Aerospace to rainforests: Local engineer brings the jungle home
When Bill Rodman first started keeping orchids and poison dart frogs, he was looking for a hobby that balanced his demanding schedule as an aerospace engineer. …
LATEST NEWS
Lebanon approves 284-lot, 10-year subdivision plan
A preliminary subdivision plat for more 284 residential lots and other developments that would be located just south of Willamette Speedway was approved by the Lebanon Planning Commission…
Official park name may be first step to ‘world-class’ disc golf
Sweet Home’s Quarry Park should soon have that name, officially, City Council members agreed unanimously at their regular meeting Tuesday, July 14. There’s a reason for that. The 233-acre…
SH council takes steps to secure new city attorney
Sweet Home City Council members spent a short work session Tuesday, July 14, discussing how to replace City Attorney Blair Larsen. Larsen is leaving for a new job as assistant city attorney…
Commissioners applaud redefinition of ‘harm’ in Endangered Species Act
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications At their July 14 meeting, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker welcomed news that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife…
Corps plans July 23 virtual meeting to discuss reservoir levels
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers water managers will hold a virtual public information meeting July 23 to share the latest summer water forecast and discuss ongoing drought conditions across the…
Lebanon Fire’s fiscal year budget closes out ‘OK’
Curbed spending and increased ambulance revenue made the Lebanon Fire District’s June financial report look a little more positive during the regular meeting of the Board of Directors on…
COMMUNITY
Children’s literacy effort in Sweet Home produces results
After a year of volunteers visiting Sweet Home schools to encourage literacy skills, classroom reading proficiency has increased by an average of 46% of school district kindergarteners and…
‘Authentic, grandma-made quilts’ on display at SH City Hall
“Every baby should have an authentic grandma-made quilt.” That’s a quote by Sweet Home resident – and grandma – Anita Johnson, who has made it her inspired mission to share comfort and…
Royer seeks replacement to lead Kids Food Pak effort
Toy Royer is looking for someone to take over Kids Food Pak as she prepares to step down after seven years as the program’s facilitator. Royer said in a recent interview that she has been…
Police Logs: July 22, 2026 Edition
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…
Death Notices: July 22, 2026 Issue
Shawn Joseph Banker, 45, of Lebanon, passed away July 14, 2026. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. For updated information, visit www.sweethomefuneral.com. Funeral…
SCHOOL NEWS
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…
SH School Board finalizes bond election results
Sweet Home School Board members, in a special meeting Monday, June 22, declared the results of the May 19 election in which voters passed a $40 million general obligation bond to fund school…
From boardroom to podium: Pickles and Weber leave legacy at Lebanon High School
When Addy Pickles and Cade Weber crossed the stage as members of Lebanon High School’s (LHS) Class of 2026 earlier this month, they left behind more than academic and athletic…
SH School Board finalizes bond election results
Sweet Home School Board members, in a special meeting Monday, June 22, declared the results of the May 19 election in which voters passed a $40 million general obligation bond to fund school…
OPINION
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…
Dear Editor: Does he have guts to do right thing?
Editor: Last night I was sitting across from the business offices in the 400 block of Main Street (Hwy. 20), watching all the fireworks going off in the various neighborhoods. It was almost…
Dear Editor: McKern’s piece on horses elicits memories
Editor: I always enjoy Roberta McKern’s stories. Her piece in the July 1 edition, about horses, reminded me of a pair of books I read from our library, “1491” and “1492.” I found them…
Dear Editor: Hurt doesn’t have to be the last word
Editor: I’ve noticed something about our current generation – many of us have been taught to center our struggles so much that we sometimes begin to identify with them more than we grow beyond…