Since 1974, John's has aimed to embody five core values; pride, integrity, respect, loyalty, and the ability to thrive. This month we would like to highlight local Mount Angel High School Student Jacob Taylor Jacob is being recognized for exemplifying the value; integrity. He embodies this value by showing integrity both in and out of school. Those around him say he is patient, compassionate, and encouraging. Teachers say that Jacob will take time out of his day to help others, even when no one else seems to be around.
Contributing Writers Carl Sampson • Melissa Wagoner
All Night Adoration: First and Third Fridays, 9:00 pm to 7:00 am Saturdays Nocturnal Adoration: First Saturdays, 10:00 pm to Sundays at 6:00 am
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George Jeffries Advertising Executive
Paula Mabry Editor & Publisher DeeDe Williams Office Manager
Dan Thorp Graphic Artist Tavis Bettoli-Lotten Designer & Copy Editor
Sara Morgan Datebook Editor Stephen Floyd Digital Editor & Reporter
Drawdown dilemma Detroit Lake decision could foul Stayton water
By James Day
Out along the North Santiam River as it passes just south of Stayton on its way to the confluence with the South Santiam River at Jefferson lies a complicated highway-like interchange of water infrastructure, canals, ditches and ponds
A small dam here routes water to Salem. A small dam there routes water to the Santiam Water Control District, which largely serves agricultural clients. Others route water to the city of Stayton.
All three systems are built to accommodate some stress and change, wet years and dry years. But what might be coming down the pike as early as this fall could test these water systems like never before.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been ordered by the National Marine
Reservoir watershed. High turbidity and low water quality issues plagued Sweet Home, Lebanon and communities further downstream in the Albany-Millersburg area.
Such a change in water quality, said City Manager Julia Hajduk, “would quickly destroy our filters, within days.”
Adds interim Public Works Director Barry Buchanan, “we can manage for a couple of days, then we’re out of water.”
No water for drinking, bathing, laundry, dishes, flushing, house plants – and dialysis machines – in a city of more than 8,000 people.
Stayton is facing two scenarios, both bad. In the first, the city could try to clean the filters, but such an effort, given the volume of water we are talking about, would likely result in a finger-in-the-dike proposition. The second scenario, the destruction of the filters, would mean shutting down the system, no water, and repair and upgrade costs in the millions of dollars.
Stayton officials told Our Town that the high turbidity experienced on the South Santiam likely would overwhelm the sand bed filters the city uses to treat water for community use. Normal turbidity levels in Stayton’s water are rated a 5 on the Nephelometric Turbidity Units scale (quick explainer: the higher the turbidity the more soil and sediment there is in the water). City officials say that the system can handle 10 to 20 in short bursts, but the numbers ranged from 200 to 3,000 on the South Santiam.
Downstream in Salem, the capital city with nearly 180,000 residents, an aquifer storage and recovery system (translation: underground reservoir) is available, and the city also can purchase water from Keizer. Hajduk: “We would have two days of water.”
Buchanan: “Salem would have (about) 80.” Stayton could truck in water, but it would take a lot of trucks to offset the 1.5 million to 2 million gallons per day of average use. Officials with the Corps of Engineers “say it is going to be better than in the South Santiam,” Hajduk said, but no one will know if that is true until they do the drawdown at Detroit.
Barry Buchanan, Stayton’s interim director of Public Works, explains how the city’s filters work during a visit to the city’s water treatment plant. Stayton officials have strong concerns about the impact of a drawdown at Detroit Lake on the city’s water infrastructure. JAMES DAY
One unanswered question, among many, is when the drawdown will occur? The 2024 presidential election gunked things up a bit.
Erik Petersen, the project manager for the Corps, told Our Town “our timelines for decisions were made more complicated with the change in administration as senior (Corps) leadership remains in transition. While we can’t commit to timing, we can assure you that we are raising this issue as an important priority. We can also commit to communicating with the public as soon as we have a path forward.”
Fall is six months away. That’s a difficult deadline. A decision not to draw down until the fall of 2026 would give Stayton and other water users up to 12 additional months to work on solutions.
“There is so much we don’t know,” Buchanan said. “The longer it goes, the less likely it is that it will happen.”
“Our ask,” Hajduk said, “is first, don’t do it (the drawdown). But if you do, give us time to mitigate it. It is so catastrophic that I don’t think anyone would let us do something like that. If it does happen, hopefully the state or the federal government will give us resources to mitigate.”
For more information on the Stayton water situation go to https://www. staytonoregon.gov/page/resources_ drawdown
Wildfire trials
By Stephen Floyd
A new damages trial in a wildfire lawsuit against PacifiCorp began as planned March 24 despite a request for delay by the company after a state report cast doubt on PacifiCorp’s liability.
The report, published March 19 by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), concluded that downed power lines played a minimal role in the growth of the Santiam Fire in 2020.
PacifiCorp had already been found liable by a jury for the fire in 2023 in James et al vs. PacifiCorp, as well as for the Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 fires.
A series of damages trials are scheduled throughout 2025 in Multnomah County Circuit Court to resolve a cross-section of claims and use the results as standards for settlement talks.
PacifiCorp filed a motion March 20 asking for a stay of upcoming trials in light of the report, as well as expedited consideration in time to delay the March 24 trial. The motion said ODF’s conclusions could impact the validity of the 2023 verdict and whether or not Santiam Fire survivors should be awarded damages.
Plaintiff attorneys have argued the report has no legal bearing on the case and does not provide grounds to overturn the verdict. In a statement to Our Town, lead counsel said the report acknowledges ODF lacked access to key evidence which had been disposed of by PacifiCorp, and contradicted trial testimony.
Parties argued the matter during a hearing March 21 and Judge Steffan Alexander denied the request for expedited consideration. He made no ruling on the motion to strike and said it would be considered at a future date in the normal course of court business.
The March 24 trial heard claims from seven plaintiffs including three Santiam Fire claimants: John Wagner, Michele Pfohl and the estate of Darrell Huber.
Opening arguments were held March 25, during which neither party mentioned the ODF report. Plaintiff attorneys had argued in a pre-trial motion that the report should be excluded from evidence because it had no bearing on the issue of damages.
Testimony was scheduled to last through the week and a verdict possibly by Friday or Monday. For results of any jury decisions, check canyonweekly.com or ourtownsantiam.com
Rep. Jami cate (R-Lebanon) has criticized a March ODF report as potentially “biased” in its conclusion that PacifiCorp was not the
cause of the Santiam Fire.
In an email to supporters March 21, Cate said the report’s findings were outside the scope of a related ODF investigation and contradicted trial testimony and eyewitness accounts.
ODF concluded that floating embers from the Beachie Creek Fire spread to the rest of the canyon on Labor Day 2020, and that downed power lines had no significant impact on the fire.
This is in contrast to a 2023 verdict by a Portland jury that the company’s refusal to de-energize its system during a red flag warning was the cause of the fire.
Cate said, in light of evidence presented during the trial as well as the personal accounts of fire victims, it was unlikely the ODF report was thorough or impartial.
In a statement issued the day the report was published, ODF said it evaluated thousands of pages of documents, conducted 180 interviews and investigated multiple reports of powerline-caused fires.
It’s time for voters to study up on the ballot measures, candidates
Incumbents largely uncontested in local elections
By Stephen Floyd
Incumbents made up the majority of candidate filings for special purpose district races for the May 20 election, with most positions unchallenged. The only races locally where more than one candidate filed were two seats for the Cascade School District and one seat for the North Santiam School District.
Chemeketa Community College
Zone 4: Incumbent Ken Hector, a retired risk management professional and former mayor of Silverton.
Cascade School District
Position 3: Spencer Rockwell, a local attorney; and Michael Cross, an Air Force veteran with a background in business ownership and management.
Position 4: Incumbent Aaron Lee, an automotive technician; and Eric Diehl, a sales and property manager.
Position 5: Incumbent Brett Stegall, a business manager and current board chair.
North Santiam School District
Position 1 Zone 1: Incumbent Mackenzie Strawn, a carpenter and
owner of Stayton Wood Windows.
Position 3 Zone 2: Brunk Conley, an army veteran, former teacher and current CEO of Conco Consulting.
Position 7 At Large 2: Incumbent Alisha Oliver, vice president of member services at NW Preferred Credit Union; and Jeff Stutrud, a retired police officer.
Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District
Position 1 (2-year term): Incumbent Nicolas Schrock, manager of environmental health and safety for Transformer Technologies LLC.
Position 2: Incumbent Rachel Fellis, a program analyst for Oregon State Police.
Position 3: Vanessa Swenson, a home health nurse.
Lyons Rural Fire Protection District
Position 2: Incumbent Eric Whisman, civil service assistant for Oregon Department of Forestry.
Position 3: No candidate filed.
Stayton Fire District
Position 1: Incumbent Eric Fery, president and owner of Ag Chains Plus.
Position 4: Incumbent Kenneth Rich, a retired heavy equipment operator.
Position 5: Incumbent Thomas Etzel, a retired public works employee.
Sublimity Rural Fire Protection District
Position 4: Incumbent Michael Bochsler, a life insurance and financial services specialist.
Position 5: Jeff Gallinger, a fire lieutenant and paramedic.
Lyons-Mehama Water District
Position 2: Incumbent Zachary Holman, a local millwright.
Position 4: Incumbent Brent Dolby, a millwright and electrician.
Position 5: Incumbent Don Trahan, current board chair.
Santiam Water Control District
Position 1: Incumbent Gary Butler, a local farmer.
Position 2: Incumbent Randal Gilbert, a farmer with Mark Lewis Farms.
Position 3: Incumbent Marty Dozler, a farmer with Mark Lewis Farms.
Position 4: Incumbent Bob Koenig, a local farmer.
Chemeketa returns to voters for a replacement
By James Day
Chemeketa Community College is returning to the voters in May for a facilities bond identical to the one that failed last November.
