Immigration enforcement and the Epstein files have been dominating headlines nationwide, and last week’s town hall with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden was no different. Wyden addressed multiple questions on ...


Commentary

 
Eric Schuck: Don’t let discordant notes mar symphony of the Fed

Unfortunately, “Schoolhouse Rock!” never covered the Federal Reserve.

Then again, if it had, it might not have made for terribly compelling TV. After all, the ideal song for monetary policy should be a lullaby — soft, calming and familiar, guaranteed to soothe and stabilize.

Jonah Goldberg: Trump’s brand of globalism stands to impoverish us all

I’m not sure what to call the new era we seem to be entering. But I am sure it will make people poorer.

Let’s start with some basics.

Jeb Bladine: Challenges in a new chapter of city government

McMinnville, now embarked on a new chapter in city government, has challenges galore in areas of finance, operations, special projects and community trust. It begins with planning for a new budget year, ...

Investigating the Bible: Thinking bravely

Sociologists call “groupthink” the tendency of cohesive social groups to never question group decisions. In 1980, financially struggling Bill Gates offered to sell his computer operating system ...

 
Quirk of the Week: By the ways, here are a few odd sightings

This week’s Quirk collection we could call “the traffic report.” All involve roadside … sightings. “Attractions” is not quite the word. Also, this being the week of ...

Editorials

 
Those who covet power must first earn out trust

For the first 150 years of its statehood, Oregon limited regular legislative sessions to odd-numbered years. As governance turned increasingly complex and contentious, it became one of only a handful of ...

 
Can we all join in standing for what we know is right?

During his first term, Donald Trump’s ravenous crusade to bend the world to his will was at least partially restrained by people holding key elective and appointive posts. Not so this time around, ...

 
Schools face crisis point; course correction needed

Public school enrollment has been declining for the last 10 years in McMinnville, punctuated by a precipitous plunge during the pandemic followed by a limited recovery in succeeding years that seems to ...

Let's lower our sights and cut deal on Alpine project

Palindrome’s $80.5 million proposal for redevelopment of Alpine Avenue’s former RB Rubber site stood out for one clear reason: It was the most audacious and ambitious of the eight submissions. ...

 
A lot to like in the result, a lot less in the process

Celebrated English playwright William Shakespeare coined the oft-quoted phrase, “All’s well that ends well,” to serve as the name of a play he wrote and produced in 1623. And even then, ...

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: Feb. 6, 2026

Vote them out Under President Trump, the United States is inching closer and closer to becoming a tyranny, a totalitarian state where a lawless government’s power is exercised by one man, according ...

 
Letters to the Editor: Jan. 30, 2026

Where’s the leadership? Physical impotence can damage relationships and mental health, which is why billions are spent every year on treatments for erectile dysfunction. Lately, we’re seeing ...

 
Letters to the Editor: Jan. 23, 2026

Building bridges I was surprised to learn from the News-Register that at the last city council meeting, Councilor Chris Chenoweth criticized Unidos Bridging Community, saying “an organization that ...

Letters to the Editor: Jan. 16, 2026

Poor example I attended the city council meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, to learn if the City was going to respond to recent ICE activity, and if so, what the response would consist of. It was clear there ...

News & Features

Appeal argues that county is limiting religious practices

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Thursday with the rare circumstance of an applicant appealing its own approval; citing issues with conditions imposed. Nonprofit Indigenous ...

 
Blood drivin' man: Mac's Walter Wierenga reaches 20-gallon donation mark

For the 160th time, Walter Wierenga of McMinnville extended his arm Friday so an American Red Cross medic could draw his blood. He lay back, resting, while about a pint of red fluid filled a collection ...

 
Letter to Readers: Helping girls to Dream It, Be It

When I was in junior high, we all took a class called “Self-Understanding Through Occupational Education,” or SUTOE. We learned about various careers, the education needed to work in those ...

Mac city manager contract moves forward

McMinnville will take another step toward promoting interim City Manager Adam Garvin into a full-time role with a resolution to start contract negotiations on Tuesday’s agenda. An informal poll ...

Vehicle pursuit leads to confrontation in Mac

A McMinnville man with a history of standoffs with law enforcement was gassed and tased by officers on Saturday, Feb. 7, following a vehicle chase and confrontation. About 5 p.m., Yamhill County Deputy ...

