Some folks say nothing happens in a small town, but 2010 proved them wrong with another busy year. The following are highlights from the pages of The New Era from 2010:
January
Chris Wingo succeeded John Trahan as school resource officer with Sweet Home Police Department. Trahan took a position with Lebanon Police Department. The school resource officer works within School District 55.
A burglar stole approximately $16,000 worth of electronics, tools and other items from Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. Marco Ashe was arrested later in the month for the burglary.
Manager Sally Pelham retired from Umpqua Bank after nearly 50 years in the business.
Stefani Crocker, cheerleader, and Katie Kinney, marching band, attended the Rose Bowl with the University of Oregon Ducks.
Firefighters rescued a border collie, Maggie, from the South Santiam River.
Sweet Home residents began to have to dial the three-digit area code for all phone calls.
A male displayed a handgun and robbed Sweet Home Safeway. The crime remains unsolved.
Sweet Home police reported that crimes had continued a downward trend during 2009 from the 2005 spike in local crime rates. Sweet Home Police Department had 7,758 calls in 2009. In 2005, the department responded to 9,547 calls.
The Sweet Home City Council approved Phase IV of the city’s project to reduce inflow and infiltration, water that leaks into the sewer system through deteriorating and cracked pipes and from cross connections to storm water drainage systems. The council opened the project for bid this month, with a deadline in January.
Brian Hoffman went to work as economic development coordinator for the Sweet Home Economic Development Group and Sweet Home Active Revitalization Effort.
Sweet Home started the year with two sets of twins, including Sydney and Ellie, born to Katie and Cliff Dominy, and Caleb and Conner, born to Catherine Thomas.
Melcher Logging, Inc., was named Logger of the Year by Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc.
February
Fire destroyed the White’s Electronics building at 1218 Main St. The building had been empty since the 1990s when it was last used as a TV satellite business.
A city market study showed challenges while highlighting positives for the local business community. Shoppers say the products they want to buy, clothing and shoes, have not been available in town, at least not in the selections they want; so they have had to shop out of town. The study showed the local community lost some $38 million per year in business to other communities. The study noted “community momentum” and high marks for reinvestment and emphasis on job growth.
Dakotah Keys signed a letter of intent to join the University of Oregon track and field program.
Former Sweet Home Rodeo Queen Nicole Shrock was named 2010 Miss Northwest Professional Rodeo Association, while Oregon State University student Olivia Simpson of Lake Oswego was selected as the 2010 Sweet Home Rodeo queen.
After being cut in 2008 by the Linn County Juvenile Department, the Sweet Home Peer Court was reinstated by the Sweet Home Police Department.
Forest Protection Supervisor Jim Basting of the Oregon Department of Forestry was honored for serving more than 40 years with the ODF.
Six were named to the 2010 Frontier Sportsman’s Holiday Court, but one dropped from the court. The remaining members were Megan Sanderson, Jazmine Morris, Cheryl Wilson, Kelika Kaniaupio and Kellie Pollock.
Matt Matuszak became the new high school varsity baseball coach.
Sweet Home High School boys won their second state title in swimming.
After 30 years, Rob Younger announced his retirement from Sweet Home High School, where he was a science teacher and longtime football coach.
Chamber of Commerce volunteer Bruce Hobbs was selected as board chairman.
The wrestlers won their district title and sent 17 to state where they finished second on record scoring.
March
The Sweet Home Economic Development Group announced 2009 Oregon Jamboree proceeds of $200,000. Proceeds from the annual country music and camping festival are used to fund ongoing SHEDG economic development projects.
Zach Lincoln and Eli Harris were named 2009 Firefighters of the Year.
The South Santiam Four-Wheel Drive Association brought back its annual mud festival, previously called the Foster Mud Races and the Mountain Mud Festival. The festival ended at its Berlin Road site after the 2007 festival. Some 1,600 participants enjoyed mud on a field a mile west of Holley.
