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…
SPORTS
Sweet Home seniors Honored for athletic achievement, leadership, service
By Satina Tolman For The New Era Sweet Home High School senior athletes were recognized for their dedication, leadership, and accomplishments during the annual Sports Awards Night, hosted June…
Portland runner wins Strawberry 5K
Lebanon’s Strawberry Festival 5K and mile drew more than 800 runners and walkers Saturday, June 6, as out-of-town visitors ran away from the home crowd to win the annual race. Cameron Peshon…
‘Hard work’ pays off in state track titles for Warriors
Lebanon’s Cade Weber won a state title in his specialty, the 400 meters, Saturday afternoon, May 30, at the OSAA 5A track and field championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, then anchored the…
SH’s Bailey Chafin commits to wrestle at Southwestern Oregon
Bailey Chafin, without doubt the most accomplished wrestler coming out of Sweet Home High School’s girls program, signed a letter of intent Thursday, May 28, to start her college career at…
COMMUNITY
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…
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…
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…
FROM OUR FILES
From Our Files: June 17, 2026
June 21, 1951 A new flare-up in the 240-acre Wiley Creek fire southeast of Foster caused fresh consternation among Santiam Lumber company crews which have manned the huge blaze since it broke out several…
From Our Files: June 10, 2026
June 14, 1951 The city park will soon offer a variety of play equipment to youngsters. Park Commissioner W. S. Sankey said a 24-foot wave slide, four teeter totters and a merry-go-round have arrived and…
OREGON JOURNALISM PROJECT (OJP)
Oregon’s aging population poses challenges for economic revival
Gov. Tina Kotek’s Prosperity Council will propose fixes later this month. By Khushboo Rathore Oregon Journalism Project As the Governor’s Prosperity Council finalizes recommendations this…
Most of Oregon’s state teacher prep programs still get an F in reading instruction
But Southern Oregon University went from failing to an A in three years. By James Neff Oregon Journalism Project A new report shows Oregon continues to fail to educate future elementary…
Former U.S. Senator Bob Packwood dies at 93
The Senate’s master of the tax code will instead be remembered for the scandal that ended his career. By Steve Duin Oregon Journalism Project Bob Packwood was an awkward and epic…
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