News & Features
Head of nonprofit school finds flaws in how Oregon students are taught to read
The Oregon Journalism Project What Went Wrong? Oregonians believe in public education. And we put our money where our values are. K-12 schools claim the largest share of Oregon’s general fund, ...
Lafayette ponders future of fire district
Meeting with New Carlton Fire District Chief Jim Jech, the Lafayette City Council exchanged benefits and drawbacks of options for future fire services during their Nov. 13 meeting. The Lafayette department ...
City talks July 4th celebration for nation’s 250th anniversary
As the United States prepares to celebrate its semiquincentennial next year, the city of Lafayette already has Fourth of July on its mind. At the Nov. 13, Lafayette City Council meeting, Mayor ...
No commissioners meeting for two weeks
The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners won’t hold formal meetings for the next two weeks. The board canceled its Nov. 20 meeting because commissioners will be attending the Association of Oregon ...
MW&L: Building for the future
Plans for the renovation of McMinnville Water & Light headquarters are progressing under budget, with an expected completion date of summer 2027 for the approximately $25 million project. The remodel ...
Local News
BALLOTS DUE TODAY: Voters to decide school board seats, McMinnville fire district merger
Updated 5/16/23 Ballots for the May election are due by 8 p.m. today, May 16. If mailed, they must be postmarked by today's date, and must arrive at the Yamhill County Elections Division within seven ...
DA Lynch comments on Appeals Court ruling
Following the April 2 Oregon Court of Appeals opinion of State v. Johnny Lee Widerman, the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the opinion and any impacts to the office’s ...
Sewage discharged into Yamhill River
Approximately 50,000 gallons of partially treated sewage was discharged into the South Yamhill River Monday due to a control system failure at the McMinnville Water Reclamation Facility. At approximately ...
Child abuse intervention center works to raise awareness, funds
Juliette’s House, the Yamhill County child abuse intervention center, will host several activities to mark National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April — including a special blue marble treasure ...
Sports
Amity girls soccer earns first State Championship title in penalty shootout over Valley Catholic
A result was earned, as much as it was deserved, by the 2025 Amity Warriors girls soccer team on Saturday at Liberty High School in Hillsboro. Since 2022, the team has been a force to be reckoned with ...
Wildcats end year with 65-19 victory over Willamette
The Linfield Wildcat offense, which earlier in the season seemed like verses without rhythm, showed Willamette University they are full-fledged Walt Whitman epic elegy, pounding the Bearcats for a 65-19 ...
Wildcat Roundup: Four to be inducted into Hall of Fame; swimming, wrestling, men's basketball begin seasons
Prior to Linfield football’s final game of the 2025 regular season, three record-setting athletes and a one-of-a-kind contributor will be inducted into the Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame. They comprise ...
Grizzlies, Tigers give their all at cross country champions
A flock of runners from Yamhill County took to a tough course at Lane Community College in Eugene on Saturday, Nov. 8, for the OSAA Cross Country State Championships. Both of McMinnville’s varsity ...
10 Grizzlies take home All-League honors in football
The 2025 season was not favorable to the McMinnville varsity football team. Going 1-8 overall and 0-5 in league play, the Grizzlies fought through injuries and learned new concepts, while many played starting ...
Features
Quirk of the Week: Roadside oddities, one writ larch, gather around Sheridan, Willamina
Quirk of the Week on Feb. 19 crept west from McMinnville, but this week takes us farther west still, along the highways and deep into the hills … No exploration of West Valley Quirk would be complete ...
Whatchamacolumn: Property tax summary provides feast of numbers
My occasional obsession with numbers is well fed every October by the annual Yamhill County property tax summary. And Yamhill County Assessor Derrick Wharff always contributes enough extra analysis to ...
Easter egg hunts planned Saturday
Get out your Easter baskets — and waterproof shoes — for Easter egg hunts in most Yamhill County cities this Saturday, April 8. Fire departments, service clubs and civic groups plan to hide ...
Stopping By: A creative place
It’s always the season for planting and growing at Incahoots, a business that thrives on change
Nostalgic comedy ‘Harvey’ opens March 31 at Gallery
Will audiences see the title character in “Harvey,” the nostalgic comedy that opens Friday, March 31, at Gallery Theater? Director Steve Cox won’t say. But he is betting theatergoers ...