Ossie Bladine/News-Register##Every seat was filled for a legislative town hall Tuesday at the Stillwater event center in downtown McMinnville, hosted by the local chamber of commerce. Reps. Lucetta Elmer, R-McMinnville, and Anna Scharf, R-Amity, and Sen. Bruce Star, R-Dundee, discussed their frustrations with the latest short session along with some positive outcomes.

Local lawmakers recap short session during town hall

 

Despite being on the short end of a supermajority in the Oregon Legislature, Yamhill County representatives were able to report some positives that came out of the recent short session in Salem. State ...


Commentary

Jonah Goldberg: Trump creates new enemies at every turn

It is among the most familiar patterns of the Trump era.

 

Jeb Bladine: 'Ten pounds of confusion in a five-pound box'

Kudos to the city of McMinnville and McMinnville Industrial Promotions (MIP) for their Wednesday night performance of a civics lesson that cut tortuously close to what’s wrong with government in ...

Investigating the Bible: Keys to success

Comedian Carol Burnett should like the Willamette Valley. Throughout her long career, she believed rain always brought her success. Starting in grammar school, whenever she took a test and it was raining, ...

 
Quirk of the Week: Been there, Dundee that

Last week’s news story about folks in Dundee protesting a certain fast-food chain development in town came down to this: what qualities give Dundee its character? What makes it unique? And, yes, ...

 
Quirk of the Week: All about eaves

Porches and carports are two underappreciated domestic spaces. A carport is not just a poor man’s garage, and a porch can be more than a covered entry. Both can do much to project a home’s ...

Editorials

 
Depleted highway coffers demand a new infusion

Property taxes, income taxes, sales taxes and most other governmental taxes have one crucial element in common. They are based on percentage rates applied to ever-rising dollar volumes. That serves to ...

 
Bee-friendly pollinator garden a cause we should all support

So many national and international threats hanging over the heard of humanity these days seem so complex and distant as to defy meaningful impact at the local level. Fortunately, though, there is at least ...

 
No time to change course on overdue downtown overhaul

By the turn of the 21st century, McMinnville realized its treasured downtown Third Street spine would need extensive below-ground renovation in the coming years. It also knew that would logically dictate ...

 
Bipartisanship has moment in most self-serving of ways

When newsroom e-mail boxes begin filling up with our-side congratulatory and their-side condemnatory press releases from Ashley Kuenzi, Jill Bakken, Mack Smith and Elizabeth Cronen, we never fail to offer ...

 
Oregon takes lead again on recycling/reuse front

Oregon broke new environmental ground 55 years ago with the bottle bill. It was the national pilot for a new generation of “extended producer responsibility” measures, designed to force producers ...

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: April 10, 2026

Out of ammo We’re about a month into the war with Iran. In that short time, we’ve started to run out of the interceptor missiles we and our allies rely on to defend against missile and drone ...

 
Letters to the Editor: April 3, 2026

Proceed with care Yes, McMinnville’s downtown needs major infrastructure work — and sooner rather than later. However, government and civic leaders need to understand the potential consequences ...

 
Letters to the Editor: March 27, 2026

All talk, no action I was reading about Mayor Morris’ new program, “We care about kids.” I hope it will be a program of action, not just words. Beyond the staged photo op with the mayor ...

 
Letters to the Editor: March 20, 2026

So much to say There’s so much to talk about. First, a rare commendation to the News-Register for a most excellent editorial, “Bipartisanship has moment in most self-serving of ways.” ...

News & Features

 
Local author pens second book in dystopian trilogy

After reconnecting with a story she started a decade earlier, and years more hard work on her trilogy, dystopian and sci-fi author CB Mason is releasing her second book, “Merged,” hopefully ...

 
Letter to Readers: Listening, learning

Back in another century, I did my high school senior project about cats in literature, which included some information from my veterinarian about cats’ habits and care. We didn’t have PowerPoint ...

Council sides with MIP over city staff

The McMinnville City Council went against an interpretation of code by three city attorneys to side with a longtime community partner in a minor partition appeal hearing Wednesday night. McMinnville Industrial ...

Personal airport approved outside Carlton

An airport consisting of an open field was approved for a Carlton leisure flyer last week by the Yamhill County Planning Commission, despite neighbors arguing it will disrupt the area. Applicant Benjamin ...