The college, which is based in Salem but has a satellite campus in McMinnville and education centers in Dallas, Brooks and Woodburn, is asking voters to approve a bond May 20 that would generate $140 million in improvements.
If approved, the bond would replace an expiring 2008 bond and use the same rate of 27 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home valued at $400,000, the property owner would pay $108 per year.
Hulett, Chemeketa’s executive director of institutional advancement, said that college officials thought that voters in November did not understand that the bond did not represent a tax increase.
Also a challenge strategically for the college was when to put the measure back on the ballot. Conventional electoral wisdom is that the more money measures there are on the same ballot the greater the chance that one or more will fail. The Chemeketa district includes all of Marion and Polk counties, most of Yamhill County and a sliver of Linn County in the Santiam Canyon.
The key initiatives that the bond,would pay for are:
Stayton puts $2.7M library levy on the ballot
By Stephen Floyd
The City of Stayton has proposed a $2.7 million library operations levy for the May 20 election, to replace a similar levy expiring next year.
Titled Measure No. 24-511, the proposal would cost landowners $0.56 per $1,000 of assessed value, roughly $141 per year for the average landowner. The existing levy is $0.40 per $1,000. The replacement levy is expected to cost an additional $40 per year on average.
In an explanatory statement, the city said the levy is needed to maintain current service levels at the library, including operating hours, staffing levels and community programming. If the levy does not pass, the city said it may need to reduce hours, lay off staff or close the library.
According to the city, the library used to be fully funded by city revenue, then statewide tax measures passed in the ‘90s capped the property tax rates the city was able to impose. This resulted in a separate operations levy to fund the library, pool and parks in 1998, and voters have since passed replacement levies in 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016.
• Increase capacity in health care, the trades, and emergency services.
• Reconfigure the Brooks Center to expand programming for health care and emergency services.
• Renovate Building 33 on the Salem campus and create a new trades center for apprenticeship programs (plumbing, HVAC and sheet metal).
• Renovate Building 7, the gymnasium. The 1981 structure would be modernized for health and wellness programming and reconfigured to serve as a disaster resource site.
• Modernize classrooms to keep pace with technological and academic best practices.
In 2021 the city proposed separate levies, one for the library and another for the pool and parks. Voters approved both that year. Measure No. 24-511 is a continuation of the library-specific levy. A separate levy will be proposed in the future for the pool and parks, according to city officials.
Aumsville FD proposes
$1.6 mil operations levy
By Stephen Floyd
The Aumsville Fire District has proposed a $1.6 million operations levy for the May 20 election, which would replace an equipment bond expiring this year.
Titled Measure No. 24-512, the levy would cost landowners $0.44 per $1,000 of assessed value, equating to roughly $200 per year for an average house in the district. This is the same rate as an equipment bond passed by voters in 2014, and approval of the levy measure would result in no change in district tax rates.
According to the district, a levy is needed to meet the rising costs of facility repairs and maintenance and make necessary improvements to district buildings. The main station on Church St. was built in 1974 and received an addition in 2000, and the secondary station on Shaw Hwy SE was built in 1982 and received upgrades in 1994. Neither building has been renovated since.
Levy funds could also be used to maintain staffing levels: three part-time firefighters, a chief, an assistant fire chief, and one office administrator currently on staff.
Marie
Helping Hands
Megafire veteran
Santiam Hospital integration director answers LA’s call
By James Day
Melissa Baurer, Santiam Hospital & Clinics’ director of integration health and outreach, recently returned from a fourday trip to Los Angeles for a gathering of officials who have dealt with megafires.
Baurer was in LA from Feb. 24-28 and witnessed the damage from the Palisades and Eaton fires, which combined to destroy more than 16,000 structures and kill 29 people after igniting Jan. 7 amid fierce Santa Ana winds.
Baurer has worked on integration efforts and disaster case management in the Santiam Canyon after the 2020 fires, which burned 400,000 acres, destroyed more than 1,500 structures and killed five people. Detroit and Gates were nearly leveled by the fires, with Mill City, Lyons, Idanha and the Elkhorn/North Fork area also suffering significant damage.
Baurer was invited to Southern California by officials with After the Fire USA, a nonprofit organization formed by megafire survivors to support communities of all sizes prepare for wildfires and recover, rebuild, and reimagine a more resilient future after a wildfire.
“It was hard to see the magnitude of devastation,” Baurer told Our Town. “This was my first time seeing communities in person that were survivors of a megafire since our Santiam Canyon 2020 Labor Day fires (and) it was harder than I expected.”
Baurer added that she was “grateful for the team who surrounded me, walking with me through the experience. I left with an extreme amount of gratitude for the first-responders, grass roots efforts, and the human kindness that is demonstrated at unfortunate times.”
Baurer also said that Oregon fires and LA fires are very different and that each fire is unique.
“However, each fire has similar experiences. I heard frustrations on evacuation notices, challenges in navigating FEMA, not knowing how to close the financial gap in rebuilding, and gratefulness for those stepping up to support and lead the recovery.”
“We all have talents or skills and it’s important that we utilize those to help others.” – Melissa Bauer
A new organization, Department of Angels, has formed in Southern California that is designed to perform some of the same recovery functions as Santiam Hospital’s service integration team in the Santiam Canyon.
“Their role,” Baurer said, “is providing project management, facilitating community organizing, connecting communities to each other, and investing in and supporting expert-informed solutions to shape our collective future. Department of Angels has similar goals as Santiam Service Integration of building relationships, reducing duplication of services, and coordinating/facilitating organizations.”
Baurer related one personal story from the visit.
“Our delegation walked into a restaurant and a member asked
the owner of the restaurant how he was doing. He replied that he hated FEMA, he was frustrated (and) living in his car after losing his home. It was beautiful to see how quickly our delegation members responded to his situation. My personal role (was) to connect him right then and there to Patti Silbernagel, past DCM of Santiam, current community health worker in our ER who submitted his appeal to FEMA during the time we were eating lunch.
“This gentleman (said) that he contacted FEMA 13 times. We were in the right place at the right time. He needed our help, and we needed to be able to help.”
Baurer said she “will be continuing to support Department of Angels as they move forward with this mission, providing them with resources and knowledge that I have in facilitating coordination and building trusting relationships. Our Santiam team is eager to offer any additional support.
“I am in early conversations with a group in LA to see if we can provide FEMA navigation and/or disaster case management training to their team of case managers/ navigators. It’s a duty and honor to pass along any knowledge gained from our experience here in the Canyon. We all have a purpose. We all have talents or skills and it’s important that we utilize those to help others.”
Melissa Baurer, far left, of Santiam Hospital & Clinics is shown with a team of officials that met in Los Angeles in late February to discuss the challenge of megafires. The iconic L.A. City Hall is in the background. COURTESY MELISSA BAURER
Something to Celebrate Distinguished service Gries keeps running into another challenge
By Melissa Wagoner
One of the primary and longest-lasting influences Jim Gries has had on the community of Stayton, where he has spent his life, is in the formation of the Stayton Road Runners Club. Founded by Gries and one of his former high school teachers, the club grew organically when, what had been two friends meeting up for an early morning run, began to grow.
“He had some teacher friends, and it turned into this group of guys that went out and did a lot of running together,” Gries explained. “Then we thought we needed to form a club and make it a nonprofit.”
Supporting health and fitness in the Santiam Canyon for the past 40 years, the Road Runners have since built and maintained a system of trails behind Stayton Middle School, hosted numerous community races including the Harvest Festival Run, the Fourth of July Run and the Salem CASA Run, gifted scholarships to area teens and met nearly every day for a predawn run – or, in more recent years, a walk.
“It’s one of those things where we go out at 5:30 in the morning during the week, rain or shine because we know someone else
is going to be out there,” Gries explained. “And you don’t want to leave them out there by themselves.”
Married for the past 50 years with three children and six grandchildren, Gries spent his career, initially working for Frank Lumber Company, and then travelling the country building bridges. Retired in 2021, Gries has since taken the opportunity to rejoin the Knights of Columbus, organizing highway cleanup events and fundraisers that
provide food baskets to those in need.
“It goes hand-in-hand with my Catholic faith,” Gries said. “And it’s a great organization that does a lot of service and charity.”
Gries also became a member of the advisory board for the Salem branch of the Salvation Army.
“It’s a good group,” he said. “It’s another organization that seems charitable and does good work and I’m trying to represent Stayton and the Santiam Canyon.”
Because, while the Salvation Army was an instrumental part of the response to the Santiam Canyon wildfires in 2020, upon joining the board, Gries observed that there has not been an ongoing relationship between the organization and the area outside of Salem.
“I’m trying to bring some more recognition so they’re more aware of Stayton and the Santiam Canyon,” Gries said. “Because they have some great youth programs, and they have a great GED program, and we have the opportunity to expand it. If we can get some kids who have fallen through the cracks a bus ride in, I’m looking to
incorporate it.”
Supporting the local youth is important to Gries who, in 2022, joined a mentorship program piloted by Regis High School, which matched a handful of sophomore boys with mentors from the community.
“It’s expanded to all four grades,” Gries said, describing the program as having grown to include an estimated 14 mentors. “It’s not very demanding. We only meet twice a month. But it’s been a great opportunity. I hope they’ve grown as much as I’ve grown.”
With so many community projects on his plate, it should have come as no surprise to Gries when he learned that his name was submitted for the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce’s annual Distinguished Service Award. But Gries isn’t the kind of man who expects recognition. He was more than a little taken aback – especially when he discovered he was the front-runner.
“All of the other people (nominated) there were very worthy…” he said. “I think in Stayton itself there are so many really good people out here and, other than sometimes the weather, I couldn’t find a better place to be.”
Business awards Stayton Sublimity Chamber highlights good
By Stephen Floyd
Multiple outstanding organizations were recognized by the Stayton Sublimity Area Chamber of Commerce during its annual chamber and community awards luncheon on March 13.
