After 50 years, logger Richard Malusky still loves woods
In 1975, Richard Malusky wanted a job in the woods, and when he got it, he never left. Malusky, now 70, this year celebrated half a century as a logger with, now,…
LATEST NEWS
LPD officers describe operations, successes, needs at Forum Lunch
Lebanon Police lieutenants Taylor Jackson and Ryan Padua found themselves in front of the crowd Friday, Sept. 25, at the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce’s Forum Lunch in the absence of Chief Frank…
SH councilors get updates on variety of capital projects
A work session and regular session for Sweet Home’s City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 22, revealed plan updates for the former City Hall building, the current City Hall’s east wing lease, the…
Linn County Crisis Center opens in Albany
By Alex Paul Linn County Communications The Linn County Crisis Center opened Monday, Sept. 21, at 1050 7th Avenue SW, across from Samaritan Albany General Hospital. The Crisis Center will…
Commissioners get update on Juvenile Department
The Linn Benton Juvenile Detention Center had 32 admissions in August, Juvenile Department Deputy Director Rob Perkins told the Linn County Board of Commissioners at their Sept. 22 meeting.…
Sodaville resident seeks financial relief for water leak
A Sodaville resident is asking the city for financial relief on his water bill after a leak was discovered on his side of the meter, but determining who’s responsible may require some careful…
Rabid bat found last week in Albany area
A bat found in the Albany area on Sept. 22 has tested positive for rabies. Linn County health officials are reminding residents to avoid all contact with bats and other wild animals. This case…
SPORTS
Huskies win league opener, share early lead in boys soccer
Sweet Home entered this week tied for the early-season lead in the Mountain Valley Conference boys soccer standings after beating Creswell and tying Pleasant Hill last week. The Huskies opened…
Local teams do well at ELCA home XC meet at Cheadle
Sweet Home and East Linn both had good days Friday, Sept. 25, at the Champs Invite, hosted by the Eagles at Cheadle Lake Park. Sweet Home finished with 14 personal bests from 26 runners, while…
Willamette Speedway wraps up 2026 season with championship night
Saturday night at Willamette Speedway brought the 2026 racing season to a close, with six divisions competing and several drivers finishing the season in victory lane. In the Dwarf Cars…
Warriors notch first conference football win
By Mike Warner For The New Era Lebanon’s football team put together a dominant performance Friday night, Sept. 25, in a 43-18 road win at Corvallis to give the Warriors their first…
COMMUNITY
Sweet Home Candidates Forum Oct. 5
A forum for Sweet Home mayoral and City Council candidates will be held at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at RezRock, 1621 53rd Ave., in Foster. The event will be emceed by George Dominy.
Cake artisan returns to defend ‘Halloween Wars’ title
Her passion to be creative and her love of baking ultimately made Liz Marek well-known worldwide for her edible art. Marek, Class of 1999 at Lebanon High School, is competing in a showdown in…
Scene Around Town: Sept. 30, 2026
Tomato-stravaganza The annual TomatoFest, hosted by the Linn County Master Gardeners Association, was held Sept. 26, 2026, at the Lebanon Senior Center in Lebanon. The free public event…
OPINION
Rest in peace, Joan – and please ignore that typo
My introduction to Joan Scofield came in 2006, when she marched into The New Era newspaper office and told us we needed a proofreader. That was Joan’s style: straightforward but not…
Dear Editor: Disgusted by vandalism
Editor: Recently, my son and I changed the American flag at the Union Cemetery in Crawfordsville, for the second time this year. These are flags furnished by American Legion Post #51…
FROM OUR FILES
From Our Files: Sept. 30, 2026
Oct. 4, 1951 The state highway resident engineer said he won’t pay contractors for the M Street pavement job until it’s completed to the satisfaction of Sweet Home residents and the state highway…
From Our Files: Sept. 23, 2026
Sept. 27, 1951 City Council voted down four applicants seeking to serve mixed drinks in Class C restaurants after the matter drew considerable attention from businesses and churches. The council received…
OREGON JOURNALISM PROJECT (OJP)
Oregon graduates 26,000 fewer college grads than needed to fill available jobs
Here are five reasons why Oregon’s higher education institutions struggle to support the state’s job market. By Khushboo Rathore Oregon Journalism Project A new report highlighting…
$10 million mystery check hangs over governor’s race
Locked in a dead heat, Kotek and Drazan will debate for the first time this election on Oct. 1. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Projecty There’s a shadow hanging over the Oregon’s…
Oregon students edge up in math, science and English proficiency but still lag far behind scores of a decade ago
In dozens of school districts, parents have opted their children out of federally mandated tests at rates that undermine accountability. By James Neff and Khushboo Rathore Oregon…