Lebanon council nixes opportunity to reduce utility bills for vacant homes
At its regular meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Lebanon City Council was asked to consider reducing utility rates for customers when a home is vacant – a matter that…
LATEST NEWS
Expanded Responses from Election Candidates Jack Tibbetts and Angelita Sanchez
Editor’s note: Due to space restrictions we had to limit some responses from candidates to our questionnaires in the election section, located below. Sweet Home mayoral candidate…
Community divided over jail levy request
By Jennifer Moody For the New Era Lebanon voters will decide in the upcoming Nov. 3 election whether to approve a request for a five-year local option property tax levy to reopen and fund its…
Lebanon mayoral candidates address business, public concerns at forum
The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce hosted a forum for the city’s mayoral candidates, posing questions relevant to the business community, at The River Center on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Forest Bosley,…
Fire destroys home on Marks Ridge
A fire blamed on ash from a wood stove destroyed a house on Marks Ridge Drive late Monday afternoon, Oct. 19. According to Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, the two residents at the…
County commissioners receive building and planning report
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications Linn County issued 284 total permits in September, Planning & Building Department Director Steve Wills told the Board of Commissioners at their Oct.…
COMMUNITY
From Our Files: Oct. 28, 2026
Nov. 1, 1951 This year’s goal for the Community Chest drive is $5,565.70, almost half of which would benefit the Boy Scout troops in the area. Proceeds will also support the public…
LHS Hall of Fame: Time Winters
It’s that time of year again when alumni from Lebanon High School are recognized for the significant contributions they have made in this world. Among those to be honored this year is actor,…
Mason Flores – ‘So Much More Than an Athlete’
Coaches, football players, family and friends and a grandstand overflowing with Sweet Home community members gathered Saturday morning, Oct. 17, to remember Mason Flores at Husky Field, where…
Scene Around Town: Oct. 21, 2026
Dive Back In After being closed for 10 weeks to complete renovations and repairs on high-priority maintenance issues at the Lebanon Community Pool, swimmers, above, dove in to the waters when…
Micah Carpenter’s faith shaped his life of service
Micah Carpenter, 20, of Albany, was found deceased in Green Peter Reservoir on Oct. 5 after going missing during a camping trip near Sweet Home, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s…
SCHOOL NEWS
SH School Board OKs compliance, ponders pool bleachers
At its Oct. 12 meeting, the Sweet Home School District Board approved its annual state compliance report, got a financial update that included a $91,500 career education grant, and listened to…
Lebanon school board reviews state test scores, staffing and facility needs
The Lebanon Community School District school board reviewed declining test scores, staffing needs and aging school facilities during its Oct. 8 meeting, and discussed improving student…
FFA teams get dirty
Local FFA students, above, converged on the Sayer Farm south of Crawfordsville Thursday, Oct. 1 for the annual soils competition put on by Linn Soil and Water Conservation District. A state…
Prize-winning teacher helps Lebanon students find path in health care
Leah Rainey says her teaching journey began with a 30-minute phone call to her old high school health teacher. When she was in college and needed to interview someone in the health field for a…
OPINION
New rule endangering Americans’ healthcare
Editor: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a dangerous new rule beginning Oct. 22 that will threaten the healthcare of millions of Americans. The rule, “Indefinite Suspension…
Maluski is writer’s choice for state house
Editor: Having met both candidates for state representative for the 11th District, I am convinced Ivan Maluski, Independent, is the best choice. He supports legislation for affordable health…
Coleman has demonstrated skills, drive for mayor
Editor: I’m writing in support of Susan Coleman for mayor of Sweet Home. I’m her dad, so I’m obviously biased, but I’ve watched her work ethic, integrity, and intelligence my whole life. In…
Mayor was elected, according to charter
Editor: Two recent letters to the editor have described our current mayor as “appointed.” However, the City Charter in effect, when she became mayor in 2023 and again in 2025, stated “the…
Looking forward to voting for Sanchez
Editor: I am 73 years old. I want to elect a person for mayor who actually welcomes and encourages me to be part of the conversation about who will lead Sweet Home city government. The current…