The event recognized businesses, nonprofits and individuals who have had an exceptional impact on the local community and its residents.
Large Business of the Year
Stayton Cooperative Telephone Co. (SCTC), was recognized for its continued work providing broadband communication services to local rural customers.
Presenters said SCTC stands out for exceptional customer service, its commitment to the community and support of local events. The business also undertakes efforts to educate the public and improve local digital literacy. “They are a vital part of our community’s
fabric,” the luncheon audience at Foothills Church was reminded.
On learning of the company’s selection, SCTC CEO Erik Hoefer said it was “truly an honor” to be recognized. He said the award was “a testament to the hard work of our team, the trust of our customers, and the strong partnerships we’ve built within our community that we have been serving for the past 70 years.”
Small Business of the Year
K’s Koffee, in Sublimity, was honored for fostering a welcoming environment and building a community hub enjoyed by both locals and tourists.
Chamber presenters noted K’s Koffee has a commitment to quality with expertlybrewed beverages and locally-sourced food. The business also shows support for local teachers and first responders, and has hosted community events.
This award comes after K’s Koffee was recognized as Outstanding New Business
by the chamber after opening in 2021.
Owner Karissa Atiyeh said she was honored by the award and recognized the support of her staff and family.
“I believe we are successful because of our genuine care for our customers and community,” she said.
Outstanding New Business
For the Love of Pete Event Rentals, in Aumsville, was chosen for its role in providing unique and meaningful decor for events throughout the region. This included the March 13 awards luncheon, with individual tables elegantly decorated with unique themes.
Nominators said the business’ extensive inventory, expertise, affordability and exceptional customer service have been a hit with customers and helped cement them as a prominent local business.
Owner Dorri Wassom opened the Aumsville location in 2023 after relocating from Salem. She said she felt “so extremely
works
blessed” to be chosen and was thankful for the support of “God, my wonderful husband and an incredible team.”
Non-Profit of the Year
Santiam Hospital & Clinics Foundation conducted a successful fundraising drive that allowed significant expansions at Santiam Hospital & Clinics.
Since the group was formed in 2022, it has raised $5.5 million for a new emergency room and is preparing to fundraise for the Women’s Health Center and a new pharmacy in Mill City.
The Chamber said the foundation helps provide access to quality rural medicine and has succeeded through “a combination of excellent partnerships and exceptional community engagement.”
Foundation Executive Director Eric Pritchard said it was “fantastic to be recognized” and that the foundation owes its successes to private donors, businesses and to the community.”
Jim Gries SUBMITTED PHOTO
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Frequent Address
Santiam Senior Center 41818 Kingston-Jordan Road, Stayton Stayton Community Center, 400 W Virginia St.
Stayton Public Library, 515 N First Ave.
Weekly Events
Monday
Stayton Community Food Bank, 9 a.m. - noon, 1210 Wilco Road. Repeats Monday - Friday. 503-767-4088
Senior Meals, 11:30 a.m. Delivery only. Age 60+. Serves Stayton, Sublimity, Aumsville, Lyons, Marion, Mehama. Also Wednesday, Friday. $3 donation suggested. For delivery: 503-769-7995. Bingo, 1 - 3:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Cards $.05-.10 per game. Bring a can or box of non-perishable food for Stayton Food Bank, get a free card. Seniors 50+. Free. Also Thursdays. Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Also Thursday & Friday. Santiam Canyon Community Chorus, 7 - 8:30 p.m., Stewart’s Hall, 158 SW Broadway St., Mill City. Anyone is welcome. JoAnn, 503-859-2502
Tuesday
Family Storytime, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Songs, stories and rhymes. All ages. Free. 503-769-3313
Griefshare, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Foothills Church, 975 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Free. Open to all have lost a loved one. 503-769-2731, griefshare.org English, Citizenship, GED Classes, 6:30 - 8 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Free; $20 for workbook. Repeats Thursdays. Join class anytime. Mary, 503-779-7029 Alcoholics Anonymous, 7 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 198 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Open meeting. Right of building; use side entrance.
Wednesday
Stayton/Sublimity Chamber Business Network, 8:15 a.m. Network building event for local business, non-profit professionals. Location: 503-769-3464. St. Boniface Archives and Museum, 9 a.m. - noon, 370 Main St., Sublimity. Free. 503-508-0312
Toddler Time, 10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Explore early literacy together with your infant or toddler. Free. 503-769-3313. No class 4/2. Intermediate Tai Chi, 10:15 - 11 a.m., Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Beginner Tai Chi, 11:15 a.m. - noon, Santiam Senior Center. Seniors 50+. Free for members. Also Fridays.
Stayton Area Rotary, noon, Santiam Golf Club, 8724 Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Guests welcome. 503-5089431, staytonarearotary.org
Cascade Country Quilters, 12:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center, 41818 KingstonJordan Rd, Stayton. 50+ 503-767-2009
Beginner Line Dancing, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Members free. Also Fridays. 503-767-2009
Pinochle, 1 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Single deck.
Beginner Line Dancing, 1:45 - 2:45 p.m., Santiam Senior Center. Members free. Repeats Fridays. 503-767-2009
Alcoholics Anonymous, 6 - 7:15 p.m., Calvary Lutheran Church, 198 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Open meeting. Path on right, use side entrance.
Thursday
Sublimity Quilters, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Make quilts for community donations and charities. Everything provided. All welcome. Point Man Ministries, 6 p.m., Canyon Bible Fellowship, 446 Cedar St., Lyons. Veterans support. 503-859-2627.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 10 a.m., New Life Foursquare Church, 1090 N First Ave., Stayton. Open meeting. Revival Youth Hangout, 5 - 6:30 p.m., New Hope Community Church, 657 N Second Ave., Stayton. “Revival_ Heartbeat” on Instagram and Tiktok. revivalheartbeat@gmail.com
Sunday
Community Lampstand, 5 -7 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Learn how the Bible inspired the works of the Founding Fathers in the creation of the United States. Free. Diannah, 503-881-6147
The 16th annual Les Schwab & Family Building Bocks diaper drive runs through April. Donations can be dropped off at any Salem, Silverton, Sublimity & Woodburn Les Schwab Tire Center. Urgent needs: sizes 5-7, including pull-ups and wipes.
Tuesday, April 1
Stayton Lions Club
Noon, Covered Bridge Cafe, 510 N Third Ave., Stayton. Also April 15.
IEP Advocacy Strategies
6 - 8 p.m., Stayton Elementary, 875 N Third Ave. Special education workshop. Free dinner (5:30 p.m.) Childcare on site. Register: https://shorturl.at/8mtt3. Stayton Parks and Rec Board
6 p.m., Stayton Planning Building, 311 N Third Ave. Open to public. 503-769-3425
Wednesday, April 2
Aumsville Senior Social Circle
10 a.m. - noon, Riverview Bank, 112 Main St., Aumsville. Cards, dice and conversation. Or bring your own.
Aumsville Exchange Club. Also April 16.
Storytime in the Garden
10:30 a.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Stayton, Silver Falls Library special storytime at The Oregon Garden. Choose a free book to keep and explore the garden. Free for those with a CCRLS library card. 503-769-3313
Caregiver Connection
1 - 2:30 p.m., Zoom. Free support group for unpaid family caring for a loved one 60+, or caring for a person living with dementia. Zoom invite: Julie Mendez: 503-304-3432, julie.mendez@nwsds.org
Thursday, April 3
Safety Action Plan Open House
5 - 8 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Interactive open house on enhancing transportation safety for everyone. Q&A with transportation experts. Jennifer Siciliano, 503-769-3425
Friday, April 4
Home Market on Union Hill
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Union Hill Grange, 5575 Grange Road, Sublimity. Simple food, coffee trailer, baked goods, craftsman items, small businesses. Free admission. Repeats 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. April 5.
5 - 8 p.m., Anthony Hall, 11758 SE Sublimity Road, Sublimity. Choose from chicken thighs or pork steak with the trimmings. $20/dinner. Tickets on Facebook at Regis Athletic AssociationRAA. Info: sarahlulay04@gmail.com Reds, Whites & Brews
5 p.m., Santiam Golf Club, 8724 SE Golf Club Road, Aumsville. Stayton Area Rotary fundraiser of wine, beer & cider tasting, appetizers, dinner, dessert, drawing, silent auction. Tickets, $50, at https://stayton-area-rotary-foundation. square.site/.
Hearts on Stage
6 p.m., United Methodist Church, 1450 SE Fern Ridge Road, Stayton. Performances from Broadway shows by Spotlight Community Theatre. The Jabberwocky Mixed Quartet, Michelle R. Isaksen, silent and oral auctions, dessert, coffee. Black tie optional. Tickets: $25 at our.show/ heartsonstagegala.
Liberty Quartet Concert
6 p.m., Silverton First Baptist Church, 229 Westfield St. Community concert. Free. Love offering will be taken in support of the Quartet’s ministry. 503-873-6181.
Sunday, April 6
KofC Breakfast
7:30 - 10 a.m., St. Mary Parish Hall, 9168 Silver Falls Hwy., Shaw. Homemade biscuits and sausage gravy and more. Cost: $10. 503-362-6159
Monday, April 7
Daughters of the American Revolution
10 a.m., Stayton Methodist Church, 1450 Fern Ridge Road. Quilts of Valor to military members of DAR. 503-508-8246
Stayton City Council
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Open. 503-769-3425, staytonoregon.gov
Tuesday, April 8
Sublimity School Fundraiser
9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sublimity School, 431 E Main St. Suzy’s Taqueria food truck on site. Sales will be donated to Sublimity Parent-Teacher Club.
