Palindrome team backs out of Alpine redevelopment

Development team Palindrome has pulled out of an agreement with the city of McMinnville to redevelop the 3.5-acre Alpine Avenue parcel the city purchased in 2023. Palindrome’s $80 million redevelopment ...

Commentary

In Fred Lockley’s, “Conversations With Pioneer Men,” he interviewed Robert Booth. When Booth was a young boy, one time his mother and father were completely out of food and money. His father said God would provide.

ReStore is a reliable place. And a zone of surprises. McMinnville Habitat for Humanity’s thrift store (hardware, scrap wood, home and garden goods, décor, tools, furniture, CDs — ...

When you don’t have enough homes, prices go up until somebody is pushed out. That’s how economics works.

Late last month, a 28-point “peace plan” for the Russia-Ukraine war surfaced. It was apparently fleshed out in Miami over cocktails by President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Witkoff’s Russian counterpart, Kirill Dmitriev.

McMinnville School Board meets Monday to answer this question: Do they continue the search, or have they already found their next District 40 school superintendent? The board reportedly is almost evenly ...

Editorials

Since coming into vogue in the 1970s, transient lodging taxes have become almost universal in the U.S. and more the rule than exception elsewhere in the world — particularly in countries with at ...

From the outset of President Trump’s second term, masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in unmarked cars have been permitted to scoop up potential immigration status violators and whisk ...

At this writing, a final, official reckoning is still not yet available for the $98.5 million parks and rec bond appearing on McMinnville’s November general election ballot. The most recent tally ...

At this writing, we finally appear poised to close the books on the longest federal shutdown in American history, exceeding that even of the 35-day closure marking the first Trump presidency. But in addition ...

A political storm brought thunder and lightning raining down on America’s east and west coasts Tuesday, and vast swaths of the heartland lying between. Almost everywhere, the results were delivered ...

Letters

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 ...

Ferrua best choice As a past long-time employee and board member in the McMinnville School District, I am writing in support of maintaining Dr. Kourtney Ferrua as school superintendent on a permanent ...

Time to stand up Ramming people’s cars is illegal. Assaulting people is illegal. Kidnapping people is illegal. Refusing due process for people — including immigrants — is illegal, and ...

Yes on Yamhelas Trail I am now a senior rider, after decades of being a cyclist for both recreation and transportation at different periods in my life. And I feel much safer on a trail away from the increasingly ...

It’s on us I want to thank each and every one of you for participating in marches against the man in the White House. With the help of the Supreme Court, he created a hopeless atmosphere of despair ...

News & Features

Public calls for more action against ICE raids

McMinnville residents passionately called for more action from the city Tuesday regarding recent immigration enforcement sweeps. Last month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border ...

Carlton says gas station plan ‘does not work’

Attorney Nick Rhoten, representing the applicant of a controversial gas station proposal, told the Carlton City Council Tuesday night they were in an unenviable position in that he believed they legally must approve a plan that’s faced immense opposition.

Willamina middle school principal dies

Willamina Middle School principal and special education director Mike Hughes died suddenly Wednesday, Dec. 10, sending shockwaves through the school district and community. Hughes, who first joined the ...

Doctor with a big heart: Dr. Spear celebrated at retirement party

Patients and coworkers lined up Thursday, Dec. 4, to wish “best of luck” to a man they said had a big heart, in addition to skills caring for cardiac patients. “We relied on Dr. Spear ...

Three Mac schools taken off post-Covid watch list

Three McMinnville schools have been removed from a state watch list after demonstrating their students are making progress since the pandemic. Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua credited their improvement ...

Stopping By: KFC and Christmas cakes

Elaborate displays of lights mark the Christmas season in Japan, where Tomoki Fuchiyami lives when he’s not attending Amity High School as an AYUSA exchange student.

Long serving YCSO employee suddenly passes

Kari Hogevoll, 48, of McMinnville who spent 20 years with the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, died Saturday, Dec. 6, after suffering a medical event. In her 20 years with YCSO, Hogevoll served ...

School board will offer permanent superintendent position to Ferrua

After receiving numerous emails and in-person comments praising interim Superintendent Kourtney Ferrua, McMinnville School Board voted unanimously Monday night to offer her the superintendent position on a permanent basis.

Open houses for seniors to be offered at meal sites

NorthWest Senior & Disability Services will host open houses at meal sites in McMinnville, Sheridan and Newberg for people 60 and older. The events will “celebrate nutrition, connection and ...

Amity waterline repairs, improvements underway

The city of Amity continues waterline improvements being funded by a Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan from Business Oregon. On Friday, Dec. 5, crewmembers with Haworth Inc., a McMinnville commercial ...

Amity water system flushing continues Friday

Water system flushing will continue in Amity on Friday, Dec. 12, as the city hopes to further limit sediment deposits in water pipes. Public Work employees open fire hydrants on the south side of Trade ...

Palindrome team backs out of Alpine redevelopment

Concerts to benefit Toy Drive, YCAP

Local artists are hosting concerts to benefit the McMinnville Fire District Toy Drive and Yamhill County Action Partnership. McMinnville rap artist Ryan “Rizzle” Adams and other area rappers ...

Public Works 'keeping an eye' on water levels

Recent rain isn’t expected to cause the South Yamhill River to reach flood stage, but it will be close, according to Public Works Director Geoff Hunsaker. “If you haven’t noticed, ...

Schooled by Mississippi: The Southern state’s reading turnaround, built on ‘the science of reading,’ holds lessons for Oregon

Earlier this year, the National Assessment of Educational Progress released its annual report card, including reading scores for fourth graders across the country.