 
Along the Street: Items from The Furnace on display at Two Dogs

The scoreboard that recorded McMinnville High School two-pointers and foul shots for decades now hangs at Two Dogs Taphouse, a conversation piece for former Grizzlies and other sports’ fans who visit ...

Amity City Council considers investing in railroad crossing improvements

The timing will be right for the city of Amity to improve the streets at railroad crossings, but city councilors at their Feb. 4 meeting discussed budget constraints and if it’s worth the investment. The ...

 
Lafayette artist, musician opens gallery

Musician and artist Jody Carroll is opening a new gallery in Lafayette filled with his paintings and photos. “I’m obsessed with nature,” he said of the oils and photos he’s created ...

 
Wyden talks ICE, Epstein, states’ rights

Immigration enforcement and the Epstein files have been dominating headlines nationwide, and last week’s town hall with U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden was no different. Wyden addressed multiple questions on ...

PIT maneuver ends pursuit of stolen vehicle in Lafayette

At about 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, Yamhill County Deputy Michael King was patrolling Lafayette when he sighted a reported stolen red Honda and began a pursuit. The vehicle was reported stolen from McMinnville. ...

 
Pickles in the running for 'America's Favorite Pet'

A Lafayette feline has reached the semifinals of a pet competition that has a grand prize of $10,000 for her owner and a spot on the cover of a national magazine. Pickles, who was adopted by Mary Davis ...

Willamina SD seeks review of construction fee

The Willamina City Council on Tuesday will consider an appeal from the Willamina School District’s regarding construction fees for building improvements during. The school district is requesting ...

EMPWR sign denied by planning commission

EMPWR Nutrition Group’s request for a sign over 12 times the city’s maximum size was denied by the planning commission Thursday, but not for its large scale. Commissioners voted 8-0 (with ...

 
Career education leads more to graduate

Career technical education courses are making a difference in whether students graduate from Oregon’s public high schools, according to the 2024-25 rates recently released by the state Department ...

 
Unidos aims to protect, give voice to Latino community

Unidos Bridging Community has advocated for Yamhill County Latino residents for over a decade, but a shift in mission last year has propelled the nonprofit further into the local spotlight. Through its ...

Grants increased to Urban Renewal businesses for facade improvements

McMinnville’s Urban Renewal committee wants more businesses to spruce up their facades and agreed Wednesday to increase grants based on building size. The McMinnville Downtown Association requested ...

 
Stopping By: For the long haul

Paul and Wanda Collins reflect on a life traveled together for 70 years

Local agencies warn of permit fee, jury scams

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, the city of Carlton warned of email scams claiming to be from the planning department and requesting fees be paid by wire transfer. “Carlton has been made aware of a scam targeting ...

Second defendant named in 2023 murder

Gabriel James Rivas, 19, of Forest Grove was indicted on Feb. 4 for second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon for his part in a Nov. 27, 2023, murder at Northwest Russell Creek Road near Cove Orchard. Rivas ...

 
Lawmakers take testimony on separating from federal tax code

As Oregon lawmakers weigh how to balance the state’s budget, hundreds of Oregonians visited the Capitol to plead with them not to cut funding for public defense, career and technical education and ...

Sports

 
Mac Girls Basketball: Guards take charge in feisty battle with Sprague

For years, the role of the guard has been pivotal to how the now No. 22-ranked Grizzlies operate. Macie Arzner, a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, was dominant as a member of Mac’s backcourt, ...

 
3A/2A Girls Basketball: Warriors score in abundance, Tigers rebound on road

Feb. 6 Amity 81 Jefferson 32 Four players had double-digit performances on Friday night as No. 2 Amity (21-2, 14-0) extended their PacWest Conference unbeaten streak with a home victory against No. ...

 
3A/2A Boys Basketball: Pirates complete late comeback, Warriors trample Lions

Feb. 6 Amity 72 Jefferson 37 No. 17 Amity (14-8, 10-4) manhandled No. 46 Jefferson (0-21, 0-14) on Friday in the Warrior Gymnasium thanks to three flowing rivers of double-digit point performances. Sophomore ...

 
Grapplers finding final form before districts

A little bit of blood didn’t slow down the Grizzlies on Thursday during a home dual meet versus Sherwood. Ready to attack in the lead-up to districts, Mac’s boys and girls grapplers each secured ...

