Stories from surrounding communities, closest first.
Wilsonvile Spokesman · Independence, OR
Nearby: Independence, ORTo be honest, the Wilsonville volleyball team didn’t get everything it wanted from the Class 5A state tournament. That said, the Wildcats couldn’t have asked for anything more from their 2026 season. No. 5 Wilsonville, the Greater Metro Conference champion, won its way back to the 5A tournament for the eighth straight year, and while the Wildcats lost both their matches at state, they left 2026 with nothing but appreciation for their accomplishments. The 5A state tournament was held Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6-7, at Central High School in Independence. The quotes and the stats “There were some doubts going into it, but we pushed each point to our full potential,” said Wilsonville junior libero Jesse Bambach, who led her team with 40 digs at state. “I’m super proud of how we played and end of this season.” “We came out strong in both of our [matches] this tournament,” said Wildcat senior outside hitter Teagan Hamilton, the GMC Player of the Year.
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.
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 School, 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.
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.
Molalla Pioneer / Herald Pioneer · McMinnville, OR
Nearby: McMinnville, ORLocal conventional wisdom thought this year’s Ward 3 city council race in McMinnville would have a conventional outcome. The probable winner would be Carson Benner, an uncontroversial incumbent, a centrist and long-time school board member active in many local civic groups. His main challenger appeared to be Realtor Katie Russ, backed by political heavyweights on the right and by the county Republican Party. Her main chance to succeed would come if the Benner vote was diminished by the less-connected third candidate, Richard Smith Savage, backed by the Democratic Socialists of America. The conventional wisdom was wrong. Russ has taken a distinct third place, and in voting tallies as of the evening of Nov. 11, Savage, the Democratic Socialist — an identification he doesn’t highlight on his website but has in news reports — had a slight lead over Benner for the one competitive McMinnville council seat.
