Breaking News: Flood watch in effect through Saturday; sandbags fill stations open

In Willamina, grief over the loss of friend, vice principal

The weight of grief is palpable at Willamina Middle School following the sudden death of Mike Hughes, 48, vice principal and special education director. Students said Hughes brought laughter and was often ...

Commentary

By ADAM GRIPPINOf the University of Texas& CHRISTIANO MARCONIOf the University of Florida The COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines that saved 2.5 million lives globally during the pandemic could help spark ...

About the writer: Conservative D.C.-based commentator Jonah Goldberg serves as editor-in-chief of The Dispatch, hosts The Remnant podcast, authors a weekly Los Angeles Times column, holds a chair with ...

Imagine this: You’ve recently retired in the state you love. You’ve raised a family, paid off a mortgage. Supported nonprofits and the local restaurants in your community. Against all odds, you’ve even put some money away for the grandkids.

There were at least seven miracles mentioned in the New Testament before the miracle of Jesus’ birth. First, was the miracle of the creation. “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

A sly “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” theme in McMinnville and Sheridan finds a new shine during the holiday season. Thank the folks at a locally based chain of auto parts stores and car ...

Editorials

It’s been a long time coming, but a sitting Oregon governor finally conceded earlier this month, at Oregon’s annual Oregon Leadership Summit, that business leaders have a point when they complain ...

To the casual observer, the McMinnville School Board’s unanimous Monday night embrace of Dr. Kourtney Ferrua as the next superintendent of schools here may seem the product of a whirlwind courtship. But ...

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 ...

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 ...

Weak and damaged A malignant narcissist is defined as an individual with a personality disorder that includes these characteristics: profound lack of insight, extreme grandiosity, lack of empathy, sadism, ...

Insurance a basic need Democrats may have lost their fight to extend subsidies for purchasing health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, but their efforts have started ...

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 ...

News & Features

Sheridan council declares emergency in anticipation of South Yamhill flooding

The Sheridan City Council declared a state of emergency at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, in preparation for expected flooding and high-water levels on the South Yamhill River. City Manager Preston Polasek ...

Vintage N-R/Memory Lane Dec. 19, 2025

10 years ago - A McMinnville resident has launched a campaign to fund protective vests for a pair of McMinnville Police Department canines. On patrol, dogs are often the first to encounter criminals ...

Petition against transportation law pauses gas tax and fee

With a transportation funding referendum likely headed to Oregon voters in November 2026 and a short legislative session approaching, it’s unclear if and how Republicans and Democrats can compromise on a sustainable plan to fund road maintenance and operations.

Barrel Roll: Heater Allen Brewery reaps rewards, Wolves & People expands in Newberg

Local brewers recently took a couple of nice — to borrow basketball parlance — Euro steps. Heater Allen Brewery of McMinnville received medals at two international beer judging events in November. More ...

Housing within reach: Stratus Village welcomes first tenants

Three dozen families have moved into Stratus Village, McMinnville’s newest apartment complex and the Housing Authority of Yamhill County’s largest affordable living project. The first half ...

Amity lift station failure leads to sewage discharge

A failure at the city of Amity’s Oak Street Lift Station led to untreated sewage being discharged in Ash Swale. “Our Oak Street Lift Station stopped working and it has a constructed overflow ...

ICE discussion continues at Mac city council meeting

Immigration enforcement continued to be a hot topic for McMinnville City Council Wednesday. For the second straight week, residents pleaded for more action from city leadership in response to recent federal ...

Mac agrees to $98k settlement with YCAP

McMinnville City Council agreed to a $98,000 settlement payment Wednesday to close the door on the AnyDoor Place Navigation Center project that was fraught with delays and construction issues. In exchange ...

Fatal crash near Lafayette

On Thursday morning, a single vehicle crashed into a tree north of Lafayette on Highway 99W. Captain Kyle Kennedy with the Oregon State Police confirmed both occupants suffered fatal injuries. Their identities ...

Contests light up the holidays this weekend

Several Yamhill County cities are hosting Christmas light contests this weekend and invite community members to tour the displays. Judging for Amity Done Bright, the city’s 12th annual contest, ...

Arrests & Citations: Dec. 19, 2025

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office David Valentine Criss, 43, Salem, Dec. 11, failure to appear; booked into the Yamhill County Jail on $3,000 bail. Zachary Alexander Sanchez, 32, McMinnville, Dec. ...

Spirit Mountain awards grants to nonprofits

The Spirit Mountain Community Fund awarded more than $100,000 to local nonprofits as part of a fourth-quarter grant giveaway of nearly $1.5 million. Yamhill County organizations to receive funds were ...

Nearly 29% Mac renters 'severely burdened'

In McMinnville, 1,380 of the 4,793 renting households are severely rent burden, spending 50% or more of their income on rent. That represents 28.8% of renters in the city, a nearly 2% increase from last ...

Stopping By: Christmas in a cold climate

Christmas meant snow, ice and traditional foods when Mark Björnson of rural Amity was growing up in North Dakota. His great-grandparents had settled there after they emigrated from Iceland in the ...

Wind, rain topple trees, lead to some school changes

A Tuesday night storm with high winds led to downed trees taking out power lines, fallen trees, a trampoline landing on Second Street in McMinnville and at least two Christmas inflatable decorations took flight in the night.

BPA reserves policy triggers $630,000 charge to MW&L

Lower than expected annual power reserves for provider Bonneville Power Administration triggered a clause that will cost McMinnville Water & Light’s two industrial customers approximately $300,000 ...

Highway 18 planning comes together

The McMinnville Planning Commission will help shape the next 20 years of development along Highway 18 during five public hearings at its Thursday meeting. The commission will vote to finalize state-mandated ...

In Willamina, grief over the loss of friend, vice principal

Cochran picks up assault charge in custody

A McMinnville man charged with attempted murder against law enforcement was booked for another assault charge while in custody. Justice Allen Cochran, 24, is being held in the Yamhill County Jail without ...

Quirk of the Week: Celebrating a ‘Christmas carnival’ and our many eclectic yard displays

A sly “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” theme in McMinnville and Sheridan finds a new shine during the holiday season. Thank the folks at a locally based chain of auto parts stores and car ...

Sports

3A/2A Boys Basketball: Tigers stave off Warriors

Yamhill Carlton’s boys varsity basketball team (3-3) fended off a lethal team from the field on Tuesday night in the Tiger Dome. The Tigers were victorious, holding out for a 57-54 victory ...

Wildcat Roundup: Mens and womens basketball have weekend success, Smolt named NWC POTW; volleyball awarded for academic achievements

Womens Basketball Linfield’s womens basketball team (6-2, 1-0) picked up two victories over the weekend in non-conference play against NAIA Simpson (Calif.) and No. 22 NAIA Corban. The ’Cats ...

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