A rainy late spring is delaying the start of fire season in Oregon, but state officials said Monday they still anticipate a challenging summer and fall. Large fires are already blazing in New Mexico, and fire risk in the Northwest is expected to worsen as summer continues. During a press[Read More…]
Government
Watch Banks Mayor Stephanie Jones’ May 5 ‘State of the City’ address online
The annual State of the City address by Banks Mayor Stephanie Jones was held Thursday, May 5 at Banks Fire District 13 headquarters. There, Jones acknowledged the volunteers and staff that make the city tick and highlighted some of the work that happened in the last 12 months in the[Read More…]
City seeks applicants to fill vacant Banks City Council seat
The city of Banks announced it is accepting applications for citizens interested in becoming a city councilor.
Banks City Councilor Erica Harold-Heine resigns
Banks City Councilor Erica Harold-Heine resigned from the Banks City Council Wednesday, May 4 over what she described as bullying from fellow councilor Pete Edison and a lack of leadership from Mayor Stephanie Jones in addressing the issue. Jones and Edison denied her claims.
Oregon Appeals Court reverses $1.1 billion verdict over state forest management
The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a $1.1 billion verdict against the state for how it manages forests, ruling that the state wasn’t obligated to maximize logging and profits.
Oregon Elections Division botches voters’ pamphlet for four Washington County house districts
not the fault of the Washington County Elections Division, but the Oregon Elections Division at the Oregon Secretary of State offices.
Map shows 52 acre Metro expansion at Killin Wetlands
Following a story published March 21 about Metro’s Killin Wetlands property expanding by 52 acres, several readers reached out and asked for a map showing the new acreage. At this newspaper’s request, Metro created a map showing the expanded area recently purchased by the regional government. Located to the south[Read More…]
Oregon to join most states in compensating the wrongfully convicted
Wrongfully convicted Oregonians will now be eligible for financial compensation for time of false imprisonment. On March 24, Gov. Kate Brown signed the Oregon Justice for Exonerees Act, which allows compensation for wrongful convictions. Victims will be able to receive money, housing assistance, counseling, a sealing of their records and[Read More…]
Merkley to hold digital, phone town hall Wednesday for Washington Co. residents
Washington County residents will have the opportunity to hear from and provide input to Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley at a Washington County-specific digital town hall scheduled for Wednesday, April 6 starting at 4:30 p.m. “Hearing from Oregonians across the state is critical to doing my job. In these uncertain times,[Read More…]
Banks approves funding for new city basketball court
The Banks City Council unanimously approved the allocation of $50,000 to construct prior to June 30 a basketball court in Greenville Park, a project that has been discussed for more than a decade, but not without some contentious consideration among the councilors. City Manager Jolynn Becker suggested there were three options[Read More…]