January
– A 31-year-old Australian man, Rowan Thomson-Sapstead, was arrested for luring a minor, first-degree online corruption of a minor, and contributing to the corruption of a minor.
– The minimum wage increased from $8.95 to $9.10 per hour. Fines for cell phone use while driving also increased.
– Representatives of the Livability Initiative found Sweet Home to be a unique community with a strong spirit of collaboration.
– Bruce Riley took over as Linn County Sheriff after Tim Mueller retired from the position after 10 years, a year before his term was up.
– A Sweet Home couple escaped injury when their car caught fire along Interstate 5. The car was considered a total loss, but Albany Firefighters were able to retrieve the couple’s groceries.
– The city of Sweet Home received a $400,00 Community Development Block Grant to fund housing rehabilitation loans through the State of Oregon Infrastructure and Finance Authority.
– The Sew Sweets Group started preparing blankets, pajamas, and slippers for incoming residents of the Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home in Lebanon.
– During a crackdown on impaired driving during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the Sweet Home and Lebanon police departments made three impaired-driving arrests. There were no fatalities during the enforcement period.
– The Sweet Home Public Library used a $67,500 Library Services and Technology Act grant to join a county-wide integrated online catalog that allows patrons access to items at other libraries.
– Christine Marie Tiffany Smith, 29, who grew up in Sweet Home, was allegedly strangled by her boyfriend on Jan. 25. She died from her injuries on Jan. 27 in a Corvallis hospital.
– Two callers reported a man in a gorilla suit in the area of 18th and Tamarack streets on Jan. 25. One witness said he was chasing cars, another said he jumped out and startled him while he was walking. The pedestrian posed for a photo with the man. The man, contacted by police, denied jumping out in front of vehicles.
February
– The school board appointed nine people to a Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Committee amid some parental concerns about Sweet Home Junior High students reading Sherman Alexie’s “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.” About 75 parents, teachers and community members crowded the seating area of the board room, spilling out into the hallway and along the walls.
– The Sweet Home City Council approved a Park System Master Plan to guide future development of the city’s parks.
– A new digital sign was installed at Sweet Home High School.
– Schools and some roads were closed due to snow and ice in the region. Wiley Creek Drive and McDowell Creek Drive were closed by downed trees and power lines and about 1,400 Linn County Pacific Power customers were without power.
– After several years of fund-raising and planning, new stained glass windows were installed at the Sweet Home Public Library.
– After three weeks of nearly constant precipitation, Foster and Green Peter lakes, and other other U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Willamette Valley reservoirs, were ahead of their filling schedules.
– Despite having a very young team, Sweet Home’s girls took third in the state swimming championships after winning the district title. Freshman Lucie Davis won two individual state titles.
– Based on a recommendation from Supt. Don Schrader’s Instructional Materials Review Committee, Schrader has decided to allow the book “The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian” to remain in use in the School District, but the matter was set to go to the School Board in March.
March
n The Linn County Board of Commissioners signed a $775,000 purchase and sale agreement to buy the Edgewater RV Park and Marina. The property was in foreclosure by OSU Federal Credit Union.
n The Sweet Home girls swimmers topped the 4A/3A/2A/1A Academic All-State girls swimming list with a 3.85 GPA.
n Sweet Home’s boys basketball team, which had gotten off to a horrid start to its season, congealed into a serious threat in the last three weeks of the season, winning seven straight and beating Tri-Valley Conference co-champ Gladstone on the Gladiators’ home court before falling to Philomath in the playoffs.
n Two new board members were elected to the Sweet Home Economic Development Group: Rick Ely and Wendi Melcher. Incumbents Michelle Swett and Jo Ann McQueery were reelected.
n The varsity softball team got a new coach – Shane Cochrane. He has coached American Softball Association teams ages 10 through 18 for 14 years.
n Teacher Pat Davis started as golf coach for Sweet Home High School.
n Long-time mail carrier Dave Mengore retired after more than 20 years delivering mail in Sweet Home.