Ancestry Detectives
10 a.m. - noon, Silver Falls Library. Members will be set up to answer questions and help attendees fill in gaps in their research. Bring laptops, phones, questions and research information. Free. Open to all mid-Willamette Valley residents. ancestrydetectives.org
Cascade School Board
7 p.m., Cascade District Office, 10226 SE Marion Road, Turner. 503-749-8010
Wednesday, April 9
State of Marion County
11:30 a.m., Salem Convention Center, 200 SE Commercial St. Commissioners share updates on the past year’s accomplishments and outline future plans. Buffet lunch $20 or free general admission. Register by5 p.m April 4. Tickets: linktr.ee/MarionCountyOregon. Wheels of Change
Noon, Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Learn skills to live well, whether your goal is prevention or improving your ability to manage chronic conditions. Light lunch provided. Free. Register: CHW@santiamhospital.org, 503-769-9319
Canyon Garden Club
1 - 3 p.m., Santiam Community Garden, 846 Fifth St., Lyons. If you need a ride, call Rosemary at 503-769-2571.
RDS Board Meeting
5 p.m., Beauchamp Building, 278 E High St., Stayton. Revitalize Downtown Stayton meeting. Open to public. 503767-2317, downtownstayton.org
Thursday, April 10
Stayton Coffee Club
9 - 10 a.m., The Box Stayton, 278 E High St. Launch Mid-Valley’s Stayton Coffee Club for startups & entrepreneurs. Free. facebook.com/ events/1611488346228468.
STEAM Make & Takes
10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Free. Wind socks, wind chimes and kites galore. Free. Repeats 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. April 11. 503-769-3313
Red Cross Blood Drive
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Appointments: visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-3767.
Aumsville Food Pantry
Noon - 4 p.m., Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St. Open to people in need. Repeats April 24. 503-749-2128
Santiam Heritage Foundation
6 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. 503-769-8860
Aumsville Fire District
6:30 p.m., Aumsville Fire Station, 490 Church St. Open to public. 503-749-2894
Lyons Library Board
7 p.m., Lyons Public Library, 279 Eighth St. 503-859-2366
Friday, April 11
Santiam Integration Conference
9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Centennial Elementary, 38875 NW First Ave., Scio. Hosted by Santiam Service Integration, variety of Marion and Linn county resources. Free. Register: kdwyer@santiamhospital.org. Community Play Group
10 - 11:30 a.m., Doris’s Place, 574 N 11th St., Aumsville. Free Community Play Group sponsored by Family Building Blocks. Snacks. RSVP: 503-769-1120, familybuildingblocks.org.
Fiber Arts Connection
11 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Fiber arts enthusiasts of all ages crafting and conversation. Free. 503-769-3313
Saturday, April 12
Nature Journaling
9 - 10:30 a.m., Pioneer Park, 450 N Seventh Ave., Stayton. Marion County OSU Extension 4-H Outdoor Explorers event. Free. RSVP: https://beav.es/TE3.
Teddy Bear Tea
2 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Tea party with your stuffed animal. Space is limited. Reservations: 503-769-3313 Also 2:30 p.m.
Courage Crawl
3 - 7 p.m., downtown Stayton. Pub crawl benefitting non-profit Courage Fund. $25 includes glass, pour at pubs, map, drawing tickets. Begins at Snow Peak Brewing, 280 E Water St., Stayton. Tickets: thecouragefund. com or email couragefund22@gmail.com.
Honoring SCTC
3 - 5 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Santiam Heritage Foundation honors the 70th anniversary of Stayton Cooperative Telephone Co. A presentation of its history with historicrelated items on display. Open to all. $5/ person donation for adults. Children under 18 are free. crmbrownhouse@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 13
Charles & Mary Brown House Tour
Noon - 2 p.m., Brown House Event Center, 425 N First Ave., Stayton. Tour: $5/person. Children free. 503-769-8860.
Monday, April 14
Stayton Fire District Board
6 p.m.,. Stayton Fire Station, 1988 W Ida St. 503-769-2601, staytonfire.org
Sublimity City Council
6 p.m., Sublimity City Hall, 245 NW Johnson. 503-769-5475, cityofsublimity.org
Aumsville City Council
7 p.m., Community Center, 555 Main St., Aumsville. 503-749-2030, aumsville.us
Lyons Fire District Board
7 p.m., Lyons Fire Station, 1114 Main St. 503-859-2410, lyonsrfd.org
Tuesday, April 15
Tax Day
Story-Palooza
10:30 a.m., Stayton Public Library. Activities for all ages. Free. 503-769-3313
Alzheimer’s Education
1 - 2:15 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Dementia Conversations presented by Alzheimer’s Association. Free. Register: 800-272-3900
North Santiam Watershed Council
6 p.m. Zoom. Open to public. For link: 503930-8202 or council@northsantiam.org.
American Legion Post #58
6 - 7:30 p.m., Weddle Funeral Service, 1777 N Third Ave., Stayton. All veterans welcome. 503-508-2827
Wednesday, April 16
Easter Tulip Sale
9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Ave., Stayton. Santiam Hospital & Clinic Auxiliary annual sale. Tulips are $10 while supplies last. Repeats April 17-18.
Dementia Care Conversations
1 - 2 p.m. Zoom. Free group for unpaid caregivers providing support to a loved one living with dementia. Care information, training and resources. Offered by Caregiver Support Program at NorthWest Senior and Disability Services. Register: Julie Mendez, 503-304-3432 or julie.mendez@nwsds.org.
Stayton Library Board
6 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Open to public. 503-769-3313
Movement is Medicine
6 p.m., Santiam Hospital, 1401 N 10th Avenue, Stayton. Dr. Tania Hotan will provide road map for movement journey. Free. Register: https://shc. foundation/event/april-healthcare-forum/ Thursday, April 17
North Ssntiam School District Board
4:30 p.m., Mari-Linn School, 641 Fifth St., Lyons. Work session followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m. 503-769-6924, nsantiam.k12.or.us
Plant-It! Bingo Night
5:30 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Plantfilled fun with games for all ages. Free. Stayton Public Arts Commission
6 p.m., Stayton Public Works Building, 311 N Third Ave. Help plan and organize local art events. Jennifer Siciliano, 503769-2998, JSiciliano@staytonoregon.gov. Friday, April 18
Craft & Bake Sale
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Aumsville Pentecostal Church of God, 10153 SE Mill Creek Road, Aumsville. Fundraiser for church. Tables $15. Also April 19. Joy, 503-851-1347
Saturday, April 19
Molly Mo’s Spring Market
9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 440 NE Cherry St., Sublimity. Spring Garden Market. Free. 503-510-0820
Bethel Clothing Closet
9 a.m. - noon, Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., Aumsville. Clothing from newborn to 2x. Free. 503-749-2128
Marian Estates Egg Hunt
10:30 a.m., Marion Estates, 590 SE Conifer Pl., Sublimity. 4,000 hidden eggs by duck pond for youth 0-11. Free. 503-902-5970
Oregon Garden Earth Day
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., The Oregon Garden, 879 W Main St., Silverton. Free. Visit exhibitors and explore garden. Free park-and-walk lots at Silverton Senior Center and Robert Frost Elementary. oregongarden.org
Aumsville Easter Egg Hunt
10 a.m., Mill Creek Park, 1115 Main St., Aumsville. Ages 1-9 ; three age groups. Free. 503-749-2030
Sublimity Easter Egg Hunt
11 a.m., St. Boniface Catholic Church, 375 SE Church St., Sublimity. Three age groups. Free. Non-perishable food for the Stayton Community Food Bank encouraged. Joseph´s Storehouse of Hope
7 p.m., Stayton Community Center. Aumsville City Council
7 p.m., Community Center, 555 Main St.
Wednesday, April 30
Stayton Book Club
4 p.m., Stayton Public Library. Kings of the Yukon: One Summer Paddling Across the Far North by Adam Weymouth.
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The True Story Behind the Easter Holiday
April 20th will be Resurrection Sunday or what most folks today know as Easter. It will be celebrated by many as a day of Easter eggs and Easter bunnies. But this holiday marks the celebration of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What follows is The Easter Story as recounted in the last few chapters of The Gospel of Mark I’ve had to edit it for space, and so, I highly recommend that you read the entire story in the Bible.
Mark 14:46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 48 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
50 Then they forsook Him and fled.
Mark 14:53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.
Mark 14:55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
Mark 14:61 …Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. …”
Mark 14:63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
Mark 14:65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.
Mark 15:1 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” 13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” 14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify
Him!”
15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, … delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.
Mark 15:17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19
Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”
Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 46 Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door.
“But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
Mark 15:25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And the inscription of His accusation was written above: THE KING OF THE JEWS. 27 With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”
Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
Mark 16:1 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
Mark 16:6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
Mark 16:8 So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mark 16:9 Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven
By Gregg Harris
demons. 10 She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Mark 16:14 Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Mark 16:19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
Thus begins the Christian faith. Jesus Christ died for the sins of all who will believe in Him. Then He rose from the dead. He is alive right now, and He welcomes you to repent and believe in Him. If you would like to speak with me concerning this Good News, please call me at 971-370-0967. I’m happy to meet with you.
YOUR FREE TICKET To a Family-Friendly Movie! The Palace Theater Tues., April 8th, at 6:30 PM
Rated PG, 1 hour 28 minutes First Come, First Served. Bring Your Family!
Sponsored by NobleMenOfOregon.org
Attention Christian Men! Join us every Thursday for our Noble Men’s Breakfast at The Noble Inn. 409 S. Water Street, Silverton, OR 97381 Thurs. mornings from 7 to 8:30 AM For more info go to NobleMenOfOregon.org Join us as we seek to have an impact on our community for Christ.
The views expressed by this advertiser do not necessarily represent the views of Our Town or its staff.
Gregg Harris, Teaching Pastor at GraciousCross.org
purchasing seeds and seedlings with little to no forethought about how many plants you will need, what kinds thrive in your area or where exactly you will plant them. But that kind of spontaneity can be a mistake – according to Ray Temple, a retired biologist and life-long vegetable gardener – who suggests that time spent planning a garden, in late winter or early spring, will not only increase its success but your enjoyment of the experience as well.
