SH cheer squad ends string of runner-up finishes with title
Sweet Home’s competition cheer squad won the OSAA 4A state championship Saturday, Feb. 14, in decisive fashion, finishing the competition at Oregon City High School…
LATEST NEWS
Naming rights opportunities for Sweet Home library offered
During its Feb. 10 meeting the Sweet Home City Council unanimously approved a policy for the Sweet Home Public Library outlining guidelines and procedures for naming rights and donor…
Lebanon to hire consultant for municipal jail levy
The Lebanon City Council unanimously agreed to move forward toward a possible local option levy during its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 11. The $1.7 million levy would fund the reopening of the…
Summer jobs available through Forest Service
The Willamette National Forest is hiring seasonal employees for the upcoming recreation season and is encouraging local residents to apply. “Our seasonal employees are the backbone of summer…
Linn County leads state in permit turnaround, commissioners learn
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications The Linn County Planning and Building Department usually takes fewer than 10 days to issue a building permit if the application was complete when…
Fire station roof leaks fixed, eight promoted in district
A recently reported roof leak at the new Lebanon Fire District Station 31 has been repaired, but the district is still researching how to extend the life of its roof for Station 34. Fire Chief…
Waterloo fleshes out plans for City Hall expansion
The Waterloo City Council held a work session prior to its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 10, to discuss plans for a grant-funded expansion of City Hall. According to City Recorder Grace…
SPORTS
Warriors deliver state cheer title
It was a rookie team but that didn’t faze the Warriors as Lebanon’s competition cheer squad won the school’s first state championship in three years. Lebanon’s girls delivered a performance…
Multiple Huskies qualify in seven events for state swimming
By Satina Tolman For The New Era Though Sweet Home’s swimmers did not earn a district title this year, they left with something equally telling about the state of the program: 32 personal…
Huskies sending 20 wrestlers to state; over 500 points at regionals
By Ryker Burr For The New Era Sweet Home wrestling managed quite the remarkable victory at the 4A Special District 2 Regional Tournament. The Huskies (507) won by over 180 points. Cascade…
Lebanon girls claim first state berths in girls wrestling
By Ryker Burr For The New Era Lebanon’s Girls Wrestling team finished 12th out of 15 teams that competed at the 6A-5A Special District 3 Meet, which took place in West Salem this past weekend,…
COMMUNITY
‘Smitty’s Kitties’ shares tale of kindness
Once upon a time, not long ago, a Lebanon resident was greeted in the Bi-Mart parking lot by a solitary man who helped her with her shopping cart. He was not an employee, but would give his…
LCSWA slates woodland events, activities throughout 2026
By Larry Mauter LCSWA member A full year of activities relating to woodlands management has been scheduled by the Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA). Board President Jim Merzenich…
Scene Around Town: Feb. 18, 2026
Fish Art Installation on Main Street Above, Brian Womack of the Sweet Home Public Works Department digs a hole in the Main Street Median in preparation for installing a metal fish, left, one…
OPINION
Opinion: Why FFA matters in Oregon
By Tricia Mooney In a state where agriculture remains the cornerstone of our economy and culture, Oregon FFA has been cultivating the next generation of leaders for nearly a century.…
Dear Editor: What are we willing to give up to lower taxes?
Editor: I read your editorial regarding the level of taxes in Oregon. I was surprised that you did not mention that Oregon does not have a general sales tax to help offset the need…
FROM OUR FILES
From Our Files: Feb. 18, 2026
Feb. 22, 1951 High Mass was conducted at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Lebanon for the five children, ages six months to six years, of Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Gutierrez, who died in the worst fire…
From Our Files: Feb. 11, 2026
Feb. 15, 1951 More than 10% of some 250 people who attended a state senate hearing came from Sweet Home to argue the case for repeal of an unemployment compensation amendment that would deny benefits…
OREGON JOURNALISM PROJECT (OJP)
In arena funding talks, Oregon officials playing not to lose
When three struggling governments negotiate with the man who built the nation’s biggest subprime auto lender, taxpayers should get ready to pay. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project Edan…
Powerful labor leader tells lawmakers to keep hands off prevailing wage laws
Building trades appear to have again blocked efforts to speed the development of affordable housing and child care facilities. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project Few pieces of…
Union asks lawmakers to repeal ballot measure that same union passed at great expense
United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555 employed scorched-earth tactics and big money to pass Measure 119. Now the union wants to kill it. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism…