(We) believe that we will win ...
Mac High makes video pitch to OSAA that they have the best student section in the state
(Robert Husseman/News-Register) Does McMinnville High School have the best basketball student section in the state?
The Oregon School Activities Association intends to settle the matter the old fashioned way: with a YouTube contest.
A group of Grizzlies came together to create the video posted above, which was approved for the OSAA’s 1st Annual “We are #1!” Student Section Video Contest. Five videos have been chosen; the winner will have received the most “likes” on the OSAA YouTube Channel.
The winner receives recognition from the OSAA, a banner for the winning school, a catered lunch and additional points toward the 2013-14 OSAA Sportsmanship award.
Local sixth-grader wows Moda Center crowd
Blazers crowd loves anthem by 11-year-old Jordan Bailey of McMinnville
(News-Register Staff) Eleven-year-old McMinnville resident Jordan Bailey sang in front of about 20,000 people Wednesday night, performing the national anthem with violinist Aaron Meyer and guitarist Tim Ellis before a Portland Trail Blazer game at the Moda Center.
KGW featured the performance during its 11 p.m. newscast.
“It’s amazing,” Bailey told KGW after the rehearsal. “I never thought I’d be doing something like this.”
Pertussis cases increase locally
Health officials recommend vaccine for young children and booster for adolescents and adults
(Yamhill County Health and Suman Services) There have been an increased number of pertussis (whooping cough) cases throughout the county. Contacts of cases have been notified. County and state public health officials recommend that individuals age 2 months to 6 years receive regular DTaP vaccinations, and that everyone age 11 and older get one routine Tdap booster to protect themselves and those around them from whooping cough. Vaccination is the best way to prevent pertussis (whopping cough).
Pertussis is a highly contagious respiratory infection caused by bacteria. “Pertussis is particularly dangerous -- even fatal -- for infants who are too young to be immunized,” says Dr. Koenig, health officer for Yamhill County.
Troubled times in Oregon's
"Lawless South"
Washington, D.C. news outlet highlights the depleted police force of some O&C counties
(Ossie Bladine/News-Register) A college colleague of mine recently published an article regarding the woes of Southern Oregon communities in danger of becoming “Deliverance in Oregon.” The article focuses on Josephine County, “the richest most broke county in Oregon,” one of many rural counties recently forced to slash police presence in their communities:
I asked how he’s getting by these days.
“One day at a time,” he said. “We can’t keep up with all the issues.”
When residents voted down the budget stopgap levy, Gilbertson’s office had to make drastic cuts. The major crimes unit closed, operations were reduced to Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, and the county jail was forced to release 39 prisoners due to lack of bed space.
The Sheriff’s Office has also had to increase “cite and release,” where deputies ticket criminals instead of holding them in jail until their court date. The lack of resources doesn’t exactly encourage criminals to appear at their scheduled court dates.
If you follow the State & Region section of our website, you’re familiar with the results of the depleted O&C land revenue. Ciaramella gets a nice personal touch in his article compared to the straight news Associated Press articles on the subject.
Also, don't miss Ciaramella's related post, "America's Greatest Newspaper Crime Blotter." If only Mac Police still kept such a call log for us to report on.
Meet Marybeth
Yamhill County district attorney's office first in state to utilize courthouse dog to aid victims and witnesses
(Yamhill County District Attorney) Beginning last week, the Yamhill County District Attorneys Office started using a facility dog to aid victims and witnesses of crime in reducing their stress and anxiety as they work through the criminal justice system. (Click here for News-Register story.)
Marybeth is a two year old Yellow Labrador, Golden Retriever mix, professionally trained by Canine Companions for Independence. Although she received the same degree of training t o work as a service dog, she was placed with the Yamhill County District Attorneys Office as a facility dog primarily because her extremely calm temperament enables her to provide emotional comfort to strangers in a high stress environment.
Flood watch issued
Heavy rains expected tonight and Saturday
(News-Register staff) With two back-to-back storms expected to bring heavy rain from late tonight through the weekend, the National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for most of northwest Oregon, in effect from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon.
Snow it goes
Wonder if the Tralfamadorians like to play in the snow
(Photo by Marcus Larson) Hotel Oregon's famous flying saucer sits above a blanketed winter city. Share your snow pics with us by emailing them to news@newsregister.com.
Storms and trees
Evaluate, and proceed with caution
(Oregon Dept. of Forestry) The weather forecast is calling for colder temps and wind gusts to 30 mph over western Oregon this week. Rain, high winds, and the snow and ice that sometimes hit us here in the Pacific Northwest during winter months can take a toll on our landscape trees.
What to do?
In most cases, unless a tree has caused property damage, homeowners will want to wait until the storm has passed to evaluate things and decide how to proceed. Here are some factors to consider when evaluating your trees:
Facebook predator blackmailing local girls for nude photos
Police offer safety tips
The McMinnville Police Department is searching for an unidentified person accused of attempting to blackmail local girls into providing nude photos of themselves.
Over the course of the last month, a local girl was “friended” on Facebook by someone who convinced her to send nude pictures. That person is now blackmailing her and and at least one other girl in an effort to obtain more nude photos.
On Thursday, McMinnville police learned another local girl, a friend of the original victim, had been contacted on Facebook by the suspect. The suspect threatened to share her friend’s nude photos globally unless she shared nude photos of herself.
Police searching for attempted armed robbery supsect
Victim able to fight off suspect and run home
(The News-Register staff) Early this morning McMinnville officers, assisted by Yamhill County Sheriff's deputies responded to an armed robbery near 18th Street and Michelbook Lane in McMinnville.
The victim, an 18-year-old male, who was jogging in the area reported being confronted by three males.
A short time later, the three males are reported to have confronted the victim again, pulling up in a yellow or light colored Cadillac.
