Former George Fox student acquitted of all charges following five-day trial
A former George Fox student was acquitted of all charges on Friday, March 6, stemming from a sexual assault allegation. The defense argued the incident was consensual “clunky teenage sex.” Chase ...
Sheridan councilor charged with DUII
Sheridan City Councilor Ian Houston, 39, has been charged with misdemeanor DUII, reckless driving and unlawful possession of a firearm. On Monday, March 9, Houston allegedly drove a vehicle while under ...
Court Records: March 11, 2026
CIVIL FILINGS U.S. Bank National Association vs. Amber L. Meier: Granted $8,506.84 judgment. Midland Credit Management, Inc. vs. Heather D. Christie: Granted $1,229.22 judgment. Citibank, N.A. vs. Mark ...
YCAP files suit against Fackler Construction
Yamhill Community Action Partnership has filed suit against former general contractor Fackler Construction in Circuit Court, seeking $200,000 for negligence and breach of warranty. The suit alleges Fackler ...
McMinnville police, OSP respond to two suspicious items in four days
The Oregon State Police Explosives Unit was called to McMinnville on Thursday, March 5, and Sunday, March 8, to investigate suspicious items that were reported to the McMinnville Police Department. The ...
Court Records: March, 4, 2026
CIVIL FILINGS CACH, LLC vs. Sergio Flores: Renewal of $6,945.77 judgment. Solarity Credit Union vs. Karena K. Heath and Robert Scott Heath Jr.: Granted $49,447.04 judgment. Capital One, N.A. vs. Jason ...
Arrests & Citations: March 6, 2026
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Jonathon Wesley Fugit-Travis, 37, McMinnville, Feb. 26, probation violation; booked into the Yamhill County Jail without bail. Eduardo Cruz-De Jesus, 31, Newberg, ...
Matheny found not guilty
A former Willamina man, Jack Marion Matheny, 39, was acquitted of first-degree rape by a 12-person jury in Yamhill County Circuit Court on Feb. 26. The verdict followed a four-day trial. The Oct. 17, ...
Salem woman charged with creating sexually explicit images of child
Dayana Paola Darce-Buitrago, 21, of Salem has been charged with two counts each of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct and second-degree encouraging child sexual abuse and one count ...
Koester sentenced to 50 years for crimes
Robert Arnold Koester, 59, a professional photographer formerly of Yamhill County has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for drugging and sexual assaulting seven models and filming the incidents in his ...
Court Records: Feb. 25, 2026
CIVIL FILINGS Midland Funding, LLC vs. Aimee Berry, McMinnville: Renewal of $1,536.32 judgment. Midland Funding, LLC vs. Peter Shutt, McMinnville: Renewal of $1,343.66 judgment. Midland Credit Management, ...
Drugs seized after high-speed chase
On Saturday, Feb. 21, a police chase started in south McMinnville and continued through Sheridan and back onto Highway 18, ending near the Willamette Valley Medical Center. Law enforcement seized over ...
Couple charged with stealing from Carlton senior
A former Carlton man and his wife have been indicted on four counts of aggravated theft against a Carlton senior. Joseph Hales, 40, was arrested on Feb. 13 in Utah. A nationwide arrest warrant was issued ...
Arrests & Citations: Feb. 20, 2026
Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Brock Mason Speer, 37, McMinnville, Feb. 12, probation violation; booked into the Yamhill County Jail without bail. Sydney Marie White, 24, Keizer, Feb 12, failure ...
Drug bust case dismissed; DA may refile
A case connected to a July 2025 drug bust was dismissed without prejudice on Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Yamhill County Circuit Court, but the district attorney office plans to refile the charges should federal ...