Mac Boys Basketball: Slow start hinders Grizzlies in Keizer

McMinnville’s No. 40-ranked varsity boys basketball team (7-11, 2-4) travelled to No. 22 McNary (13-6, 4-3) on Saturday, where they were able to battle back from a slow start in Keizer, but ...

 
3A/2A Boys Basketball: Warriors dominate paint in season sweep of Bulldogs

Wednesday’s effort by the No. 15-ranked Warriors (13-8, 9-4) was not a great representation of how the team teaches defense, according to Head Coach Devin McShane. Despite the unsavory showing, Amity ...

Mac Girls Basketball: Balanced shooting night helps Grizzlies rebound after tough loss

Defense was the be all end all for the No. 24 Grizzly girls (8-9, 4-2) on Tuesday as they held on to the No. 3 spot in the Pacific Conference rankings with a 64-34 victory over No. 47 Liberty (0-17, 0-6). The ...

 
3A/2A Girls Basketball: Amity ties season-high for single-game points scored

Amity’s No. 2-ranked Warriors (20-2, 13-0) have shown an ability to score with ease all season long, but even with their lethality, they have only eclipsed the 80-point mark on two occasions over ...

Mac Boys Basketball: Defense allows fewest points in a decade

Everything is coming down to effort, energy and communication for the No. 42-ranked Grizzlies (6-10, 1-4) with seven games left in the season. On Tuesday, the ever-tinkering head coach Tucker Coil led ...

 
Linfield honors first graduating class of four-year wrestlers since programs 2022 inception

Many have crawled and stumbled, paving the way for what could be an ever-improving generation of wrestlers at Linfield University. On Friday, Jan. 30, the first class of those who started the school’s ...

 
Crafted by commitment: Hadley Hughes remembers late father on road to 1,000 career points

A legacy moment occurred inside the Dayton High School gymnasium on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Years of persistence and growth culminated in one shot — a 3-pointer from the left wing out of the hands of ...

 
Willamina alumni Brewer ranked No. 4 in NJCAA, battles Linfield with SWOCC

Willamina high school alumni Zoe Brewer has made a name for herself wrestling for Southwestern Oregon Community College. The first-year Laker is ranked No. 4 in the National Junior College Athletic Association ...

 
3A/2A Boys Basketball: Pirates complete season sweep of Bulldogs

Defense was the deciding factor in the Willamina gymnasium on Friday — so was a comeuppance from Dayton’s Jaxson Allen. The second meeting between the No. 28 Pirates (7-13, 4-8) and No. 36 ...

 
3A/2A Girls Basketball: Stahl leads Tigers past Pirates in lively affair

Yamhill Carlton junior Lilah Stahl had a night to remember on Thursday, Jan. 29, in the Tiger Dome, breaking out for a team-high 16 points while finding a smooth shooting stroke to keep No. 15-ranked YC ...

Mac Basketball: Grizzlies unable to slow Jaguars' offensive might

A second-half surge from sophomore Xander Gurash was not enough to bring the Grizzlies back on Friday, as they fell 57-49 at No. 37 Century (7-10, 4-1). Gurash scored 13 of his team-high 16 points ...

Grizzlies combine for 11 top-six placements at Tod Surmon Invitational

Grizzly grapplers concluded January with strong showings during road trips to the north and south. On Friday, McMinnville’s girls had one of their best team performances of the season, placing fifth ...

Bulldogs battle-tested at Amity Duals, Geister Invite

Boys from Amity and Willamina’s wrestling programs represented their schools on various stages throughout the past week, highlighted by a day of duals in Amity on Wednesday, Jan. 28. In the Warrior ...

 
Mac Boys Basketball: Grizzlies find footing with win over Crimson Tide

The Grizzlies had been digging themselves a hole for 21 days, having lost four straight games to start Pacific Conference league play. On Tuesday night, with the help of a few new pieces, No. 38-ranked ...

 
Mac Girls Basketball: Bears record 20 steals, pester Glencoe in 65-35 win

Varsity girls record 20 steals, pester Glencoe in 65-35 win By NATHAN ECKER Of the News-Register The Grizzlies were fierce on Tuesday night — rather, according to junior guard Alex Bates, “we ...

 
Grizzly grapplers prove mettle after top-10 ranking

Self-proclaimed underdogs posing as Grizzlies are in the McMinnville High School wrestling room. On Thursday, Jan. 22, Mac hosted its first dual meet of the season. It was a battle of will inside the ...

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