In Willamina, grief over the loss of friend, vice principal

The weight of grief is palpable at Willamina Middle School following the sudden death of Mike Hughes, 48, vice principal and special education director. Students said Hughes brought laughter and was often ...

Commentary

A sly “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” theme in McMinnville and Sheridan finds a new shine during the holiday season. Thank the folks at a locally based chain of auto parts stores and car ...

Since September, the United States military has been blowing up boats allegedly trafficking drugs in the Caribbean.

I’ve recently been asked why I did not join Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s Nov. 24 letter to the U.S. attorney general and secretary of homeland security, which references the arrest of a 17-year-old McMinnville resident by federal agents.

I have received a great deal of correspondence from residents in recent weeks asking the city to address community concerns about federal immigration enforcement actions in McMinnville and around the nation.

There are three weeks left in the holiday season — still time to consider how our altruistic feelings and personal finances can merge into year-end charitable giving. The Fed cut interest rates ...

Editorials

To the casual observer, the McMinnville School Board’s unanimous Monday night embrace of Dr. Kourtney Ferrua as the next superintendent of schools here may seem the product of a whirlwind courtship. But ...

Since coming into vogue in the 1970s, transient lodging taxes have become almost universal in the U.S. and more the rule than exception elsewhere in the world — particularly in countries with at ...

From the outset of President Trump’s second term, masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in unmarked cars have been permitted to scoop up potential immigration status violators and whisk ...

At this writing, a final, official reckoning is still not yet available for the $98.5 million parks and rec bond appearing on McMinnville’s November general election ballot. The most recent tally ...

At this writing, we finally appear poised to close the books on the longest federal shutdown in American history, exceeding that even of the 35-day closure marking the first Trump presidency. But in addition ...

Letters

The News-Register welcomes written opinions about issues of public interest and about the content of this newspaper. Letters from non-local writers are accepted only if they focus on local issues. This ...

Insurance a basic need Democrats may have lost their fight to extend subsidies for purchasing health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, but their efforts have started ...

Ferrua best choice As a past long-time employee and board member in the McMinnville School District, I am writing in support of maintaining Dr. Kourtney Ferrua as school superintendent on a permanent ...

Time to stand up Ramming people’s cars is illegal. Assaulting people is illegal. Kidnapping people is illegal. Refusing due process for people — including immigrants — is illegal, and ...

Yes on Yamhelas Trail I am now a senior rider, after decades of being a cyclist for both recreation and transportation at different periods in my life. And I feel much safer on a trail away from the increasingly ...

News & Features

Wind, rain topple trees, lead to some school changes

A Tuesday night storm with high winds led to downed trees taking out power lines, fallen trees, a trampoline landing on Second Street in McMinnville and at least two Christmas inflatable decorations took flight in the night.

BPA reserves policy triggers $630,000 charge to MW&L

Lower than expected annual power reserves for provider Bonneville Power Administration triggered a clause that will cost McMinnville Water & Light’s two industrial customers approximately $300,000 ...

Highway 18 planning comes together

The McMinnville Planning Commission will help shape the next 20 years of development along Highway 18 during five public hearings at its Thursday meeting. The commission will vote to finalize state-mandated ...

In Willamina, grief over the loss of friend, vice principal

Cochran picks up assault charge in custody

A McMinnville man charged with attempted murder against law enforcement was booked for another assault charge while in custody. Justice Allen Cochran, 24, is being held in the Yamhill County Jail without ...

Quirk of the Week: Celebrating a ‘Christmas carnival’ and our many eclectic yard displays

A sly “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” theme in McMinnville and Sheridan finds a new shine during the holiday season. Thank the folks at a locally based chain of auto parts stores and car ...

Staff recommends cuts to improve county’s reserves

Yamhill County Administrator Ken Huffer is recommending an $85,000 reduction in the general fund next fiscal year to supplement county reserves. To get there, he is recommending a 0% increase across all ...

As Mac Fire expresses interest, Lafayette wants to continue IGA with Carlton

The Lafayette City Council is in favor of continuing an intergovernmental agreement with New Carlton Fire District for fire services and vehemently opposes any suggestion of annexation into the McMinnville ...

Doctor with a big heart: Dr. Spear celebrated at retirement party

Patients and coworkers lined up Thursday, Dec. 4, to wish “best of luck” to a man they said had a big heart, in addition to skills caring for cardiac patients. “We relied on Dr. Spear ...

Oregon researchers test Christmas tree species

As Oregonians prepare for Christmas, researchers are looking into how they can keep the state’s Christmas tree industry alive for decades to come.

Along the Street: New El Torito market opening soon in Mac

Work continues on the new El Torito market on Highway 99W near the Baker Street Y. Manager Ricardo Lopez said he’s hoping the Mexican supermarket will open around Christmas, but that depends on completing ...

Willamina mayor breaks tie over FEMA ordinance

The Willamina City Council was split on accepting FEMA’s Pre-Implementation Compliance Measures (PCIM), forcing Mayor Vickie Hernandez to cast a tiebreaking vote during the Dec. 9 city council meeting. The ...

Commissioners to vote on $1.4M construction contract

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners will have a light agenda for its online-only meeting Thursday, with items on new road signs, fee increases and county construction projects. The board will vote ...

Gov. Kotek, lawmakers call for streamlined permit, land use

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek called upon Oregon’s business community on Monday to support her plan to create more jobs and streamline the permitting process, as the state battles lagging economic growth and a reputation for crushing businesses with taxes and regulation.

