By James Day Efforts to put together an ambitious 18-home Habitat for Humanity project in Silverton are receiving a $1 million windfall from the federal government. The funds, part of a $1.5 trillion spending package signed by President Joe Biden last month, were secured by Oregon’s two U.S. senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley. North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity […]
By Melissa Wagoner In a typical year the North Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity builds one or perhaps two houses. “We’ve always been a onesie-twosie organization,” Kari Johnson, executive director since 2019, confirmed. “But that’s one of the things they said when they brought me on is that they wanted to grow.” That is primarily because, with housing costs throughout […]
Change in the air Mount Angel City Manager departs By Melissa Wagoner Mount Angel city government has experienced a recent upheaval with two of its leaders taking their leave within 30 days of each other. First, Mayor Andrew Otte resigned on Aug. 5 following a change in residence which left him outside the city limits. Then, Sept. 4, City Manager […]
On May 16, Silverton grew by a family of two: Kim Betker and her 11-year-old son received the keys to a new home built over the past year by Habitat for Humanity. Kim herself put 500 hours of labor into the home and knows every inch of it. Videographer Mike Turner met Kim in April and talked with her about […]
By Kristine Thomas Francisco Frausto, 8, was hesitant to say what it’s like to share a bedroom with his 15-year-old brother, Jose, a freshman at Silverton High School and member of the soccer team. Glancing over at his older brother and then his parents, Francisco finally blurts it out. “Jose is messier than me,” Francisco said. “It was horrible sharing […]
Ask Jerry Ambris what his favorite movie is and he will tell you without hesitation: Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. The 27-year-old executive director of the North Willamette Valley affiliate of Habitat for Humanity says he can relate to the image of a face-painted William Wallace on horseback, sword in the air, rallying his troops to stand together and fight against overwhelming odds.
It is effortless for Nadya Seledkov to give – whether it’s to her family and friends or as a volunteer. “The best and most rewarding feeling you can ever have is when have made a difference in someone’s life,” she wrote in May 2007 in “The Traditional Old Believer,” a newspaper for the Russian Old Believer community.
Mt. Angel residents Ramon and Senaida Arellano don’t have to say a word to show their friends and family members how they feel about their latest accomplishment.
