Arts & Entertainment
School Spotlight
Silverton Arts Festival seeks exhibitors, volunteers – Page 7
Silverton High School students are showing up!– Page 8
Vol. 23 No. 6
COMMUNITY NEWS
Serving Silverton, Mount Angel and Scotts Mills
March 2026
When all at once I saw a crowd A host of golden daffodils – William Wordsworth Our Town P.O. Box 927 Mt. Angel, Or 97362
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Our Town Life
Contents
Add your voice to our ‘chat’
Civics 101
Silverton gets $5M windfall.............. 4 MAFD-Monitor propose merger ........ 4
The March 6 Our Town Coffee Chat at The Warren made for a comfortable and cordial morning. Folks drifted in and out according to their schedules. Story ideas were shared, opinions offered. Afterwards, I walked back to the Our Town office buoyed by thoughtful and encouraging words.
Update
Drift Creek dam plan gets a ‘no’..........5 Legal Matters
Marion County admits to policy change after stabbing ...................... 6 Silverton woman dies in collision..... 6 Arts & Entertainment
7
Silverton Arts Festival returns........... 7 School Spotlight
SHS attendance strategies pay off..... 8 The Forum ............................... 9 Passages ............................... 10 Sports & Recreation
Swimming, wrestling standouts ...... 12 New K-8 flag football league.......... 13 A Slice of the Pie .............. 14 Marketplace....................... 15
P.O. Box 927 Mount Angel, OR 97362 401 Oak St. Silverton, OR 97381 503-845-9499 ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com
ourtownlive.com Our Town mailed free to residents and businesses in the 97362, 97375, 97381 zip codes. Subscriptions for outside this area are $60 annually. Deadline for ads or submissions for the April. 1 issue is March 19. Paula Mabry Editor & Publisher Jim Kinghorn Advertising Director DeeDe Williams Office Manager James Day Sports Editor & Reporter Stephen Floyd Digital Editor & Reporter Bea Shapiro Designer & Copy Editor Melissa Wagoner Reporter Sara Morgan Datebook
Above The Silverton Arts Association is holding a contest to design the poster for the return of the Silverton Arts Festival. COURTESY KAHLIA WATERS
On the Cover A field of spring daffodils uplifts the spirit. ©SHARUZZAMAN / 123RF.COM
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I also carried away with me surveys that our “chat-ers” had filled out. The questions are designed to help us focus Our Town resources. We’re want to stay tuned in to what the community needs from its local newspaper. While you may not have had a chance to join us for a chat, I’m encouraging you to take a moment and fill out the survey. There are only 10 questions. You can fill it out online at: https://ourtownlive.com/ ourtown/?page_id=18957. Or, if pen and paper are your preference, forms are available at our office. Or, the questions are listed just to the right. You don’t have to write them out, just put the question number by your answer. For pick up, drop off, or mail the address is: Our Town, 401 Oak St., Silverton, OR 97381. The office is open 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. weekdays. Finally, if you value local news and information that is free and easily accessible to the entire community – if you value Our Town – consider becoming part of our team. We are members of the Oregon Public Information Partnership, a 501(c) (3) working to keep community newspapers and local news an integral part of thriving communities. Donations made out to OPIP/Our Town are tax deductible. More
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Our Town March 2026 Survey 1. What is the best thing about having a newspaper in the community? 2. How much does Our Town contribute to creating a sense of common interests with your neighbors? 3. How important is Our Town in helping hold local government and institutions accountable? 4. What type of stories or news would you like to see more of in Our Town? 5. Anything you’d like to see less of? 6. Using percentages, how do you access your local news? Print____ Websites____ Facebook____ Other (please specify) ____ 7. Is the ourtownlive.com website a useful resource for you? 8. How do you feel about receiving Our Town in the mail? 9. How could Our Town better serve its readers? 10. May we quote your answers in the Our Town/Oregon Public Information Partnership campaign? If so, please include your name on your survey response with a way for us to contact you for verification. Together we build community. Paula Mabry
Your tax-deductible donation helps keep Our Town a part of your town and your life. tinyurl.com/ support-ourtown-news Or send a check to OPIP (Oregon Public Information Partnership). Put “Our Town Silverton” in the memo line. We’ll mail your receipt. Send to: Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mt. Angel, OR 97362
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March 2026 • 3
Civics 101
$5M windfall Silverton water treatment plant to get a boost from state By James Day
fund in addition to the $5 million from the state. A loan from Business Oregon “or other funding opportunities,” will be used to make up the difference, city officials said.
Silverton has added $5 million to its stash of funds set aside to build a new water treatment plant.
“A larger conversation about how the project will ultimately be funded is expected to take place this summer to outline potential options and next steps,” City Manager Cory Misley told Our Town.
Mayor Jason Freilinger announced the appropriation at the March 4 City Council meeting. Freilinger traveled to Salem to testify on behalf of the city during the recently completed short session of the Legislature.
The city currently is updating its water master plan, a mandatory piece of the funding process. No timeline for the project is in place, but Misley said “the goal would be to break ground at the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028.”
Freilinger and other Silverton officials felt the city had a better shot of receiving the funds during next year’s long session. But with the help of Rep. Rick Lewis and Sen. Fred Girod, the money came through a year ahead of schedule
“The new building is planned to serve multiple purposes, including housing the Chamber of Commerce and a visitor center, along with programmed and flexible space that can be used for community activities and events,” Misley said. The city and the chamber currently are working on a memorandum of understanding that will outline the details of the partnership. The park also is scheduled to be the new home of the farmers’ market. Misley said the hope is that the construction of the park will wrap up in late 2027 or early 2028.
City officials estimate the project will cost approximately $20 million. The city plans to spend $500,000 in system development charge funds and $1.2 million for its water
Park update: The council received an update from project consultants on plans for a park on the property south of the new City Hall. The project will include a visitor center building that will house the Silverton Chamber of Commerce.