City moves forward with transportation plan update

McMinnville planning staff reviewed its long-term project list during a work session with city council Tuesday and received approval to proceed with updates to the city’s Transportation System Plan ...

Lafayette Council continues Fire Services discussions

The Lafayette City Council is set to continue its discussion of possible options for the fire services at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11. The meeting starts later than usual this week. In November, the ...

Quirk of the Week: At Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Quirk is sometimes ‘not for sale’

ReStore is a reliable place. And a zone of surprises. McMinnville Habitat for Humanity’s thrift store (hardware, scrap wood, home and garden goods, décor, tools, furniture, CDs — ...

Shave and protect: Mac police officers get mutton chops for Juliette’s House

The McMinnville Police Department’s core values — honesty, excellence, service, integrity and dedication — were on display Friday, Dec. 5, when several officers had their faces shaved ...

Salem couple to face trial together on drug charges

A couple charged with drug possession and scuffling with sheriff’s deputies will be tried together. Tyler Joseph Davis, 28, and Ashlie Nicole Russell, 32, of Salem will stand trial on drug charges ...

Sports

Double dose of drama: Tigers victorious in two overtime tug-of-war with Bulldogs

Attention and intensity never wavered inside the Tiger Dome on Friday. No lead was safe, and if the human body was capable of staving off exhaustion, the Yamhill Carlton (1-0) and Willamina (0-2) varsity ...

Wrestling: Mac, Dayton boys grapplers see top 10 finishes to start season

The season for grapplers is upon Yamhill County, with many wrestlers taking some of their first turns on the mat at the Perry Burlison Invitational at Cascade High School on Saturday, Dec. 6. McMinnville ...

3A Boys Basketball: Amity finds identity in first Warrior Classic

Amity’s varsity boys basketball team fell to 0-2 to start the season but finished their home tournament with plenty to be excited about following a tightly contested 61-58 loss to last season’s ...

3A/2A Girls Basketball: Warriors defend title with clean sweep at home tournament; Bulldogs, Pirates, Tigers begin season with victories

There was nothing to prove for Amity’s varsity girls basketball team (2-0) when they took the floor on Friday and Saturday; nonetheless, two victories to start the first season inside their new gymnasium ...

Mac Basketball: Season's beginnings bring lessons learned

The McMinnville boys varsity squad (1-1) played to two different tones in the first week of play. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Grizzlies won their opener on the road at Roseburg (0-2) 56-48. A difficult ...

Wildcat Roundup: Mens basketball road woes; womens basketball nears history; soccer awarded for academic excellence

Linfield’s mens basketball team (1-5) has experienced growing pains after winning its lone game of the season on Nov. 10, at home against the University of La Verne (79-75). Since then, the Wildcats ...

New Mac swim coaches Martins, Armour aim to uphold winning traditions

After 27 years, the McMinnville High School swim team will have different leadership, as Jason Hafner passes the reins of the team’s scholastic aquatic athletes to tenured assistants Dakota Armour ...

3A/2A Girls Basketball Preview: Amity named preseason 3A No. 1 in OSAA coaches poll

The 3A/2A girls basketball landscape has shifted, but Amity still reigns above all, following an undefeated season last winter and a State Championship as the cherry on top. Many will seek to dethrone ...

Mac Girls Basketball Preview: Grizzlies excited for new-look offense with Riddle, Summers controlling team’s paint

Since the 2017-18 season, the McMinnville girls varsity basketball team has had a winning record in all but one (2021-22), but even then, they found a way to make the playoffs after going 7-5 in league ...

Upon Further Review: The reporter's Linfield experience

It’s been a minute since I last put thoughts to a column, but my best thinking comes when I’ve had time to ruminate on the ideas that stick to my cranium like gum on the bottom of sneakers. Most ...

3A/2A Boys Basketball: Future is now for rejuvenated rosters following exodus of senior talent

The 3A PacWest conference will look different for the 2025-26 boys basketball season. Local program Sheridan has moved down to the 2A Tri-River Conference, while Salem Academy (last season’s Tri-River ...

Willamina basketball 'trusting the process' with new girls head coach Halle Wright

Willamina’s girls varsity basketball team will have a new look this season as a former 4A standout from Cascade High School takes over as the Bulldogs’ head coach. Halle Wright, a four-time ...

Hoping for Moore than average: Longtime girls basketball coach wants to rekindle success for Dayton

Nearly two decades after leading the Amity Warriors’ girls basketball team to a record of 82-23 over four years, longtime head coach Bruce Moore is back in the driver’s seat, but this time ...

Grizzlies look to rebuild defensive identity with largest senior class in decade

The McMinnville boys varsity basketball team’s biggest senior contingent since 2015 is expected to provide much-needed experience to the court for the upcoming season. Under second-year Head Coach ...

NWC All-Conference teams named for soccer

Linfield’s men’s and women’s soccer teams combined for eight all-conference awards as the women ended the season third in the Northwest Conference standings and the men placed eighth. The ...

Linfield takes most NWC football All-Conference first-team honors

Linfield’s football team extended it’s NCAA all-division leading record of winning seasons to 69 in 2025 while going 7-2 overall and 6-1 in Northwest Conference play. The team’s NWC run, ...

Wildcat Roundup: Swimming wraps fall with 11 career-bests; men’s wrestling makes history; women’s basketball the bigger team in Texas

Linfield men’s and women’s swimming wrapped up the Fall season on Sunday, Nov. 23, competing in the La Verne Winter Invitational at East Los Angeles College. The three-day event saw 11 Wildcats ...

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