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Election 2024: Dow challenges Lewis in Oregon House District 18

By James Day Republican Rep. Rick Lewis is seeking a fourth two-year term as the Oregon House representative in District 18, which covers Silverton, Mount Angel and Scotts Mills. Democrat Karyssa Dow, a Silverton salon owner and stylist is challenging Lewis, the former Silverton police chief, mayor and city manager. Our Town was on hand when Dow took part in […]

Entries from the Silverton Grange's Pie Contest and Auction held in 2019

Best pie in town? Enter Silverton Grange’s contest to find out

By Melissa Wagoner “Who doesn’t like tasting pie?” Silverton Grange member Cindy Gyurgyik said when asked about the upcoming Pie Contest and Auction being held in the Grange Hall at 201 Division St. on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2 to 4 p.m. “We will have two categories of pies – fruit and custard,” Gyurgyik said. “We will have three judges for each category…familiar faces of our […]

Grange holds hoedown, concert

Silverton Grange is hosting the Inaugural Grange Hoedown and Concert Series on Sunday, Oct. 1, to help pay for needed heating, ventilation and air conditioning work. The event had been scheduled for earlier this summer but was postponed because of the heat wave. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for the open mike signups, with the music set to start at […]

John Baker standing in the community garden at the Silverton Grange

The simple things – Grange member gives back by growing food for SACA

By Melissa Wagoner Before John Baker moved to Silverton in 2016 life was rough.  “I was in pretty bad shape…” Baker said. “I had severe arthritis, both of my hips needed to be replaced, I’d spent five years in a wheelchair, and I was pushing 400 pounds…I was crippled and unemployed.” That’s when Baker and his wife, Amanda, decided to […]

SFSD Board candidates share motivations, perspectives

Eight candidates are running for four seats on the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) Board this May, with a variety of perspectives and priorities for each contender.

Our Town asked each candidate about why they are running and the impact they hope to have if elected. Below are their answers in full.

Silverton Grange hosting SFSD candidate forum

The Silverton Grange is hosting a candidate forum Sunday, April 23, for those running for the Silver Falls School District Board and the public is invited to attend. The forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Grange Hall, 201 Division St. N.E., Silverton. Each of the eight candidates will give an opening statement, then the audience will have an […]

The path forward – Candidates weigh in on Silver Falls negotiation woes

By Stephen Floyd Eight candidates are running for four seats on the Silver Falls School District (SFSD) Board at a time when labor negotiations have soured and teachers are ready to strike. Our Town reached out to each candidate for their perspective on the relationship between SFSD and the Silver Falls Education Association (SFEA), as well as their goals as […]

20 years on: Silverton group holds vigils for peace, advocates for justice

By James Day Silverton People for Peace, a group that formed amid the buildup to the 2003 start of the Iraq War, has turned 20.   The informal group, which began with vigils in opposition to the Iraq buildup, has broadened its focus and also participates in Silverton’s MLK Day observances as well as the Homer Davenport Community Festival, where […]

Popping up – Silverton Food Co-op wants food in hands

By Melissa Wagoner In 2018 the Silverton Food Co-op initiated a capital campaign that they hoped would raise the funds necessary to open a brick-and-mortar store in Silverton. Although those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, the organization’s mission, to make healthy, locally sourced and sustainably grown food available for everyone, has continued – just in a slightly altered way. “We do […]

20th MLK Observance – Joel Autry to give keynote

When the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown his Silverton restaurant in 2020, rather than feel sorry for himself, Joel Autry saw the opportunity for community service, an ethic modeled by his parents. He opened his heart and pantry up to local residents hurt financially by the economic slowdown or folks who had relied on Silverton’s weekly community dinner, also closed by the […]

Growth spurt – Community Roots 7th, 8th grades moving to Grange Hall

By Stephen Floyd Community Roots School plans to move its middle school into the Silverton Grange building as part of a partnership to meet the program’s unique requirements. A move-in date is not yet finalized, but school administrators are planning for the start of the 2022-2023 school year. Middle school instructor Bridgett Steveson said partnering with the Grange will help […]

American identity – Ahamu Umi gives MLK Day keynote

When African-American racial and social justice activist Ahjama Umi saw a gang of conservative white motorcyclists roar in at a funeral he was attending for one of its members, he didn’t feel intimidated or threatened. He saw an opportunity for dialogue on issues likely foreign to the gang. That’s how Umi works: transform a culture through dialogue, getting people to […]

Shelaswau Bushnell Crier to give keynote at King observance

Shelaswau Bushnell Crier will give the keynote address following a community potluck in celebration of Dr, Martin Luther King Day at the Silverton Grange on Monday, Jan. 21. Co-sponsored by Silverton People For Peace and the Silverton Grange, the event is open to all. Doors open 5:30 p.m., potluck at 6, S201 S. Division, off of S. Water. Lawyer, former […]

Working together: Volunteers encouraged to find ways to build community

By Kristine Thomas and Brenna Wiegand   Community isn’t a “like” on Facebook, Cate Tennyson said. And, it’s more than homes clustered in a neighborhood. A member of the Silverton Grange, Tennyson believes “community is joining with other people to accomplish something.” “It’s feeling good about working together with others and making a difference,” she added. “Community is knowing your […]