Gallery’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ focuses on minor characters of ‘Hamlet’


Commentary

 
Quirk of the Week: Discoveries in every direction

On Tax Day, we can all use a little direction but also a bit of diversion. Here, then, is a McMinnville Quirk Compass, with something special in all four directions: North: Two Quirks of note, just outside ...

 
Scott Gibson: China leaving U.S. behind on renewable energy front

About the writer: Scott Gibson has practiced medicine in his hometown of McMinnville since 1989. He and his wife, Melody, raised their three children in McMinnville before moving to the Eola Hills in 2017 ...

Investigating the Bible: Living better

I once read that natives in African jungle villages captured monkeys by hollowing out a coconut through a hole and putting a pebble inside. The hole in the side of the coconut was so small that a monkey ...

 
Letter to Readers: On the other side of the interview

In March 2024, I wrote a story about a new podcast center at Duniway Middle School. In honor of the late student Ronan Godrey, the Traveling Light Foundation and Cruising McMinnville paid to decorate ...

Jeb Bladine: Kids caught more than crawdads in City Park

In the News-Register, our weekly “Vintage N-R” photo array is accompanied by “Memory Lane” morsels from 10, 25 and 50 past years. We reminisce about times when Hotel Oregon was ...

Editorials

 
Nods go to Stephenson, Merkley and Brock Smith

We have three races on today’s endorsement menu, and in our estimation, the vast majority of you should be able to join us in making easy calls on them. In the non-partisan race for commissioner ...

 
Primary would best serve us by returning Kotek, Drazan

There are no fewer than 27 candidates for the Oregon governorship out on the hustings so far this year — 10 Democrats and 14 Republicans seeking major party nominations, one unaffiliated candidate ...

 
Depleted highway coffers demand a new infusion

Property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes and most other governmental taxes have one crucial element in common. They are based on percentage rates applied to ever-rising dollar volumes. That serves to ...

 
Bee-friendly pollinator garden a cause we should all support

So many national and international threats hanging over the heard of humanity these days seem so complex and distant as to defy meaningful impact at the local level. Fortunately, though, there is at least ...

 
No time to change course on overdue downtown overhaul

By the turn of the 21st century, McMinnville realized its treasured downtown Third Street spine would need extensive below-ground renovation in the coming years. It also knew that would logically dictate ...

Letters

News-Register Letters Policy

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 ...

 
Letters to the Editor: April 17, 2026

Open and respectful I am following the 2026 Commissioner races with interest. Having served Yamhill County for eight years as sheriff and six as undersheriff, I am aware of what it takes to make county ...

 
Letters to the Editor: April 10, 2026

Out of ammo We’re about a month into the war with Iran. In that short time, we’ve started to run out of the interceptor missiles we and our allies rely on to defend against missile and drone ...

 
Letters to the Editor: April 3, 2026

Proceed with care Yes, McMinnville’s downtown needs major infrastructure work — and sooner rather than later. However, government and civic leaders need to understand the potential consequences ...

 
Letters to the Editor: March 27, 2026

All talk, no action I was reading about Mayor Morris’ new program, “We care about kids.” I hope it will be a program of action, not just words. Beyond the staged photo op with the mayor ...

News & Features

School districts face tough choices as they budget for 2026-27

As school districts prepare budgets for the 2026-27 academic year, educators are worrying about how to balance available funding against rising costs. Administrators say they are looking ahead, as well, ...

Johnston, Linder trade barbs at county commissioner candidate forum

The four candidates for two Yamhill County Board of Commissioners seats shared the stage Saturday, April 11 for a forum at the McMinnville Community Center — with one side more heated than the other. Candidates ...

 
Chamber, air show promote new opportunities; Mac selects Trimble to run airport

In a presentation to city councilors on Tuesday, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO John Olson said the Oregon International Air Show is approaching this year’s event with more purpose in its ...

Former fire chief's supporters weigh in on theft conviction

Following the sentencing of former Fire Chief Trampas Bergstrom, the Yamhill Fire Protective District Board got an earful in public comment from those in support of the former chief during the Monday, ...

 
Stopping By: A sparkling conversation

Kate Payne Brown has worked happily with a variety of people in the wine industry for more than 20 years. She is especially satisfied with her current team at Argyle Winery, where she is head winemaker. The ...

