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Durkee Fire balloons to 182 square miles, Gov. Kotek invokes Conflagration
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for Durkee Fire in Baker County as officials say it has ballooned to 116,431 acres, or about 182 square miles, Sunday morning, with 0% containment.
Check out the HUDL films of all 16 of Oregon's 2025 commitments
Oregon's 2025 class ranks fifth nationally with room for even more movement in the coming weeks and months. The class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore and consists of 16 total verbal pledges. Of those 16 prospects, 13 rank within the Top 247 rankings. Simply put, this class is talented at the top and also very deep.
Readers Respond to the Latest Contortions in Oregon Homelessness Policy
The clearing of homeless camps from Portland’s streets is often and crudely described as a game of Whac-A-Mole. But another frivolous analogy comes to mind after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled cities could enforce strict camping bans: Homelessness policy on the West Coast has been written with an Etch A Sketch, which the courts shake every few years, sending cities and states back to the drawing board. Oregon, which structured its camping laws around previous court rulings, now must decide whether to draw them again (“Breaking Camp,” WW, July 10). The law-and-order candidates running for Portland City Hall this November certainly want a do-over. Here’s what our readers had to say:
Special event to benefit local nonprofit set for Friday at Lumos
Strengthening Rural Families, a Philomath-based nonprofit that serves children and families in rural Benton and Linn counties, invites the community to its annual fundraiser on Friday at Lumos Wine Co. The board and staff will host an evening of wine, music and community spirit from 5-8 p.m. July 26 at...
Woodburn man arrested, charged with DUI in fatal Linn County crash
A Woodburn man has been charged with manslaughter, assault, driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving in a fatal crash early Sunday on Interstate 5 in Linn County, according to the Oregon State Police. A preliminary investigation determined the 23-year-old driving a Lexus GS northbound on I-5 when he rear ended...
Fire crews continue battling Pyramid Fire near Sweet Home
SWEET HOME, Ore. – Firefighters are working to contain a wildfire that is burning more than 500 acres of woodland east of Sweet Home. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Pyramid Fire was first reported in the afternoon of July 17, after several lightning strikes hit across Oregon. USFS officials said that as of July 22, the fire is burning 535 acres in an old-growth forest that has no recent history of fire. The fire’s location in steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain, and crews have been working on improving existing forest and overgrown roads in the area, which the USFS said should help prevent the fire from spreading south towards the Middle Santiam Wilderness, private timberlands, and nearby communities.
Neighbors mingled with neighbors at the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo
From watching a family friendly performance by Professor Bamboozle to viewing favorite barnyard animals, to taking in highly energized rodeo action, there were plenty of entertainment choices at the Columbia County Fair and Rodeo. The 2024 fair wrapped up its 5-day run Sunday, July 21, but not before all the fun that was had between the numerous events at the annual festival in St. Helens. At the cow barn Friday,...
A car show, raffles, rock 'n' roll music and more awaits visitors to Back to Our Roots in Rainier
Scenic Rainier City Park is the location of Back to our Roots, a car show and community event featuring The Decades Band, outdoor games, raffles, vendors and a beer garden. Back to our Roots takes place this weekend: Friday, July 26; Saturday, July 27; and Sunday, July 28. The event started four years ago, and has since found a home in Rainier. “Back to our Roots was started out of...
Salem teen arrested in May homicide of man found dead along I-5
Oregon State Police have arrested a teenager who is charged with second-degree murder in the death of a Salem man whose body was found in May along the shoulder of Interstate 5 in Clackamas County. Police found the body of Oscar Lizardo Chaidez, 42, on May 29 on the shoulder...
Restaurant Roundup: Anniversary celebration, food truck closure
In Restaurant Roundup, Em Chan shares some local restaurants' latest updates. Have a question for a restaurant you'd like Chan to look into? You can send your inquiries to her atechan@gannett.com. Washington Street Steakhouse. Washington Street Steakhouse is celebrating its 25th anniversary all day on July 20. The steakhouse will...
Summer Flower Event at Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
New this year, Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm invites you to explore its bounty of summertime blooms. The summer flower event features vibrant sunflowers and a variety of other summer flowers. For more than 40 years, this Woodburn, Oregon, farm has delighted visitors with beautiful blossoms of every color framing the...
At food pod, that tent is gone for now
Since last winter there has been a pod of food trucks, “Charli’s on I-5,” near the freeway in Albany, just off southbound Exit 234 on Airport Road. Last month the owners asked the Albany City Council to let them keep in place a large tent they had put up to shelter diners, to no avail.
40-member band seeks new players, begins practice for fall
The Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble has scheduled its first rehearsal in preparation for two fall concerts and is inviting potential new members to play along. Rehearsals for the fall season begin at 6:30 p.m. Monday, July 29 at the Waldport Community Center, 265 E. Hemlock St. No audition is required and the band is currently looking for French horn and percussion players, although all are welcome to join.
Fight against invasive water plant moves to Oxbow Slough at Minto-Brown Island Park
Crews will begin combating an invasive water plant at Minto-Brown Island Park's Oxbow Slough starting Monday. Visitors to Minto-Brown are advised to stay out of the slough during treatment times to avoid possible exposure. Treated plants will be marked with a blue-green dye to show areas treated. The herbicide is absorbed by the plants within 24 hours, and the blue dye may remain visible for weeks.
Astoria art studios open for weekend tour
The 14th annual Astoria Open Studios Tour over the last weekend in July will see more than 50 artists offer a glimpse of their creative process to the public. The free, self-guided event is a chance to meet local artists and see and buy their work right where it was made.
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