Our Town / Santiam

10/10/2025

Legal Matters

Suit settled – Power Motorsports settles Sea-Doo death lawsuit...

Jail, probation for child p**n...

$75M awarded in latest PacifiCorp trial...

https://ourtownsantiam.com/news/legalmatters/legal-matters-12/

10/09/2025

A taste of ‘heaVin’ – Couple grows vineyard near childhood home

When Kevin Bibler retired from engineering in 2020, he began looking for something he could do that would still utilize his ability to build things and work with his hands but would also get him out from behind a desk.

“And we were looking to be closer to family,” Kevin’s wife, Heather Anderson-Bibler, added.

So, when the couple learned there was a vineyard for sale in nearby Aumsville, they decided to give winemaking a shot.

“We bought the property in January 2023,” Kevin said.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/news/business/a-taste-of-heavin-couple-grows-vineyard-near-childhood-home/

10/08/2025

Rx access: Santiam Hospital plans new pharmacy for Mill City, Canyon

The wait is almost over. By this time next year Mill City and the Santiam Canyon should have a pharmacy to serve the region.

No more traveling down Highway 22 to Salem or Stayton for prescriptions.

Santiam Hospital & Clinics announced Sept. 16, that it is planning to build a pharmacy that will be co-located with its current Santiam Medical Clinic on South First Avenue in Mill City.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/features/health/rx-access-santiam-hospitcal-plans-new-pharmacy-for-mill-city-canyon/

10/07/2025

Lincoln’s light: Scio family reaches out for research funding for son

It’s only been 16 months since Our Town shared the story of Lincoln Medeiros, the little boy from Scio who,
when he was only six months old, was diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder spastic paraplegia 50 (SPG50) – a progressive neurologic condition affecting speech, motor control and muscle tone – but a lot has happened since then.

The family welcomed another child, Lincoln turned four, he learned to run and climb, he started preschool. Then, more recently, his mobility – due to the degenerative nature of SPG50 – took a hit, he began wearing ankle-foot orthosis braces to help stabilize his legs and he started using a walker. But the event that stunned the family the most was the cancellation of the grant funding necessary for Melpida – a gene therapy treatment developed to halt the progression of SPG50 – to move into the next trial phase, the phase Lincoln had hoped
to join.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/features/helpinghands/lincolns-light-scio-family-reaches-out-for-research-funding-for-son/

10/06/2025

Road closures in Stayton.

Road Closures Notice

As part of the Stayton Veterinarian Hospital Project, the following road closures will be in effect to allow for roadway improvements and final paving:
• Pine Street will be closed from 1st Avenue to 2nd Avenue
• 2nd Avenue will be closed from Pine Street to approximately 200 feet southward

These closures will remain in place until the week of October 20th, when the roads are expected to reopen.

All residents will have access to their property and no driveways will be closed.

We appreciate your patience during this time and encourage drivers to use alternate routes. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

If you have any questions, please contact the Stayton Public Works Department at (503) 769-2919.

10/05/2025

In Memoriam: Tasha Baker (Feb. 3, 1986 – Aug. 22, 2025)

Tasha Baker passed away after being struck by a vehicle on Aug. 22, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia. She was 39. She was born to Bonnie (Baker) and John Dowe in Salem, Oregon, on Feb. 3, 1986.

Tasha was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, best friend and a granddaughter. Due to her mother passing away, Tasha was raised by her grandparents, Valerie and Floyd Runion of Stayton, Oregon.

She had a lot of odds stacked against her but was strong and resilient. Tasha was known as being kind, stubborn, strong, brave and most of all had a great sense of humor.

Tasha was a long-time resident of Stayton and attended the Stayton area schools. She earned her GED from Chemeketa after hard work and dedication and then became a caregiver that later lead to other employment opportunities.

Tasha is survived by a large family that includes her siblings: Tina Deetz, Tonya Cox and Joesph Baker; and her four children: Kaz, Tristan, Treyton and Tristiana. She will be missed but never forgotten.

A graveside service was held Sept. 27 at Lone Oak II Cemetery followed by a reception at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Parrish Center. Serving the family, North Santiam Funeral Service, Stayton.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/obituaries/in-memoriam-tasha-baker-feb-3-1986-aug-22-2025/

10/04/2025

10/03/2025

CORRECTION: Pool and parks levy information

In the Oct. 1 issue of Our Town, the incorrect levy information was published for the Nov. 4 election.

Please see the corrected article below for information about the upcoming pool and parks levy. The city will also be hosting a series of presentations in the coming weeks to provide levy information and answer community questions.

Our Town regrets the previous error.

Ballots for the Nov. 4 election will be mailed out Oct. 15 by the Marion County Clerk’s Office, with local voters being asked to consider a five-year levy to support local parks and Stayton Family […]

10/03/2025

Grants – Stayton opens new application round

The City of Stayton has opened a new round of Community Improvement Grants for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with applications due by Oct. 24. Grants are expected to be awarded in November.

Applications are open to business owners and nonprofits, and to groups of three or more residents such as those representing neighborhoods or community groups.

Eligible projects would improve peoples’ ability to live and do business in Stayton such as landscaping, signage, murals, cleanup parties, accessibility improvements and new community programs.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/news/civics/grants-stayton-opens-new-application-round/

10/03/2025

10/02/2025

High school wrap – Stayton boys soccer jumps out to superb start

Stayton High boys soccer is off to a 4-0 start and has given up just one goal while scoring 21. That math has lifted the perennial state power Eagles into the No. 1 spot in the OSAA’s Class 4A rankings.

Two seniors, Nick Pelayo and co-captain Isaiah Dixon, have scored three goals apiece for coach Chris Shields, while junior Noah Klampe also has three.

https://ourtownsantiam.com/sports/high-school-wrap-stayton-boys-soccer-jumps-out-to-superb-start/