Most of Oregon's fire crews sent earlier this month to California, including four Banks firefighters, are returning after two weeks. Banks sent Officer Victor Haney, Lt. Julie Kemper and firefighters Jaxon Herrman and Samantha Linz along with Engine 15 to California.
The Roy, Gales Creek and Verboort CPO will meet in Banks Wednesday to hear from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue Chief Jim Geering on how mutual aid agreements work.
Former Banks Mayor Stephanie Jones' term as mayor ended two weeks ago on Dec. 31. Now, the former mayor is back, this time to fill the remainder of the city council term of the person who unseated her in November's election, Marsha Kirk.
Cal Mukumoto, the head of the Oregon Department of Forestry announced his resignation in a brief letter Thursday during a Board of Forestry meeting, noting his last day would be Jan. 23.
During a Tuesday, Jan. 14 city council work session and council meeting, the Banks City Council will interview and likely select a new city council member from a pool of four applicants: Stephanie Jones, Debra Berry, Megan Blake and April Cannon. Read interviews from two of the candidates here.
The Oregon Department of Forestry is sending six strike teams of firefighters and equipment to California, on the heels of 12, then 15, strike teams dispatched by the Oregon State Fire Marshal Wednesday morning.
Wildfires burning near Los Angeles, Calif. have burned hundreds of homes, killed at least two people, and prompted thousands of evacuations. Now, Oregon is sending twelve strike teams to help, including a four-person crew from the Banks Fire District.
From Spreadborough Road south of Banks to Market Street, the Oregon Department of Transportation will begin construction on a series of curb ramps in 2026 to make it easier for those with disabilities and wheelchairs, strollers , walkers, hand carts and bicycles to get around.