Grocery Outlet: Councilors voted 4-3 to approve a sign variance for the Grocery Outlet that is planned for the Rite-Aid space at the corner of C and Main streets. The motion called for 200 square feet of signs on the three sides of the building, a 33% increase over the current code. Mayor Freilinger and councilors Elvi Cuellar Sutton, Kyle Palmer and Marie Traeger voted in favor of the sign changes. Councilors Eric Hammond, Matt Gatain and April Newton voted no, arguing that Grocery Outlet deserved more leeway in its sign plans.
By Stephen Floyd
Rural Fire Protection District and setting a new tax rate.
unanimously to approve the resolution.
The Mt. Angel Fire District and Monitor Rural Fire Protection District have proposed a merger that would combine their staffing, resources and service area, contingent upon voter approval.
The new district would cover roughly 70 square miles and serve around 7,900 residents.
Both districts respond to around 1,200 calls for service annually, 70 percent of which are related to medical calls while the rest are for fire suppression or other incidents.
“This is a big win for the community,” Freilinger told the council. “It’s going to help us out immensely.” The challenge for the city is that one unit of the current plant stems from 1957 and the other from 1982. An earlier replacement effort stalled in 2022 when construction bids came in more than $3 million above the amount the city had budgeted for the project.
The city has enough water via Abiqua and Silver creeks, but officials remain concerned about their ability to effectively treat all that water, particularly if demand for water increases given recent residential growth. Other highlights from the March 4 meeting:
Merger proposed Mt. Angel, Monitor fire districts to take plan to voters The districts have initiated the process of filing petitions with Marion and Clackamas counties, which includes a public hearing process conducted at the county level.
MAFD Fire Chief Jim Trierweiler said the goal is not about expanding government but creating a more sustainable model.
The districts must also gather voter signatures to have the issue placed on the Nov. 3 ballot.
“By forming one district, we can streamline administration, align standards and training, better plan for capital replacement, and build toward a more consistent daytime staffing to meet current and future call volumes,” said Trierweiler.
Voters in both districts will be asked to dissolve the current agencies before creating the combined Mt. Angel-Monitor
He spoke March 3 to the Mt. Angel City Council to seek a resolution in support of the merger. The council voted
The current proposal would ask voters to approve a property tax of $1.97 per $1,000 of assessed value, replacing a $1.0416 rate in Mount Angel and a $1.03 rate in Monitor. Trierweiler said this rate would be sustainable, preventing the need for additional bonds or local options levies, while still being less than the average for other fire districts in Marion and Clackamas counties.
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Update
Drift Creek Victor Point area dam denied a second time By Stephen Floyd The Oregon Water Resources Commission (OWRC) has again denied an application for an irrigation dam on Drift Creek, despite a new proposal by the applicant to protect fish habitat. During the commission’s regular quarterly meeting Feb. 26, the board voted to issue a final order denying an application by East Valley Water District (EVWD). As of press time the final order has yet to be issued. EVWD has 60 days after the order is issued to file a petition for judicial review. The commission said the dam may negatively impact cutthroat trout habitat. The group rejected a new proposal by EVWD to place a condition on the permit aimed at protecting trout.
Voting “no” was Commissioner Jan Lee, who said there was no evidence in the record to suggest EVWD would be unable to address the commission’s concerns. She said it was not appropriate for OWRC to second-guess the work already performed by the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD), which concluded in 2018 the application fulfilled required criteria. Commissioner Joe Moll said the commission has been “called upon” to hold the department in check and was within its legal authority to overturn a department decision.
EVWD attorney Kirk Maag told the commission his client would accept a condition that water only be drawn from the reservoir when there was enough to promote trout health. He also said the dam would improve trout habitat by providing greater downstream flow and releasing colder water during the summer. With this new information, OWRC met for roughly 70 minutes in executive session to confer with legal counsel. After executive session the board voted 3-1 to deny the application.
Maag told Our Town his client was “very disappointed” in the commission’s decision to elevate a single factor above others such as economic development and habitat improvement.
OWRC initially denied the application in 2019 after local farmers and environmental advocates spoke out against it. EVWD proposed to build a 70-foot dam on Drift Creek in the area of Victor Point, south of Silverton, that would inundate an estimated 384 acres of local farmland. The water would be trucked to members of the district, which covers more than 70,000 acres of farmland between Silverton and Woodburn, primarily near Mount Angel. In 2018 OWRD approved the application, which was then challenged by impacted property owners and WaterWatch
of Oregon. They said the dam would harm fish habitat and water quality, and would take land away from local farmers. On these grounds OWRC overturned OWRD’s decision in 2019. Maag said Feb. 26 his client did not offer a solution for fish habitat at that time because OWRC did not voice its concerns until after the record was closed. In 2023 the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed the denial. Then on Aug. 7, 2025, the Oregon Supreme Court remanded the decision back to OWRC on the grounds the commission failed to document all required criteria. OWRC is required to examine seven “public interest factors,” and the final order in 2019 only articulated one factor related to preservation of a senior water right. On Dec. 11, 2025, the commission met for its regular meeting and said the supreme court’s opinion meant they must more thoroughly document their decision-making process. They crafted a new final order adopting OWRD’s conclusions for the other six public interest factors, stating these were outweighed by potential harm to a water right. This may be grounds for an additional appeal, as state law does not describe how public interest factors are to be weighed, if at all, in a water right decision. In its opinion last year, the supreme court said the weighing of factors is a pivotal issue, but not one they would decide at that time.
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March 2026 • 5
Legal Matters
Stabbing County admits to changing policy after incident By Stephen Floyd
policy changes and will publish an update as records become available.
Marion County has admitted to changing its internal policies after the 2021 fatal stabbing of a Silverton-area man by a felon under county supervision in order to prevent such an attack in the future.
Marion County has been sued for $8 million by Juetten’s wife, Jamilyn Juetten, who was critically injured in the attack. The filing for her suit said that during the weeks prior to the attack, Ray violated probation multiple times and the county negligently failed to arrest him under its zero-tolerance terms.
In an evidentiary motion filed Feb. 26 in a related lawsuit, the county sought to exclude evidence that it changed the way it monitors individuals under zero-tolerance probation.
