Bladine: Interesting stories just keep on coming
Stimulating local stories abound in recent weeks, prompting this occasional column with “short takes” on the news. - Have we solved the mystery of those “booms” bothering ...
Jeb Bladine: Reclaim downtown; ensure public safety
I’m remembering movie character Howard Beale’s famous monologue in the 1976 film, “Network” — a passionate assessment of social and cultural ills ending with this appeal to ...
Whatchamacolumn: Response insists on follow-up story
My column last week about financial intrigue at the Oregon Firearms Federation was not intended as Part 1, but OFF Executive Director Kevin Starrett insisted on a follow-up. Starrett was angered by the ...
Jeb Bladine: Saga continues for gun law opponents
Perhaps Yamhill County should pony up $75,000 to Portland attorney John Kaempf for legal costs in the fight against gun regulations Oregonians approved in November. That kind of financial commitment makes ...
Bladine: Any one of you can be that writer
Based on the current focus of your eyes, I know you can read. The question is, can you write? Before answering, ask yourself if there’s anything you’d like to say: Something that might be ...
Bladine: Regaining sanity in political discourse
Two years after the failed Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, we have the big story for 2023: Will congressional recommendations for criminal charges against former President Donald Trump ...
Bladine: Is this McMinnville, or smaller Portland
Last week, three high-interest stories were combined under a single headline: “Drabkin sworn in, quickly faced with tough issues.” Story #1 portrayed the warm reception for Remy Drabkin as ...
Bladine: New law can delay final election results
Election officials in Oregon counties apparently were ill-prepared this year to manage a new law that requires accepting mailed ballot returns for a week past election day. Perhaps lessons learned in 2022 ...
Bladine: Amid risks, still a spirit of giving
I’m thankful that December comes just once a year — a festive and cheerful time, for sure, but imagine the strains on our physical, emotional and financial conditions if every month were December. It’s ...
Bladine: A dubious decade of financial trickery
There no longer is any doubt: J.W. Millegan of McMinnville is smart, competent, slippery, financially adept, and gifted in using legal ploys to delay or overcome civil and criminal convictions. All of ...
Bladine: Intense analysis of our county election
News flash: After intense investigation and careful analysis, here is the real message of this week’s election in Yamhill County. (Drum roll) — Republicans voted for Republicans; Democrats ...
Bladine: It's a news story too complex to tell
Often – more often than you might think – reporters hear compelling stories that are too complex or too time-consuming to pursue. Some such stories exceed staffing capacity; some lack any ...
Bladine: No voter-surprise with anti-vax stand
Health and Human Services Director Lindsey Manfrin anticipated quick action by the Yamhill County Commission when, on Oct. 7, she reported availability of an additional $68,700 in state funding for local ...
Bladine: Campaign database’ follows the money’
In an election year, Oregon’s most interesting database is the Secretary of State’s compilation of campaign finance activity for all candidates and ballot measures. That interest was most ...
Jeb Bladine: Tax time cometh, with abundant data
It’s almost property tax time. Tuesday, under the direction of Assessor and Tax Collector Derrick Wharff, Yamhill County will mail 46,600 tax statements seeking payment of $151.5 million from county ...
