Truth is stranger than science fiction at this year’s UFO Festival


Commentary

Jacqueline Smith: Hegseth forcing Stripes to toe Pentagon PR line

A recent opinion column I wrote as the Stars and Stripes ombudsman began with this: “Pete Hegseth doesn’t want you to see cartoons in this newspaper anymore.”

 

 
Randy Stapilus: Hill steepens for GOP in Oregon’s 5th District

In 2022, after Oregon’s new map for congressional districts was set in place, the state emerged with a high number of competitive U.S. House districts:

 

Jonah Goldberg: Cory Booker guilty of shameful demagoguery

I wish “Meet the Press” host Kristen Welker had asked Sen. Cory Booker if he’s qualified to represent New Jersey, given that nearly nine out of 10 of his constituents are not Black.

Jeb Bladine: Time to start celebrating Mac’s historic birthday

Aliens are already here, with more arriving for Saturday’s annual UFO Festival parade. As usual, this popular McMinnville affair launches an extensive schedule of community events. This year, that ...

Investigating the Bible: Agree to disagree

Acclaimed actress Katharine Hepburn reportedly said, “Enemies are stimulating.” However, when adrenaline flows and blood pressure rises, conflicts are unsettling. A serious disagreement ...

Editorials

 
Public needs to face up to cost of providing services

It’s budget time for cities, counties and special taxing districts around the state, as the July 1 start of a new fiscal year looms. And the dominant local refrain seems remarkably consistent — ...

 
Mounting SDC burden will stretch only so far

Oregon has pioneered an array of governmental and environmental approaches envied by, and frequently adopted by, other states across the country. It was the first to claim public ownership of its beaches, ...

 
Neyssa Hays best choice for commission’s Position 3

In the race for Position 3 on the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners, being vacated by term-limited Mary Starrett, we reached a clear consensus in favor of outdoor enthusiast and science educator Neyssa ...

 
Narrow nod to Johnston for county's Position 1

Who should serve the next four years in Position 1 on the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners is a tough call for us. Incumbent Kit Johnston has, during the last two years, given us a large measure ...

 
Nods go to Stephenson, Merkley and Brock Smith

We have three races on today’s endorsement menu, and in our estimation, the vast majority of you should be able to join us in making easy calls on them. In the non-partisan race for commissioner ...

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: May 15, 2026

Fiscal responsibility The Yamhill County Fair is the oldest in Oregon with nearly 170 years of building community. Its site is centrally located, making it fully accessible to all. In addition to the ...

 
Letters to the Editor: May 8, 2026

More follow-through The News-Register’s endorsement of Kit Johnston identifies serious concerns, but stops short of the obvious conclusion: After nearly four years in office, Johnston still has ...

Letters to the Editor: April 24, 2026

Fiscal conservatism As the May 19 election approaches, I again review my choices. I collected signatures to get Measure 120 on the ballot, and it is an easy NO on higher gas taxes and fees. We are already ...

 
Letters to the Editor: April 17, 2026

Open and respectful I am following the 2026 Commissioner races with interest. Having served Yamhill County for eight years as sheriff and six as undersheriff, I am aware of what it takes to make county ...

News & Features

 
Photo Gallery: What on earth

Truth is stranger than science fiction at this year’s UFO Festival

 
Facility maintenance budget could be reduced to pay for lifeguards

McMinnville planning and public works departments were able to add roles without greatly affecting the city’s general fund through staff restructuring, but planned facility maintenance totaling $1 ...

 
Mac to offer full summer school thanks to late grant

For the first time in several years, McMinnville School District will be able to offer a full summer school program for students entering grades K through 8, according to Lauren Berg, director of curriculum, ...

Last look before election at what campaigns raised

Four candidates vying for two Yamhill County Board of Commissioners positions have raised more than $200,000 combined in cash and in-kind campaign contributions, while a local political action committee ...

 
Along the Street: Mac farmers market opens Thursday

The McMinnville Farmers Market will open Thursday, May 21, with early season produce such as leafy greens, plant starts and other items like cheese, bread and mushrooms. The market, located on Cowls Street ...

 
Awards recognize those who’ve made a difference

“McMinnville offers opportunities for all residents to be involved and make a positive and significant difference,” said Tom Tankersley, the 2014 Man of the Year, at this year’s Distinguished ...

