The Tillamook office, which is responsible for a network of smaller clinics in Oregon, including in Banks and Vernonia, has a new leader: Eric Swanson.

For those in the region with an interest in Irish heritage, an authentic Irish Ceili planned in Banks on September 28 offers a unique way to celebrate and learn more from two Irish nonprofit cultural organizations.

On Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Spiesschaert Farms, located at 3150 NW Thatcher Road on the outskirts of Forest Grove, is hosting a free, family-friendly event exploring the reintroduction of locally-raised whole grains, and introducing local artisans to the community.

As written by deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Banks: deputies discovered that two students had broken into the Banks High School and stolen a golf cart, which was later discovered in Timber. This and more in the August 2019 police log.

The Oregon Transportation Commission has chosen a new leader for the Oregon Department of Transportation: Highway Division Administrator Kris Strickler, who will take over as the head of ODOT pending contract negotiations and Oregon Senate approval.

A spokesperson with the Washington County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the suspect wanted in connection to an attempted kidnapping near Banks on the morning of Tuesday, September 10 has been located and arrested and was en route to be interviewed by deputies in connection with the alleged crime as of 4:23 p.m.

The local National Weather Service branch located in Portland issued a flood advisory with potential thunderstorms this afternoon for Washington County, warning of the potential for minor flooding in poor drainage areas on Tuesday, September 10 from about 3 p.m. until 5:45 p.m..

Community Participation Organization 13 — usually abbreviated as CPO 13 — took a summer break, but the first meeting of the season will be Wednesday, September 11 at the Gales Creek Church of God, for a discussion on disaster and emergency preparedness.

Around 7:04 a.m., a truck driver called 911 to say he saw a man trying to force a woman into a vehicle near the Highway 47 and Highway 6 interchange in Banks. All Banks School District facilities as well as St Francis in Roy were placed on lockout, which has been lifted, while deputies used a K9 unit to attempt to find the suspect. Deputies do not believe there is a danger to the public.

Banks School District facilities have been placed in lockout as deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office search for a male suspect in a kidnapping attempt from the Banks area this morning.

In recognition of the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust's supporters, donors, and contributors — as well as to celebrate Highway 6's recent designation as a scenic byway — the organization will host an event at the Tillamook Forest Center on Saturday, September 21.

For those who drive on Pihl Road, lane closures and delays stemming from a county project to repave the road have begun and will continue through October 11, according to a schedule of paving projects from Washington County Land Use and Transportation.

The Tillamook-based nonprofit Wilson River Cleanup Group (WRCG) is holding its annual river cleanup September 21, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and wants volunteers to help clean the banks of this popular destination.

The Labor Day weekend began with tragedy in far western Washington County, where a man died after crashing his vehicle at the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel.

A deadly crash at the east end of the Dennis L. Edwards Tunnel has closed Highway 26 in both directions.

Five small wildfires have been confirmed and contained in Columbia County, with Oregon Department of Forestry officials sending an airplane to scout for more fires this afternoon in Clatsop and Columbia Counties. Anyone who sees smoke is asked to call 911.

A storm cell moved through the region in the early morning of Thursday, Aug. 29, with multiple lightning strikes in Columbia County north of Vernonia. At least four small fires ignited as a result, with crews from the Oregon Deprtment of Forestry and other agencies working through the morning to contain them.

It was a chain reaction of the worst sort: A vehicle crashed into a tree, the tree fell across the highway, then the vehicle —and 1/4 acre of brush — lit on fire.

A red flag warning, a brush fire extinguished on Kemper Road near Forest Grove, new restrictions on industrial forest use, and OHV trails close - it's all signs of an increase in fire danger this week.

Dante James Halling, 55, the suspected shooter involved in a gunfight that left Halling and two deputies with gunshot wounds was booked into the Multnomah County Jail on Friday, August 23, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Kent Bond, Braves assistant coach and owner of Hillsboro-based Impact Physical Therapy of Hillsboro, said he expanded his business by opening a satellite office in Banks on Aug. 13.

The City of Banks is accepting nominations for the 2019 Banks Citizenship Award - those who want to nominate an exemplary person in Banks and the surrounding region must do so by September 27.

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) announced it will resume road restrictions this fall in the western part of the Tillamook State Forest to improve deer and elk escapement during hunting season.

The Banks American Legion officially changed its name to John Kalmbach Post 90, Banks, in memory of the longtime member who passed away April 21, 2019 at his home at age 83.

As written by deputies from the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Banks: Chicken-killing dog captured, several people flee police on foot, and more.

A free fishing weekend will return to Oregon this weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 17 & 18. On those days, fishing, crabbing, and clamming is free to all residents and non-residents, meaning no fishing licenses or tags, including a Combined Angling Tag or Columbia River Basin Endorsement are required.

Deputy Chris Iverson, a 7-year member of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Corporal Jeremy Braun, a member of the sheriff's office for 16 years, were both injured during the shooting near Hagg Lake on August 8.

With opportunities to vote up to 10 times a day per email address, community members are encouraged to 'vote often vote early' as the district seeks to rise to the top 40 out of 200 agencies seeking a $25,000 grant to purchase 20 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) to place throughout the district's 136 square mile territory, which includes the city of Banks, Timber, Buxton, Manning, Hayward, and more.

While responding to reports of the theft of a long gun at a Hagg Lake area home on Thursday, August 8, two members of the Washington County Tactical Negotiation Team (TNT) were shot. Now, the Washington County Major Crimes Team has released the name of the suspect, who remains in an area hospital.

At the Vernonia Friendship Jamboree & Logging Show today, there's expected to be a show of solidarity from local log truck drivers and logging outfits for a recall effort against Oregon's Governor Kate Brown, who faces two recall efforts