Ray was not suspected of the attack until after his death by suicide during an unrelated domestic disturbance Sept. 28, 2021. Travis Juetten’s survivors were not informed of Ray’s status as the lead suspect until speaking with county detectives and prosecutors in April of 2024.
This change was in response to the Aug. 13, 2021, murder of Travis Juetten, of Silverton, by suspected killer Cody Ray, of Salem. At the time Ray was under zero-tolerance probation for threatening two people with a firearm.
The county has denied wrongdoing and on Jan. 21 filed a motion for judgment in its favor, arguing there were no facts in dispute for a jury to decide.
The motion did not detail the policy change except to say the modification “would have made the event less likely to occur.” The county said such policy changes cannot legally be offered as evidence of negligence and should not be allowed before a jury.
In a response filed Feb. 13, Jamilyn Juetten’s attorneys said the county had grounds to be concerned about Ray, from his history of substance abuse and deteriorating mental health to his growing pattern of violence.
Our Town has submitted a public record request for documents related to these
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They said his probation officer failed to take any action in response to his violations, including failing to file any reports with the court, and this was grounds to claim negligence. Judge Rafael Caso signed an opinion denying the county’s motion on March 3. He said a jury might reasonably conclude the county had “an obligation…to act” and the matter should proceed to trial. An eight-day trial is scheduled to begin May 4 in Marion County Circuit Court. All local judges have been recused due to potential conflicts of interest and Caso, of Polk County, will oversee proceedings. As of press time Juetten had yet to file a response to the county’s Feb. 26 motion, or her own evidentiary motion. A parallel lawsuit by the family of Travis Juetten was dismissed June 3, 2025, for being filed past the statute of limitations. Plaintiffs have appealed and their opening brief is due March 19.
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A Silverton woman has died after she and her daughter were seriously injured in a vehicle-on-pedestrian collision. According to the Silverton Police Department, the collision occurred around 6:50 p.m. March 5 on the 300 block of Fossholm St. NE. Two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle and sustained lifethreatening injuries. One later died while hospitalized. The victims’ family later identified the deceased as Talene Spangler in a GoFundMe page, while the other victim was reported as her teenage daughter Autumn Spangler. The post said Talene Spangler was the primary income earner and they are seeking support for the family and particularly for Autumn Spangler’s education. Supporters can donate at gofund. me/7a6ef75f0/. According to SPD, the driver remained on scene and cooperated. As of press time, the investigation is ongoing. SPD urges anyone with information related to this incident to call their tip line at 503-874-2249.
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Arts & Entertainment
Festival returns Arts association seeks exhibitors, sponsors, volunteers By Melissa Wagoner
“The [winning poster] will become the theme of the festival,” Waters explained. “And Lunaria is going to offer a front of house [gallery] opportunity to one of the festival artists.” (An additional application to Lunaria is required.)
The Silverton Arts Festival will make its return to Coolidge McClaine Park on Aug. 22 and 23, just in time to celebrate its 25th anniversary as a free, open-to-the-public event that showcases artists of all kinds, offers live art demonstrations and provides opportunities for the community to get involved.
Artists – both professional and hobbyists – are encouraged to volunteer as a live demonstrator, providing instruction to festival attendees either in the children’s area or in the main festival grounds.
“Our big thing is more community outreach,” festival manager Kahlia Waters confirmed. “I want it to be really participatory.” It’s a goal that is perfectly in line with the Silverton Arts Association’s overall mission, which is “to nurture, exhibit, inform, and promote” arts appreciation, practices, education and understanding. “We want to bring the arts into the everyday life of the community,” Waters said. “We want it to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.” Planning of the festival is already underway.
“It would be interesting if we could have representatives from different creative communities,” Waters said. “Because we’ll have artists who are vendors from all over and we’d like to have demos from all communities as well.”
The Silverton Arts Festival 2026 Art exhibitors – apply by April 12 Poster contestants – apply by April 15
“We’ll be making community partnerships and connections,” Waters said. “We’re trying to celebrate that we’re in the creative process together.”
Also seeking: Teen art exhibitors, live art demonstrators, mainstage performers, volunteers of all ages and sponsors
Initial opportunities for involvement include applying to become a juried art exhibitor (applications close April 12) or entering the festival poster contest (before April 15).
Applications: silvertonarts.org/festival or email festival@silvertonarts.org.
That includes on the main stage, where music, dance and possibly even theater will take place throughout the weekend. “Simone [Stewart] at the Silverton 50+ Center is [coordinating] entertainment,” Waters said. “We want there to be a teen zone where teens can sell their art,” Waters said. “Because that’s part of what I think the festival can do, connect across different [demographics].” Those who do not consider themselves artists are encouraged to get involved as sponsors, volunteers or attendees. “Mark your calendar. Bring your friends!” the festival press release extols. “Celebrate summer surrounded by art, nature, and community.”
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Sayler is a senior who has been a leader within our theatre department. She looks after the underclass students; teaching them traditions, respect, work ethic, all the while guiding them towards successful productions. She encourages those around her and supports them thoroughly. She makes theatre a place for others to truly belong. We are proud to support this community! Leave us a 5 star review to show your support for us!
March 2026 • 7
School Spotlight
Attendance matters Silverton team sparks strong progress at high school
By James Day
And it’s not just getting people into class and focused on studying that makes such information vital. Alger noted the April 21, 2025 incident in which a hoax of potential violence led to a full evacuation of campus.
