As a nation, we’ve been watching unprecedented natural disasters unfold, from massive wildland fires, to tornadoes and earthquakes, to the latest mass destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Every ...
Editorials
Floodplain hue and cry much ado about very little
A July notice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency imposed a Dec. 1 deadline on Oregon cities and counties for adoption of updated flood management regulations. The local jurisdictions are saying ...
Another free and fair election deserves acceptance as such
We have no sweeping revelations to impart about Tuesday’s local, state and national balloting, particularly with a fair number of races and measures yet to be decided, hither and yon. We do, however, ...
Uniting in common cause key to getting things done
Last week’s groundbreaking for the Housing Authority of Yamhill County’s 175-unit Stratus Village affordable housing project, its first since the Village Quarter development of 2006, was well ...
Allow nothing to infringe on our sacred right to vote
Ensuring free, fair and universal elections has proven an uphill grind throughout recorded history, and no less in the United States than in its pioneering predecessors in Greece and Western Europe. If ...
Close call for mayorship; here's our take on the race
We are torn two directions on this year’s hotly contested mayor’s race in McMinnville. A strong case can be made for incumbent Remy Drabkin, who spent many years moving up the chairs as a ...
Cunningham best fit for Mac City Council
Furniture maker Chaz Gibbins made an encouraging first impression with our editorial board in his endorsement interview. We have no question about his sincerity in offering his services to his adopted ...
King would offer county welcome respite for re-set
Dear readers: We’ve chronicled every twist and turn of Lindsay Berschauer’s four-year tenure as a Yamhill County commissioner, including her narrow escape from recall at the hands of exasperated ...
Starr, Scharf and Elmer in local legislative races
Two weeks ago, we endorsed a trio of Democrats for top state offices — attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer. This week, we are endorsing a trio of Republicans for top local offices ...
Salinas over Erickson for 6th District Congress
This year’s race is a re-run of the inaugural 6th District congressional race two years ago, and only one element has changed for us: While we came down emphatically for Democratic legislator Andrea ...
Yes on Measures 115, 116, an emphatic no on the rest
Dozens of measures were proposed for the November general election ballot, but only five made the cut. We can be thankful, because three are clinkers of the first order — as misguided as 2020’s ...
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. Letters ...
Letters to the Editor: Nov. 8, 2024
Taxed to death I was reading the article about the homeless saying they are being ignored. As a hardworking taxpayer, I am tired of my property taxes increasing. Nothing is free. That money has to come ...
Letters to the Editor: Oct. 25, 2024
Better grasp Relatively new here, I’ve made it a priority to understand how our city operates. Having met Mayor Remy Drabkin several times, I’ve been impressed with her professionalism, dedication ...
Letters to the Editor: Oct. 18, 2024
Leader we need Having known Kim Morris for many years, I’ve witnessed her dedicated leadership as the founder of the McMinnville Community Task Force. Kim has actively listened to and supported ...
Letters to the Editor: Oct. 11, 2024
A trusted leader I am writing to support re-election of Remy Drabkin as mayor. Remy is a trusted leader who has: - Successfully expanded access to affordable housing for local families and workers ...
Letters to the Editor: Oct. 4, 2024
Vision and dedication As the mayoral election approaches, it’s clear Kim Morris embodies the change our community needs. Her leadership offers a fresh perspective and genuine understanding of residents’ ...
Letters to the Editor: Sept. 27, 2024
Real change I was disappointed to read the News-Register’s endorsement of Dan Rayfield for Oregon attorney general, especially when his opponent, Will Lathrop, has the support of nearly all of Yamhill ...
Letters to the Editor: Sept. 13, 2024
Rest of the story While the idea given in the mobile home editorial of last week sounds good, I would suggest that the writer investigate the current rents for mobile homes in the parks mentioned. I ...
Letters to the Editor: Sept. 6, 2024
No cause to celebrate As the screaming military planes flying over my backyard disrupted my weekend, I couldn’t help but remember that similar F-16 jets have spread death and destruction around ...
Letters to the Editor: Aug. 30, 2024
Tunnel vision I’m responding to Robert Long’s Aug. 23 post. People have not stopped being good, Mr. Long. They just want a life with a home, family, friends and food on the table. They don’t ...
Commentary
Whatchamacolumn: City needs clarity for future hiring procedures
McMinnville Mayor Remy Drabkin’s sanctions this week against city Councilor Chris Chenoweth followed weeks of debate about the city council’s authority and responsibility in hiring top city ...
Investigating the Bible: What about the weather?
