Articles written by Scott Swanson
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BBQ competition organizers aiming to bring big one to Sweet Home
The air was clouded by smoke over the weekend at Radiator Supply House in Sweet Home, but it was good smoke: the kind that creates top-notch barbecue. And that's what was happening as the local J&C...
Track team filling up and since it's a numbers game, that's a plus
In a jittery year in which not much has been a sure thing, Sweet Home’s track and field program is growing – by the day. One change for the Huskies is the departure of co-Head Coach Dakotah Keys to eastern Oregon (see accompanying story). For...
Sweet Home golfers bringing some experience to greens
A year ago, Sweet Home’s golfers were preparing for their opening match when – well, we all know what comes next: their season was abruptly canceled by the coronavirus. Now, 13 months later the Huskies are back, with some new faces but missing...
SH schools to move to fuller days April 19
In response to relaxation of COVID restrictions by state schools officials, Supt. Tom Yahraes announced Friday that Sweet Home will be moving to more ambitious in-person scheduling and increased activities at district schools. The state announced in...
Tucker returns to County Commission
Will Tucker thought his last meeting as a Linn County Commissioner was the one in late December when he was replaced by Sherrie Sprenger after he'd decided not to run for a fourth term. But three...
Vets banners effort resumes, with support from Rotary Club
Four years into the Hero Banner project, which has resulted in the hanging of dozens of banners portraying local veterans on power poles along Highway 20 in Sweet Home, the founders are getting help....
As curtain drops on Kiwanis Club, outreach to kids continues
After more than 60 years of serving the local community, Sweet Home Kiwanis Club members are leaving a legacy by contributing financially to a variety of causes after deciding to shut down the local o...
City leaders, public get first look at downtown plan
City Council and Planning Commission members met last week to discuss the plan for Sweet Home's downtown, and heard from members of the public in the process. Blair Larsen, the city's community and...
Former TNE publisher starts new gig: writing for county
Alex Paul sits in a small cubicle-like office in the Linn County Courthouse, a few hundred yards from where he's spent most of the last 16 years. Life's moved fast in the last few weeks. A month ago...
Saving Timber
In a line of trucks waiting to unload logs at the Santiam Lumber Mill between Lebanon and Sweet Home on a morning earlier this month, most carried timber with clear signs of fire damage on the bark....
SHHS teacher Melissa Klumph remembered as caring, inspiring mentor
Former colleagues and students at Sweet Home High School are mourning the loss of Melissa Klumph, who taught mathematics at the high school for nearly 20 years, much of that during a years-long...
County has big plans for Green Peter, parks chief tells chamber group
There's lots happening in Linn County Parks as the camping season rapidly approaches, county Parks Director Brian Carroll told a group of Chamber of Commerce members and guests Tuesday, March 9, at a...
Pine grove to honor local forester
Last Thursday, March 4, a quartet of men busily planted potted pines on a knoll just north of the ponds at Sunnyside Park. Their activity was the culmination of a years-long effort by local forestry...
Riggs Hill fire raises concern until home's occupant found
Fire destroyed a house near the intersection of Riggs Hill Road and Highway 20 early Thursday, March 4. The blaze was reported at 4:04 a.m., said Fire Chief Dave Barringer of the Sweet Home Fire and A...
Athletes back in action, and let's keep them there
High school athletics kick off this week in earnest after a year in cold storage and we should all be happy, even those of us who’ve never warmed a seat at a sports event. We’ve reported a few sports stories during that period, but most haven’t...
Chamber announces new executive director, lays out goals in online forum
Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce board members met with the public virtually on Thursday, Feb. 26, to provide an update on chamber leadership and its goals. The event, which was streamed live from the...
SH finally get cleats on football field – uncertainties aside
Sweet Home's football players are ready to go, but the road they'll be taking this season isn't super clear. For starters, the Huskies' scheduled opener against Newport, penciled in for Friday, March...
Volleyball: Veteran Huskies looking to take chance to finish strong
Sixteen months after they played their last game together – at least in a gym, Sweet Home's volleyball team is ready to roll once again. But there are plenty of ifs, hithertofores and forthwiths...
Huskies will battle clock in race to get in shape for XC district
Successful cross-country requires consistent training, and with the COVID pandemic shutdowns, getting those miles in has been challenging for many of Sweet Home’s team members, according to Coach Kambria Schumacher. But the good news is Schumacher...
Season 2 to look a little different – if spectators can get in to watch
While sports are resuming at Sweet Home High School after a full year of downtime due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are new rules and regulations that govern athletes, coaches officials and spectators. Also, approaches to sports is varied...
SHFAD firefighters battle pair of blazes over two-day period
Sweet Home firefighters responded last week to two fires in the area. The first, near the corner of 38th Avenue and Long Street, broke out Wednesday morning, Feb. 17, in a detached garage on a lot...
Swimming dominance goes back 60 years for Sweet Home
Doug Peargin's name will be forever linked to Sweet Home swimming – and for good reason: He's coached the Huskies for 46 years and under his leadership they've done very, very well. Husky swimmers...
SH's new representative getting up to speed
State Rep. Jami Cate welcomes a visitor to her new office in the House wing of the Oregon State Capitol. The Capitol building is largely empty, except for a few people huddled in a meeting in corner...
New pastor plans to help Freedom Hill 'replant' as church
Helping churches rebuild is not a new experience for Jeff Dankenbring. And that's what he's in Sweet Home to do: Help "replant" Freedom Hill Church, which has seen a decline in attendance and...
COVID decision triggers unusual feeling: happiness
Imagine you’re a high school athletic director. You love sports and you like kids. If you didn’t, there are plenty of easier ways to make money. Your job – if not life – centers on trying to maximize the life experience for high schoolers,...
