadmap.” What Nov.
The New Era | Sweet Home, OR · Sweet Home, OR
Nearby: Sweet Home, ORALICE, an economic hardship measure, indicates that in some parts of the state, more than half of households face choices between food and rent. By Khushboo Rathore Oregon Journalism Project Affordability was a key campaign issue in the blue wave that washed over Oregon and the country on Tuesday, with many voters worried they could be just a surprise medical bill or emergency car repair away from financial crisis. It turns out that Oregon, a solidly blue state, is among the least affordable states in the nation, where 4 out of 10 households don’t earn enough to afford their basic needs, according to a national report released earlier this year. The report used an economic measure called ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) to identify households that earn above the federal poverty line but not enough to afford such basics as sufficient gas to get to work or fresh fruit to eat.
Madras Pioneer · Jefferson, OR
Nearby: Jefferson, ORThe Jefferson County School District’s dual language program is now in its third school year working in both the Madras and Buff elementary schools. Now, administrators are thinking about how to expand the program for middle school students. How the program changed Originally, Mariposa Dual Language Program, housed at the Jefferson County Middle, was used to give students who speak both English and Spanish as a first language access to instruction in both languages. Half the school day was taught in Spanish and the other half in English. After two years, the program expanded into the two elementary schools. Sandra Ruiz teaches a second grade class in the dual-language program at Buff Elementary School and she sees the current dual-language program having an academic benefit to students regardless of their first language. Ruiz said that students can struggle initially, but they do on average eventually surpass their peers who are not in dual-language programs in test scores.
Madras Pioneer · Jefferson, OR
Nearby: Jefferson, ORSHERIFF LOG Log items are charges, not convictions. November 2 Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) contacted and arrested Andrew Adams, 39, of Madras, for an active warrant. November 3 A deputy with the JCSO took a report of a theft at a property east of Madras in Jefferson County. November 4 A JCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on Southwest Jericho Lane. After investigation, the driver, Christopher Lafontaine, 43, of Culver, was arrested for driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving. A deputy with the JCSO conducted a traffic stop in the city of Madras. After investigation, Tyler Comish, 20, of Madras, was arrested for driving while suspended misdemeanor. November 5 A JCSO deputy conducted a traffic stop on Highway 361 near Southwest Loafers Lane. During the investigation, the driver, Anthony Cortazar, 52, of Warm Springs, was arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Madras Pioneer · Jefferson, OR
Nearby: Jefferson, ORA man with a pellet gun caused Jefferson County schools to go into a secure status on Nov. 6. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was reported to be walking in Madras around 7:30 a.m. that morning and possibly carrying a firearm near local schools. Out of caution, local Madras and Bridges high schools and Madras and Buff elementary schools were placed in a secure status while the sheriff’s office and Oregon State Police responded to investigate. That status was lifted later that morning. There was no shooting at any school in Jefferson County, and no shots fired. Law enforcement contacted an individual matching the reported description and investigated the circumstances of the report, including searching the area for a possible firearm. “We understand that situations involving our schools create significant concern for parents and our community,” Sheriff Jason Pollock said as the investigation was ongoing.
Source Weekly · Corvallis, OR
Nearby: Corvallis, ORIn this episode host Aaron Switzer sits down with Dave Metzger, Film Composer, Arranger and Orchestrator. Originally from Corvallis, Oregon, Dave shares his journey from a self taught young musician to a celebrated career in film and Broadway. His credits include Frozen, Moana, The Lion King, Wish and Mufasa: The Lion King, along with collaborations with artists including Elton John, Phil Collins, Lin Manuel Miranda and Hans Zimmer. The conversation explores creativity, persistence, mentorship, and the path from Oregon to some of the world’s most recognizable entertainment projects. Dave reflects on the relationships, opportunities and hard work that shaped his career, while offering insight into the process of creating music for film and theater and the impact those stories and scores can have on audiences in Central Oregon and beyond. LISTEN NOW WATCH NOW
Sports Illustrated · Corvallis, OR
Nearby: Corvallis, ORIt's never too early to start thinking about the transfer portal. Retention talks, in which programs try to re-sign their best players before they can even think about hitting the portal seeking greener pastures, are already in full swing. Several star players across the nation, most notably Oregon State's dynamic quarterback-wide receiver duo of Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree, have both already announced that they're running it back in Corvallis next season. In the Big Ten, Nebraska quarterback Anthony Colandrea has already re-signed with Nebraska for 2027. Wisconsin hasn't made any such talks public. There was some smoke that the Badgers were engaged in retention talks with Colton Joseph, but that was before they benched him for true freshman Ryan Hopkins. Now, Joseph's most likely future looks like the transfer portal once again. And speaking of the portal, an early target that makes a whole lot of sense for Wisconsin has emerged: North Dakota State cornerback Marion Moore.
The Bulletin · Corvallis, OR
Nearby: Corvallis, ORThe nation’s leading passer is staying in Corvallis. Oregon State quarterback Braden Atkinson has re-signed with the Beavers for the 2027 season, a source with knowledge of the matter confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive. ESPN first reported the news. Atkinson’s return, which has been negotiated for several weeks, comes 18 days after receiver Jesse Legree announced he was re-signing with OSU and gives the Beavers two critical pieces to build around in JaMarcus Shephard’s second season. Atkinson and Legree each signed with Nike’s Blue Ribbon Elite NIL program last week, the first two OSU athletes to do so. Atkinson is completing 65.8% of his passes for 3,169 yards with 25 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for two scores and caught a touchdown. Oregon State (5-4, 3-2 Pac-12) vs. No. 17 Boise State (8-1, 5-0) When: Saturday, 3 p.m. Where: Albertsons Stadium; Boise, Idaho Betting line: Boise State by 10.5 TV: USA Network