Sweet Home High School hosted its first forestry competition in 25 years.
School District 55 Supt. Larry Horton recommended cutting 2.5 teaching positions and reducing administrative positions because of the end of grant funding and lower enrollment levels. Funding levels in general appeared stable at the time, but bigger cuts would come later in the year as the state released new revenue projections.
Trapper Ron Henthorne caught and killed two cougars in the Holley area. The city had a total of four reported sightings within the Sweet Home city limits this year in conjunction with an apparently growing population of cougars in the area and the state.
Councilor Jim Bean, 66, a millworker, died from a heart attack.
Ron Rodgers was appointed to succeed Bean.
Robbie Melcher, 40, a prominent Sweet Home logger and partner in Fun Forest tree farm; Melcher Logging; Timber Harvesting, Inc.; and 4M Fiber, died from a heart attack.
The Sweet Home Community Foundation provided $16,000 to nine charitable organizations within the community. The foundation is funded by donations, including an annual donation from the Sweet Home Economic Development Group.
The Sweet Home Public Library began automating its card catalog and many services. Books may now be checked out online through the library’s website.
April
Bob Dalton was named Sweet Home’s First Citizen at the annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet. Juan Ulep received the Distinguished Service Award. Karyn Hartsook was named Junior First Citizen. Fox Run LLC, operating two local restaurants, was named business of the year. The restaurants are operated by Brad and Amy Newport. Lerena Ruby was BPW Woman of the Year. VIP winners were David Dominy, Cliff Dominy, George Dominy, Rick Burnett, Ruby, Amy Newport, Susan Angland, Larry Angland and Nancy Patton. Rice Logging was named the Boys and Girls Club Sponsor of the Year.
Alicia Meier was hired as Sweet Home High School’s new varsity volleyball coach.
Tom Wall and Debbie Stratton won the Big Loser contest. Wall lost 55 1/2 pounds in 13 weeks, and Stratton lost 34 1/4 pounds.
A skull discovered in 1979 was identified as that of a Sweet Home woman, Samilla Stewart, 36, who disappeared while delivering lunch to her brother on Dec. 13, 1974. The skull was located at Canyon Creek and the South Santiam River.
Colton Schilling became the first wrestling triple crown winner in 26 years by winning state championships in high school collegiate style, Junior Division freestyle and Junior Division Greco wrestling.
Ken Bronson went to work as the new manager at the Sweet Home Senior Center. Manager Roseanne Lupoli became the executive director at Sunshine Industries.
Sweet Home won the Cascade to Coast Best Tasting Water Contest.
SHHS hired Dustin Nichol as head football coach, succeeding Rob Younger.
Members of the National Guard Alpha Troop, 182nd Cavalry, 41st Brigade, based in Lebanon returned from a deployment to Iraq.
May
Fun Forest Tree Farm won the regional Tree Farm of the Year award from among 14 competitors in 17 states after winning local and statewide titles.
Jackie Dougherty of Sweet Home published her first novel, “Pirates of Passion.”
Ted Carlin of Redmond walked through Sweet Home in a statewide walk and campaign to protest the 55-mph speed limit.
City of Sweet Home staff began discussing the possibility of a new City Hall with Budget Committee members during budget meetings.
Archers asked the City Council to allow archery practice on private property.
Sweet Home High School’s symphonic choir finished seventh in the state in its first appearance there since 2005.
Peter A. Chamberlain, 50, of Salem survived a 300-foot plunge off Highway 20 when he lost control near milepost 79 and struck the guardrail. His vehicle crashed through the rail and fell.
School District 55 formally announced that it had completed spending on its 2001 bond measure, which was used to rebuild extensive portions of Sweet Home High School and construct new classrooms at Hawthorne Elementary School.
Sweet Home approved local option levies to continue funding police and library services through June 30 2016. The existing levies expire on June 30. The voter-approved extensions begin on July 1. The library levy increased by 20 cents per $1,000 of valuation. Police funding maintained its existing rate.