What to plant?
According to Temple, the first question to ask yourself is, “What will we actually eat from a garden? Then, that shapes everything downstream.”
something you will want to eat.
“When we lived in Silverton… we grew fava beans,” he remembered. “And I found out, the kids didn’t like them. But gardening is not a static endeavor. You go out and try stuff.”
When to plant?
Once you have established what you are going to plant, you need to make a schedule of what needs to go into the ground when.
“Done well, you can kind of sequence your planting,” Temple said. “If you keep careful notes, it’ll become kind of an art.”
Information about planting for your
(www.extension.oregonstate.edu/mg), on individual seed packets and in the garden manual, Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades, which Temple highly recommends.
“It’s an excellent publication,” he pointed out. “It talks about soil amendments and growing instructions. Then, if you have the Master Gardener’s [website] that gives you access to real people.”
Because there are gardening decisions that must be faced every step of the way.
“You need to decide what plants you’re going to grow from seed and what you’re going to get from the nursery,” Temple said, then you must research whether
tomatoes, squash and melons.
“You’re really asking, is it warm enough?” Temple said. “So, pay attention to the planting instructions on the packet.” And use them to make a detailed schedule of exactly what type of plant, in what form, will be planted and when.
Where to plant?
Once your list of plants is compiled, it’s time to choose a garden site, one of the most important decisions a gardener will make.
“You’re looking for a spot that gets plenty of sun,” Temple said. “And that won’t be shaded out in five years.”
VEGETABLE GARDENS
You should also avoid any areas that are perennially wet.
“But you want a plan for water,” Temple added, explaining that the best method for watering plants is a drip irrigation system. “Because, a bucket brigade? I don’t think so!”
And overhead watering, via sprinkler, does not address the diverse water needs of a garden and can lead to disease.
“Then think about how you’re going to organize,” Temple said. “The best is in units – raised beds, rows or zones.” Or a combination of all three.
Finally, once the format is established, Temple suggests having your soil evaluated to determine how much and what type of amendments are needed.
“Amending the soil early is an important thing to do,” Temple said, particularly if the home is a new one with soil that was recently disturbed.
“That soil is going to be terrible,” Temple confirmed. “But there is good information at the Extension Service about soil amendment.”
Planting in early spring
Once the soil is prepared, you are ready to begin planting root vegetables, greens and peas directly into the garden in early spring, but you must wait to plant seedlings like tomatoes, squash and melons until the soil has warmed and the threat of an overnight frost has passed.
“A soil thermometer for $14 or so at a nursery is handy to figuring out whether you should put a particular seed in the ground,” Temple said. “But maybe you start some seeds under lights before you put them out.”
continued from page 1
Deterring pests
Once your seeds begin to sprout, it’s important to monitor for slugs – which are a problem during the early spring –or, better yet, prior to planting, place a copper barrier around each plant.
“A passive deterrent is best,” Temple said of this method, which has proved successful in the past. Adding, “You can also look into companion planting.”
That’s a method of gardening that discourages pests and encourages pollinators through the addition of certain flowers and herbs like basil, marigolds, nasturtium, rosemary, mint, dill, chives and sunflowers.
Fertilizing
As your plants continue to grow, it is also necessary to begin fertilizing the soil around them.
“I use an organic fertilizer mix of bone meal, trace elements and lime,” Temple
said. Adding that, once again, it is important to “look at the seed packet instructions, which tell you when to fertilize and with what.”
“Like anything,” Temple said, “the more you know about the plants you’re going to manage, the better you’ll do.”
Setting up a watering system
The same is true when it comes to watering – each plant has a different need.
“I think drip is the way to go,” Temple said, explaining how the various attachments – drippers, misters and sprinklers – allow gardeners to tailor each watering system to the plants they grow.
“Soaker hoses work great,” Temple added, “but they degrade after a couple of seasons.”
And no matter what system you choose, you will need timers.
“That’s really key to having your garden taken care of in the summer,” Temple said. It’s a process that can seem overwhelming in its complexity, but Temple suggests visiting the Dig Corp website (www. digcorp.com) which provides a wealth of information and videos on everything from basic systems for container gardens to complex systems for large gardens.
“One thing to keep in mind… whatever brand you buy, you have to buy the same fittings,” Temple cautioned. “But it helps with disease problems, saves water and you can hook it up to timers.”
Looking forward to summer
With so many steps involved in putting in a vegetable garden it can feel overwhelming, which is why Temple suggests keeping notes along the way.
“Like, why did it fail? Was it something I did? Did they not get enough water? Any of those you can rectify,” Temple said.
Planning
Write in your garden journal throughout the growing season.
Prepare garden soil for spring planting. Incorporate generous amounts of organic materials and other amendments, using the results of a soil analysis as a guide.
Prepare raised beds in areas where cold soils and poor drainage are a continuing problem. Incorporate generous amounts (at least 2 inches) of organic materials. Use a soil thermometer to help you know when to plant vegetables. When the soil is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, some warm season vegetables (beans, sweet corn) can be planted.
Maintenance and cleanup
Allow foliage of spring-flowering bulbs to brown and die down before removing.
Apply commercial fertilizers, manure or compost to cane, bush (gooseberries, currants, and blueberries), and trailing berries.
Place compost or decomposed manure around perennial vegetables, such as asparagus and rhubarb.
Cut back ornamental grasses to a few inches above the ground.
Cover transplants to protect against late spring frosts.
This is an optimum time to fertilize lawns. Apply 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Reduce risks of runoff into local waterways by not fertilizing just prior to rain, and not overirrigating so that water runs off the
lawn and onto the sidewalk or street. De-thatch and renovate lawns.
If moss has been a problem, scratch the surface before seeding with perennial ryegrass.
Prune and shape or thin springblooming shrubs and trees after blossoms fade.
Planting and propagation
Plant gladioli, hardy transplants of alyssum, phlox and marigolds, if weather and soil conditions permit.
It’s a great time to start a vegetable garden. Among the vegetables you can plant, consider: broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, chives, endive, leeks, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, spinach and turnips.
Pest monitoring and management
Use chemical controls only when necessary and only after thoroughly reading the pesticide label. First consider cultural, then physical and biological controls. Choose the least-toxic options, and use them judiciously. Some examples include insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils, botanical insecticides, and organic and synthetic pesticides.
Clean up hiding places for slugs sowbugs and millipedes. Least toxic management options for slugs include barriers and traps. Baits are also available for slug control; use caution around pets. Read and follow all label directions prior to using baits or any other chemical control.
Monitor strawberries for spittlebugs and aphids; if present, wash off with water or
use insecticidal soap as a contact spray. Follow label directions.
If necessary, spray apples and pears for scab when buds appear.
Cut and remove weeds
Weed seedlings are vulnerable to hoeing, hand pulling or rototilling. Mature weeds are more difficult to remove. Weed early and often near the garden to remove potential sources of plant disease.
Use floating row covers to keep insects
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such as beet leaf miners, cabbage maggot adult flies, and carrot rust flies away from susceptible crops.
Help prevent damping off of seedlings by providing adequate ventilation.
Manage weeds while they are small and actively growing with light cultivation or herbicides. Once the weed has gone to bud, herbicides are less effective.
Spray stone fruits such as cherries, plums, peaches and apricots, for brown rot blossom blight, if necessary.
Chances are good that you’ve seen at least one drainage swale, those depressions in the ground – often filled with vegetation and rocks – used to collect runoff from roofs, sidewalks, parking lots or walkways rather than sending it directly into storm drains or creeks.
“The soil and plants are used to filter and treat the water by removing pollutants or converting pollutants to less toxic forms,” Laura Antonson – a landscape designer and owner of Laurus Designs in Silverton – said. “It also allows the water to infiltrate into the soil and reduce flooding.”
Otherwise known as rain gardens, detention ponds or stormwater planters, drainage swales have become a common feature of new commercial buildings and site improvements, thanks to requirements by many municipalities. But they can benefit the home gardener too, not only capturing runoff, but providing additional habitats for birds, butterflies and bees as well.
Gardening for Rain
“There are so many options with plants and rock, and some people use snags and logs to increase habitat value,” Antonson said. “We have a rain garden in our front yard that allows about half our roof runoff to infiltrate into the ground instead of being piped into the street. It’s also planted with edible plants like huckleberries, currants (the deer love them as much as the kids), rhubarb, and Saskatoon. It used to have plants in the bottom like lupine, camas, iris, and blue-eyed grass, but my kids love to walk through it so now we use small river rock to keep the soil in place.”
Information abounds for those who would like to create their own backyard rain garden including the printable, “Oregon Rain Garden Guide,” found at https:// seagrant.oregonstate.edu/sgpubs/oregonrain-garden-guide/.
“Another option is reaching out to a licensed engineer or landscape architect if you have concerns about installing a rain garden on your property,” Antonson said. Because, while it may seem easy “to dig a hole and create a rain garden, there are
some extremely important factors to keep in mind.”
Distance
“You must make sure to maintain enough distance from your house or building when locating the rain garden because you do not want to undermine your foundation.”
Location
“You will also need to locate your utilities – the last thing you want is to hit a buried water or sewer line!”
Drainage
“A rain garden should be able to drain completely within 24 hours. For example, do not locate it in an area that is naturally wet from a seep or spring and does not drain.”
Overflow
“If we have a large rain event and the depression fills up, it needs somewhere to go other than towards a structure. For example, my rain garden edge is slightly higher on my house side, but lower by the sidewalk so if it fills up, it will overflow towards the sidewalk into the rest of my yard.”