April
n Five Sweet Home High School students prepared to go to Japan for the summer as part of the Josai University High School exchange program. The program had temporarily been suspended the previous year because of a federal paperwork snafu.
n Sue Olson resigned her position as unofficial chairwoman of the Sportsman’s Holiday and Christmas parades. Her daughter Debbie Walvatne stepped up to fill the role.
n Sunshine Industries moved its headquarters to a new location on Clark Mill Road.
n Water and sewer rates were increased based on city council’s consensus to build the utilities budget based on collecting the full debt ratio and no depreciation in sewer and neither debt ratio nor depreciation in water. The average customer was expected to see an increase of about $12.
n Colton Schilling won a national championship in Greco-Roman wrestling at the ASICS Open Wrestling Championship in Las Vegas. Tyler Chilling took third in Greco and fifth in freestyle at the Junior Western Regionals.
n In a tight 4-3 vote, Sweet Home city councilors voted not to impose a moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries.
n A brief thunderstorm on April 22 left Sweet Home under a blanket of white M&M-sized hail , splintered at least two trees and knocked out phones, Internet service and power at Sweet Home High School.
n Long-time “Remembering the Good Old Days” columnist, Mona Waibel retired.
May
n Brian Hutchings, of Crawfordsville, a coloration expert, told The New Era about his role as part of the team that worked on “20 Feet from Stardom,” one of the 2014 Oscar winners for “Best Documentary.”
n A new footbridge was constructed across Ames Creek on Mountain View Road.
n Donald Arthur Matzke, 43, of Sweet Home was arrested for murder and first-degree robbery in connection with the death of Tim E. Miller, also of Sweet Home. Miller, 56, was found face down in the shallow pond at the Rockin Red Robin Ranch.
n The City of Sweet Home Budget Committee approved the 2014-15 budget. Dave Trask voted against the budget because it carries forward funding for construction of a water filling station at the Public Works facility. Trask opposes the project.
n Bi-Mart opened a new store in Sweet Home. The company’s director of advertising and marketing Don Leber, said they expect to employ more than 50 people.
n Sweet Home elementary schools switched to a trimester schedule. In April, the school board approved a trimester plan for the junior high and high schools.
n The School District 55 Budget Committee approved a 2014-15 budget that includes an expanded kindergarten program and the purchase of four new buses, while maintaining a 5-percent ending fund balance.
n Sweet Home police arrested Sara Bejar-Suarez, 31, for attempted murder after she allegedly shot her ex-boyfriend, Cory Valentine, 44.
n Kendra Whaley, a 2012 Sweet Home High School graduate placed fifth in her first bodybuilding competition on May 17 at Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City.
June
n Dave Bauer, 49, started as senior director of the Boys and Girls Club of the Greater Santiam.
n The Sportsman’s Holiday Court was announced: Faith Black, Kayleen Keeney, Sierrah Owen, Lilly Parker and Isabelle Stratman.
n Sweet Home medics delivered Eziraya Hogeland en route to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital to parents Kaila and Andrew Hoagland.
n Three men were arrested in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred June 14. Lebanon police arrested Jacob Thomas Salvador, 21, on unrelated charges. Items associated with the robbery were found on Salvador during the arrest. He was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal conspiracy, first-degree menacing and first-degree theft. Brian Lee Lindsay, 26 was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal conspiracy, and first-degree theft. Lebanon police located the third suspect, Marco Levi Ashe, 32, in Lebanon. Ashe was charged with first-degree robber, first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal conspiracy and second-degree theft.
n Sweet Home police and guests from other departments used Sweet Home High School for active shooter response training.
