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Candidates file to run for local offices

September 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

Mount Angel Rick Schiedler is running unopposed in a bid for a second term as Mount Angel mayor. There are three seats up for the city council. Vying for the spots are: Councilors Ray Eder, Mike Donohue and Teresa Kintz, who ...

Back and forth: Should one-way streets remain or be converted to two?

September 2010 Posted in Community, News | No Comments »

By Brenna Wiegand Stu Rasmussen’s main goal as he seeks a second consecutive mayoral term as is to “Keep Silverton Silverton.” Rather than work at remaking the community (especially the downtown area) “to conform to some pie-in-the-sky ideal of what a modern ...

Silverton showdown: Candidates for District 18 seat debate

August 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Jay Shenai Oregon’s economy took center stage in a political debate between two Silverton residents vying to represent District 18 for the Oregon House of Representatives. The debate was organized as part of Homer Davenport Days in Silverton. Before a crowd ...

Time to file: Who will throw a hat in to the political ring?

July 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Brenna Wiegand The Nov. 2 General Election seems far off, but filing deadlines are fast approaching for those wishing to run for city office in Mount Angel, Scotts Mills and Silverton. Scotts Mills Three Scotts Mills City Council spots and the mayor’s ...

Balancing act: School districts adjust strategy to meet funding shortfall

June 2010 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas Mount Angel Schools Superintendent Bob Young and Silver Falls School District Superintendent Craig Roessler frequently hear rumblings of financial storms about to create havoc on their school districts. But Young and Roessler were caught off-guard when the state ...

Reevaluation: Silverton Together refocuses on its parenting mission

June 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Linda Whitmore Silverton Together is keeping it together. Like the clients it serves, the 16-year community assistance organization is facing economic challenges and difficult times call for difficult measures. “We have grants that are ending,” said Ken Hector, chairman of Silverton Together’s ...

Three or five?: Voters to decide whether or not to add commissioners

April 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas Should Marion County voters approve a ballot measure in the May 18 Primary Election to increase the number of country commissioners from three to five? That depends on whom you ask. At the April 9 Silverton Chamber of Commerce Lunch ...

Mount Angel festivals, Lauzon sweep awards

March 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Jan Jackson The 2010 Northwest Festivals Conference Ovation Award Ceremony recognized Mount Angel’s Wurstfest 2009 as Best New Festival or Event in Oregon, Oktoberfest was honored as the Best Cultural and Heritage Event for 2009 and Oktoberfest Public Relations Director ...

Warm welcome: Council, citizens await new Mount Angel administrator

March 2010 Posted in News, People | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas Susan Muir’s resume had all the attributes the Mount Angel City Council was looking for in a city administrator, said City Councilor Kelly Grassman. The council voted unanimously to hire Muir at its March 1 meeting. The newly appointed city ...

Community meets candidates: Council to decide soon

March 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas Mount Angel City administrator candidates Mark Kunkler, Susan Muir  and David Weiser had a busy schedule during their visit Feb. 19 and 20. They toured the town, visited with staff and council members, and attended a reception where ...

Safe passage: State awards grant for Robert Frost School walk, bike routes

March 2010 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

By Jay Shenai Thanks to more than a quarter of a million dollars in federal grant money, students walking and biking to Robert Frost Elementary School should see some improvements on their route next fall. In January, the City of Silverton was ...

Silver Falls School District honors employees

February 2010 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

Six Silver Falls School District employees will be recognized as Employees of the Year at the First Citizen banquet Feb. 20. Honorees include: Katie Tolmachoff, Middle School Classified Employee. She is an educational assistant at Mark Twain Middle School. Mike Craig, High ...

Monitor Elementary: Boundaries shifted

February 2010 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas The closure of Monitor Elementary School this June will result in new students for both Scotts Mills and Butte Creek schools in the fall of 2010. Kindergarteners through fifth grade students will attend Scotts Mills Elementary, while sixth ...

Shaken up in Haiti: Local women witness tragedy tragedy while on mission

February 2010 Posted in News, People, Photo Gallery | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas See below for more images from Haiti Around 4:50 p.m., Jan. 12, in Haiti, Scotts Mills resident Cecelia Taylor was writing in her journal while on the roof of the three-story dorm with her sister, Grace Fudge of ...

Citizens speak up: Wyden hears health care, economy concerns

January 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Linda Whitmore U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said he had pledged, when elected in 1996, he would listen to his constituents and make his judgments based on what he heard. On Jan. 5, Marion County residents had a lot to tell ...

Construction company’s donation builds on Mt. Angel Community Building fund’s foundation

January 2010 Posted in News | No Comments »

Slayden Community Fund recently donated $200,000 to the Mt. Angel Community Foundation towards the Community Building’s construction. Also, Stayton-based Slayden Construction agreed to serve as general contractor for the project and will waive its $50,000 contracting fee. The project is being developed ...

Mayor’s message: At odds with Chamber

December 2009 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Dixon Bledsoe Billed as the mayor’s state of the city address, the November Silverton Chamber of Commerce Forum proved to be a revealing look at the relationship between Mayor Stu Rasmussen and chamber business leaders. During his remarks, the mayor praised ...

New superintendent: Bellando to replace Roessler July 1

November 2009 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas Robert Frost Elementary School Principal Beth Davisson was the first to call Andy Bellando boss, but she certainly won’t be the last. “Congratulations, boss,” Davisson said with a smile and handshake after the Nov. 9 school board meeting. The ...

Search begins: Mt. Angel council seeks new administrator

November 2009 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas The search has begun for a new Mt. Angel City administrator. At the Nov. 2 meeting, Mt. Angel City Council members unanimously agreed to approve the city administrator profile and salary range for the recruitment process. Salary for the new ...

Lingering questions: City posts Hunt depositions to Web site

November 2009 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas In his dispute with the city of Mt. Angel, former city administrator Jim Hunt sought a total of $265,000 in lost wages, damage to health and reputation, and lost benefits, according to his “Petition for Relief.” The petition ...

Gift to community: Larry Epping donates 40 acres for a park and fire station off Ike Mooney Road

November 2009 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Jay Shenai Consider it a $1.2 million Christmas gift months ahead of schedule but one that will take several years to fully enjoy. In a letter dated Oct. 7, Silverton city officials received a stunning proposition from Larry Epping, owner of ...

Hunt vs. City of Mt. Angel: Judge rules termination process valid

October 2009 Posted in News | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas The case of former City Administrator Jim Hunt versus the City of Mt. Angel was resolved in the city’s favor Oct. 6.  Judge Paul L. Lipscomb made his decision on a core issue – the interpretation of the ...

Andy Bellando: Education that provides opportunities for many students is key

October 2009 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

Silver Fall School District superintendent candidate Andy Bellando and his wife, Rhonda, have three children, Amanda, 21; Jaron, 19; Tyler, 17. His hobbies are farming, bicycling, running and skiing. What were you like as a student? “Very active in FFA, ...

Choices narrow: School board to select superintendent from within

October 2009 Posted in Business, News, School | No Comments »

By Kristine Thomas For more information about the candidates, click for interviews with Andy Bellando and Linda Myers. The Silver Falls School District board will review the candidates in executive session Nov. 9. Either Andy Bellando or Linda Myers will be the ...

Linda Myers: Focus on making sure teachers have tools to meet child’s needs

October 2009 Posted in News, School | No Comments »

Silver Fall School District superintendent candidate  Linda Myers and her husband, Paul, have three children, Cole, 10; Elise, 6; and Emerson, 3. This winter, Linda and Paul are traveling to China to adopt 1-year-old Jack. Her hobbies are scrapbooking, singing, ...