Erin Regrutto was hired to be events manager for the Oregon Jamboree. She is now the festival director, succeeding Peter LaPonte, who moved into a consulting position.
School District 55 officials responded to a revenue shortfall of $1.1 million for 2010-11 based on state projections. A list of proposed cuts included closing the community pool. The city later agreed to pay for summer pool operations and the Police Department’s School Resource Officer. The final list included reductions in staff and four days cut from the 2010-11 schedule.
June
Sweet Home High School students performed a stage adaptation of MASH.
SHHS won its third state title in a row in boys track.
Former Portland Trailblazer Jerome Kersey was keynote speaker at the SHHS annual Senior Awards Banquet.
Heavy spring rains and record rainfall meant that reservoirs would easily be full all summer long. Rainfall started off light early in the year, but by the end of the year, 2010 was about 14 inches ahead of 2009. As of Dec. 22, Sweet Home had 56.33 inches of rainfall in 2010.
Class of 2010 SHHS valedictorians were Jayce Calhoon, Eric Holmes, Alisha Huschka, Levi Marchbanks, Kieran Schaefer and Andrew Winslow. Salutatorians were Cory Ellingboe and Celena Westfall.
One hundred forty-nine seniors graduated from SHHS.
The City Council turned down a request to allow archery practice on private property.
Brock Crocker signed to wrestle for Southern Oregon University.
Ryan Regrutto was named SHHS varsity soccer coach.
The Sweet Home Public Library completed its automation process.
Hailey Hummer and Colton Schilling were named freshmen of the year at SHHS.
To help save money within the district, Supt. Larry Horton announced that he would study whether to close either Holley School or Crawfordsville School or to keep them both open. The study is underway, and Horton is expected to make a recommendation at the School Board’s regular meeting on Jan. 10.
Sweet Home Emergency Ministries purchased and moved into 1115 Long St., the former home of Lee’s Appliance.
Chad Christensen resigned from Public Works engineering to become a Sweet Home police officer.
July
Chips and Splinters returned to the Sportsman Holiday agenda to kick off the annual community celebration.
Wilsonville High School wrestler Colton Christopher Holly (not the Sweet Home resident) drowned at Green Peter on an outing with his team following a wrestling camp at SHHS.
Terry Shank won the Double D Karaoke contest, held at the VFW Hall.
The District 55 School Board appointed Jason Redick chairman.
August
Keith Urban, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert headlined the 2010 Oregon Jamboree, which expanded into Sankey Park with a children’s area. Next year, the event staff is planning to include a second stage in Sankey Park. Other performers included the Band Perry, the Oak Ridge Boys, Travis Tritt and Neal McCoy.
Drew Emmert signed to play basketball for Hesston College in Kansas.
Repairs on the Sankey Park bandstand were completed.
Stonebrook Apartments and Linnhaven Apartments received $2.1 million in remodeling by Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, which owns them.
Sweet Home Police Department returned to using Ford Crown Victoria patrol cars instead of Chevrolet Impalas. The Crown Victoria’s days are numbered though, and the department will end up looking at new options, such as the Ford 500.
Health teacher Kostanty Knurowski became the new SHHS athletic director as the school prepared to move from the Val-Co to the Sky-Em league.
Linn County Sheriff’s Office pulled 920 mature marijuana plants from a property managed by Cascade Timber Consulting off Brush Creek Road. The marijuana was suspected to be linked to a Mexican cartel.
Susie Gertrude Crowell Daniels celebrated her 100th birthday.
Amber Rosa was hired to coach the SHHS cheerleading team.
September
According to the Department of Education, high school and elementary school test scores generally increased during the 2009-10 school year over the 2008-09 school year.
Rob Waibel, a former Sweet Home resident and son of Bob and Mona Waibel, finished third at the Stihl Dogs and Logs World Championship lumberjack competition.