Ninety percent of life is just showing up, goes the old joke. In the complex world of modern education, however, showing up takes on a whole new meaning. How does attendance affect classic school metrics such as grade point averages, test scores or graduation rates? And what do you do when the attendance battle seems to become overwhelming? At Silverton High the attendance fight became one judged to be worth winning. Feedback from a teacher survey showed that attendance was the No. 1 problem that instructors faced in the classroom. So a team of administrators, classified staffers, specialists and counselors began working on it over the summer. “And the results have been remarkable,” said principal Kirsten Jorgenson. “Our data speaks volumes. The positive shift in attendance is not only measurable – it’s visible when you walk through our hallways.” Here are some key pieces of data supplied by the school’s attendance team:
“There is a safety aspect as well,” she said. Meraz, the student success advocate, said she sees every day how the system is working. The attendence team Jenny Alger, left, Esmeralda Meraz, Josh Craig and Barnabas Wong. JAMES DAY
TOOLS IN THE FIGHT Attendance team: The group meets every other week to review systems, discuss ways to support and incentivize students, and analyze attendance data. Student success advocate: Esmeralda Meraz runs the intervention systems for attendance accountability. This involves daily notifications for students who are
tardy or absent, empathy interviews to identify attendance barriers, and offering systems of support for students.
“Teachers deserve a lot of recognition for this work,” Craig said. “They have upheld school systems and have really helped support students in having proper attendance expectations.”
Passes: Teachers are following through on using hall and bathroom passes.
And the attendance numbers matter, Craig emphasized.
the meetings, which featured a discussion of tips and best practices that the group had picked up from a Willamette Education Services District workshop.
Also on the attendance team are Jenny Alger (attendance secretary), Esmeralda Meraz • First-period tardies are down more than (student success advocate), Barnabas Wong 50% and overall absences have dropped (Class of 2028 counselor), Reid Ortizmore than 35%. Shepherd (data specialist), Yolanda Zavala (community liaison) and Carter Gould “We are working to create a culture of (campus security). The team meets every accountability and support,” said Josh Craig, other week to review data, problem-solve the school’s assistant principal and leader CBL and share ideas. Our Town sat in on one of of the attendance team. “We know that #00013137
“And once you’ve identified who may need additional support, there is a human element of things such as sitting down with students and families to help them identify potential barriers,” Wong said. “Each student has a unique challenge, story or barrier, and you can’t just expect one intervention or strategy to work in each situation. We can fairly easily identify who is and isn’t coming to school, but until you spend one-on-one time with a student you realize that there is often so much more.”
• The high school now has 798 students classified as regular attendees. Last year it was 254. In the bottom tier of low attendees the numbers have moved from 670 to 196.
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Teacher involvement
The 10/10 rule: The goal is to try to keep students in class for the first and last 10 minutes of each period. This is a school-wide initiative.
attendance is directly correlated to academic success. Attendance is also a key factor in preparing students for life beyond high school. When they learn how to manage their time well and show up to school and class on time, they are building habits that will serve them in the future.”
• The number of students whose attendance is 98% and above has risen from 70 last year to 276 this year.
“Things have filtered down,” she said. “The team effort vibe here is amazing. We have high expectations and the students know they are accountable.”
“All of this takes staffing, time, tools to track data, and then the understanding of how to interpret that data,” Wong explained.
Spending time on the issue Alger spends 100% of her time on attendance. For Meraz, it’s about 75%. Craig’s portfolio is largely a mix of attendance and discipline, while other team members participate on an “as needed” basis. “If you are gone more than two days a month that’s a problem,” said Alger, who spends huge chunks of her day communicating with parents via texts. “Knowing where the students are is really important to us.”
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“Attendance is a major indicator of overall academic success,” he said. “By ninth grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than eighth grade test scores. If students are not in school, they cannot learn. We know that the in-person connection between teachers and students is what works best for virtually all learners.” And sometimes, Wong said, success is a function of one-on-one encounters. “One simple strategy that we’ve touched on is the 2x10 strategy where we encourage each teacher for two minutes each day, for 10 days in a row, to have a personal conversation with a student about anything that student is interested in,” he said. It’s those staff-student ties that ultimately will help keep the attendance challenge in positive territory, said superintendent Kim Kellison. “The high school team is doing an exceptional job prioritizing attendance, but more importantly, they are making connections with kids,” she said. “When we build those relationships and ensure that our building culture and climate is positive – students want to be at school. Our new system ensures that our students who are struggling with attendance get the assistance they need to overcome barriers to regular attendance. We have a district-wide priority around improved attendance this year and it shows!”
Our Town Life
The Forum
Not all evil is equal I would like to address the question posed by Gregg Harris in his latest paid advertisement in Our Town. Gregg asked the question, “But are they (Epstein and buddies) so much worse than the rest of us?” Then he goes on his journey of reciting Bible verses to make his points on sex, judgment, and the wrath of God. I have to admit I did not read all of Harris’s paid ad. I kept stumbling over his misrepresentation of Scripture and I knew reading it was not where God wanted me to be. Gregg is welcome to his beliefs, but as a Christian I cannot be a part of them.
Walkout a show of First Amendment rights In answer to Gregg’s question, “But are they (Epstein and buddies) so much worse than the rest of us?” Yes Gregg, the sin of child rape is far worse. Evil, real evil dresses itself in half-truths and subtle nuances of words, using “underage” instead of “children,” then tries to make horrible acts like child rape seem to be on the same level as extramarital sex between two consenting adults. And it is evil who then whispers softly into our ear, “See, it’s all the same.” Cynthia Meyers, Silverton
Beware of bearing false witness To the good people of Silverton: You should never falsely accuse someone of a crime. False accusation is not merely bad form; bearing false witness is also a sin against God. Everyone seems to have forgotten this.
Bearing false witness is right up there with adultery and murder on the list of things you should not do. And yet, in our present social and political environment, bearing false witness has become a daily habit for far too many of us. We habitually tell lies about our political opponents, most of all; but also about our former friends who have become estranged; and even about random strangers on the street who happen to dress differently. In the social media era, these judgments have become instantaneous, as the algorithm trains us all to disregard the key
distinctions that differentiate actual facts from hyperbole, pure speculation, and discriminatory profiling. On social media, the accusation that someone “may as well have” committed a crime is treated as seriously as an actual crime. The false logic of this dishonest and toxic way of thinking has begun to invade our daily conversation. It’s unacceptable. We must not allow ourselves to devolve into a society consumed by constant mutual suspicion driven by constant universal dishonesty. A false accusation is a lie. Decent people choose to be decent. By choosing not to engage in the current popular culture of false witness, you will make the world a better place. Thank you. Jesse S. Smith, Silverton
Re: “Civics 101: Walkout” in the March issue, I want to commend Hannah Warren and her classmates for exercising their First Amendment rights and organizing a courageous and meaningful walk-out in protest of the Trump administration’s cruel and counterproductive (and plainly un-American) “immigration enforcement” activities. What they did took guts.
