Fifty years later, skateboard pioneer returns to Lebanon where epic trip began
Fifty years after beginning a cross-country skateboard journey in Lebanon, Jack Smith is returning to retrace portions of the route for a documentary about his…
LATEST NEWS
Swimmer dies in Foster Lake at Lewis Creek
A Corvallis man died Sunday evening, Aug. 9, after he apparently drowned at Lewis Creek Park on Foster Lake. Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reported that at 5:41 p.m. Sunday, the Linn…
Fast-moving Hilltop Drive fire forces evacuation, quick response
Firefighters from around the area converged to stop a fire that destroyed a mobile home and threatened other structures in the 40200 block of Hilltop Drive in Lebanon Saturday afternoon, Aug.…
Two fires in Narrows: Police arrest suspect in first, investigate second
Local firefighters responded twice over three days to fires in the area of The Narrows, west of Sweet Home. The larger of the two was Saturday morning, when Sweet Home and Oregon Department of…
Commissioners support medical merger they say will benefit north county
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications At their Aug. 4 meeting, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker approved sending a letter to the Oregon Department…
Waterloo City Hall erects flag pole
Improvements to Waterloo’s City Hall have been made recently, as new railings were installed on the ramp and the porch has been fitted with a more solid flooring. A flag pole has also been…
First summer without the Oregon Jamboree costs school sports
After 34 years (with the exception of the COVID year), the Oregon Jamboree did not occur in Sweet Home on the first weekend of August this year. Organizers held the country music festival for…
COMMUNITY
Rodeo returns to SH, continuing old tradition
The Sweet Home Rodeo returns to town Saturday afternoon, Aug. 15, with a wide range of western and family activities at 4100 Long St. Rodeo isn’t new to Sweet Home – not by a long shot. Last…
Scene Around Town: Aug. 12, 2026
Summer Play at the Park Above, a staff member from King’s Chapel sprays down a team player under the gaze of a hot sun while church members played a version of flag football at Century Park on…
Linn County Fair reports record attendance year
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications A record 30,560 people attended the 2026 Linn County Fair, the most since the fair switched from four days to a three-day event in 2021, according to…
Tumbling takes a turn at Freedom Hill Church
Kids tumbled, and some were humbled, during the first gymnastics class being held at Freedom Hill Church on Wednesday, Aug. 5. At that class, some of the kids showed they were a little more…
Blood donation needs continue this summer, Red Cross reports
The American Red Cross continues to urge donors of all blood types to act now and make an appointment to give blood or platelets amid the ongoing national blood crisis. Just three additional…
SCHOOL NEWS
Sweet Home resident among WesternU incoming students
By Emily Campbell Communications Specialist Western University of Health Sciences Western University of Health Sciences’ College of Health Sciences-Northwest (CHS-Northwest) welcomed 46…
Lebanon School Board discusses student outcomes, accountability
What does success mean for the Lebanon Community School District? That question guided much of the Lebanon School Board meeting on Aug. 6. Board members spent the evening talking about how to…
SH School Board approves board goals following governance discussion
During a special meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 5, the Sweet Home School District Board of Directors approved new goals for both the board and Supt. Terry Martin, as well as a new…
Medical college welcomes Class of 2030 in historical ceremony
By Emily Campbell Communications Specialist Western University of Health Sciences The commencement ceremony for incoming students at Lebanon’s medical college initiates a new class under the…
WesternU S&R members volunteer at Linn County Fair
By Emily Campbell WesternU Oregon Writer Several students from Western University of Health Sciences Heatherington College of Osteopathic Medicine spent their weekend providing medical support…
OPINION
Editorial: Getting better starts at home
A decade or two ago, I wouldn’t have devoted editorial opinion space to discussing the viability of newspapers. Not that I wasn’t concerned then, but we didn’t have conferences like the one I…
Opinion: Mic dodge not what voters need
Back in 2018, then-Gov. Kate Brown set a new precedent: She declined to face her opponent in what had traditionally been the opening debate of the gubernatorial election campaign in Oregon.…
Dear Editor: Thanks to sponsoring American Legion walk
Editor: American Legion Post 133 extends our heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors of our “Two and a Half Miles for Two and a Half Centuries” first annual fundraising walk on…
Opinion: Housing Act just political theater
By Randal O’Toole A recent bill passed by Congress aimed at making housing more affordable will lead to almost no improvements in affordability. In fact, some provisions of the law will make…
Opinion: 250th one-of-a-kind celebration
As a journalist in a small community where “everybody knows your name,” covering events often means being a participant. Last Saturday, that was a pretty affirming experience. I can’t say I…