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…
LATEST NEWS
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 home…
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.…
Army Corps Virtual Meeting re: Green Peter
The Portland District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will hold a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, to discuss the upcoming drawdown at Green Peter and Lookout Point reservoirs. USACE…
Sweet Home candidate forum answers community-submitted questions
The November 2026 election cycle invites Sweet Home residents to elect their mayor for the first time in probably more than 80 years.* Given this historic event, some in the community…
Unattended burn pile spreads to grove of trees
An unattended agricultural burn pile spread beyond its intended area, causing fire to move into a grove of trees in the 31000 block of Sandridge Road near Glaser Drive just before 5 p.m. on…
Secretary of State cautions about unofficial election mail
The 2026 General Election is under way, and Oregonians are beginning to receive mail and other communication related to their vote. To prevent confusion and combat misinformation, Secretary of…
COMMUNITY
Robert (Bob) Alan Church
Robert Church Nov. 27, 1971 – Oct. 10, 2026 In loving memory of Robert Alan Church. Robert (Bob) Alan Church, 54, was born on Nov. 27, 1971 in Klamath Falls and died due to a shooting on…
LeAnna Pitts
LeAnna Pitts July 29, 1974 – Oct. 1, 2026 LeAnna Pitts, 52, of Eugene, tragically passed away on Oct.1, 2026. Born on July 29, 1974, to Michael and Betty Hodges, LeAnna was known for her…
David Lee White
David White June 24, 1947 – Sept. 29, 2026 David Lee White, 79, passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 29, 2026. A longtime resident of Las Vegas, Nev,. David was proud to call Lebanon,…
Death Notices: Oct. 21, 2026
Betsabe Julia Hernandez Cornejo, 12, of Albany, passed away Oct. 16, 2026. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. For updated information, visit www.sweethomefuneral.com.…
Police Logs: Oct. 21, 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
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…
WesternU CHS research examines falls among older adults in rural Oregon
A researcher at Western University College of Health Sciences Northwest (CHS-Northwest) is studying falls among older adults in rural Oregon and how to prevent them. Dr. Kendra Cherry-Allen,…
Sweet Home school board addresses gym repairs, immigration policy and millions in grant spending
At its Sept. 14 meeting, the Sweet Home School Board approved an emergency contract to repair the high school activity gym, adopted an immigration enforcement policy for district property, and…
Lebanon school board weighs facility priorities
Facility needs dominated the Lebanon Community School District Board’s Sept. 10 meeting, with board members discussing aging school buildings, the Waterloo property, and a possible Lebanon…
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…