Watershed projects improve fish passage, drainage in local streams
Upper Ames Creek was running a little low for late spring, roughly a foot deep in the main channel, earlier this month as members of the South Santiam Watershed…
LATEST NEWS
Commissioners approve contract for Millersburg bridge project
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications At their June 9 meeting, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker approved a contract for $2,441,679.20 with Legacy…
Lebanon adopts $94.7 million budget, includes wastewater plant project
The Lebanon City Council adopted a $94.7 budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year during its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 10. Finance Director Brandon Neish pointed out the number is higher this…
Fire on Wiley Creek
Blaze burns home, land Fire destroyed a home and spread into nearby wildland Sunday evening, June 14, on upper Wiley Creek Drive, according to the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District.…
Waterloo to get tougher on RV living laws
The City of Waterloo is urging residents to take heed of city ordinances concerning yard debris and RV-living. During its City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 9, the council revisited a…
Fire grant supports seasonal Lebanon crew, but overall revenue expected to decrease
The Lebanon Fire District swore-in new fire members and reported some concerns during its board meeting on Tuesday, June 8. Training Division Chief Russell Duerr presented yellow helmets to…
SH council explores business support while advancing city interests
The possibility of establishing a city business registry prompted extended discussion and a lot of questions for Sweet Home City Council members at a June 9 work session that preceded their…
COMMUNITY
Prosperity Council likely to streamline state’s economic development agency
The agency missed its job creation target nine out of the past 10 years. The solution: a lower target. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project Amid a flagging economy, Gov. Tina Kotek’s…
Scene Around Town(s): June 17, 2026
Safety first at Sweet Home’s Sankey Park Above, a young bicyclist work her way through the skills course during Sweet Home’s Public Safety Fair Saturday, June 13, at Sankey Park. Multiple…
High-Q honoree Pascalar developed agricultural roots in SH
By Satina Tolman For The New Era Although she no longer lives in Sweet Home, Cara Pascalar’s roots here remain deep. The 1990 Sweet Home High School graduate returned to her hometown June 5 to…
Events: June 17, 2026
Upcoming City Meetings These are regularly-scheduled meetings. Sometimes the dates or times are changed due to schedule conflicts among members, work session additions, holidays, etc. Last…
Police Logs: June 17, 2026
Information herein is sourced from law enforcement and fire agencies. Details, which may not always be available in time for our weekly publication, are updated on our website as information…
SCHOOL NEWS
SH Junior High Field Day
Sweet Home Junior High ended its school year June 11 with its annual Tiger Olympics, which was, well, pretty epic this year. The event pits homeroom classes against each other in various…
SH School Board approves principal’s resignation
The resignation of Oak Heights Elementary Principal Todd Barrett and questions surrounding the district’s personnel investigation process drew some major discussion during the Sweet Home…
Lebanon School Board reviews district’s plan to comply with new law
Oregon’s new education accountability law, Senate Bill 141, took center stage during the Lebanon Community School District Board of Directors meeting June 11 as district leaders reviewed how…
SHHS graduation highlights graduates, alumni achievements
By Satina Tolman For The New Era One hundred eighty-four graduating seniors filed onto Husky Field beneath a blanket of clouds that threatened rain Friday evening. Though the breeze carried a…
LHS grads value character, staying true to self
Lebanon High School graduated 272 students during the Class of 2026 commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, June 2. The 12 valedictorians who spoke at the graduation ceremony focused on themes of…
OPINION
Remembering the Cost of Freedom: A Memorial Day poem
By Satina Tolman For many, Memorial Day now marks the start of summer days, Of crowded camps and barbecue smoke drifting through the haze. Storefront windows flash their signs in bold and…
A Memoir: Everyone has to Go
By Xander Eddings Everyone knows the pain of losing someone. The agonizing, harrowing, gut-wrenching pain as you watch a person drift away, leaving you feeling empty again. How your chest…
Dear Editor: Thoughts of love in the springtime
Editor: “’Tis spring, and a young man’s fancy turns to…” you know, luv. “Oh, my heart races every time I see her/him!” “If she/he would be mine, wouldn’t everyone envy me!” “We’d go to my…
Dear Editor: Urban renewal has pros, cons
Editor: I lived in suburban Clackamas County 32 years before moving to Linn County. For much of that time the county was a hotbed of population growth, planning fiascos, and speculation. As…
Dear Editor: Grant opportunity may not be there later
Editor: As you may be aware in the last 5 years our school district has been systematically updating our schools. In the process they have been fiscally responsible and have done an amazing…