A sign noting that Banks is served by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office on NW Banks Rd. Photo: Chas Hundley Theft – NW Main St – Three catalytic converters (valued at about $15,000 to replace) were stolen from three busses overnight while the busses were behind the locked gate. The[Read More…]
Latest News
Grant opens for small businesses in unincorporated Washington County
Face masks. Photo: Chas Hundley Washington County announced on Tuesday, December 8 that a new round of small business grants for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic had been opened. The program is targeted at businesses with 100 or fewer employees that are in the hospitality industry or were shut[Read More…]
School sports calendar shifted back due to COVID-19
Sports fields in Banks on August 5, 2020. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) Executive Board announced on Monday, Dec. 7 that school sports would be pushed back to start season 2 practices in February. “The OSAA Executive Board was hopeful that the state’s landscape was going[Read More…]
County commissioners to host COVID-19 town hall December 12
Face masks. Photo: Chas Hundley On December 3, Washington County was one of 25 Oregon counties placed in the “Extreme Risk” category under a new COVID-19 risk classification system unveiled by Governor Kate Brown, and it is this topic and more that will be discussed by the Washington County Board[Read More…]
Ride Connection plans public transit expansion in rural western Washington County
A Ride Connection bus drives through Banks on July 11, 2018. Photo: Chas Hundley In early 2021, the nonprofit organization Ride Connection plans to expand their offerings of rural public transit options, which includes bus routes in Banks and North Plains that connect to the wider TriMet service territory, door-to-door[Read More…]
Oregon’s reported coronavirus deaths surpass 1,000 as cases climb
Face masks. Photo: Chas Hundley More than 1,000 Oregonians have died in Oregon after contracting the novel coronavirus, the Oregon Health Authority announced Friday, December 4. The total deaths attributed to COVID-19 number 1,003 as of Friday. Friday’s report said that 30 more Oregonian’s had died, the fourth day in[Read More…]
Banks Christmas ‘parade’ still on for December 12
Santa was present at the inaugural parade in 2019. Photo: Stewart Monroe The Second Annual Banks Christmas Light Parade is still on, according to event organizers. Questions were raised regarding the parade after a similar event in Forest Grove was cancelled due to Governor Kate Brown’s “Freeze” order, but in[Read More…]
Washington County in ‘Extreme Risk’ category under new restrictions beginning December 3
A graph from the Oregon Health Authority showing county risk categories as of November 23 In a new framework announced Wednesday afternoon, Governor Kate Brown unveiled restrictions that will begin on December 3, continuing many of the restrictions from the “freeze” that began on Wednesday, November 18 and ends December[Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: In response to Oregon Hunters Association migratory habitat letter
Don Backman is a resident of Bay City. I read with interest the article which you published (“Letter to the Editor: Oregon Hunters Association, Nov. 11″) from Jim Akenson, Senior Conservation Director, Oregon Hunters Association, and Lori McKinnon, President, Coastal Farm & Ranch. They raise a very important point. While[Read More…]
Leslie Sipp named Banks 2020 ‘Citizen of the Year’
Leslie Sipp. Photo: City of Banks The city of Banks announced that long-time Banks resident, citizen, and community activist, Leslee Sipp, is the winner of the Banks 2020 Citizen of the Year award. Banks began honoring outstanding citizens in 2012 who show excellence in volunteer community service and who stand[Read More…]