Viewpoints: John Barnes - Ready, set, go!

Ordinary swimmers, bikers, runners invited to participate in new, local sport

Editorial: Wine events bill gets a legislative rush-job

The new law relaxes land use restrictions for rural wineries wanting to stage an unlimited number of onsite events, but groups such as the Willamette Valley Winery Association and the Oregon Farm Bureau still can’t even reach consensus on the issue

Editorial: Polk County timber receipts need state review, decision

Something about the Polk County commissioners’ money-shifting from education to roads just doesn’t pass the smell test.

Others Say - This special session gets passing grade

Suppose the Oregon Legislature hadn’t met in a special session in February

Leonard Pitts commentary: Crazy and incoherent

Republicans begin to consider tea party movement counterproductive

Jeb Bladine: Don't overstate the disagreement

A growing level of conflict is arising in normal day-to-day activities

Jeb Bladine: Surprise rejection at Riverbend Landfill

Viewpoints: Foreclosure help available

No-cost counseling can assist homeowners of all income levels

OLCC compliance checks welcomed in 'wine country'

The Oregon Liquor Control Commission conducted one of its random underage decoy compliance checks in the county recently and, embarrassingly, only 40 percent of the targeted establishments passed the test.

A life of volunteer work touched the community

Leonard Pitts - Do us a favor and run, Sarah Palin

If you win nomination, nation will make a critical decision — for stupidity or intelligence

Jeb Bladine: Our $100 contest is all about discovery

Are you willing to share an image or description of something you like best about local life?

Others Say - Offshore oil drilling off limits in Oregon

It was still a relief when lawmakers approved a 10-year moratorium on oil and gas drilling in state coastal waters

Editorial: Riverbend fight enters a world of legal appeals

In the Riverbend Landfill expansion case, the opponents’ appeal of the Yamhill County commissioners’ decision to the Land Use Board of Appeals could be both a blessing and a curse

Viewpoints: Heiko Junge - Hope

Group facilitates cooperative efforts to improve family support systems

Others Say - Land-use rules could drive agriculture out

Sometimes, the reality of commercial agriculture conflicts with the ideal, and some flexibility is called for.

Jeb Bladine: The gang from Eastern Oregon

Fred Patton, McMinnville school superintendent from 1950 to 1969, was the ringleader. Coming out of Eastern Oregon College in La Grande, he knew that was the best recruiting grounds for McMinnville schools.

Leonard Pitts - Sexual segregation on way out

Hurting people’s careers with ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ was wrong

Viewpoints: Brenda Ketcham - Career-college expo premieres

County’s businesses, colleges and agencies collaborate to offer help to students, job-seekers

Editorial: Amity story a reminder of need for refresher first aid

Using the Heimlich maneuver last week, Amity school counselor Lauri Anderson saved second-grader Donivan Raby’s life

Editorial: Compromise missing in a dysfunctional system

It doesn’t take a genius to see that the political system in Washington isn’t merely badly broken; it's embarrassingly close to total dysfunction.

Jeb Bladine: Bunker mentality, predictable results

The Toyota recall story exposes one of the most ill-advised sides of human nature: the idea that if you ignore something long enough, it will go away.

Leonard Pitts - Obama appeals for civility in government

The president presses not for political advantage but the possibility of compromise

Others Say:Candidate voting records, new EPA standards

Poor voting records encumber candidates; New EPA standards may affect Oregon

Viewpoints: Tanya Tompkins - Preventing suicides

Local volunteers offer specific help to groups, schools, survivors and public