Targeting our friends and neighbors and tearing apart families and communities is not what America has ever stood for, and it’s not a part of our history we should ever be repeating, much less escalating. We are all the descendants of immigrants (save the First Peoples) and we are capable of honoring our ancestors by paying it forward. Roy Kaufmann, Silverton
Debate, not walkout, the way to educate You recently ran a front page photo/story of some Silverton High students skipping school to publicly display signs connected to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE, (where, by the way, 45% of employees are racial or ethnic minorities). In a way, summing up the student concerns were signs saying “Nobody is illegal on stolen land.” It’s a line that recently went “viral” via Billy Eilish, a popular young singer.
However, her multi-million-dollar L.A. home sits on land she publicly defined as “stolen.” Therefore by her own declaration she thinks her home, or anyone’s home, can be freely occupied by people who enter our country without permission. The word “hypocrisy” comes to mind because she’s keeping her gate closed. Long ago our two U.S. senators and governor invited uncounted and dependent illegal residents to live here by virtue of designating Oregon a “sanctuary state.” All three are no doubt thrilled with Eilish’s oneliner because they claim to be defenders of
the earth’s great underserved. There are at least four billion underserved on earth who would love to move here. An unlimited constituency is a dream come true for certain career politicians. America is our home just as much as our homes are our home. Our country can’t even afford to pay for our current legal population demands much less for ... non-citizens living here illegally.... Legal immigrants are an important part of our country, and to ensure we can successfully integrate more into this nation we must insist illegals leave and then sign our U.S. guest book before stepping back into our home.... ...It’s our job to guide our children to rationally and spiritually lead America to heights unknown. Encouraging and/or celebrating students skipping school is not the way. I’d like to see illegal immigration publicly debated by our students, not left to the influencers displayed on pocket screens. Art Hyland, Silverton
Silver Creek Fellowship invites you to join us for
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In Memory Of …
Christopher Michael Gutridge Barbara Marie Reis John Joseph Palmer Tyrone Stephen Sheesley Ruth Eileen Steffen Dickie “Dick” Edward Walling Timothy Richard Bean Sr. Angela Marie Meister Joan Nadine Erskine Marsha Claire Wentzell
Mar. 20, 1990 - Feb. 16, 2026 May 4, 1936 - Feb. 19, 2026 Jan. 18, 1939 - Feb. 21, 2026 Feb. 15, 1981 - Feb. 21, 2026 Mar. 2, 1944 - Feb. 22, 2026 Aug. 29, 1949 - Feb. 24, 2026 Dec. 31, 1961 - Feb. 27, 2026 May 24, 1935 - Feb. 28, 2026 Feb. 24, 1930 - Mar. 1, 2026 Mar. 28, 1947 - Mar, 3, 2026
Always honoring your request for traditional, eco-friendly or aqua cremation, celebration of life, and services involving earth burial. We also offer pre-planning alternatives to control costs.
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Passages
Rita Rava March 24, 1927 – Jan. 30, 2026 Rita Rava was born Rita Digoncelli on March 24, 1927, in Piantedo, Italy, the third of six children. Her father died when she was 11. After his death, Rita quit school and began working to help support her family. At the height of the WWII, she worked in Switzerland as a farmhand, sending the money back home. In 1948, Rita’s Uncle Enrico helped her immigrate to the United States under the War Brides Act. She married Mario Rava, an Italian-American U.S. Marine Corp. veteran, who fought in the South Pacific. They lived on a dairy farm in Fortuna, California, and welcomed their first four children, Henry, Norma, Caroline and Anthony. In 1959 they moved kids and cows to Mount Angel, where they began a small dairy, and their fifth child Mike was born. Rita worked alongside Mario on the dairy, canned produce from their garden, and prepared large Italian/American meals. In 1970 their oldest son, Henry, was killed in Vietnam. During this tragic time, Rita
took comfort in her Catholic faith, attending daily Mass. After Henry’s death, the next years were spent reinventing their small farm into a cattle operation while raising their children and later spending time with their new grandkids. In 1993, Mario was diagnosed with cancer. Rita was his caregiver, always by his side, until his death in 1995. She continued to live on the farm and made several trips to visit her sisters in Italy and Switzerland along with pilgrimages to Lourdes and Medjugorje. She loved her prayer groups, Bible studies, attending daily Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and gardening her flowers and vegetables. Her warm smile and delicious food always kept family and friends coming home. After a fall in 2025, Rita moved into an adult foster care home where she was lovingly cared for and enjoyed many visits from family and friends. She died peacefully on Jan. 30th, 2026. Funeral mass was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mount Angel.
Ruth Eileen Steffen March 24, 1944 – Feb. 22, 2026 Ruth Eileen deVries was born on March 2, 1944, to Harold and Miriam deVries. She joined her older sisters, Elsie and Doryce, and would later become a big sister to brother Vernon, and sister Joanne. Ruth grew up in the Pratum area and finished her schooling at Salem Academy. Her mother signed her up for piano lessons and Ruth became a beautiful pianist. After high school, she worked at the local cannery and at State Farm. When she was in the sixth grade, she caught the eye of Stanley Steffen. What first drew him to her was her strength and confidence as a softball pitcher. They later began dating and were married in 1962. They were blessed with seven children. Ruth was an excellent homemaker, as well as a constant support to Stanley in their farming business. Ruth had the gift of hospitality. She was known to regularly host Sunday dinners, lunches for their employees, and welcomed anyone who stopped in to stay awhile. That invitation extended to people from across the globe as Stanley and Ruth hosted many exchange students from places like Switzerland, Djibouti, Japan, and Germany.
