Back, and forth: Unique forest park offers mix of familiar and fresh
Adjusting to a new place can be all the more interesting when you encounter something that feels familiar. And I’ve seen plenty of places like Galen McBee Airport Park. Visiting Sunday for the first ...
Larson: Why the secrecy in Google water deal?
I don’t like secrets kept from citizens without a good reason.
The city of The Dalles is keeping a secret right now about the most familiar search engine in America.
Hladik: Infrastructure package a boon to rural America
The infrastructure package approved by Congress promises to reach every corner of the country, and for rural America, funding for water, sewer, internet and electrical projects figures to have the most impact.
Degree of danger not yet clear for Omicron COVID variant
By WOLFGANG PREISER, CATHRINE SCHEEPERS, JINAL BHIMAN, MARIETJIE VENTER and TULIO de OLIVEIRAOf the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa Since early in the COVID pandemic, the Network ...
Bladine: Oregonians resist ‘vaccine hesitancy’
One of the most interesting cultural studies this year involves “vaccine hesitancy,” a key factor in the race to put down a worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In September, researchers at Northeastern ...
Back, and Forth: Good memories, new impressions formed in revisiting theater venues
A significant pleasure in returning to McMinnville this year has been attending local theatrical productions. We’d missed these samples of local culture, which only gradually started returning earlier ...

Zika: Accord marks new dawn of new era in Oregon forestry
After nearly a year of scientific review and negotiations, timberland owners and environmental groups have reached an historic agreement to overhaul Oregon’s forest laws and create significant new protections for salmon habitat in Oregon’s private forests.
Bladine: Don't just shop local; think, act and be local
Black Friday — the day after Thanksgiving — long has been the day our annual “Shop Local” promotion leads off the Viewpoints section. In this 32nd year of that campaign, we want to start with the epilogue of our 2020 installment:
Barton: Safety a fundamental right in need of citizen advocates
I received a phone call not long ago from a young woman. The call was unexpected, as was the question she asked — “Do you remember me?”
As the district attorney for Washington County, Oregon’s second most populous county, I have interacted with tens of thousands of people over the course of my career. So I cannot honestly say that I remember each of them. But I absolutely did remember her.
Koehler: It’s time we faced truth about America’s history
By ROBERT KOEHLER When you’re losing the game, summon the Commies. And conservative white America has been losing for quite some time — losing control of the future, that is. The good old ...
AFSCME pledges its support for Newberg staff and students
By STACY CHAMBERLAINExecutive Director, Oregon AFSCME As one of Oregon’s largest labor unions, Oregon AFSCME is proud to be an effective advocate for the more than 33,000 workers we represent. This ...
Bladine: Winding road to Bayou renovation
In a strange way, the late Del Smith had a hand in current plans to refurbish Bayou Golf Course and remodel the stately Colonial-style mansion. After all, Smith’s creation of the Evergreen Museum ...

Mark Davis: Growth isn’t paying its way
The continuing population growth in McMinnville comes with costs. More residents demand more infrastructure (water, sewer, stormwater, street, sidewalk, power and transportation systems), expanded public amenities (park, library pool and community center facilities) and more public employees (police, firefighters, librarians and parks maintenance staff).
Enticknap: Not a matter of if, but when
Cascadia Zone megaquake is coming, likely bringing unprecedented devastation with it
Bladine: Breakthrough stats defy easy analysis
It was clear from the beginning – about 6 months ago – that any investigation of COVID-19 “breakthrough” cases would not only be a moving target, but soon would become a statistical ...