Our Town – Silverton, Mt. Angel & Scotts Mills

Citizen action: How-to class presented at library

March 2018 Posted in Community, News, Other | Comments Off

By Melissa Wagoner “The beginning of all knowledge is the ability to think critically,” Donna Cohen, creator and facilitator of adult civics workshops said. “Evaluating whether information is accurate and complete enough to make a decision is the basis for all ...

Rates go up: July 1 increase approved for street fees, water bills

February 2017 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Silverton Public Works Director Christian Saxe had concerns about asking the council to raise utility rates. “As a public servant, you want to avoid raising rates whenever possible,” he said. However, he faced a choice – raise street, ...

Dust settled: Investigation recommended, commission votes ‘no’

September 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_7275" align="alignright" width="300"] The new turf field at the center of the complaint was a project spearheaded by the Silver Fox Foundation and done without district funds.[/caption] By Kristine Thomas Silver Falls School Board members Todd White and Tim Roth are ...

Garbage rates increase: New food waste recycling program launched

September 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_7273" align="alignright" width="242"] Matt Cofer, the operations manager for Republic Services, said kitchen pails will be delivered to Republic Services customers in September. New garbage rates and recycling start in October.[/caption] By Kristine Thomas Greasy pizza boxes, pineapple bark, coffee ...

Silverton Road: 10 crashes for month of July; 10 for the entire year of 2013

August 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_7242" align="alignright" width="300"] Fire crews work to extricate victims of the July 19, 6:30 a.m. crash on Silverton Road. Photo by Ed Grambusch[/caption] By Kristine Thomas When Silverton Fire District Public Information Officer and Capt. Ed Grambusch learns there is another ...

Dirt dust up: Ethics complaint filed against board member over dumped dirt

July 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

Public Gifts to the Schools All gifts to the schools will become the property of the district. The superintendent is authorized to accept gifts to the district, and others whom he/she may designate will be authorized to accept gifts for particular schools on behalf of the Board. The ...

Communication: Board grapples with ‘transparent’ way to handle issues

July 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas and Hannah Kloft Silver Falls School Board Member Aaron Koch is disappointed in how fellow board member Todd White has conducted himself and is concerned his actions may be a liability to the board and district. At the ...

Abuse arrest: Youth leader charged with sexual encounters with underage girl

July 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Silverton resident Andrew Thomas Stutzman was arrested July 1 and charged with 10 counts of second degree sex abuse. Silverton Police Detective Josh Boatner said the case stems from allegations Stutzman had “close to a three-year long sexual relationship ...

Homeless: Camps pop up in parks, fields, under bridges

July 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas On a Sunday evening at Coolidge-McClaine Park, a man sits quietly by the bridge with his two dogs. A crumpled McDonald’s bag is on the grass along with his backpack. Monday morning around 7:15 a.m. another man is ...

Water quality: So far, so good

July 2016 Posted in News | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_7113" align="alignright" width="300"] Steve Starner has been in charge of Silverton’s Water Quality Division for the past 16 years[/caption] By Steve Ritchie Concern about lead in drinking water has spread from Flint, Mich. across the country over the past few months, ...

Celt to Fox: Justin Lieuallen new Silverton High principal

June 2016 Posted in News, People, School | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_7072" align="alignright" width="240"] Justin Lieuallen takes over as Silverton High principal July 1.[/caption] By Kristine Thomas Justin Lieuallen will be trading in his blue and white spirit wear for orange and black as he prepares to cheer for the Foxes, rather ...

Offer made on Eugene Field site

June 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

Less than a week on the real estate market and a buyer has made an offer on Eugene Field Elementary School, 410 N. Water St. On June 1, the Silver Falls School Board of Directors met in executive session for about ...

Safety check: Administrators work to keep drugs out of schools

June 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Silverton High School Assistant Principal Jodi Drescher and Kennedy High School Principal Sean Aker are keenly aware of the problem. On both high school campuses, there have been indications some students are attending school under the influence of an ...

Moving on: Mount Angel City Manager Eileen Stein hired by city of West Linn

May 2016 Posted in News, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_6921" align="alignright" width="244"] Mount Angel City Manager Eileen Stein[/caption] By Kristine Thomas Mount Angel Chamber of Commerce member Maureen Ernst wants to know if it is possible to “clone” Mount Angel City Manager Eileen Stein. She’s not the only one who is ...

Contract approved: Board approves three-year food service agreement

April 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas In a 4-3 vote on April 11, the Silver Falls School board approved renewing Sodexo America LLC’s contract to manage the district food service program, The agreement will run through June 30, 2019. Board members Tim Roth, Wally Lierman, ...

Food fight: It’s contract time and Silver Falls food services has supporters, detractors (Updated)

April 2016 Posted in News, School | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_6827" align="alignright" width="300"] Elementary students waiting in a school lunch line. 2015 File photo[/caption] By Kristine Thomas When it comes to food, everyone has an opinion on what they like and dislike. The same can be said for the Silver Falls School ...

A community grieves: Teacher and student die in car crash

March 2016 Posted in Community, News, People | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_6798" align="alignright" width="172"] Douglas Bonham[/caption] By Kristine Thomas The more than 300 flickering candles held by mourners on a windy and rainy evening were one indication of the influence Silverton High School junior Matthew Albrecht and Bethany Charter School teacher Douglas ...

Increases ahead: Legislature approves schedule of minimum wage hikes

March 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

Your story matters If you are an employer or employee and have a story to share on how the minimum wage increase will impact you, please email kristine.t@mtangelpub.com.We are looking for stories about living on minimum wage or how the increase specifically impacts local businesses. By Kristine Thomas After much ...

Silverton City Council agrees to water rate increases

February 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

The Silverton City Council voted at its Feb. 1 meeting to raise water and sewer rates. The increase will help fund investments in the city’s aging infrastructure. It is the fifth increase since 2011. The last one took place last April. ...

Where to grow?: Silverton Council debates putting pot in industrial park

January 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas Last fall, the Silverton City Council voted to allow marijuana to be produced, grown, sold and dispensed within city limits. The council now must outline the rules for a grower, producer, retailer or dispenser. Silverton Community Development Director Jason ...

Setting the course: Silverton envisions 2035, builds the plan to get there

January 2016 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

[caption id="attachment_6562" align="alignright" width="220"] Silverton City ManagerBob Willoughby[/caption] By Tanner Russ Our Town met with Silverton City Manager Bob Willoughby to discuss the state of the city, with topics ranging from the acquisition of a site for the new police department, to ...

Agreement reached: Silverton Health to join Legacy Health system

January 2016 Posted in Business, News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas The countless hours, reams of paperwork, long discussions, yet another meeting and attention to detail has resulted in a document that makes all those involved proud of their work. And the document has brought tears of joy and relief ...

Day of Service planned to counter flier

December 2015 Posted in News | Comments Off

Plastic sandwich bags with a piece of hard candy and a flier were left on driveways in some Silverton neighborhoods the weekend of Nov. 14. What surprised many residents was what the flier said: “Join The Klan And Save Our Land!!!” ...

Collaboration: Water resource interests pooled

December 2015 Posted in News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas The city of Silverton needs to replace its aging water treatment plant. The city of Mt. Angel wants to improve the quality and taste of the water it provides its residents. The East Valley Water District has concerns ...

Pot policy: Mount Angel, Silverton outline ordinances for marijuana sales

October 2015 Posted in Community, News | Comments Off

By Kristine Thomas On Oct. 1, medical marijuana dispensaries can begin selling up to one-quarter ounce of marijuana per person, per day to recreational users. In January, recreational retail stores can open. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) is still working ...

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