McKenzie River Reflections - Make the McKenzie Connection!

This holiday season, pitching in to support a small business may be easier than you think. Many small towns are proud to feature a vibrant main street, and rightfully so. Busy storefronts are a sign of activity and growth. They also indicate strong c...

After occupying Crimea in 2014 without any pushback from world powers, President Putin decided to invade Ukraine in the east in 2022. He and his puppet advisors thought the Russian military would quickly vanquish Ukraine, but the Ukrainians, with...

I volunteered for Upper McKenzie Fire District and McKenzie EASE for over 20 years. Although now retired, I am still a strong supporter of the department and the personnel who work so hard for our benefit. I urge everyone to join me in voting YES on...

I was born to a single mom who lacked health insurance. OHSU provided charity care to my mom during my birth. Two years later, the Chemawa Indian Health Service Center in my hometown of Salem was established. I was able to get the care I needed that...

The following is an update on our missing son/brother/uncle, Shane Sprenger from Vida, OR. It was 1 year ago, Tuesday, November 2, 2021, that Shane Sprenger was last seen at his home in Vida. His truck was found a few days later off Mill Creek Road...

We would like to thank all of the over 130 people who came to the showing of the documentary film, ELEMENTAL, Friday, Sept. 30. It showed the impact of wildfires on rural communities, including ours, the dramatic increase in severity of wildfires in...

I spent my career fighting fires in western Oregon. But you don’t have to be a professional firefighter to see the growing threat of wildfire to human lives, property, and our environment. I am concerned the massive accumulation of dead trees left...

Our fire department needs your help! This week, ballots for the November election will be arriving. One of the measures is a renewal of the levy for the Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District (RFPD). Five years ago, the Fire District absorbed...

There was a period in the late ‘60s when the Beach Boys, desperate for a hipper identity, reportedly considered shortening their name to “Beach.” Of course, the Backstreet Boys may perform into their ‘80s, but there’s no question that a dat...

There was a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Welcome sign in Walterville last week. While I was walking back to my car I happened to look across the highway at the intersection of Hwy. 126 and Millican Road. The view started another train of...

The Walterville Grange wants to thank everyone in our community and surrounding area for supporting our Grange events. Even though we were unable to have the Community Fair we heard from many of you about how much you missed the parade, the Waddle,...

“So, how’s it going?” is a question that’s been put to me a few times lately. Luckily I’ve been able to answer “Surprisingly well.” The Q & A’s, of course, had to deal with the decision to switch from primarily a hard copy printed...

For McKenzie Valley Wellness Board, Members and Community, First I would like to thank you for your support in the recent election. I have made the difficult decision to resign from my position as a board member. One reason being I believe my skill...

This letter serves as my official resignation as Vice President and board member. I am resigning due to my ongoing concerns that this organization continues to fail to follow the bylaws and is not acting in the best interest of McKenzie Valley...

Lane County Cultural Coalition grants are now available. LCCC offers Cultural Opportunity Grants, funded by Oregon Cultural Foundation, to support cultural programs and projects throughout Lane County. These grants target for-profit organizations,...

The Knitting Club, which has existed in our community for over sixty-five (65) years, is disbanding. This is not something new as many other local groups have given up in the last few years. After Covid and the Holiday Farm Fire, our membership...

I came to my current role as manager at Orchid Health McKenzie River Clinic after working 15 years in fast-paced primary care where my job came first and family second. I am the mom of two fantastic, very involved, and active boys and I chose to...

America’s Newspapers encourages all newspapers to reprint Chris Reen’s editorial. Or, write your own editorial and send [email protected] a link. Thank you for your support of the JCPA! The internet that Silicon Valley promised us was...

“We love the RR.” That’s just one of the many positive comments that have been attached to emails from print subscribers who’ve been sending their addresses, so they’ll continue to receive this newspaper. Here’s another, “You’re...

It is widely agreed that small business is the backbone of the economy, providing jobs and needed products and services. Today many small businesses are facing unprecedented challenges. My small business is engaged in providing home repairs,...

My husband Mike and I lived on the McKenzie for over 40 years. I worked for the McKenzie School District and he worked for the US Forest Service. Although we relocated to La Pine after losing our home in the 2020 fire, the Nimrod property is still...

We are delighted to announce that the IRS has approved our status as a Charitable Nonprofit, 501c3, retroactive to the time we applied, November 8, 2021. Our EIN number for tax deduction purposes remains the same: 93-6031677. Your donation could...