Articles written by Benny Westcott
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Sweet Home depot's fate hangs in balance
A piece of local history faces demolition if no one steps up to save it. The dilapidated Oregon Electric Railroad depot sits at the north end of the Sweet Home Public Works Yard, suffering from severe...
Tyler becomes new Sweet Home fire chief
Nick Tyler was sworn in Tuesday, May 17, as the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District's newest fire chief. He succeeds Dave Barringer, who'd held the position since 2014. The 44-year-old Tyler, a Swe...
Subdivision debated at Planning Commission meeting
The Sweet Home Planning Commission voted unanimously at its May 19 meeting to continue the public hearing to June 16 for Cordle Construction's application to subdivide a 193,625-square-foot property t...
Police detective commended for assistance call
Sweet Home Police Detective Geoff Hamlin received a commendation from Police Captain Jason Ogden on Wednesday, May 11, for his actions during a February 24 "elder in danger" assistance call....
Council discusses vacant buildings
Wastewater plant upgrades, railroad depot also on agenda The May 10 Sweet Home City Council meeting featured discussions on potentially enforcing stricter vacant-building ordinances downtown, funding...
Sweet Home's hare-raising problem
A feral-rabbit issue has plagued Sweet Home and the surrounding area since late last year, but this month it's worsened by leaps and bounds -- or hops, you could say. On Thursday, May 5, local Lisa...
All in on ADA sidewalk project
Workers from Emery and Sons Construction contractors go deep to install storm drain improvements in Foster last week as part of the city's long-awaited project to install sidewalks along Highway 20....
Sweet Home boys qualify for state track in three events
Sweet Home qualified six athletes in three events – with a few more close misses – at the Oregon West Conference district championships Friday and Saturday at Husky Field. Although the boys were...
Wet May Week
The May Week Track Meet competition on Friday afternoon, May 6, brings out self-sacrificial spirit and a lot of showers as Sweet Home High School juniors, on ground, from left, Trenton Smith, Mars...
School district faces challenges in 2022-23 budget
By Benny Westcott Of The New Era The Sweet Home School District's 2022-23 proposed budget was released for public review and a budget message from Acting Supt. Terry Martin was delivered to district...
Looking to add a few to crew
The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District has a shortage of volunteer firefighters. "Historically, our numbers have been up to 60 volunteers on the roster, and we currently have 30," Recruitment and...
Planning Commission addresses housing, population
By Benny Westcott Of The New Era The Planning Commission heard the results of a housing needs analysis, which explored the possibility of considerable population growth in Sweet Home over the...
Five named to the 2022 Sportsman's Holiday Court
By Benny Westcott Of The New Era Five local high-school juniors were named Wednesday, May 4, to the 2022 Sportsman's Holiday Court as part of the annual Sportsman's Holiday Weekend, scheduled for...
Luttrell signs to play football at Shasta College
A powerhouse on both sides of the ball on the Husky gridiron the past two seasons announced he will be playing football at the next level at a signing ceremony at Sweet Home High School on Tuesday,...
School board grants Supt. Lisa Riggs furlough
Sweet Home School District Supt. Lisa Riggs will take a leave of absence for the remainder of the school year for "personal" reasons, School Board members agreed Monday night, May 2, following a...
Long-planned ramp, sidewalk project launches
A routine clear-day drive down Sweet Home's Main Street offers some scenic nature vistas, but recent travelers can count on another sight. Traffic cones. Lots of them. That's because in March 2017,...
Council gets homeless center, treatment plant updates
By Benny Westcott Of The New Era Community and Economic Director Blair Larsen on Tuesday, April 26, updated the Sweet Home City Council on the Lebanon-based Family Assistance and Resource Center...
Man arrested, arraigned after hitting man with truck
A Sweet Home man was arrested Sunday, April 24, on one count of first-degree assault after allegedly striking a man twice with a vehicle. The incident was reported shortly after 1:30 p.m in a shared parking lot between Spoleto’s Pizzeria & Wine...
Sleutel commits to compete in two sports with Roadrunners
Sweet Home High School senior Adaira Sleutel won't have to choose between basketball and volleyball next year, having signed Friday, April 29, to play both at Linn-Benton Community College. The...
Committee approves budget
The Sweet Home Budget Committee on Wednesday, April 20, approved the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022-23, which includes a notable tax reduction. Mayor Greg Mahler and city councilors Diane...
Library recovers after COVID-19
After the COVID-19 mask mandate was lifted last month, the Sweet Home Public Library returned to business as usual. "Even the next day, we definitely saw a lot more people coming in, people that had...
Retirement just another walk in the park
He may be chairman of the Sweet Home Park and Tree Committee, but Wally Shreves' days are anything but walks in the park. In his free time, he skis on snow and water, rides ATVs on sand dunes,...
Council: Where should the city manager live?
The Sweet Home City Council on April 12 unanimously approved a city-manager position profile, although it was a little more divided on where he or she should live. The profile adopted standards, crite...
Visitors attempt to attend teacher's appeal hearing
About a dozen people attempted to enter the Sweet Home School District office Wednesday afternoon, April 13, to attend an appeal hearing for Tina Tressel. Tressel was terminated Nov. 8, 2021, after...
Public input sought on stormwater plan
As the City of Sweet Home works on its stormwater master plan, it has sought public input, first with a Wednesday, April 13, forum at the Sweet Home Senior Center and also with an online link at...