McKenzie River Reflections - Make the McKenzie Connection!

In the current legislative session, as is the case every session, corporate lobbyists are hard at work trying to procure new tax breaks for their clients. These lobbyists representing many big corporations are going around waving a corporate-funded...

For Devon Lawson-McCourt the answer is yes. He’s the sophomore class president at the McKenzie River Community School who strongly supports three bills up for consideration by Oregon legislators. House Joint Resolution 20: “I believe that every c...

The time is now for farmers and ranchers to apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) working lands conservation programs. Additional funding for programs—including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality...

At times, it is most tempting to censor speech or to call for the censorship of speech we don’t like, but before engaging in those impulses, we should consider Justice Brandeis’s time-honored message of “more speech, not enforced silence.” A...

Many of Oregon’s rivers are drained every summer to support the agricultural industry, but fisheries, wildlife and the water quality itself is hurt in the process. Perhaps it’s time to reevaluate the archaic notion that Oregon’s rivers are...

I wish to thank my McKenzie Community for the Man of the Year Award recently bestowed on me. I am truly honored for the distinction and the kind words of many. I would also like to congratulate all the other very deserving gentlemen and ladies...

The United States convinced Ukraine in 1991 to give up its nuclear weapons and send them to Russia. We then guaranteed Ukraine’s security, and now we are fulfilling those guarantees. We have provided about $70 billion in aid and plan on giving anot...

In time for Christmas, the Vida McKenzie Community Center received a $3,000 grant from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) for operating expense support. When the Center opens its doors in late Spring/early Summer 2023, these funds will make it...

As another year winds down it’s always a good time to count our blessings, reflect on the year, and thank in particular the great people and businesses whose partnerships have shored up and sustained McKenzie River Reflections. In recent years...

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,...