District 55 enrollment decreased by 39 from 2009-10 to 2010-11 at the start of the school year.
Linn Shuttle added bus service to Foster.
Western States Land Reliance Trust, which owns 20 properties in arrears on property taxes, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the face of imminent foreclosure by the county. Managing Trustee Dan Desler faces air pollution charges in January related to the demolition of a building on one of the properties.
The Chamber of Commerce unveiled a new website.
SHHS wrestling Coach Steve Thorpe was named chairman of the Oregon Wrestling Association.
October
Myrtle Gates, former Sweet Home music teacher, celebrated her 100th birthday.
Kaitlin Long was named homecoming queen, and Raul Hernandez was named king.
Kyle Hummer and Carissa Swanson were named Sweet Home High School Junior First Citizens.
The Santiam Wagon Road was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The road was listed for its role in connecting two disparate sections of the state, the Willamette Valley in the west and the Deschutes River Basin in the east.
The School Board hired Windows to Leadership to conduct a search to fill the superintendent position when Larry Horton retires at the end of this school year.
Safeway completed a three-month remodel.
Sweet Home had a power outage after a pickup struck a Pleasant Valley power pole. The following week, a wire fell from the poles between Main and Long streets along 18th Avenue, burning asphalt in the Les Schwab parking lot and knocking out power to large portions of Sweet Home a second time.
A new committee formed to find ways to strengthen Sportsman’s Holiday events, such as the Sweet Home Rodeo and the annual parade.
Former Sweet Home runner Joe Brooks, 47, died after collapsing during a 5K fun run at Elijah Bristow State Park.
November-December
A 10-passenger van crashed in a remote area of southeast Linn County, killing one man. Four others were injured. Two crash victims, who returned to Sun Motel in Sweet Home where they had apparently been staying, were transported to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital by Sweet Home medics.
Siblings Howard Partridge and Janice Partridge of Albany were found by hunters after being stuck in the snow for two days 38 miles from Highway 20 on U.S. Forest Service Road 11.
Juan Ulep, local Vietnam veteran, was selected as Veteran of the Year by the Veterans Commemoration association for the annual Veterans Day Parade in Albany.
HOPE Center and First Baptist Church officials announced that First Baptist would begin running the HOPE Center. First Baptist sold the building to the HOPE Center organization after moving to its present location 20 years ago.
Marybeth Angulo was elected to the City Council alongside incumbents Craig Fentiman, Greg Mahler and Scott McKee Jr. Eric Markell did not run and ends his term on Dec. 31.
In other elections, Sherry Sprenger and Phil Barnhart held onto their seats in state house districts 17 and 11 respectively. John Lindsey won reelection to the county Board of Commissioners.
Peter DeFazio defeated Art Robinson in the Fourth Congressional District.
Linn County voters approved a 10-year local option levy to help pay for the construction of a new veterans’ home in Lebanon.
The Oregon Jamboree announced that Ronnie Dunn, Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker will headline the 2011 Jamboree. Collin Raye also has been announced as a performer.
Early snow fell on Sweet Home on Nov. 23, an unusual but not unprecedented weather event.
Barbara Story, a polio victim when she was 5, received a get-well card sent 60 years late. The letter was apparently returned to her aunt, who put it in a box. Story’s cousin found the letter and gave it to Story unopened.
David Slack, 27, arrested by Sweet Home police while allegedly in the act of burglarizing a residence, was charged for allegedly stealing urns containing human remains from the Oddfellows Cemetery in Lebanon.
A Sweet Home couple died in a collision with a school bus. No children were on the bus. Frances Templeton, 84, died at the scene. Her husband, Dwight Templeton, 96, died a week later at Oregon Health Sciences University.
The Sweet Home Economic Development Group announced a $98,000 loss on the 2010 Oregon Jamboree. Proceeds from the event fund SHEDG’s economic development activities.