July
n Sweet Home City Councilors opted not to take action on citizens’ requests to stop using fluoride in city water. Mayor Jim Gourley told the audience, which packed the council chambers, that members of the public could gather petition signatures to place the question on the ballot.
n Rockie Eugene William Morse, 40, of Sweet Home and Tammy Kay Tongate, of Portland, were charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin resulting in death. Ashley Marie Ames, 25, of Lebanon, was found dead on Oct. 2, 2013. Investigators found drug paraphernalia and residue quantities of black tar heroin.
n Fire Chief Mike Beaver and Administrative Assistant Diane Shank retired from the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District.
n School District 55 elementary schools received approval from the Oregon Department of Education for free meals for next school year.
n District 55 Supt. Don Schrader received an overall rating of 1.84, “needs improvement,” from the school board. According to the evaluation released to The New Era by Board Chairman Jason Redick, Schrader scored between 1 and 2 on leadership and culture; policy and governance; communications and community relations; organizational management; human resources leadership; and values and ethics of leadership. He scored between 2 and 3 in curriculum planning and development; instructional leadership; and labor relations.
n More than 250 residents gathered to watch “The Lego Movie” free in Sankey Park during the city’s first Movie Night Friday, July 11.
n The Sweet Home Public Library used a $9,667 grant from Trust Management Services to replace its public computers.
n Hikers found the body of Heaven Raynell “Angel” King, 36, of Sweet Home, on Forest Road 2212 in the Umpqua National Forest on July 9.
n Austin Louis Rolfe, 33, of Sweet Home, was indicted on July 24 in Lane County Circuit Court for murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of Heaven Raynell “Angel” King.
n Madison, a 10-year-old bull mastiff, was lost for 22 days before a family who had been hiking along the South Santiam River from Atiwi Creek Road found her. A team of Linn County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue volunteers were deployed to the area. Madison was reunited with her family, Lori Davis and Patrick Milligan, of Scio.
n The Oregon Jamboree featured a larger stage to accommodate larger crowds – about 5,000 more people than previous years – a maximum of 20,000.
August
n Sweet Home dentist Dr. Henry Wolthuis retired after more than 50 years as Dr. Aaron Baird joined the Wolthuis Family Dentistry practice.
n Sweet Home’s Evangelical Church celebrated its 130th year of ministry.
n Jonathan Hoy, 51, of Sweet Home, and Jerry Smith, of Corvallis completed a bicycling trip across the United States – more than 4,000 miles.
n The District 55 School Board committed $25,000 toward the Sweet Home Auditorium Remodel Committee project to repair and improve the high school auditorium.
n Crawfordsville Community Church got a surprise visit from The Ageless Adventurers, a six-member group from Victoria, British Columbia, who dropped in for services on Aug. 10.
n Legendary WWF wrestler Ted DiBiase, spent a week in Sweet Home and preached at Harvest Christian Center. He autographed items during the church’s back to school Saturday event, during which about 500 backpacks filled with school supplies were given away.
n The annual Psychostock festival was held on Aug. 23 at Sankey Park.
n Jonathan Farris, 27, of Sweet Home, was arrested on charges of animal abuse after he allegedly threw a dog to the ground with such force that it broke the animal’s leg so badly that it had to be amputated.
n Marco Levi Ashe was sentenced to 70 months in prison in connection with a June 14 home invasion robbery in Sweet Home.
n After 2½ years as an assistant cross-country and track coach, Andrew “Keebler” Allen got the nod to lead Sweet Home High School’s cross-country program.
n James “Jammers” Warrington proposed to Sweet Home city councilors that the city allow the establishment of a homeless camp on the old mill property located in the area between 22nd and 18th Avenues and Tamarack Streets.
n Brandon Earl Clark, 27, of Sweet Home, was arrested for first-degree animal abuse for allegedly causing serious injury to a 5-year-old pit bull mix.
n Linn County Board of Commissioners Chairman Roger Nyquist urged the Sweet Home Economic Development Group to ask the county for permission to take over the former Knife River quarry property for a festival site.
n Going Green, a medical marijuana dispensary, opened on Aug. 30.
September
n Sweet Home schools showed gains in reading, math, and according to the Oregon Department of Education annual report cards.
n Brian Lee Lindsay was sentenced to 78 months in prison in three cases, including a June 14 home invasion robbery in Sweet Home.
n Anna Marie Myers, 28, of Sweet Home, died in a two vehicle crash on Highway 34 on Sept. 8.
n Sweet Home police arrested three men in connection to a string of burglaries. Esteban Scott Garcia, 19, was arrested on three counts of second-degree burglary, three counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of second-degree theft; Jacob Lynn Goodwin, 19, on two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of second-degree criminal mischief, and two counts of second-degree theft; and Zachary Andrew Short, 21, on second-degree burglary and second-degree criminal mischief.
n The New Era celebrated 85 years of service to Sweet Home.
n The Edward C. Allworth Veterans Home opened in Lebanon.
n Scott McKee resigned his position from Sweet Home City Council. He said the resignation was due to “recent changes” in his life.
