Last summer Dan Lever took over a Silverton High football program that won the Class 5A title in 2021. Lever, who coached Tualatin to a Class 6A runner-up finish the same season, faced some huge challenges. He essentially had to replace his entire defense. He had some offensive weapons returning – running backs Alejandro Briseno and Jackson Pfeifer and standout […]
Silverton earned 17 spots on the all-Mid-Willamette Conference football teams as selected by league coaches. The Foxes were playing Wilsonville in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday after the Our Town presstime. Top honors went to Jackson Pfeifer, offensive player of the year, and Xavier Orozco, defensive lineman of the year. Pfeifer was on the first team at running back […]
By James Day Former Silverton Police Chief and Mayor Rick Lewis was re-elected in House District 18, according to early unofficial returns from the Secretary of State’s Office. Lewis was appointed to the position in 2017 when Rep. Vic Gilliam resigned because of ill health. He has previously been elected in 2018 and 2020 to full 2-year terms. Lewis, a […]
By Stephen Floyd When late Mount Angel Mayor Don Fleck died suddenly in June, City Councilor Pete Wall was prepared to temporarily take up the mantle. As president of the City Council, he became acting mayor, but told fellow officials he would not seek election if appointed to fill the remainder of Fleck’s term, and would instead return to his […]
By Stephen Floyd Longtime Oktoberfest board member Dave Kohler has retired from his post after 49 years with the event, though he is expected to remain a familiar face. Kohler spent 25 years on the board, in addition to 15 years volunteering for Oktoberfest directly and another nine supporting the event through the Letterman Club at Kennedy High School. Oktoberfest […]
Following a two-year hiatus due to COVID precautions, the annual Sister Marilyn Schwab Memorial Lecture returns Sept. 27, 6 p.m. It will be held in Agatha Hall at Queen of Angels Monastery, 840 S Main St., Mt. Angel. This year’s presentation is geared to aid families dealing with a loved one’s dementia. This is the 24th year of the lecture […]
Incumbents for two out of the three Mt. Angel City Council seats on the Nov. 8 ballot have confirmed their intent to run for re-election. Councilor Tony Astorga confirmed to Our Town he will be running, while Councilor Matthew Donohue has filed his candidate paperwork with the city. Councilor Ray Eder had not responded to inquiries and had not filed […]
By Stephen Floyd Mt. Angel Mayor Don Fleck is being remembered as an exemplary civil servant and a force within his community after his sudden passing June 26. Fleck, 68, died of natural causes at his home.He was laid to rest July 1 during a graveside service at Calvary Cemetery. At the memorial service held at the Mount Angel Festhalle, […]
Mt. Angel Police Chief Mark Daniel has accepted the position of city manger after filling the role on an interim basis since last year. The City Council appointed Daniel June 6 and he will now act as both city manager and police chief, much as he has since previous City Manager Kevin Cronin departed in August 2021. The city initially […]
By Melissa Wagoner This spring the League of American Bicyclists ranked the state of Oregon as the second most bicycle friendly state in the nation – number one on the West Coast. But what do Willamette Valley cyclists think? A panel of avid cyclists from the Silverton and Mount Angel area weighed in. Laura Wanker “I’m pretty satisfied with […]
The high school football schedules for fall are taking shape, with Silverton High opening on Friday, Sept. 2, with a Mid-Willamette Conference game at Dallas. The Foxes, under new coach Dan Lever, will prep for the Dallas game with an Aug. 26 scrimmage at Sheldon of Eugene against both the host Irish and West Salem. The Foxes will be playing […]
Mt. Angel is set for an Independence Day of fun, farming and fireworks. The annual July 4 parade, sponsored by the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, has a theme of “Heart of Farm Country” as the community honors the bountiful nearby farms full of hops, hazelnuts, berries, flowers, vegetables, wine grapes and more. The 11 a.m. Monday parade begins at […]
Silverton has selected replacements for its two open basketball positions, hiring Tyler Allen to coach the boys and Alyssa Ogle to lead the girls. Allen replaces Jamie McCarty, who led the Foxes to a runner-up finish in the Class 5A tournament in March. McCarty lost just one Mid-Willamette Conference game in his 5 years with the program, while taking 4th […]