Weather is often autumn news. In a “Reader’s Digest” story, ferry passengers returned from Juneau, Alaska in the fall. A frustrated tourist asked a boy who was a local, “Doesn’t it ever stop raining around here?” The little guy responded: “I don’t know. I’m only seven years old.” The Bible has many stories when God intervenes and uses weather for his purposes.
Sara Gelser: The election is over; what happens next?
On Tuesday, we did something extraordinary. We had a free and fair election.
All across the United States, people cast their ballots — and along with them their hopes and expectations. Though I accept the results, I was disappointed by the outcome of the presidential election.
John Herrera: Welcoming the stranger valued American tradition
About the writer: John Herrera serves as director of immigration legal services at Catholic Charities of Oregon, based in Portland. He came to the U.S.. from his native Colombia in 2004, after being granted ...
Calendar of Quirk: From coy cats to rude squirrels, collecting a curious menagerie
Animals have figured frequently in Calendar of Quirk, but deserve a week of their own. Nov. 6 On Northeast 12th Street near Evans, a four-foot sculpture of a kitten is in the pose of batting a potted ...
Letter to Readers: On election night, someone needs to call in those results
I’ve been spending election nights at the Yamhill County Clerk’s Office for most of my career, starting back in 1983 when the office was in the Yamhill County Courthouse, Charles Stern was ...
Offbeat Oregon: The state’s oldest hotel was a hideaway for Hollywood stars
There were times, during Hollywood’s golden age, when Clark Gable simply couldn’t be found anywhere. Studio executives would search frantically for the top-shelf star, needing to talk to him ...
Whatchamacolumn: Local election results are short on details
Taking a deep dive into election results is fun for some, boring for others … for me, it’s a deep-seated habit from 50-plus years of writing news and commentary about election outcomes. Computers, ...
Dean Ridings: Why local newspapers are most trusted source
By DEAN RIDINGSOf America’s Newspapers The decision by The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times to skip endorsing a presidential candidate this year has put the issue of media trust in ...
Sandi Colvin: Be Prepared: It's not just a Scouting motto
As a nation, we’ve been watching unprecedented natural disasters unfold, from massive wildland fires, to tornadoes and earthquakes, to the latest mass destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Every ...
Investigating the Bible: The value of honesty
Honest words refresh the soul. President John F. Kennedy, after some public argument where he was harshly criticized by former president Harry Truman, said, “I guess Truman will apologize for calling me an SOB, and I will apologize for being one.” The Bible has much to say about being honest.
Whatchamacolumn: Polarization continues as a threat to America
I had to re-read the Oct. 18 column in this space to ask myself if, as suggested, it was an endorsement of Donald Trump to be elected president again. It wasn’t. The article began with carefully ...
Catherine Dorner: The democratic process in action
About the writer: Marylhurst University grad Catherine Dorner is a Carlton resident who has taught at the McMinnville Montessori School since 2013. Prior to that, she taught for 23 years at the Childpeace ...
Mark Davis: Stop expanding the UGB; inventory is already ample
An urban growth boundary is established to hold a 20-year supply of land for housing and businesses. But just four years after expanding its UGB, the city of McMinnville is once again insisting it needs a bigger one.
Calendar of Quirk: Dropping in again with a peck of prints, panels, pavers and plums
Friendly signs and vacant ones, ‘Grapes’ and abandoned apples blend for a Quirk compote: Oct. 30 At McMinnville Library, donors’ favorite books are commemorated in concrete in the breezeway, ...
Eric Schuck: Remember not war’s victors, but rather its hapless victims
Lebanon is an easy place to love, but not an easy place to live. I’ve been there twice, both times on the government’s dime.
Michael Mulkey: Reflecting on milestones of CEO tour at hospital
Earlier this month, I announced plans to leave my post as CEO at the Willamette Valley Medical Center.
As I shared with my team, this was a difficult decision for me and my wife, Tania, but ultimately the right one as we relocate to be closer to family. In my final days here, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the community of McMinnville and greater Yamhill County.
Whatchamacolumn: Poignant film depicts the demise of a newspaper
Texas newspaper publisher Laurie Ezzell Brown and filmmaker Heather Courtney were in McMinnville this week to present “For The Record,” a beautifully produced documentary about the demise of ...
Investigating the Bible: Better ways to communicate
By DAVID CARLSON PASTOR This election season there is a drought of clear communication. Politicians on every side are notorious for dissembling like Mike McCurry, the White House Press secretary for President ...
Calendar of Quirk: Ragged, rusted, muted and modest Quirks found all around town
This week, Calendar of Quirk revisits neighborhoods in a decidedly random look around McMinnville. Oct. 23 Along Three Mile Lane, the rusted rod is hard to miss at the south exit from town, at the base ...