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Stanley and Ruth attended Emmanuel Bible Church, Salem Mennonite Church, and Apostolic Christian Church. They often spoke of how much they adored their church friends and their pastor’s sermons. They got much joy from serving and being part of church events. During her last days, Ruth was surrounded by her family and caregivers. She told Stanley and her children that she wanted to leave this earth with hymns and worship music playing, so the house was constantly filled with praise. She was deeply loved and leaves behind a great legacy. She is survived by her children; David (Rebekkah) Steffen, Annette (Tom) Aman, Dale (Jordan) Steffen, Scott (Melissa) Steffen, Janie (Patrick) Twede, Troy (Sarah) Steffen and Michael (Megan) Steffen, 24 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Doryce Steffen and Joanne (Jonathan) Burnett. Memorial donations can be made to Teen Challenge at teenchallengepnw.com or to Habitat For Humanity at habitat.org
Our Town Life
Harry Douglas
Nov. 5, 1952 – Nov. 28, 2025
Harry Douglas was 73 years old when he passed peacefully in his sleep on Nov. 18 and is now at rest. His family misses him dearly. Harry had a stint in the Marines, often repeating “once a Marine, always a Marine,” even when he didn’t feel well. He worked as a mortician in Tillamook, Oregon and Guernville, California, and for the railroad in Oregon. Harry is survived by his wife Karrie Douglas, his son Ryan Douglas and grandson Brennan Douglas, daughters Susan Douglas and Cynthia Douglas, his sister Shirley (Craig) Freil, his brother
Ben Douglas (Ave Hanlon). He leaves a huge hole in the family. He was “Bumpy” (great-grandfather) to Oakley, Ryker and Kenna and loved spending time with them.
remembrance InGinni Stensland
May 4, 1943 - February 10, 2026
Harry was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 2007 and given a year to live. 18 years later, his doctors called him a miracle. Harry faced limitations with sarcasm and humor to put others at ease as well as himself.
Ginni was a very important part of our office and our community. She helped bring Coldwell Banker to Silverton in 1996 and was a broker in Silverton since 1990. She was a mentor to all of us and will be greatly missed.
There will be a Celebration of Life service at Oak Street Church in Silverton at noon on Saturday, May 2, with a potluck following. Harry loved a potluck!
Christopher Gutridge March 20, 1990 – Feb. 16, 2026 Christopher Michael Gutridge, beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend, passed away on Feb. 16, 2026, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was 35. Chris was born March 20, 1990 (first day of spring), in Oregon City, Oregon, and spent his early years in Woodland, California, and Medford, Oregon, before his family returned to the Silverton area. He attended Victor Point elementary, Mark Twain Middle School, and graduated from Silverton High School in 2008. In 2021, his love for golf and warm weather took him to Scottsdale, Arizona,
where he worked as a floor manager at RideNow Powersports in Phoenix until his passing. He is survived by his father Mike Gutridge, his mother Shevaun Gutridge, and his brother Joe Gutridge, his aunts Shelli Blank and Belinda Tiedemann, his uncle Pat Gutridge, his great uncle Frank Bartruff, and many family and friends. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 22, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Silverton Elks Lodge, 300 High St. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Joseph Whittecar Oct. 14, 1942 – Feb. 16, 2026 Joseph was born in Salina, Kansas, the son of Joseph E. Whittecar Sr. and Francis M. (Kouns) Whittecar. He lived in Silverton for many years. As a Vietnam veteran of the United States Navy, he served his country with honor and integrity. He spent the majority of his working life as a truck driver, which he enjoyed immensely. Joseph enjoyed the thrill of motorcycle riding and racing, as well as having a
passion for baseball. A celebration of Joseph’s life was spent as a memorial walk around South Salem high school’s baseball fields, where his enthusiasm of baseball shown through his umpiring days in the Little League division. He will forever remain in the hearts of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Arrangements by Unger Funeral Chapel.
Submissions welcomed: Our Town appreciates the opportuity to share life’s Passages. If there is a birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary, graduation or obituary of a local resident you’d like to share, send it to ourtown.life@mtangelpub.com or mail it to Editor, Our Town, P.O. Box 927, Mount Angel, OR 97362, or drop it by our office at 401 Oak St., Silverton any weekday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our Town Life
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@harcourtssilverton March 2026 • 11
Sports & Recreation
Winter superstars Kennedy wrestler, Silverton swimmers deliver the goods Three years ago, Bohden Sowa, then a Mt. Angel middle-schooler, traveled to the OSAA state wrestling championships in Portland and watched Alexandra Geschwill become the first Kennedy High wrestler to win a state title. “Bohden was in 7th grade then,” coach Dewey Enos told Our Town. “He had his mother, Heather Sowa, drive him up from Mt. Angel to witness the state finals that year. It fueled him. I remember that night he told me after she won, he said ‘Now you have one state champion, I’m going to be the next, and the first boys state champion.’” And that is exactly the way it happened. Sowa, a Kennedy sophomore, crushed it all year, finishing off a staggering 37-0 season by winning the 150pound title in the Class 2A-2A portion of the meet. “This weekend was the best one of the year
for me and the Kennedy Trojans wrestling team,” said Enos, who started the program in the 2017-18 season. “The atmosphere was amazing. The energy was incredible.” Sowa was off-the-charts dominant. He pinned all three of his opponents and was leading 12-0, 11-0 and 12-1 when he registered the falls. The lone point against him came on an escape. “Domination is an understatement,” Enos said. “He was only taken down two times all year.”
Bohden Sowa
Sowa led the Trojans to a ninth place finish in the 2A-1A meet. Teammate Creo Walker (4th at 215) and Seelah Platkoff (120) and Benjamin Brenden (106) also scored points for Kennedy.
