Newberg
Politics
Hollamon, Revino land SEDCOR awards for accomplishments
Elise Yarnell Hollamon has added to her growing list of accomplishments following the recent receipt of a prestigious award from a statewide organization. The Newberg City Council member received the Partner of the Year Award from SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corp.) during its annual Economic Development Awards ceremony Sept. 18. The agency, founded in 1982, is a consortium of business and community leaders committed to the economic vitality of Yamhill, Marion and Polk counties. ...
Forest Grove Santa House closes its doors this holiday season
A beloved holiday attraction in Forest Grove, the Santa House, announced that its doors will be closed this December. For years, Tom and Lori Epler have reprised the roles of Santa and Mrs. Claus respectively — opening up their home outside of the city for families to visit during Christmastime. In September, the couple shared the difficult news that Lori Epler had been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a fast-growing cancer...
Get to know your new Woodburn Independent staff
Have you noticed the new names appearing across the Woodburn Independent? It’s no coincidence. Reporters at our partner newspapers across Washington, Columbia and Yamhill counties have been working hard to cover Woodburn and the surrounding communities, on top of their typical beats in the past few weeks as we've looked to fill some key positions at the Independent. Now, the Woodburn Independent is proud to introduce Sophia Cossette as the...
Fall festivities begin at the Bauman’s Harvest Festival in Gervais
With the crispness of fall in the air, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are set to take center stage at the 37th annual Bauman's Harvest Festival. Located in Gervais at Bauman’s Farm and Garden, the festival officially kicked off on Sept. 21, with events continuing through Oct. 30. This year, the festival will feature over 30 activities for children of all groups, from mazes and obstacle courses to rides...
How a middle-income family was able to buy a house in Oregon
MILWAUKIE, Ore. — There is a lot of focus on the lack of affordable housing, and the huge challenges people find in trying to pay for a place to live. But the housing crisis is not just for folks considered low income. Increasingly, middle-income people are having a hard time buying into homeownership.
'Found' tombstone in Canby has its roots in St. Paul
A tombstone found in Canby would appear to have a relationship to a grave site in St. Paul. The St. Paul Mission Historical Society recently received an email from a woman about a “found” tombstone. The woman explained that she and her husband had recently purchased a property in Canby that had been owned by the same family for more than 100 years. ...
Watch the recent Wilsonville candidate forum
On Wednesday, Sept. 25, candidates running for Wilsonville City Council and mayor shared their views on some key community topics at a forum hosted by the Wilsonville Spokesman and the Wilsonville Chamber of Commerce. The recording of the forum can be found On Wednesday, Sept. 25, candidates running for Wilsonville City Council and mayor shared their views on some key community topics at a forum hosted by the Wilsonville Spokesman...
North Plains narrows in on new city manager
As North Plains readies for potential shifts in leadership with the November election, the city is closing in on a new city manager to help guide the small town. Four candidates have emerged from a national search to fill the position, and residents are invited to meet the finalists for a Q&A from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30, at the Jessie Mays Community Center. The city manager position...
Supporting the arts: Woodburn Aztec dance group receives state grant
In a celebration of cultural heritage, Woodburn’s Grupo Ritual Azteca Huitzilopochtli has received a creative boost in the form of a small operations grant from the Oregon Arts Commission. Small operations grants were awarded to selected organizations with annual budgets of less than $150,000 throughout the state. Ritual Azteca Huitzilopochtli received $2,355 from the grant. The Aztec dance group practices and operates in Woodburn with the mission of teaching indigenous...
SMART seeks Yamhill County volunteers to kindle a child’s imagination through reading
Are you a voracious reader of all things literary? If so, the children’s literacy nonprofit SMART Reading would like a word. The Portland-based organization is seeking volunteers at schools in Yamhill and three other counties in northwest Oregon. “Reading is an essential skill for kids, helping them start and stay on a path to success in school and beyond,” a recent release from the organization said. “Since 1992 … SMART...
OPINION: When Oregon communities buy in, students show up
We celebrated Attendance Awareness Month in September, and I want to extend my gratitude to every person, organization, and business that is championing attendance efforts in their local school districts. As I witnessed when I toured Gladstone School District earlier this month, when schools and communities show up for students, students show up for school. The young scholars in your neighborhood need you. Your community needs you. Our state needs...
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