Mac Police Chief: Violence ‘unacceptable’

“It is not unusual to have a large group at a fight,” McMinnville Police Chief Cord Wood said, remembering fights he’d seen in high school. “What is unusual is to have so many involved ...

Superintendent: Attendance key in creating positive school experience

As part of efforts to keep students safe and on track academically, the McMinnville School District spells out a policy prohibiting gangs and gang behavior. “Gangs which initiate, advocate, or promote ...

 
Stopping By: Saving a schoolhouse

After driving by the 1917 Bellevue Schoolhouse for “years and years” on their way from Tigard to the beach, Jake Wilson and Candace Morgan learned it was for sale. They had just returned from ...

 
What in the Yamhill: Origin of ‘Yamhill’ uncertain

Since this weekly column is called “What in the Yamhill,” it seems fitting to learn more about the name Yamhill before we uncover the story behind other landmarks. For those unfamiliar with ...

Job fair planned May 27 at Chemeketa campus

WorkSource Oregon, Goodwill Job Connection and Chemeketa Community College’s Yamhill Valley Campus will host a job fair from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, on the Chemeketa campus, 288 N.E. ...

Rural McMinnville neighbor appeals farmland dwelling

A neighbor dispute over use of an access road has led to an appeal hearing regarding a new home on rural land west of McMinnville. Ray and Bernadine Marcom were approved by Yamhill County planning staff ...

Mac High career pathway showcase Tuesday

McMinnville High School career pathway students will put their skills and creations on display Tuesday, May 19, at the school’s annual Pathway Sale and Showcase. Students will present their capstone ...

Aquatic center could close Wednesdays without more staff

The need for lifeguard “surveillance breaks” presents a conundrum for the McMinnville Budget Committee: identify nearly $148,000 for more staffing or face closure of the aquatic center on Wednesdays. Several ...

Sheridan Fire levy on ballot

A measure to authorize a new local option levy for the Sheridan Rural Fire Protection District is on the May 19 ballot, which would set the total proposed levy rate to $1.6712 per $1,000 of assessed value. The ...

County opts for support role on growth zones

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners opted to support other jurisdictions rather than nominate its own area for federally incentivized growth. Cities and counties have until May 22 to apply for an ...

Federal reimbursement remains issue for McMinnville Fire District

The McMinnville Fire District budget passed a largely status quo budget of $32,177,168 earlier this month, despite all-time highs in billable calls and revenue. Rising personnel costs, along with a continued ...

Mac board, budget committee to meet

McMinnville School Board members will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 18, for a work session and then join the budget committee lay members at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20, to finalize a budget proposal. Both ...

 
Quirk of the Week: Lafayette, beyond the leaping squid dogs

Sheridan and Willamina had their turns, as did Dundee, in recent Quirk of the Week tours. As promised, now a little love for Lafayette. (Dayton had its moment a year or so ago, with forthcoming revisits ...

County clerk launches new election dashboard

With about a week to go before the May 19 election, Yamhill County has introduced a new tool that will allow residents to track results. County Clerk Keri Hinton announced the launch of an Election Ballot ...

Sports

 
3A Baseball: Tigers rebound, end losing skid with 11-5 victory over Pirates to split season series

Three days removed from a gutting loss to No. 26-ranked Dayton (13-10, 6-7) the No. 18-ranked Yamhill Carlton Tigers (12-11, 7-6) knew they had to make a change in the dugout. “Prior to departing ...

 
Reaching state 'would mean everything' for Sheridan senior runners Dauvin, Eichler

Two track athletes on opposite ends of the running spectrum at Sheridan High School are hoping to make a push for the 2A State Championships; Spartan seniors Chase Eichler and Zachery Dauvin The duo have ...

Mac Softball: Grizzlies drop season series to Bowmen

The No. 13-ranked Grizzlies (11-11, 5-5) were the first to strike in Wednesday’s road game at No. 2 Sherwood (21-3, 9-1) but fell behind quickly in a 2-4 loss. Mac’s half of the second inning ...

 
Mac Baseball: Bears split first two of three with Bowmen

The Pacific Conference has belonged to one of McMinnville or Sherwood in each of the last five seasons. In every right, the two ball clubs have been at each other’s throats since the conference ...