 
Benner appointed to Mac council

In a split 3-2 vote Wednesday, the McMinnville City Council appointed Carson Benner as Ward 3 representative in an interim role through the end of the year. Councilors interviewed five candidates for ...

 
Stopping By: Local author, minister outlines ‘Guardrails’ for lasting marriage

Jim Ramos, who runs an international men’s ministry from his home base in McMinnville, advises husbands and future husbands to follow Christian principals and be leaders in their homes. He wants ...

Bachand trial postponed to September

The trial for Paul Bachand, 51, of McMinnville was set to open April 14, but has been postponed until September. Bachand has been indicted on 11 counts of first-degree encouraging child sexual abuse, ...

Sheridan councilor faces firearm charge

Misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence of intoxicants and reckless driving have been dismissed against Sheridan City Councilor Ian Thomas Houston, 39. However, the charge of unlawful possession ...

‘Flavors’ benefits Yamhill, Carlton programs

To support its youth programs and other community initiatives, Yamhill Carlton Together Cares will host its annual fundraising auction Saturday, May 2, in the American Legion Hall in Carlton, 158 E. Main ...

 
Drawing attention

Presentation by author of ‘Lizard Boy’ graphic novels delights middle school readers

Arrests & Citations: April 10, 2026

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Jonathan Andrew Harper, 35, Newberg, April 2, probation sanction; booked into the Yamhill County Jail without bail. Franklin Deemack Reeves Scribner, 44, Dayton, ...

Talk looks at Oregon's Hispanic past

“The Hispanic Origins of Oregon” will be the subject of a “Secrets of the Past” series program at the Yamhill County History Museum Tuesday, April 21. Admission is $5 to the program, ...

Tai chi, qigong demo planned

Tai chi and qigong students will demonstrate their forms during an open house and free beginners’ class on Saturday, April 25 — World Tai Chi and Qigong Day. They also will talk about the ...

Mac board to consider travel

McMinnville School Board members will consider student travel and admission of non-resident students at their meeting Monday, April 13. The public session will start at 6:30 p.m. in the school district ...

 
Local lawmakers recap short session during town hall

Despite being on the short end of a supermajority in the Oregon Legislature, Yamhill County representatives were able to report some positives that came out of the recent short session in Salem. State ...

Former fire chief pleads guilty to theft

Trampas Bergstrom, 49, of Yamhill pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of first-degree theft, a class C felony, for illegal use of Yamhill Fire Protective District money. Bergstrom served as fire chief ...

Planning approves tree, river and view protections in Mac

Tree, river area and scenic view protections that can limit development on private property are headed to McMinnville City Council for final approval — but staff stressed the flexibility of the new ...

Dayton crime rate steady, traffic issues top target

Crime rates in the city of Dayton were similar year-over-year with upticks in fraud and runaway cases, according to Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott. Traffic stops remain the largest enforcement target, ...

Oregon sees drop in largest foreign tourist group

Before Oregon could rebound to its pre-pandemic international tourism levels, the state experienced another setback in 2025 that is persisting into this year.

 

Donnahoo sent to federal prison after drug conviction

Longtime McMinnville drug dealer John Billy Donnahoo, 52, was sentenced Friday, April 3, in U.S. District Court to 10 years in federal prison with five years post-prison supervision. In September, Donnahoo ...

Sports

 
3A Softball: Dayton defends home field, executes early to beat YC 4-2 in first meeting of season

Two PacWest softball powerhouses squared off on Monday at Jim Connelly Field in Dayton, as the No. 3-ranked Pirates (9-2, 3-0) and No. 4-ranked Yamhill Carlton Tigers (6-2, 2-1) met for the first ...

 
Payne: Making MHS hall of fame ‘was always a goal of mine’

If there was an athletic challenge at McMinnville High School, Spencer Payne was one of the first ones in line. The Class of 2013 alumnus was a standout in everything he did, whether it be on the gridiron, ...

Grizz, Pirates, ’Dawgs take on Oregon Relays

More than 200 schools from the West Coast met at Hayward Field in Eugene on April 3-4 for the Oregon Relays. Among the fray were three Yamhill County participants in 6A McMinnville, 3A Willamina ...

 
Valley Panthers take advantage of friendly weather, hold scrimmage while state rugby club numbers fluctuate

On Saturday, April 4, the Valley Panthers Rugby Club had to improvise because the Canby club didn’t have enough girls to compete and cancelled the match. “They’ve never really ...

