New wildland firefighters get test at live fire exercise
The forest just north of Foster Lake came alive Friday, June 26, as 200 wildland firefighters completed their final day of training for the 2026 Mid-Willamette Valley…
LATEST NEWS
Lebanon council hashes out source of matching grant funds for library
In an effort to increase its odds of winning a grant for the expansion of the Lebanon Public Library, the City Council committed funds toward a matching amount during a special meeting on…
Three fires squeeze LFD
Lebanon Fire District crews responded over a 24-hour period, starting Wednesday evening, to three significant fire incidents. The first fire was dispatched as a first-alarm incident and was…
Impasse between agencies, Dad Bod owners results in closure
Chris Millard stood in the parking lot of what arguably was one of the most successful start-ups in recent Sweet Home history: Dad Bod Detailing. He was clearly disgusted, as had been…
Former CenturyTel building could become apartments
A developer may be turning a long-vacated building in downtown Lebanon, often referred to as the “old CenturyTel building,” into residential space. The Lebanon Planning Commission held a…
ODF: Entire state now in fire season
As of June 15, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you…
Caleb Gay takes helm as Sodaville’s new mayor
Sodaville Mayor Brian Lewis formally resigned during the City Council’s meeting on Thursday, June 19, marking his last day in office. Reading from a prepared statement, Lewis expressed his…
SPORTS
Water polo tournament back at Foster Lake
The 14th annual Foster Lake Open Water Polo Tournament returned to Sweet Home last week. Founded by Steve Sessa of the Willamette Water Polo program in 2012, it has become a popular summer…
Linn County high school basketball teams square off in tournament
Nearly all of Linn County’s high schools squared off in a summer tournament hosted by Sweet Home High School Saturday, June 20. The event included both varsity and JV brackets and games were…
JBO Action in Lebanon
The Lebanon 2 team and Sweet Home Black team faced off in Senior National JBO baseball June 16 at Lebanon High School. Above, a Lebanon player dives back to first after a pick off attempt as…
Future Huskies develop their court skills at basketball camp
Sweet Home’s girls basketball team held its Little Huskies basketball camp last week.Here, obviously on Dressup Day, are participants in the event, which included sessions for elementary…
COMMUNITY
Man drowns after diving into Blue Pool
A Kansas man died Friday evening after jumping into the water at Blue Pool, the Linn County Sheriff’s Officer reported. Linn County Undersheriff Micah Smith said that at 8:47 pm. Friday, Linn…
‘Flamingos’ instructor loves teaching water aerobics at pool
By Satina Tolman For The New Era When a flock of pink flamingos marches down Main Street during this year’s Sportsman Holiday Parade, spectators may see a cheerful group promoting the Sweet…
Local Semiquincentennial celebrations planned
So… How to celebrate the Big One – America’s 250th? Fourth of July events in Linn County range from a serious reading of the Declaration of Independence, the document that got us started down…
OPINION
Dear Editor: Results of May 19 election are telling
Editor: The results of the May 19 election told us more than all of the polls and news reports. Record-breaking turnout in many counties was driven by the referendum on gas taxes and…
Opinion: IP 28 would harm state
Editor’s note: Efforts to get Initiative Petition 28, also known as the “Peace Act, a proposed ballot initiative aimed at the November 2026 ballot that would effectively criminalize…
FROM OUR FILES
From Our Files: July 1, 2026
July 5, 1951 No local holiday celebrations marked the Fourth of July in the past nine years in Sweet Home. In 1946, three grade school boys sold fireworks outside city limits, which is now illegal. The…
From Our Files: June 24, 2026
June 28, 1951 Sweet Home’s Mayor Eugene Ellis issued a letter to residents urging cooperation with water restrictions, and the City Council declared an emergency regarding the current drastic threat to the…
OREGON JOURNALISM PROJECT (OJP)
Prosperity Council’s report challenges Kotek to signal that Oregon is open for business
The 15-member panel of business and labor leaders proposed four modest tax code changes, replacing the Climate Protection Program, and some less controversial reforms. By Nigel Jaquiss…
Six Oregon cities have some of the highest rates of alcohol-induced death in the nation for people 65 and over
An aging population, lack of rural treatment and health care, low alcohol taxes, and a pervasive drinking culture all contribute to the high death rates. By Khushboo Rathore Oregon…
Prosperity Council likely to streamline state’s economic development agency
The agency missed its job creation target nine out of the past 10 years. The solution: a lower target. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project Amid a flagging economy, Gov. Tina Kotek’s…