 
Mac Golf: Embracing team in an individual sport before championship mathces

Defeating Sherwood to become the Pacific Conference champion on May 5 at Chehalem Glenn Golf Course was a career highlight for McMinnville girls’ golf coach Ben Heuberger. “Sherwood had the ...

 
McMinnville, Amity honor college bound athletes

More than two dozen athletes between the high schools of Amity and McMinnville were recognized by their peers on Wednesday as the programs officially recognized their students’ plans to combine academics ...

Amity flag footballers remain undefeated, enter culminating event as No. 1-seed in state

Amity flag football remains undefeated, and the No. 1-ranked team for the flag football culminating tournament, after shutting out No. 38-ranked Scappoose (5-6, 4-1) 46-0 on Wednesday, May 13, at home ...

 
Gallery: The future is bright for Linfield Women's Track and Field

This season, the Wildcats recorded seven top-10 performances in program history, with six marks set by first-year athletes. At the Northwest Conference Championships, four Wildcats earned podium finishes, ...

 
Mac Tennis: Teams carrying high expectations into respective district tournaments

The common thread linking McMinnville boys and girls varsity tennis this season has been all about strong mindsets. Win or lose, the respective boys and girls Head Coaches Doug Barsotti and Lily Studer ...

Bears break records in final tune-up for conference championship

A slew of McMinnville runners burned rubber at the Garden City Invitational on Friday at Silverton High School. The Grizzly girls placed first out of 10 competing teams, beating out Silverton (2nd, 114.33) ...

 
3A Baseball: Dayton's Clark leads Pirates to first victory over Tigers in eight years

No Dayton Pirate had hit a home run since 2023 until Owen Clark sent a blast over the evergreen trees at Yamhill Carlton High School on Friday. The freshman had connected with plenty of pitchers already ...

 
Mac Baseball: Grizzlies win first series of season with help from senior bats

McMinnville’s No. 17-ranked varsity baseball team (11-10, 5-7) won its first series of the season on Friday, and it felt good. “It feels like it should feel,” Head Coach Todd ...

 
Mac Softball: Grizzlies offense awakens, walks-off high-ranked Glencoe

Little stood in the way of victory for the No. 13-ranked Grizzlies (11-10, 5-4) during their most recent week of Pacific Conference play. A 7-4 loss to No. 3 Forest Grove (19-3, 8-1) on Wednesday was ...

3A Softball: Tigers, Pirates, Bulldogs holding onto playoff bids

After a redeeming 4-0 victory over Dayton to close the month of April, Yamhill Carlton’s No. 3-ranked Tigers (20-3, 12-1) have continued their winning ways to possess what is now an 11-game winning ...

Linfield softball to host regional tournament

Linfield’s Northwest Conference Champion softball team will host its fourth consecutive four-team NCAA Division III regional playoff tournament starting on Thursday, May 14, at Del Smith Stadium. ...

Linfield Baseball: ’Cats fall short in NWC title game

The Wildcats, up 7-5 over Northwest Conference regular-season champion Whitworth University, were nine outs from the NWC tournament trophy until the Pirates mounted a comeback in Spokane on Friday. A ...

 
Gallery: Remembering good times

On Saturday, May 2, Maile Keliiheleua (1995-99), Chris Haddeland (2007-2011), Spencer Payne (2008-13) and the Grizzlies 2006 Boys Soccer Team were officaly inducted into the McMinnville High School Sports ...

 
Linfield Baseball: Former foes turned teammates help ’Cats to conference tournament

When Wildcat seniors Wyatt Hurley and Ely Kennel faced off in high school — Hurley a star at Yamhill Carlton and Kennel at Santiam Christian — neither thought their baseball careers would end ...

 
Linfield Softball: Wildcats claim eighth straight conference title

For the eighth consecutive season, Linfield’s No. 7-nationally ranked softball team are Northwest Conference champions. The Wildcats earned their title on Sunday at the home of Pacific Lutheran ...

 
Trio of up-and-coming track and field stars learning from each other with state dreams in mind

The future of Yamhill County track and field is bright and approaching fast, literally. Amity’s Ella Hatch, Delphian’s Lily Olivares and Willamina’s Katrina Huff — members of the ...

Web Design and Web Development by Buildable