So what did Sowa do for an encore? Ten hours after wrestling for the state title, He was on the trails at Silver Falls State Park toting a 35-pound pack. Sowa, a cross country and track and field participant for the Trojans, participated in a 12-mile “ruck race” as part of the Silver Falls Trails Challenge, finishing sixth out of 22 competitors in a time of two hours, 40 minutes. Whew! Meanwhile, down the road in Silverton some big doings were bubbling up out of the AquaFoxes swimming program. This was the 11th year for Lucky Rogers as coach of the squad, which, well, does things its own way. Rogers does not have a cadre of highwattage club swimmers. Instead, he has “country kids,” who show up in battalions, fill all the relay slots with relish and zeal and cheer for each other like banshees. The 2026 results were historic. Sophomore Colin Ross won the 100 breaststroke in 58.77, becoming the first Silverton swimmer to snag an individual title. Nolan Horner took second in the 50 free and the 100 free and Horner, Ross, Brody Hollis and
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Rogers and Horner said it was the single turn in the 50 free that kept Horner off the
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And Horner, who is as competitive as you can be and still be within the letter of the rules, was miffed that he didn’t win the 50 free. “My goal was to win state and I came up a little bit short,” Horner said. “As a team we exceeded everything.”
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Horner, a versatile contributor on the Foxes’ state championship football team, is the lone gridder on the AquaFoxes. His four-year medal count is staggering. He competed in eight individual events and eight relays at state and came home with 15 medals. The 16th race was a relay in which the AquaFoxes were disqualified.
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Nolan Horner
Hunter Siewell took second in the 200 free relay and Horner, Ross, Hollis and Kanoa Buckley finished third in the 200 medley relay. It all added up to a 4th-place team finish, the best in school history.
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Flag football starts top spot on the podium. Quinn Davenport of Thurston swam 20.98 to 21.01 for Horner, with Rogers noting that “with five more yards Nolan would have had it.” Horner set school records on the 50 and 100 free as well as the medley and 200 free relays. He said the team aspect from football to swimming is not that different. “I was taught from a young age that when you go into the water it’s just you, you’re on your own,” he said. “And if someone on your team has a bad race you need someone to make up for it.” Ross fought his own battles with the breaststroke, the hardest of the four to learn. “Some days you just feel amazing and on other days it all falls apart,” he said. “And you have to fight that.” Ross came away with school marks in the 100 breast, 100 fly and the two relays. And he has Colin Ross two more years to go.
The MVP Youth Sports League is starting a flag football program in Silverton for both boys and girls. Players from kindergarten through eighth grade can sign up now at https://tinyurl.com/4ryrtmym.
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The six-week season starts April 12 and ends May 17, with a 30-minute pracice and a one-hour game every Sunday. All games will be at Mark Twain Elementary School. Registration costs $135 per player. Just show up in athletic shoes and cleats and MVP will provide the flags, footballs and a jersey. After the last game, players exchange their jerseys for an MVP T-shirt and a commemorative medal. Coaches are needed. For information or to volunteer, go to www.MVPSL. com , email info@mvpsl.com or call 503-866-7905.
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March 2026 • 13
A Slice of the Pie
Good works Looking for the helpers This winter Sarah White, the executive director of Sheltering Silverton, sent out an impassioned letter to churches and other caring organizations asking for their help. “We have a local couple who we have worked with for many years that needs some extra assistance,” Sarah wrote. “This senior couple owns a manufactured home in a local senior park. The wife, P, recently had a major stroke. Her husband, M, reached out for help with a wheelchair ramp. They live on a very low income and simply cannot afford the cost, which has been discounted to $3,100. I am wondering if many different groups could help us pull this together.”
when the latest COVID news consumed my waking hours. What I learned then, is something I am trying to remind myself of now, as fear and anxiety spread once again – that a diet of negativity isn’t healthy and it isn’t the whole picture.
to witness on the regular.
The answer she received – from the Apostolic service organization, HarvestCall, as well as several others – was a resounding, “Yes!”
“Because I work with people who are dependent on goodwill I see it happen all the time,” Sarah confirmed, describing the network humanitarians, living in plain sight.
“They had a ramp that someone in the community had given to them and they installed it,” Sarah recalled.
And yet, barring the occasional award ceremony or article in the paper, almost no one knows they’re there. And that, I believe, is such a shame.
They didn’t know the couple, they didn’t ask for recognition, the people who helped simply did so out of the kindness of their hearts, selflessly – a phenomenon Sarah admitted she is fortunate enough
Because in today’s climate of sad, destructive, hatefilled news, it’s easy to forget that there are good people doing charitable deeds everywhere. It’s a truth I worked hard to remember during the pandemic
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Sarah has witnessed it, and I have too, in my own work, writing for Our Town. Every day people show up for their families, their friends, their neighbors and even strangers to make meals for the sick and the food insecure, to volunteer in schools, at the fire districts, in the shelter, and at the food bank. They listen, they encourage, they support each other and sometimes they pull out their tools and build a ramp. It doesn’t matter how different they are or how much the same. It reminds me of one of the most famous quotes by Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. It was cited a lot during the pandemic, but I believe it applies just as much today. “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers,’” Fred said. “You will always find people who are helping.’” I couldn’t agree more.
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GENERAL SILVERTON ZENITH WOMEN’S CLUB - BUNCO NIGHT FUNDRAISER Saturday, April 4, 7 p.m. at the Silverton Elks Lodge, 300 High St. You do not need to be a member to attend this fun evening, but you must be 21 or older. Tickets, $15, are available by contacting Cindy Borders, 503-7562133 or email cindyborders24@ gmail.com or through any club member. Snacks are included! This event is a fundraiser that supports Zenith’s annual Tree of Giving, scholarships and layettes for babies born at SIlverton Hospital and other projects. MT. ANGEL SENIOR CENTER is a non-profit consignment store for artisans over 50, a community center, home to Meals on Wheels, and serves as a food bank. Volunteers welcome! 195 E Charles St. 503-845-6998 or mtangelcommunity@gmail.com
SILVERTON ELKS FLEA MARKET April 11th, and May 9th. 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 300 High St. Silverton. Call: 503-931-4517 for more information.