Mac council, planners to review southwest area concepts

McMinnville City Council will review three concept layouts for a Southwest area plan during a joint meeting with the planning commission Wednesday. The 640-acre area was included in the city’s 2021 ...

Open houses for seniors to be offered at meal sites

NorthWest Senior & Disability Services will host open houses at meal sites in McMinnville, Sheridan and Newberg for people 60 and older. The events will “celebrate nutrition, connection and ...

Center Stage Theatrics adds winter classes

A theater program started by two local educators will teach acting classes in McMinnville this winter. Center Stage Theatrics is adding the classes for children and adults to its already popular summer ...

Huddleston Pond remains closed

The closure of Huddleston Pond and Hampton Park in Willamina has been extended through Dec. 18 for continued geotechnical drilling on the riverside embankment. The drilling is part of the ongoing work ...

Mac sex offender faces probation violation

A McMinnville registered sex offender is facing a probation violation after allegedly entering a residence where minors were present. Haidyn James Adrian, 24, of McMinnville pleaded guilty to one count ...

Court Records: Dec. 15, 2025

CIVIL FILINGS State of Oregon vs. Brownmiller Inc.: Renewal of $992.00 judgment. LVNV Funding LLC vs. Yvonne Palmer: Granted $3,937.68 judgment. Discover Bank vs. Helen Phillips: Granted $10,835.00 ...

Sports

3A/2A Girls Basketball: Dayton, Hughes wins for family after father's passing

Dayton’s varsity girls (4-1) played for more than basketball over the weekend. On Wednesday, Dec. 10, news of the death of Michael Hughes, a vice principal and special education director at Willamina ...

Overtime Odyssey: Ferrua heats up for 31 points in 71-67 win over McDaniel

Falling to the ground, sophomore forward Xander Gurash lunged for a ball that clanged off the iron. It was his eigth and final rebound of a long night that also saw him score 18 points. He chucked the ...

3A/2A Boys Basketball: Pirates topple Tigers

For the first time since Dec. 15, 2023, the Dayton and Yamhill Carlton varsity boys basketball teams met for a non-league game at the Dayton Tournament. Two winters ago, Dayton handled the Tigers, ...

Turnovers cost Grizzlies in 49-37 loss to South Salem

Friday’s contest against the South Salem Saxons (3-0) was a vast measure of improvement for the McMinnville girls varsity basketball team (0-3), but turnovers were costly and neutered an otherwise ...

Tiger wrestlers dominate mat in opening bouts; Amity, Dayton, Mac see improvement

Yamhill County grapplers were out in full force over the Dec. 12-13 weekend. Wrestlers from McMinnville, Amity, Dayton, Willamina and Yamhill Carlton took the mat, and many had top five worthy ...

Bulldogs wrestling ready to battle, replicate state success

The Willamina High School wrestling room has molded Bulldogs athletes for years. The orange and black walls are a training ground where athletes are pushed to their limits and challenged to rise and exceed ...

Warrior wrestlers grappling for growth in 25-26 season

Amity Wrestling is typically a small program, but with a roster of about 19 kids, turnout is way up for the Warriors. “We’re a young team, but growing,” Amity Head Coach Paul Betts ...

Wildcat Roundup: Mens and womens basketball suffer losses; mens wrestling introduces new faces to mat at Clackamas Open

Womens Basketball The Wildcats womens basketball team (4-2, 1-0) was handed their largest loss of the season so far on Friday, Dec. 5 at Ted Wilson Gymnasium. Facing No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh ...

Mac boys unable to slow North Salem offense in 77-59 test of endurance

It can be frustrating when the offense does not tally up. Connecting with the hoop and seeing the ball meet net is a skill, even an art for some. Zealots on both sides would argue that offense or defense ...

Grizzlies pressure Foxes but can't get shots to fall in 51-23 loss to Silverton

On Tuesday at the McMinnville High School gymnasium, development and chemistry continued to be built for a Grizzlies varsity girls basketball squad (0-2) finding their way in a new look offense. The Grizzlies ...

3A/2A Boys Basketball: Bulldogs off the schnide

Amity 69 Regis 82 The Warriors (0-3) dropped their third straight game on Monday, falling to 2A Regis (2-0) 82-69. Amity was put to bed by Regis’ 6-foot-4 senior guard Eli Silbernagel, who scored ...

3A/2A Girls Basketball: Tigers stay hot at home

Dayton 36 Westside Christian 50 The Pirates (1-1) dropped their first game on Tuesday, falling to undefeated Westside Christian (4-0) by a score of 50-36 at Dayton High School. Dayton played a tight ...

Wrestling: Mac, Dayton boys grapplers see top 10 finishes to start season

The season for grapplers is upon Yamhill County, with many wrestlers taking some of their first turns on the mat at the Perry Burlison Invitational at Cascade High School on Saturday, Dec. 6. McMinnville ...

3A Boys Basketball: Amity finds identity in first Warrior Classic

Amity’s varsity boys basketball team fell to 0-2 to start the season but finished their home tournament with plenty to be excited about following a tightly contested 61-58 loss to last season’s ...

Double dose of drama: Tigers victorious in two overtime tug-of-war with Bulldogs

Attention and intensity never wavered inside the Tiger Dome on Friday. No lead was safe, and if the human body was capable of staving off exhaustion, the Yamhill Carlton (1-0) and Willamina (0-2) varsity ...

3A/2A Girls Basketball: Warriors defend title with clean sweep at home tournament; Bulldogs, Pirates, Tigers begin season with victories

There was nothing to prove for Amity’s varsity girls basketball team (2-0) when they took the floor on Friday and Saturday; nonetheless, two victories to start the first season inside their new gymnasium ...

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