Lafayette aims to pay off MW&L debt early

The city of Lafayette may move to pay off water system debt in order to focus on its wastewater treatment plan, in a move that may also help finance a new fire truck. At the Thursday, April 9, Lafayette ...

 
In brief: Volunteers needed for UFO Fest, Mac High testing; Earth day, Lu'au and Burn events

More volunteers are needed for the UFO Festival, which will take place in downtown McMinnville May 15-16.

 

 
Vintage NR/Memory Lane: April 17, 2026

10 Years Ago -- McMinnville is intending to cash in on the green rush provided by legalized marijuana sales in the city with a 3% sales tax on the newly legalized substance. The council approved ...

 
Quirk of the Week: Discoveries in every direction

On Tax Day, we can all use a little direction but also a bit of diversion. Here, then, is a McMinnville Quirk Compass, with something special in all four directions: North: Two Quirks of note, just outside ...

Grand Ronde man sentenced to 37 months in solar panel theft

Ruben Luke Blakeslee Jr., 46, of Grand Ronde was sentenced to 37 months with the Department of Corrections for stealing an estimated $225,000 worth of solar panels from a Sheridan area business and more ...

 
Letter to Readers: On the other side of the interview

In March 2024, I wrote a story about a new podcast center at Duniway Middle School. In honor of the late student Ronan Godrey, the Traveling Light Foundation and Cruising McMinnville paid to decorate ...

Newby will pilot new after-school program

A pilot program will provide after-school care and activities to students at Newby Elementary School starting next week through the end of the school year. It will be similar to one at Wascher Elementary ...

Sheridan fined for exceeding allowed levels of ammonia

The city of Sheridan has received a $12,000 fine from the Department of Environmental Quality for exceeding ammonia levels in its wastewater effluent, Public Works Director Kie Cottam reported during an ...

Two Beaverton men face burglary and sex abuse charges

Two Beaverton men face numerous Measure 11 felony charges of sexual abuse against a Newberg woman stemming from an alleged burglary on Dec. 31, 2023. The Yamhill County District Attorney’s ...

McMinnville school enrollment still down, but not dropping

McMinnville school enrollment remains about 4.5% below projections for the year, but the decline has leveled off, Finance Director Jason Hall told the school board Monday night. The district closely tracks ...

Court Records: April 15, 2026

CIVIL FILINGS Midland Funding, LLC vs. Corey Bye: Renewal of $1,093.09 judgment. Midland Funding, LLC vs. Juan Cortez: Renewal of $1,228.95 judgment. Midland Funding, LLC vs. Misti Dodgens: Renewal ...

 
The other side of the story

Gallery’s ‘Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead’ focuses on minor characters of ‘Hamlet’

Arrests & Citations: April 17, 2026

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Nathan Eric Mason, 43, McMinnville, April 9, failure to comply; booked into the Yamhill County Jail on $10,000 bail. Ray Emerson Kennedy, 56, Dayton, April 9, criminal ...

Friends of the Trail group files intent to appeal to LUBA

A pro-trail group is appealing the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners’ decision to remove the Yamhelas Westsider Trail from its transportation plan to the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals. Friends ...

Bergstrom sentenced to seven days for theft

Former Yamhill Fire Protective District Chief Trampas Bergstrom was sentenced to seven days in jail and approximately $21,000 in restitution to the district on Monday, April 13, after pleading guilty to ...

Sports

 
Toliver's Toss: A throw for the ages

Byron Toliver was not one for the spotlight. But on the biggest stage, he had his brightest day. The teenage farmhand was not much of a track and field athlete growing up. Toliver was a hard-nosed center ...

Mac Golf: Grizzlies reach halfway point

McMinnville’s varsity boys golf team continued to climb past Pacific Conference foes with a total team score of 315 to finish third behind Newberg (302, 2nd) and Sherwood (294, 1st) at Chehalem Glenn ...

 
3A Baseball: Dayton handles Amity, look to improve in hopes of a playoff run

It can be difficult to flip an off-speed pitch into the strike zone when you can’t feel your fingers, so Dayton senior Carter Webster relied on his heater on a cold, rainy Wednesday. “When ...

3A Softball: Bulldogs, Tigers on winning trail

April 13 Yamhill Carlton 6 Stayton 4 The No. 4-ranked Tigers (8-2, 3-1) travelled to the home of Class 4A No. 11 Stayton (4-5) on Monday and never looked back after taking a 2-0 lead before the home ...