 
3A Baseball: Tigers trounce Bulldogs twice, look to continue healthy habits during league play

Both squads had hoped for more competitive matchups when the No. 21-ranked Yamhill Carlton varsity baseball team (6-5, 2-0) faced No. 41 Willamina/Sheridan (0-8, 0-2) for a two-game home-and-home set, ...

Mac's Lewis breaks 64-year-old hurdles record

McMinnville senior Brian Lewis set a new school record in the boys’ 110-meter hurdles on Wednesday, April 8, completing the event with a first-place finish of 14.85. The Grizzlies’ previous ...

Mac Baseball: Brummitt a walking base-hit in win over Nelson

April 3 McMinnville 11 Nelson 7 The Grizzlies (5-2) jumped to No. 2 in Class 6A on Friday with their victory over No. 30 Nelson of the Mt. Hood Conference. Following a walk-off win over No. 17 Lakeridge ...

Mac Softball: Bears back on track with win over Pacers

March 31 McMinnville 0 Sunset 11 The now-No. 15-ranked Grizzlies (4-5) would like to forget their end to March as they were shut out 11-0 for the second consecutive game, this time to No. 3-ranked Sunset ...

 
3A Baseball: Pirates, Tigers start April on right foot

March 31 Dayton 6 Seaside 5 It seemed hope was lost for the No. 20-ranked Pirates (5-2) when they hosted 4A No. 27 Seaside (3-4) and were down 5-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Owen Clark ...

3A Softball: County squads combine for 148/54 run differential in weeks games

March 30 Dayton 17 Kennedy 0 The No. 4-ranked Pirates (8-2, 2-0) streaked to victory over 2A/1A No. 8 Kennedy (2-2, 1-0), rattling off 14 hits and two seven-run frames to secure the road win. Seven ...

 
Warriors catching flag football itch, dominate first two games

The Amity home crowd flocked to the stands under the Thursday Night lights on April 2 for the Warrior’s newest sport — flag football. Senior quarterback Haley Miersma threw four touchdowns ...

 
Tigers' flag football more confident in third season

Girls flag football is quickly becoming a favorite of young local athletes. The sport is not yet a sanctioned sport in the Oregon School Activities Association, but with 61 participating Oregon schools ...

 
Mac Tennis: Grizzlies tune up for foray into league play

The Grizzlies’ boys varsity tennis team (1-3) graduated 10 seniors from its 2025 squad, paving a path for 10 more freshmen through junior class athletes to fill spots this season. For Head Coach ...

 
Overcoming, one throw at a time: Amity senior hosts mock track meet for area youth, raising diabetes awareness

Amity High School senior Jaxson Howard merged his love for throwing events and overcoming his diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes to inspire area youth and complete his senior project. “I took two things ...

 
Hallee Hughes sets personal record in first meet back from injury

Hallee Hughes, a five-time state champion and school record holder from Willamina High School, set a new personal record in the javelin while competing for DI University of Nevada, Reno at the Cal Invitational ...

 
Mac graduate Powell lighting up NAIA softball

McMinnville High School alum Madelyn Powell has been setting the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) world of softball on fire, earning NAIA Softball Player of the Week honors on March ...

Mac Tennis: Varsity squads split first matches before strong conference showings

McMinnville’s high school varsity tennis squads have been off and running, each finding its legs in the early season with matches against non-league opponents. On Tuesday, Pacific Conference play ...

Linfield womens basketball: ’Cats proud of team's efforts after heartbreaking end to season

Linfield’s women’s basketball team of 2025-26 reinvigorated a local fan base. The Wildcats’ season ended in heartbreak when less than a second of game time and a shot supposedly late ...

 
Mac Baseball: Rolfe latest hero in Grizzlies' 5-4 walk-off win over Pacers

McMinnville senior Aaron Rolfe was having a rough go at the dish heading into the No. 5-ranked Grizzlies’ (4-2) first home game on Tuesday at Patton Middle School. The senior had just two hits through ...

Mac Softball: North Medford woes a lesson in ferocity for young Grizzlies

March 23 McMinnville 6 Grants Pass 7 For the No. 15-ranked Grizzlies (3-3), the North Medford Spring Break Tournament was a mixed bag of results as they went 1-3 overall and saw both good and bad, according ...

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