The Banks Middle School. Photo: Chas Hundley OREGON – Governor Kate Brown announced that Oregon school reopening in most cases will be tied directly to COVID-19 case numbers and metrics in Oregon and in each county a school district resides in. Shortly after, the Banks School District announced that school[Read More…]
Latest News
Four open positions in Banks for November election
Banks City Hall. Photo: Brenda Schaffer BANKS – The window for citizens who want to file to run for election to the Banks City Council is now open. Three Banks City Council seats are up for grabs on the November 3 ballot and at least one incumbent councilor, Michael Lyda,[Read More…]
Child lost and found at Stub Stewart State Park
Photo: Washington County Sheriff’s Office BUXTON – The Washington County Sheriff’s Office says a 9-year-old boy who went missing while camping with his family at Stub Stewart State Park was quickly located with the help of a K9 tracking team Thursday night. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a boy named[Read More…]
Heat advisory issued for Sunday as triple digits loom in forecast
The sun near Mountaindale on July 31, 2017. The sun is widely considered a significant contributing factor to high temperatures. Photo: Chas Hundley PORTLAND – The Portland office of the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the greater Portland metro region, including Banks and some portions of western[Read More…]
Banks Fire District July 2020 Fire Log
The Banks Fire District on July 6, 2020. Photo: Chas Hundley The Banks Fire District July 2020 Fire Log. Photo: BFD
New guidance for school reopening issued; fall sports remain uncertain
An April 9, 2017 photo of the Banks High School and Middle School. Photo: Chas Hundley OREGON – The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) today updated its Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance for the 2020-21 academic year. Ready Schools, Safe Learners is a program developed by the ODE in conjunction[Read More…]
Governor Brown expands face mask requirements to children
A face mask. File photo: Chas Hundley OREGON – As Oregon’s COVID-19 cases continue to climb, Governor Kate Brown announced that, beginning Friday, July 24, children five and older will be required to wear face coverings when at indoor public spaces, and at outdoor gatherings where social distancing is impossible.[Read More…]
Portion of Banks Vernonia State Trail to close for repairs
The area of the Banks Vernonia State Trail that is undergoing repairs. Photo: OPRD COLUMBIA COUNTY – A 2 ½ mile stretch of the Banks Vernonia State Trail is closed for repairs beginning Monday, July 20 between the Beaver Creek Trailhead and McDonald Road. According to the Oregon Parks and[Read More…]
Fire, power outage caused by downed power line near Tophill
The entrance to Stub Stewart State Park. The fire is north of the park. Photo: Chas Hundley TOPHILL – Emergency crews are on scene at a small, smoldering brush fire on Hoffman Road east of Highway 47, according to the Banks Fire District. The fire is believed to have been[Read More…]
Police seek help in rash of poaching cases southwest of Vernonia
A .308 caliber bullet casing found in the area. Photo: OSP COLUMBIA COUNTY – Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers say they responded to reports of a partially wasted spike elk discovered on Weyerhaeuser property off of Clear Creek Road near Timber Road in Columbia County on June 28. The location[Read More…]