Mac Baseball: Grizzlies tag Tigers with first loss of season, split first two of three-game series

April 13 McMinnville 7 Newberg 5 The first of three games between No. 6-ranked McMinnville (7-4, 1-1) and No. 5 Newberg (11-1, 4-1) began as a pitchers’ duel at George Fox University’s Morse ...

 
Mac alumna wins second career CUSA Player of the Week for Liberty

Brynn McManus — a senior at NCAA DI Liberty University and 2022 graduate of McMinnville High School — has had a hot bat for the Flames as of late, earning her second career Conference USA Softball ...

 
Haddeland: Master of the mound

Everything Chris Haddeland does is with pinpoint precision. The 2011 graduate of McMinnville High School was an ace on a staff with two other Grizzly standouts in Zev Egli and 2025 MHS Hall of ...

 
Gallery: Gravel, Pavement and the Beauty of Yamhill County

The Sasquatch Duro is an annual gravel-and-road bicycle race hosted by Mudslinger Events. In its second year in Yamhill County, it takes participants on one of two courses: a 45-mile loop or a 67-mile ...

 
Sights and scenes from the 2026 Vic Downs Invitational

The 2026 iteration of McMinnville’s annual Vic Downs Invitational was minutes away from completion before thunderstorms and heavy rain cleared Wortman Stadium. However, many Yamhill County track ...

 
Mac Softball: Grizzlies tire Lakers with patient at-bats, expert gloves

Not all has been sunshine and rainbows for the No. 14-ranked Grizzlies varsity softball team (6-6), but they did everything right in the first inning of their outing against No. 15 Lake Oswego (9-2) on ...

 
Mac Tennis: Girls ready for next steps following first victory over Sherwood in five years

When McMinnville’s varsity girls tennis team meets at the beginning of each season, there is one goal above the rest that gets reiterated; defeat Sherwood. The last time the Grizzlies (6-1) beat ...

 
Mac Baseball: Grizzlies fall too far behind Lions despite spectacular defensive plays

McMinnville and West Linn have a history that extends far beyond their matinee meeting that occurred Thursday at Patton Middle School. Grizzlies Head Coach Todd Peterson was just a teen with baseball ...

Mac Golf: Findley stays atop conference, boys lower team scores

Meriwether National Golf Club, along the Tualatin River in Hillsboro, was the venue on April 6-7 as the Grizzlies’ golf teams took on Pacific Conference foes. Mac’s boys approached the par-72 ...

Wildcat Roundup: Softball, Baseball lead NWC; golf seeks DIII championship berth

Softball Catball has been at an all-time high, currently holding onto a 20-game win streak with its last loss coming on March 8 at George Fox. Linfield (26-2, 14-2) was ranked third in the most recent ...

 
3A Softball: Dayton defends home field, executes early to beat YC 4-2 in first meeting of season

Two PacWest softball powerhouses squared off on Monday at Jim Connelly Field in Dayton, as the No. 3-ranked Pirates (9-2, 3-0) and No. 4-ranked Yamhill Carlton Tigers (6-2, 2-1) met for the first ...

 
Payne: Making MHS hall of fame ‘was always a goal of mine’

If there was an athletic challenge at McMinnville High School, Spencer Payne was one of the first ones in line. The Class of 2013 alumnus was a standout in everything he did, whether it be on the gridiron, ...

Grizz, Pirates, ’Dawgs take on Oregon Relays

More than 200 schools from the West Coast met at Hayward Field in Eugene on April 3-4 for the Oregon Relays. Among the fray were three Yamhill County participants in 6A McMinnville, 3A Willamina ...

 
Valley Panthers take advantage of friendly weather, hold scrimmage while state rugby club numbers fluctuate

On Saturday, April 4, the Valley Panthers Rugby Club had to improvise because the Canby club didn’t have enough girls to compete and cancelled the match. “They’ve never really ...

 
3A Baseball: Tigers trounce Bulldogs twice, look to continue healthy habits during league play

Both squads had hoped for more competitive matchups when the No. 21-ranked Yamhill Carlton varsity baseball team (6-5, 2-0) faced No. 41 Willamina/Sheridan (0-8, 0-2) for a two-game home-and-home set, ...

Mac's Lewis breaks 64-year-old hurdles record

McMinnville senior Brian Lewis set a new school record in the boys’ 110-meter hurdles on Wednesday, April 8, completing the event with a first-place finish of 14.85. The Grizzlies’ previous ...

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