Back, and Forth: Despite turnout, town hall maintains traditional spirit
There’s an irony to the term “town hall,” as it can refer to both a gathering and a building. “An event at which a public official or political candidate addresses an audience ...
Whatchamacolumn: Time to advise city on taxes, services
August is history; school has started; Labor Day weekend will soon be gone. There is, however, one great season-ending activity available — the ninth annual Walnut City Music Festival, live this ...
Whatchamacolumn: Political courage to fight polarization
It seems that partisan politics will dominate national public discourse for the foreseeable future. As evidenced this week, eight Republican presidential candidates were asked if they would support Donald ...
Back, and Forth: Bouncing around those moments of meaning
Hoops is my hobby, and I plan to keep weaving as long as I can. After a long time away, I’ve gotten back into playing against other guys — competing, sometimes. No matter what happens between ...
Offbeat Oregon: ‘The Rolls-Royce Guru’ came to Oregon / Part 3, Occupation
In the courtyard at the Antelope Post Office today, there stands a large bronze plaque attached to the base of a flagpole. It reads, “Dedicated to those of this community who throughout the Rajneesh ...
Whatchamacolumn: It's time to chop downtown trees
Part 2 of a recent column about McMinnville trees begins with a provokement: It’s time to start aggressively removing trees in downtown McMinnville. Astonishing? Outrageous? If so, you haven’t ...
Stopping By: From 'scared kid' to veteran parts pro
Dennis Wolfenbarger applied for a job at Davison Auto Parts in McMinnville right after he graduated from Sheridan High School. He was happy to be hired to start work Aug. 11, 1973. He had no idea, ...
Whatchamacolumn: Don't forget to pull that gas nozzle out
Today, some Oregon drivers will forget to re-attach gas tank caps before leaving their first in-state experience with self-service gasoline. I just hope they all remember to pull out the nozzle before ...
Stopping By: Hearts for the homeless
As a 911 dispatcher, Kaye Sawyer often talked with, or heard about, people experiencing some of the worst moments of their lives, including those who had no shelter on a cold, rainy night and those ...
Whatchamacolumn: Lots to know about McMinnville's trees
Our July 18 news story about responsibility for “street trees” included a candidate for understatement of the year by describing concerns that “there’s a disconnect between city ...
Stopping By / Yard of the Month: Cultivating joy in McMinnville
Hostas, hydrangeas and honeysuckle welcome visitors to the home of Helen and Kevin Peterson in west McMinnville. A carved horse, playful children, Buddha images and other statuary also decorate ...
Whatchamacolumn: Salem overreaches with new payroll tax
In classic government overreach style, Salem City Council last week approved a payroll tax of 0.814 percent on the earnings of people doing work inside the Salem City limits, regardless of their residency ...
Back, and Forth: Criticism is fine, but our content is original
Words challenge us. They do so in trying to find the right ones — the ones to craft a news story or feature that is interesting, informative and, where appropriate, evocative. Our news staff works ...
Stopping By: She is the champion
All in fun, exercisers at one end of the pool at the McMinnville Aquatic Center started chanting “We will, we will rock you,” aiming their words at swimmers on the other end in a mock ...
Offbeat Oregon: Pioneering woman cop was Portland’s ‘municipal mother’
By the time Walt Disney Productions released “The Rescuers” in 1977, the idea of a “Rescue Aid Society” dedicated to the eradication of kidnapping felt quaint, old-fashioned and ...