Planting
“Most rain gardens and swales have two or three moisture zones with the bottom being the wettest and the top being dry. It’s important to use plants in the bottom of the rain garden that can survive being continually submerged throughout the winter… Native plants are a good start like red twig dogwood, red-flowering currant, snowberry, evergreen huckleberry, Oregon grape, kinnikinnick, and many sedges, rushes, and perennial flowers.”
Maintenance
“General weeding, pruning and mulching will help keep the rain garden looking nice. I recommend using mulch only on the sides and top otherwise it floats away. Using rock in the bottom… is a good alternative… do a little research on plants for maintenance before any aggressive pruning.”
As you can see, there is more to drainage swales than meets the eye.
“I could write a volume of books on stormwater,” Antonson confirmed. But, like so many gardening trends, it’s often best if you just get out there and try it.
Landscape architect Laura Antonson’s front yard rain garden. COURTESY LAURA ANTONSON
Future first citizens Serving others proves key in personal growth
By James Day
The Stayton Area Rotary honored Bailey Turner of Stayton High and Alex Pelayo of Regis/St. Mary on March 13 as Future First Citizens at the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce annual awards luncheon.
Bailey Turner, Stayton
Turner, 18, a lifelong Stayton resident, said she was “very surprised and very shocked” at being named for the Stayton honor.
But if you listen to her background for 15 minutes, the shock wears off pretty quick. Turner gets up early, works hard and achieves at an extremely high level.
A key to her development, she said, was involvement in ASB at Stayton High, where she’s served on the engagement committee. That led to a state ASB convention in Seaside, which led to a breakout room session where she learned about the Make A Wish group. Which led to an effort to get matched with a child.
Ultimately, it lead to a Disney World trip that fulfilled the child’s wish.
“It really opened my eyes,” she said. “It’s an amazing thing to be involved with. Make A Wish involvement was a big thing for me.”
The classroom has provided challenges along the way. Turner remembers a college algebra class she took that “was very tough. We had a great teacher who really helped me.”
As a sophomore she took an AP Psychology class in which virtually all other students were seniors. “There was a time that I was falling behind but my teacher (Brad Emmert) really encouraged me. I am glad I stuck with it.”
Other influences Turner mentioned included former basketball coach Aaron Muhic (Turner kept stats for the team) and Alonzo Gonzalez, one of the girls soccer coaches and also a school counselor. Turner played goalkeeper for the Eagles.
Turner plans to attend Western Oregon University in the fall, hoping to study criminology and minor in psychology.
A career in law enforcement possibly beckons, although Turner noted that she
would likely start as a police officer and could not directly move to investigations or forensics. At least not right away.
Alex Pelayo, Regis
Pelayo said he was quietly confident when he went in for the Rotary interview. “I’m more of an outgoing person,” he said, “and I try to help people in my community.”
In fact, the 17-yearold lifelong Stayton resident has started working with Stayton honoree Bailey Turner this year because of the Make A Wish group.
It’s a natural bit of networking given Turner’s ASB involvement and Pelayo’s four years on the student council at Regis – he is student body president this year.
“She reached out to me,” Pelayo said, “and I was 100% behind it. Our schools are right across the fence from each other and yet we’ve never really worked together. We wanted to change that.”
Other community involvement for Pelayo has included volunteering at a veterinary clinic and working with a student in Ghana as his capstone project.
Student government and academics have kept him busy, but he found time for theater all four years at Regis, participating in both the fall play and the spring musical.
“Balancing high school work with the extracurricular hasn’t been easy,” he said. “This has been my most difficult year by far.” Pelayo gave a lot of the credit for his Regis success to English teacher and drama supervisor Anna Boedigheimer.
“I’ve known her since the sixth grade,” he said. “I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons from her and she has taught me how to be a good person and really helped my confidence in theater.”
Pelayo is retiring from theater and said “I will be sad to see theater go. It helped me a lot in building confidence and lasting relationships.” He plans to attend Oregon State University in the fall to major in biology with a minor in Spanish and move on to OSU’s highly regarded veterinary school after his undergraduate days.
Career fair Cascade High serves as regional hub to link students to industry
By Melissa Wagoner
When Amy Caulder became the Senior Manager in Career Connected Learning for the Willamette Education District two years ago, she looked at how high schools in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties were formatting their career fairs.
“I thought, we can do this bigger and better and more efficiently, so we don’t burn out our industry partners,” she recalled. “And it’s nice for the schools to have it centralized.”
The plan she created was to hold fewer, more consolidated fairs across the tri-county area – beginning with Cascade High School.
“Toni [Wallisa] and I have known each other for years,” she said, referring to CHS’s assistant principal and director of Career and Technical Education. “So, I was like, ‘Hey, what do you think about this?’”
Intrigued, Wallisa and the school’s College and Career Readiness Coordinator, Tom Ptacek, began planning the first regional fair, which took place in the spring of 2024.
“Last year was really good,” Caulder said. “It exceeded our expectations.”
And the feedback from the industry partners was that they wanted more.
“So, we expanded from five schools [last year] to nine schools
[in 2025],” Wallisa said. That means that between 70 and 75 industry partner representatives will be available to talk with an estimated 750 students all in one place.
“We have [the students] split morning and afternoon,” Wallisa said. Visiting schools will tour the tables before noon and the Cascade schools will circulate in the afternoon.
“Because we’re doing a regional approach, we’re able to do an outdoor component,” Caulder said, listing live horses, portable tower cranes, military vehicles and even a workplace simulator from RiverBend Materials as some of the handson opportunities.
“My program has VR headsets with 50 career options,” Caulder added. “You can be anything from a pharmacy tech to a brain surgeon.”
It’s a crucial opportunity for the students, the majority of whom will be graduating in the next one to two years, most still undecided on a career.
“Kids don’t know what they can’t see,” Caulder said. Many students only have familiarity with what their parents do for work, she said. “This is giving them exposure to things even we didn’t know were out there.”
Many of the industry partners were invited at the behest of an interested student.
“Tom meets with every single senior and finds out what they’re interested in,” Wallisa said. “Because, if our kids are interested, kids from Jefferson might be interested.”
It’s a connection that is beneficial to the students and the industry representatives as well.
“We’re hoping to break down the silos between education and industry,” Caulder explained, “showing people that the future of our state is everybody’s business…it’s something we all need to work on. A career fair is a good way to demonstrate that to both sides.”
Industry representatives walk away with a new appreciation for the students’ professionalism and the students come away with a better understanding of what it takes to become successful in the career of their choice.
“It provides a comfortable space to explore career options,” Wallisa said. There are even cue cards provided at each table that supply thought-provoking questions for those students who can’t think of anything to say. “And there are maps at the door.”
It’s a lot of work, far more than when CHS held its own fair, but according to Wallisa the benefits far outweigh the effort.
“It’s a great model that was slightly terrifying two years ago,” she laughed. “But when you go regional the logistics get split. And we have an awesome team.”
Bailey Turner JAMES DAY
Alex Pelayo JAMES DAY
Transient faces new set of arson charges for fire near police station
A local transient who caused fire damage at the Stayton Community Center in 2023 is facing new charges after allegedly starting a fire near the Stayton Police Department.
Kenneth Richard Palmer, 36, was arrested Feb. 26 for an incident that day outside the department building at 386 N Third Ave., Stayton.
According to Police Chief Gwen Johns, an officer left the station and saw a fire outside the building on the sidewalk with Palmer allegedly standing nearby. The fire had been started with a molotov cocktail and caused damage to the sidewalk and smoke damage to the building.
Palmer was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail, said Johns.
He was indicted March 5 in Marion County Circuit Court with attempted first-degree arson (two counts) and unlawful manufacture of a destructive device. If convicted he faces up to 10 years in prison on the highest count.
As of press time, Palmer remained in jail on $100,000 bail.
A jury convicted Palmer March 3, 2024, of first-degree arson for a fire started at the Community Center on March 13, 2023, that caused $16,800 in damage. He was sentenced to a year in prison and two years of probation and ordered to pay restitution.
Kidnapping, assault charges filed
A Sublimity man is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly kidnapping and injuring a woman during a domestic assault.
Aaron Justin Rauch, 26, was arrested March 16 by the Salem Police Department for an incident March 14, according to charging documents filed in Marion County Circuit Court.
Rauch allegedly used a replica firearm to kidnap the victim and take her to a location for the purpose of “causing physical injury to” and “terrorizing” the victim, according to court records. Rauch then allegedly injured the woman with the fake gun and attempted to strangle her, then prevented her from calling 911.
Hospital hosts financial fraud event
Santiam Hospital & Clinics is hosting a free forum on how to prevent financial fraud at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 14, at the Turner Christian Church, 7871 Marion Road SE.
Representatives of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the state Division of Financial Regulation will be on hand. Topics discussed will include how to spot fraudulent financial scams and ways to protect your financial health. Light refreshments will be served. For more information or to register call Kim Dwyer, 503-7699319, or email kwyer@santiamhospital.org.
He is charged with first-degree kidnapping (two counts), second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, attempted strangulation, unlawful use of a weapon and interference with making a report. If convicted he faces at least 90 months in prison.
As of press time, Rauch remained in the Marion County Jail on $110,000 bail for this case and unrelated charges from January of giving false information to police.
Knife attack leads to incarceration
An Aumsville man is facing multiple charges after allegedly attacking a woman with a knife during a domestic assault.
Daniel John Nelson, 33, was arrested Feb. 14 for a series of incidents allegedly occurring Feb. 4, according to an indictment filed Feb. 20 in Marion County Circuit Court.
Nelson allegedly attacked the victim with a knife twice and strangled her three times, causing physical injuries.
Nelson has been charged with second-degree assault, fourth-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon (two counts) and strangulation (three counts). If convicted, he faces at least 70 months in prison.
As of press time, Nelson remained held in the Marion County Jail on $70,000 bail on these charges, and on a no-bail warrant for a probation violation for an incident involving the same victim.