October
n Sweet Home’s American Legion Timber City Post 133 hosted an open house, specifically inviting all war-time era veterans to join a revitalization effort.
n Linn County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people in connection with a vehicle that was stolen from Sweet Home. Zachary Johnson, 21, of Portland, was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, driving while suspended, second-degree criminal mischief, second-degree theft, and attempted second-degree theft. Stefani Brock, 24, of Sweet Home, was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
n The Sweet Home Economic Development Group presented several organizations with money that the groups earned by volunteering at the Oregon Jamboree. The Sweet Home School District Board of directors was presented with $19,215.66.
n Two people died in two separate house fires on Oct. 27. Firefighters responded to the first fire at 1900 Willow St. at approximately 1:46 a.m. Lebanon Fire District assisted Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance district. The second fire, at 444 Maple Lane, Holiday Park, was spotted by LFD Chief Dan Woodson while he was on his way to the first fire.
n Investigators determined a fire that destroyed a home on 14th Ave. on Oct. 18 most likely rekindled from a smaller fire earlier that morning.
November
n Sweet Home senior Jakob Hiett won the school’s first-ever boys cross-country individual title, taking the 4A state championship at Lane Community College.
n Daniel Joseph Browand, a 20-year-old transient, was arrested in 11 cases over the course of a week, including a burglary at Dairy Queen, shoplifting at Safeway, and theft of Sweet Home Mat Club shirts.
n Sweet Home residents and public officials met and vowed to take steps to reduce the number of youths and young adults hanging out on and under Weddle Bridge in Sankey Park, smoking, using marijuana, littering and leaving behind graffiti.
n Sweet Home High School senior Jakob Hiett won Sweet Home’s first boys state cross-country title at the OSAA 4A cross-country championships on Nov. 1.
n Incumbent Bruce Hobbs tied with James Goble for a spot on the Sweet Home City Council.
n Sweet Home was front and center on the National Page of The New York Times on Nov. 16, in an article focusing on the impact of the shutdown of the local logging industry over the past 25 years.
n Sweet Home’s Livability Initiative report was released on Nov. 21, about a year after a team of three representatives from the Conservation Fund and the Federal Highway Administration toured the community and visited with residents, business owners and government officials.
n Sweet Home’s lighted Christmas card display doubled in size from 40 to 80 cards. The display began with 13 cards in 2012.
December
n A fire destroyed a former downtown business structure, whjich once housed a metal shop, at 1324 13th Ave. on Nov. 29.
n The Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District ordered a used ambulance to bolster its aging fleet.
n Bob Waibel, 80, died of cancer on Dec. 1. Waibel chaired the Sportsman’s Holiday Working Loggers Olympics for 19 years, participated in the Sweet Home Rock and Mineral Club for 50 years. He served on various organizations and service clubs.
n Pat McCollum, 75, died on Dec. 9. McCollum owned McCollum Logging from 1978 to 2014.
n Tom Hufford died on Dec. 8. Hufford, with his family, founded the Cedar Shack drive-in restaurant in 1965 and kept it running for nearly 40 years until I was burned down by arsonists – it was later rebuilt. Hufford drove a log truck until he was 87.
n Craig Fentiman completed 26 years on the Sweet Home City Council, 14 as mayor, on Dec. 9. His term expires Dec. 31.
n An anonymous donor gave $100,000 to the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District after reading an article in the newspaper about the need for a four-wheel drive ambulance.
n After a ballot recount, James Goble and Bruce Hobbs were tired for a seat on the city council. The final decision was made by a coin toss on Dec. 16: Hobbs won.
n Tom and Erika Baham purchased the Rio movie theater from Mike Kinney.