Gubernatorial candidate Drazan shares vision during opening debates, Kotek absent
Gubernatorial Republican candidate Christine Drazan accepted the invitation to take part in a debate, at the annual convention of the Oregon Newspaper Publishers…
LATEST NEWS
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…
Probable leak causes 24% loss of water for Sodaville
During the Sodaville City Council meeting on July 16, Public Works Director J D Burns reported there is a major water leak he is trying to locate. In the past month, the wells produced 592,905…
SH outdoor library space project begins
The Sweet Home City Council held its regular meeting in record time on Tuesday, July 28, conducting quick business in just eight minutes. During that time, the council held its second reading…
TNE judged second among similar newspapers in PNW
The New Era received multiple awards at the Pacific Northwest News Contest, held in July. Hosted by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, the contest includes newspapers from Washington…
Hazard trees prompt closure of Yellowbottom Campground
Yellowbottom Campground has been closed permanently for overnight camping due to a determination by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) determined that aging trees within the campground’s…
BLM warns of fire danger, using cameras to spot trouble
Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM…
COMMUNITY
Multiple calls tax Lebanon Fire crew during four-hour period
Lebanon Fire District responded to multiple simultaneous emergencies that temporarily committed all available personnel and apparatus during a four-hour period on Tuesday, Aug. 4. LFD reported…
2026 Sportsman’s Holiday Logger Olympics Winners
Editor’s note: Thanks to space issues and some camera troubles, we’re late publishing these. Also, some of the powderpuff competition photos did not survive (courtesy of above-mentioned camera…
Scene Around Town: Aug. 5, 2026
The Buzz About Bees A hive of activity was contained within the Lebanon Public Library where children took part in a “Bee Amazed” presentation on Thursday, July 30. The Museum of Natural and…
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…
New paved trail started for Lebanon’s enthusiasts
Trailblazers in Lebanon are, literally, building a new trail in the city, which brings the pathfinders just steps closer to connecting River Park to the north end of Lebanon. After completing…
SCHOOL NEWS
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…
Site dean named for new Western graduate nursing program
Dr. Michael Marinello has been named founding Site Dean for the College of Graduate Nursing-Northwest (CGN-Northwest) in Lebanon, effective Aug. 3. “The appointment of Dr. Marinello as Site…
Sweet Home School Board elects officers, discusses bond plans
The Sweet Home School District school board opened its July 13 meeting by electing new leadership for the 2026 – 2027 school year before turning to early literacy, district hiring practices,…
Lebanon School Board of Directors sets leadership, student representatives
The Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors met July 9 to prepare for the 2026-27 school year. The board elected new leadership, appointed three student board representatives,…
Theft costs SHHS track program $10,000-plus
Burglars stole more than $10,000 worth of equipment from a storage shed at Husky Field in Sweet Home Saturday night, June 27, police and track Head Coach Nathan Whitfield said. Whitfield said…
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 July 4. We…
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…