Fire chief: Government shutdown caused some ‘full-on panic’
The 43-day government shutdown created some anxious moments for the Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District, Fire Chief Nick Tyler told district board members Tuesday…
LATEST NEWS
Christmas tree permits available at Sweet Home Ranger Station
Christmas tree permits are available to purchase at Sweet Home Ranger Station, local businesses and online through Recreation.gov. Permits are $5 per Christmas tree and each family can cut up…
Annual ornament hunt under way on local forest trails
Ready to go looking for a free Christmas ornament? Willamette Valley Visitors Association, Cascade Volunteers and the USDA Forest Service are launching the eighth annual ornament hunt on…
Samaritan operates food program for patients in need
Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital is operating a Food Backpack Program for patients experiencing food insecurity. Since 2023, more than 150 food backpacks have been distributed in Lebanon,…
Samaritan CEO highlights merger pluses in Lebanon town hall
Samaritan Health CEO Marty Cahill kicked off a series of town halls, focusing on Samaritan’s planned merger with Tacoma, Wash.-based MultiCare health system, on Wednesday evening, Nov. 12, at…
Crash at Main and 1st Ave. results in two arrests
Two Sweet Home men were arrested Thursday, Nov. 13, after a pursuit that ended in a crash at the corner of 1st Avenue and Main St. According to Police Chief Jason Ogden, officers responded…
Signature gathering for Oregon gas tax referendum expected
By Mia Maldonado Oregon Capital Chronicle Gov. Tina Kotek on Friday, Nov. 7, signed Oregon’s long-awaited transportation bill into law, setting the stage for opponents to begin collecting…
SPORTS
Outdoor Workout
Coach Steve Thorpe, below, is surrounded by his wrestlers Saturday, Nov. 22, during their annual outdoors workout, which is intended to reinforce concepts of teamwork and taking care of each…
Dillan Davis, Luke Rosa named MVPs for resurgent football program
Dillan Davis and Luke Rosa were named Sweet Home’s football Most Valuable Players at the team’s awards dinner Sunday, Nov. 16. Coach Ryan Adams summarized the Huskies’ season, in which they…
Klumph named boys soccer MVP after gauntlet season
By Satina Tolman For The New Era The Sweet Home High School boys soccer team closed its season Nov. 10 with an awards banquet that celebrated progress, perseverance, and character after a…
Miller, Whiton, Burr and Rodriguez named XC’s leading runners
Senior McKenzie Miller, junior Ryker Burr, sophomore Emma Whitton and freshman Elijah Rodriguez were named Outstanding Runners for the cross-country team at its awards banquet Tuesday, Nov.…
COMMUNITY
Events: Nov. 26, 2025
Free Thanksgiving morning breakfast Angila Tack Food Services & Supper Club will offer a free drive-through Thanksgiving breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 27, at 1266 15th Ave.,…
Scene Around Town: Nov. 26, 2025 – Thanksgiving
Packing Thanksgiving Boxes for Needy Members of the Sweet Home High School Leadership Class, above, pack food boxes during the school’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive last week. Students…
Octogenarian volunteer Dean Hummer shines at SHEM
By Satina Tolman For The New Era At nearly 83 years old, Dean Hummer begins four mornings a week the same way – with a welcoming smile, a steady pace, and a determination to help fill food…
OPINION
Thanks for another year
This is Thanksgiving week and I’m thankful to be writing this column. I’m thankful for God’s provision for The New Era, which was on the brink of financial collapse at this time last…
Dear Editor: It takes a thief
Editor: Our non profit group makes and sells wreaths this time of year. Every year for the last six years, the first wreath is placed on the grave of a wonderful friend to honor…
FROM OUR FILES
From Our Files: Nov. 26, 2025
Nov. 30, 1950 A runaway auto wheel came to rest in the display window of Lew’s Sporting Goods store, spraying the corner at 12th and Main with shattered glass and causing an estimated $65 in damage.…
From Our Files: Nov. 19, 2025
Nov. 23, 1950 Preparations for the coming Christmas season are underway, with installation of five additional mail boxes and hiring of additional help for the rush season. Postmaster Nealia Haven said…
OREGON JOURNALISM PROJECT (OJP)
Three takeaways from the 2025 Oregon fire season
More fires, less damage, and people still cause more fires than lightning. By Khushboo Rathore Oregon Journalism Project Despite early forecasts of a punishing 2025 wildfire season,…
OLCC rejects grocers’ bid to sell booze-based canned cocktails
The dispute is part of a larger disagreement over who should be allowed to sell hard liquor in Oregon. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project At its Nov. 20 meeting, the Oregon…
Phil Knight writes record check to Republican legislative PAC
Nike co-founder hopes to reduce Democratic majorities. By Nigel Jaquiss Oregon Journalism Project Phil Knight has broken his own record for political spending. The 87-year-old Nike…