Nelson pleaded guilty Dec. 19, 2024, to reckless endangering for behavior that threatened the safety of the victim in February 2024. He was sentenced to a year of probation including substance abuse treatment. The new arrest could result in revocation of that sentence.
Probation for carjacking
A Sublimity woman has been sentenced to probation and behavioral health treatment after pleading guilty to a carjacking and police pursuit in Stayton in 2023.
Shardell Fayette Bodda, 46, pleaded guilty Feb. 24 in Marion County Circuit Court to third-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and attempt to elude a police officer.
She was sentenced March 13 to two years of probation with a requirement to undergo treatment for substance abuse and mental health.
Bodda was arrested Feb. 1, 2023, after an incident that evening in the parking lot of Grocery Outlet on W. Ida St. She asked a woman for a ride and, when the woman refused, Bodda allegedly forced the victim out of the vehicle and drove away.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies located the vehicle in Jefferson and gave chase, eventually spiking the tires and bringing the pursuit to a halt along Enchanted Way near I-5.
According to court records, Bodda has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had a mental health crisis that day after stopping her medication and abusing alcohol and methamphetamine.
--
Stephen Floyd
Decade in prison for fatal DUII hit-and-run
An Aumsville man has been sentenced to nearly 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in February to fatally striking a Salem woman with his truck in 2023.
Eric Raymond Webb, 51, was sentenced March 21 in Marion County Circuit Court to nine years and nine months in prison for a collision that killed Julia Aubrey Wade, 26.
Webb pleaded guilty Feb. 12 to criminally negligent homicide, DUII, failure to perform duties of a driver to seriously injured persons, and aggravated driving while suspended or revoked. He received credit for two years and two months already served in the Marion County Jail while his charges were pending.
Webb was arrested Jan. 21, 2023, after striking Wade that night at the intersection of Lancaster Drive and Rickey Street SE, in Salem, then fleeing the scene. Wade was hospitalized in critical condition and died from her injuries April 27, 2023.
Webb was arrested for first-degree manslaughter, which carried a minimum of 10 years in prison. This charge was dismissed as part of a plea deal.
This was Webb’s ninth DUII conviction since 2008 and first conviction for harming another person. Because of his extensive history of offenses, prosecutors argued Webb’s incarceration was “necessary for public safety” and Judge Tracy Prall allowed a lengthier sentence than normal for the charges.
-- Stephen Floyd
Man arrested for fatal wreck
A Salem man has been charged with manslaughter following a collision outside Stayton that killed a teenage passenger in his vehicle and seriously injured three other juveniles.
Christopher Jordan Atkinson, 33, was arrested following a single-vehicle collision the evening of March 23 on the 17000 block of Fern Ridge Road, east of Stayton.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said first responders were called to the scene around 9:50 p.m. and “found a singlevehicle crash with extensive damage.” A 16-year-old passenger was declared deceased at the scene. Three other passengers ages 16, 14 and 12 were transported with serious injuries to area hospitals.
The deceased was identified as Zolayha Johnson in charging documents filed March 24 in Marion County Circuit Court. Court records also said Atkinson had allegedly provided all four minors in the vehicle with alcohol.
Atkinson was charged with second-degree manslaughter, third-degree assault, fourth-degree assault (two counts), reckless driving and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 (four counts). If convicted, he faces 75 months in prison. He was originally arrested by deputies for DUII as well, however prosecutors did not include this among charges filed.
As of press time, Atkinson was held without bail in the Marion County Jail. Arraignment is set for April 2.
Passages
Kristine Marie Duffy
Sept. 4, 1966 – Dec. 24, 2024
Kristine Marie Fritton Duffy passed away on Dec. 24, 2024 at home, surrounded by her family.
She was born to Robert and Helen (Dusatko) Fritton in O’Neill, Nebraska on Sept. 4, 1966. Kristine held a Bachelor’s degree. She worked for the State of Oregon for more than 25 years in human services. She married Joseph Duffy on Aug. 13, 1988 and they raised three children together. Kristine was a member of St. Edwards Church in Keizer.
Kristine was predeceased by her father. She is survived by her husband, Joseph Duffy; her children, Ryan, Sean and Braeden; her stepson, C.J. Duffy; her mother, Helen Fritton; and sister, Kathleen Fritton.
Services were held Jan. 3 at St. Edwards in Keizer followed by interment at St. Mary Cemetery in Stayton.
Contributions in her honor may be made to Blanchet Catholic High School in Salem or Regis/St. Mary Catholic School in Stayton. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton.
Lorene Mathews
May 6, 1926 – March 6, 2025
Former Aumsville resident, Lorene Pierce Mathews passed away in Gentry County, Missouri on March 6, 2025. She was born in that county on May 6, 1926 and graduated from high school there. She moved to Aumsville about 1958 and became
active in community organizations.
In August 1969, a public picnic was being planned. Lorene and her friend Doris Hutchins thought festivities should include a parade of youngsters and their pets. Lorene made ribbons for the prize winners. This was the origin of the parade which precedes Aumsville’s annual Corn Festival.
Lorene was a founding member of Aumsville Historical Society. She wanted AHS to have a museum to display local historical items. In addition to checking out potential sites, she photocopied documents in libraries. She also took photographs of local buildings, old and new. AHS got its museum in 2009. Its document room has been named the Lorene Mathews Library.
Lorene’s husband Mel passed away in 2008. Eventually Lorene moved back to Gentry County and she is buried there. Aumsville treasures her memory.
10:00 to 4:30
Wknds
Season of glory
For the first time since 2007, Stayton girls basketball is at the top of the heap. The Eagles rampaged through a 27-1 season and downed Oregon West Conference rival Philomath 47-38 for the Class 4A state championship March 15 in Forest Grove. The state title matched that of the 2007 team, coached by Chad Meadors, which downed Gladstone 44-24 at Gill Coliseum.
Tal Wold, who coached Silverton to four top four state finishes before moving back to Stayton last year, told Our Town “We knew as summer ended that we would be competitive in 4A, but I did not take into account the urgency our seniors felt and the leadership and camaraderie amongst the girls and how that would impact the trajectory of our season. I have never had a group that was this connected and fun to be around. I felt so much at ease each day with this group. Win or lose, I knew they would battle and give everything they had.”
For Kenzi Hollenbeck, the heart and soul of the team who gathered in 29 rebounds during the tournament, it all came down to one word: family.
“We wanted to do it for each other,” she said. “We came together through all of the highs and lows, building our family. We pushed each other to get better.”
Stayton, the No. 2 seed, opened the tournament with a 68-32 win against Seaside. Baker fell 59-35 in the semifinals, pitting the Eagles against No. 1 Philomath in the final. The Warriors and Eagles had split games during the Oregon West Conference season, with both squads winning by one point on their home floor, but Stayton owned the rubber match.
Sophomore Kathryn Samek scored 18 points and Hollenbeck hauled in nine rebounds as Stayton pulled away for a 47-38 win. Samek was a unanimous first-team all-tournament pick. Sophomore Breeci Hampton, who led the tournament with 11 3-pointers, also made the first team. Hollenbeck was a second team choice. Stayton also won the sportsmanship trophy. Cascade, meanwhile, finished fifth in the tournament, with Rozalyn Schmunk named first-team all-tournament and Olivia Bennett placed on the second team.
Stayton and Cascade both were represented well in the Oregon West Conference all-stars. Wold was named coach of the year, Hollenbeck shared player of the year honors with Reagan Heiken of Philomath
Stayton girls claim first state hoops title since 2007
and Butenschoen of the Eagles earned top defensive honors. Kathryn Samek and Hampton were named to the first team, with Butenschoen and Brooklynne Morley placed on the second team. Kourtney Samek and Makenzie Schacher received honorable mention. Schmunk of Cascade made first team, Cass Crabtree and Bennett received second-team bids and Lexi Newton and Pearl Prutt earned honorable mention.
Boys basketball: Cascade took third at the Class 4A tournament in Forest Grove, led by high-scoring guards Landon Knox and Kaiden Ford, Ford scored 78 points, hit 31 of 36 free throws, had 10 steals and 25 rebounds. Knox scored 72 points and was 19 for 22 on free throws. He added 8 steals and 8 assists and was first-team all-tournament. Ford was named to the second team.
Stayton, meanwhile, finished 13-11 after falling 56-53 to Hidden Valley in the playin round. The Eagles, in year one under coach Kevin Stanley, lost nine games by 8 points or less. Stayton went 1-2 vs. Cascade in three hard-fought games in which neither team won by more than 6 points.
Knox was named player of the year in the Oregon West. He was joined on the first team by Ford and Ethan Whieldon of Stayton. Ean Dillingham of Stayon made second team, while Elijah Kuenzi, Tanner Starbuck and Ruben Reyes of Stayton and Hunter Anundi and Cruz Shank of Cascade received honorable mention.
Wrestling: The Cascade boys took fifth at the Class 4A state wrestling championships in Portland, led by champions Hans Kamm (144 pounds) and Matthew Hinkle (215). Also placing for the Cougars were Nicholas Lopez, (3rd, 285), Brody Copple (4th, 150), Griffin Copple (4th, 165) and Conrad Baxter (5th, 126). Stayton totaled 41 points, led by 138-pound champion Leonard Michel. Lyric Burroughs placed 4th at 157 for the Eagles. The Regis boys scored 12 points, led by Jon Nusom (144) and Eli Bischoff (150).
In the girls 4A-3A-2A-1A competition Alexis Cruz took third at 100 for Cascade, while teammate Chelsea Howard was 5th at 235.
Regis player alone on Oregon scoring list
By James Day
94 wins in 125 games. 4 trips to Pendleton for the Class 2A state tournament. And 2,664 points. It’s almost unfathomable.
But those are the numbers Regis High senior Isaiah Koehnke takes away from a glittering career with the Rams. Wins, games and trips to Pendleton … yes, other people have done that.
