East Linn Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis COAKLEY, above, shines above a logging operation early Tuesday morning, Jan. 20, on Swamp Mountain, east of Sweet Home.
The spectacular light show was caused by charged particles shot out from the sun that hit the Earth’s magnetic field and crash against the upper atmosphere
during a powerful geomagnetic solar storm that occurred last week. Local logger Donnie Arndt shot this photo at about 4 a.m. This radiation storm was the most powerful in 23 years, according to NOAA.
Roving dogs cause crash
Rescue workers respond to a crash that was reported at 3:44 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22, in the 2400 block of Main Street. According to police, Chance Linn, 19, of Sweet Home, was driving a 1996 GMC pickup eastbound on Main Street when two dogs ran onto the highway in front of his vehicle, forcing him to stop. His pickup was struck by a 2005 Mazda van driven by David Horner, 33, of Sweet Home. Injuries were reported and damage was estimated at more than $2,500 for both vehicles, which were towed.
~Photo by Scott Swanson
Spaghetti Sauce Showdown
Terry Shank presents a sample of his homemade, meaty spaghetti sauce, for which he won bragging rights and the title of Champion at the VFW Spaghetti Sauce Cookoff, held Saturday, Jan. 24. Michelle Clark won People’s Choice for her more vegetable-laden version.
The cookoff was a fundraiser for the VFW, and is among one of the first cook-offs the organization recently began doing to raise funds for its various programs. Last month they held a mac ‘n’ cheese cookoff. Next month the plan is to host a bacon-featured cookoff. A date has not been set yet, but the community is welcome to participate in these events.
For more information, contact the VFW at 541-972-8556, or stop by during business hours.
~ Photo by Sarah Brown
New Trees for Northside
Sweet Home Park and Tree Committee Member Debra Northern packs dirt around a Fall Fiesta maple tree planted Wednesday, Jan. 21, in the dog park at Northside Park. Fellow committee members Nancy Patton, left, and Lena Tucker stand by. Tucker, a former Oregon Department of Forestry staffer, said that the tree was one of three planted to replace some that had not survived in the park. Also planted were a native white oak and a Redpointe maple. The oak was donated at last year’s Arbor Day celebration and the maples were donated by Pacific Power.
~ Photo by Scott Swanson
Legally Speaking… On The Stage
In a high school production, the cast closing out the performance of a well-known movie gives one last hands-up with a musical dance.
Lebanon High School Musical Theatre presented its winter play, “Legally Blonde Jr., The Musical,” this past weekend, Jan. 22-24.
The lead cast included Mixxie Suitsev as Elle Woods, Tristen Klym as Emmett Forrest, Ki Rash as Warner Huntington III, and Dallen Myler as Prof. Callahan. Supporting leads included Dipper O’Farrell as Paulette Buonafante, Anabelle Kisselburgh as Vivienne Kensington, and Callie Steinhebel as Brooke Wyndham.
~ Photos by Sarah Brown