By Melissa Wagoner When the Willamette Career Academy (WCA) in Salem opened its doors in September 2021 it immediately began changing the lives of students, offering them the chance to earn, not only a diploma, but college credits, career prep, internship opportunities and job certifications as well. “Our kids come from 11 districts and three counties,” WCA Principal Johnnie Ferro […]
By James Day The Kennedy High baseball team took hold of this year’s Class 2A-1A tournament and ruled it from start to finish. The No. 2 Trojans finished a superb run to their second state title under coach Kevin Moffatt with an 11-1 win June 3 against top-ranked Umpqua Valley Christian at Volcanoes Stadium. Kennedy outscored its four opponents 41-3 […]
“Heart of Farm Country”, is the theme for this year’s 4th of July parade organized by the Mt Angel Chamber of Commerce. At 11 a.m. the parade begins at Kennedy High School on E. Marquam Street, then winds down Birch to Taylor to Garfield, finishing at the Weingarten building. Norm Zollner, will be the MC, introducing entries and winners. […]
By James Day Track and field championships are not built on one big explosion. There is no last-second bucket or game-saving tackle. Things happen in bits and pieces. Two points here, four points there. A hero in the early moments of day one might ultimately be the difference-maker. The Silverton High boys track and field team captured its first Class […]
By James Day Scott Stokley, a 37-year resident of Mount Angel is a local Realtor who also owns Touch of Bavaria, Angel Mountain Christmas and is about to open a new eatery in town, Lou’s Kitchen. His dizzying schedule also includes tons of outreach for the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, for whom he is a passionate supporter of local […]
By Stephen Floyd Police Chief Mark Daniel said he was shocked when the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce arrived at City Hall to tell him he was being presented with the Distinguished Service Award. Daniel, who also serves in a dual role as interim city manager, said he didn’t feel deserving, but the chamber insisted and he felt honored. “This […]
By Stephen Floyd The contributions of Joe Borschowa and his family have been both highly visible and subtle. The local veteran and business owner has been heavily involved with the Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce, the American Legion and other groups, but hasn’t sought public recognition. Yet if you’ve ever admired the American flags on display throughout town during Memorial […]
The Mt. Angel Chamber of Commerce is trying a new approach to its annual community awards. Mt. Angel Honors will be held in conjunction with The Next Friday, a monthly event showcasing businesses downtown. Each of the four honorees will stand with a partnering business. Residents are invited to meet and chat with honorees while touring the event. The chamber […]
By Stephen Floyd When COVID-19 lockdowns began in 2020, the restaurant industry took a massive blow, and those who wished to survive had to adapt. Mt. Angel Sausage Co. rose to the occasion and – in addition to take-out orders and outdoor seating – owner Jim Hoke took an international food display that occupied a corner of their waiting area […]
It’s spring. It’s raining. And if you drive anywhere near the tracks at Silverton and Kennedy you will see dozens of athletes running and jumping and throwing things. Last week I saw a half dozen Foxes runners trying to cross Oak Street on Second Street at rush hour. Brave lads. And you also know that those activities, as well as […]
By Brenna Wiegand Jon Deshler, jazz trumpet player, globally published photographer and inspiring teacher, feels he has a lot to give. The purchase of Mt. Angel Theater & Studio gives him a place to do so. Built in 1912 as a silent movie theater, the 2,900-square-foot space at 220 E. Charles St., has been owned by Stu Rasmussen since 1982. […]
By Melissa Wagoner “I don’t know the exact statistics, but I do know that the majority of well-paying jobs in the future will be in STEM,” Jackie Mills, Director of the Mt. Angel Public Library for the past four years, said of the need for more science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. “Anything the library and the community can […]