But 2,664. That’s an Oregon high school record. That’s NOT a Class 2A record. It’s a STATEWIDE record. As in no one who has ever played boys high school basketball in Oregon has scored more points. Relegated to second is Kevin Love of Lake Oswego, who scored 2,628 for the Lakers before moving on to a highly successful college and pro career.
The 6-foot Koehnke set the record during a Class 2A state semifinal loss to Western Christian in Pendleton.
“I didn’t think it was really possible until I got to 2,500 earlier this season,” Koehnke told Our Town. “I just wanted to keep playing and not have it be on my mind.”
And to keep playing in 2A basketball, that means trips to Pendleton for the state tournament. Koehnke and the Rams finished 5th, 4th, 6th and 4th in his four years, frustratingly close, yes, but if you are in the playoffs the games keep mounting up.
“I’ve been lucky to play the maximum amount of games every year and I’ve never been hurt,” he said. “We’ve been in the playoffs every year.”
Koehnke’s 125-game career includes 12 state tournament games in Pendleton as well as subround playoff games and league playoffs. For example, a Mid-Valley school that never made the playoffs during Koehnke’s four-year run played just 96 games, 29 fewer than Koehnke and the Rams.
To establish a record like Koehnke’s also demands prolific scoring from your freshman year onward. Koehnke checked that box by averaging 18.3 points per game as a 9th-grader and was named to the Class 2A all-
tournament team, a rarity for a first-year player. Koehnke followed with 20.5 points in his sophomore year, 24.9 as a junior and 21.8 this season.
And, no, he didn’t have a down year in 2024-25. In fact his coach and father, Jason Koehnke, thinks “his senior year was his best and most complete season.” Isaiah added 5.6 rebounds per game and set a career best with an average of 7.2 assists “because that’s what he knew his team needed most,” the coach said.
And let’s think about that 24.9 in 202324 for a second. High school basketball games consist of four 8- minute quarters. Clearly, Koehnke spent time on the bench, either resting or because the game was out of hand. Thus, it is quite possible that in his junior season he averaged a point per minute.
“To say that it was a pleasure to get to coach Isaiah would be an understatement,” Jason Koehnke said. “I am very proud of him and blessed to get the opportunity to coach him. I am proud and impressed with how hard Isaiah works and what a great teammate he is. He and his teammates genuinely like working together on becoming the best they can be.”
Regis senior Isaiah Koehnke looks for room to maneuver. The Rams’ sharpshooter set a state high school scoring record this season. JMCDONALDMEDIA
Sports Datebook
Tuesday, April 1
Boys Tennis
4 p.m. Cascade vs North Bend
Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Cascade vs North Bend
Baseball
4:30 p.m. Stayton vs Estacada
5 p.m. Cascade vs Seaside Boys Volleyball
7 p.m. Cascade vs McKay
Wednesday, April 2
Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Stayton vs Woodburn
Thursday, April 3
Boys Tennis
4 p.m. Stayton vs Silverton Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Cascade vs Lebanon
Baseball
4:30 p.m. Stayton vs St. Helens Boys Volleyball
7 p.m. Cascade vs Sprague
Friday, April 4
Track & Field
4 p.m. Stayton Relay Meet
Baseball
2 p.m. Regis vs Central Linn (double-header)
5 p.m. Cascade vs Crook County Softball
2 p.m. Regis vs Central Linn (double-header)
Saturday, April 5
Softball
Noon Stayton vs Astoria
Tuesday, April 8
Softball
3:30 p.m. Stayton vs Marist
Catholic
Baseball
4:30 p.m. Stayton vs Marist Catholic
Wednesday, April 9
Baseball
4:30 p.m. Cascade vs Pleasant Hill
Softball
4:30 p.m. Cacade vs Pleasant Hill
Thursday, April 10
Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Cascade vs Estacada
Koehnke from page 16
Koehnke said his model player growing up has been Damian Lillard, who spent 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to Milwaukee to join Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The next five minutes of the interview consisted of a back and forth on why the trade did not make the Bucks better. We don’t have a good answer.
Looking ahead Koehnke said he wants to play basketball in college,
but he’s not sure where yet. His goal academically is to study business, which leaves a lot of leeway in terms of school choice. His family runs the Power Auto Group. Koehnke says he “might want to work for my dad” and that he still wants to learn more about the auto business.
Has Kevin Love contacted him about the record?
“No, but wouldn’t that be cool if he did?”
Monday, April 28
Baseball
5 p.m. Cascade vs Philomath
Softball
4 p.m. Cascade vs North Marion
Wednesday, April 23
3:30 p.m. Stayton vs Sweet Home
Baseball
5 p.m. Stayton vs Philomath
Thursday, April 24
Softball
3:30 p.m. Stayton vs Newport
Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Stayton vs Molalla
4 p.m. Cascade vs Junction City
Baseball
5 p.m. Cascade vs Sweet Home
Friday, April 25
Baseball
2 p.m. Regis vs Crosshill Christian (double-header)
5 p.m. Cascade vs Sweet Home
Tuesday, April 29
Girls Tennis
4 p.m. Stayton vs Cascade
Boys Tennis
4 p.m. Cascade vs Stayton
Baseball
4:30 p.m. Regis vs Santiam
Softball
4:30 p.m. Regis vs Santiam
Wednesday, April 30
Baseball
5 p.m. Stayton vs North Marion/Gervais
Softball
5 p.m. Cascade vs Philomath
Home contests only. For full schedules, visit osaa.org.
DIY?
Pros and cons of tackling home improvement and car repairs
The following is an unpaid ad for carpenters, electricians, plumbers, mechanics and others who know how to fix cars and do home
Faithful readers know of my ineptitude when it comes to home improvement projects and car repairs. It is easy for me to get too far out over my toolbox when trying to fix something. It always takes me three times as long as it takes a professional, and costs many times more to fix what I have messed up. Note the recent $50 project to change the timing chain tensioner in our car that turned into a $1,500 repair.
If I were smart, I would peruse the ads in Our Town, pick up the phone and call one of the pros who could fix up the house or car in a jiffy and for far less than it would cost to salvage my mistakes. But I’m not. Smart, that is.
If I even think I have a glimmer of a chance of doing a project without
turning it into a dog’s breakfast – sorry for the technical jargon – I’ll try it. Only after I mess it up will I call someone to fix it.
You might say I do it to make our marriage better. I recently listened to a CD that a marriage expert produced. In it was a section on how guys think. It was short.
For example, a guy looks at a car and says to himself, “I have some wrenches and stuff, so I can fix it.”
It might take a master mechanic with decades of experience to diagnose and fix a problem, but a guy – me – will watch a couple of YouTube videos, dive in and start turning wrenches.
On that same CD, the speaker advised wives to let their husbands give projects a try. One of two things will happen, he said.
First, the husband may actually fix the problem, in which case his ego will get a huge boost. I remember successfully doing a brake job on one of our cars, and you would have thought that I had cured cancer. I walked around the house pointing at future projects and announcing: “I can fix that.”
Second, the husband – me – could turn the project into a disaster. This would accomplish nothing in a practical sense, but it would demonstrate to the husband that his wife had faith in him. A little bit of faith goes a long way. And if he made a hash of things it would provide a heaping helping of humility, which everyone needs.
Which brings me to our latest home improvement project: changing the light fixture over the dining room table.
For years, we had a light that looked like an eighth-grade shop class had made it. It was fine as long as you didn’t look too closely. My wife and I went on a quest and found a new one in a store’s bargain bin that would fit the bill.
The short version of the story: I (we) did it.
The long version: It took two trips to the hardware store, most of a Saturday afternoon and part of a Sunday afternoon and provided our Japanese exchange student with a colorful new vocabulary.
But when that last light bulb was screwed in, I hugged my wife – who actually did most of the work – and admonished our exchange student to forget the colorful new vocabulary he had just heard and made an announcement I often make: “It may not be perfect, but I like the doneness of it.”
Carl Sampson is a freelance writer and editor. He lives in Stayton.
GENERAL
PASTOR CHUCK BALDWIN
Liberty Fellowship, Kalispell, Montana satellite group Sundays, 1:30 p.m. Call Kristen, 503-990-4584
HOMES FOR SALE
MOBILE TINY HOUSE
FOR SALE Viewable in lot: Washington and Miller in Stayton. Towable with pickup truck. Many storage spaces. Good for another 30 years. Take a look. Call if interested, 707-494-7666.
SERVICES
TODAY IS YOUR LUCKY DAY This is your lucky number! All Set Plumbing is standing by at 503-9644965. Jason is ready to fix your plumbing.
PET SITTING. 1x $25. Day
$50 -100. Night $80 -100. Extra pet $5. Pet cleanup. Silverton/Woodburn area. 971-444-0306 SOUNDS
GOOD STUDIO Bands, artists, personal karaoke CDs, books, restoring VHS video to DVD. Old cassettes, reel-to-reel & 8-track cassettes restored to CD. Call Harold 503-391-7406.
HANDYMAN & HOME
REPAIR SERVICE Installation and repair of fencing, decks, doors, gutter cleaning, moss removal, power washing, yard debris removal. CCB# 206637 Call Ryan 503-881-3802
YOUR RIGHT TO SELF DEFENSE Saturdays, age 10-12 at 5:00. Ages 13 and up, 6:15. Security and Correctional Officers, 7:30. Private lessons available. Intn’l Certification Curriculum available upon request. Harold, 503-391-7406
MAGIC CARPET CLEANING & MORE Since 1992. Carpet & upholstery cleaning at its best. Free estimates. Residential & commercial. Located in Silverton. Harold, 503-391-7406
GOT STUFF YOU WANT GONE? From yard debris to scrap metal. From garage sale left overs to rental clear outs. We repurpose, recycle, reuse, or donate what we can. Call and find out what we can do for you. $20 Minimum. Call Keith 503502-3462.