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For more information on how to become a volunteer, contact:
Julie Woolner 503-304-3407 julie.woolner@nwsds.org
March 2026 • 15
Kirsten Barnes Broker 873-3545 ext. 326
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WWW.SILVERTONREALTY.COM
Chuck White Broker 873-3545 ext. 325
#T2930 CLASSIC SILVERTON HOME $465,000 This classic Silverton home is located in the perfect location and is full of charm. Primary bedroom is on the main floor with two additional bedrooms upstairs. A private backyard is a great oasis for relaxation or entertaining guests. Enjoy your morning coffee on the front patio. It’s a quick distance to downtown where you can experience all that Silverton has to offer. This is great home that you must see. Call Becky at ext. 313 (WVMLS#838082)
#T2918 RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE $2651/mo Located in core of downtown Mt. Angel. Street level of the Glockenspiel Building. Hometown to Oregon’s largest Oktoberfest. Previously leased by Columbia Bank. Alley access to drive-up window. Part of FOR SALE listing MLS# 829897. Call Michael at ext. 314 (WVMLS#836050)
C O U N T RY / A C R E A G E
NEW — #T2930 CLASSIC SILVERTON HOME 3 BR, 1 BA 1340 sqft. Call Becky at ext. 313 $465,000 (WVMLS#838082)
NEW — #T2928 SCOTTS MILLS 5+ PEACEFUL ACRES 3 BR, 2.5 BA 1660 sqft., 5.19 acres. Call Chuck at ext. 325 $759,900 (WVMLS#837712)
#T2914 GARDENER’S DREAM 3 BR, 2 BA, 1841 sqft. Call Michael at ext. 314 $579,500 (WVMLS#835171) #T2919 WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY 4 BR, 3 BA 2277 sqft. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $587,500 (WVMLS#836273) #T2920 CLASSIC 1910 HOME & LOT 5 BR, 2.5 BA 2232 sqft. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $668,000 (WVMLS#836429) #T2927 CLASSIC BUNGALOW 2 BR, 1 BA 842 sqft. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $419,700 (WVMLS#837393)
COMMERCIAL
#T2924 SALEM LOVELY COUNTRY SETTING 3 BR, 2.5 BA 1874 sqft., 1.07 acres. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $737,400 (WVMLS#836633) #T2922 SILVERTON LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION 4 BR, 2.5 BA 3838 sqft., 2.07 acres. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $1,595,000 (WVMLS#836460) #T2921 SILVERTON OWN PRIVATE ESTATE 5 BR, 2.5 BA 3529 sqft., 9.67 acres. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $1,050,000 (WVMLS#836457) #T2917 SILVERTON HOUSE & BUILDABLE LOT 2 BR, 2 BA 1275 sqft., 3.05 acres. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $1,093,000 (WVMLS#835689)
#T2876 COMM-RETAIL-CONDOS 9,500 sqft. Mt. Angel. Call Michael at ext. 314 $830,000 (WVMLS#829897)
#T2910 SCOTTS MILLS ONCE IN A LIFETIME 2 BR, 3.5 BA 4253 sqft., 9.36 acres. Call Chuck at ext. 325 $1,825,000 (WVMLS#834432)
#T2918 MT. ANGEL RETAIL/OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE 2410 sqft Call Michael at ext. 314 $2651/mo (WVMLS#836050)
#T2911 MONMOUTH HORSE LOVERS DREAM 3 BR, 1.5 BA 1832 sqft., 5 acres. Call Becky at ext. 313 $765,000 (WVMLS#834926)
503.873.3545 16 • March 2026
Becky Craig Principal Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 313
Michael Schmidt Principal Broker GRI 873-3545 ext. 314
Micha Christman Office Manager 873-1425
Sarah Sanders Property Manager 873-3545 ext. 311
Tayler Whitaker Secretary 873-3545 ext. 300
#T2920 CLASSIC 1910 HOME & LOT $668,000 Price improved! Great location for classic home on lot with adjoining second lot included. 5BR, 2.5BA with views on well-manicured property. Deck overlooking second lot that you can keep for future investments or add a shop/ ADU. Wonderful views of Valley and Abbey in Mt. Angel. Well on property used for irrigation. Home has been well maintained and is ready for the new owner. Call today! Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS#836428)
S I LV E R TO N #T2890 SHORT DISTANCE TO DOWNTOWN 3 BR, 2 BA 2264 sqft. Call Michael at ext. 314 $555,000 (WVMLS#830000)
Mason Branstetter Principal Broker, GRI 873-3545 ext. 303
ourtownlive.com
#T2917 HOUSE & BUILDABLE LOT $1,093,000 Beautiful setting above Abiqua Creek, 2BR, 2BA, completely remodeled single-level home. Wood trim throughout, open layout, granite countertops. Meticulously maintained, landscaped. New patio to enjoy creek setting. Large shop with large bay and workshop space for your hobbies, plus 1.5 acre buildable lot included! Rare opportunity to have additional buildable lot. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 (WVMLS#835689)
SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES #T2926 –AMAZING DUPLEX Two units 4 BR, 4 BA 2175 sqft. Call Becky at ext. 313 $579,000 (WVMLS#837113) #T2924 SALEM LOVELY COUNTRY SETTING 3 BR, 2.5 BA 1874 sqft 1.07 acres. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $737,400 (WVMLS#836633) #T2923 SALEM SINGLE LEVEL HOME 3 BR, 2 BA 2036 sqft. Call Meredith at ext. 324, Ryan at ext. 322 $512,000 (WVMLS#836536) #T2910 SCOTTS MILLS ONCE IN A LIFETIME 2 BR, 3.5 BA 4253 sqft., 9.36 acres. Call Chuck at ext. 325 $1,825,000 (WVMLS#834432) #T2911 MONMOUTH HORSE LOVERS DREAM 3 BR, 1.5 BA 1832 sqft., 5 acres Call Becky at ext. 313 $765,000 (WVMLS#834926)
BARELAND/LOTS #T2886 BLUEBERRY FARM 34.08 acres Salem. Call Whitney at ext. 320 or Mike at ext. 312 $1,200,000 (WVMLS#829133) #T2905 SCOTTS MILLS TWO-ACRE SITE Call Chuck at ext. 325 $249,900 (WVMLS#832686)
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303 Oak St. • Silverton Our Town Life