Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Opens Applications For 2026 Royal Court
NEWBERG, Ore. — Applications are now open for the 2026 Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Royal Court, offering local students ages 16 to 18 an opportunity to represent the community and develop leadership skills.
The Royal Court program invites female students to serve as ambassadors for Newberg, participating in community events and representing the city throughout the year. Court coordinator Maria Kerr said the program helps students build confidence, foster connections, and make a positive impact locally.
Applications are available at local high schools and online. Interested students can access the application and find additional information at the NOFF Royal Court website or through their school administration.
The application deadline is March 6.
The Newberg Old Fashioned Festival is the city’s annual festival, traditionally held the last weekend of July. Royal Court members are selected each year as part of the festival’s longstanding traditions.
Benjamin Road Reopening In March, Barring Additional Setbacks
NEWBERG, Ore. — After 10 months, contractors are preparing to open the East Jory Street-to-Benjamin Road connection in early March, barring additional setbacks.
According to City of Newberg Engineering Technician Mike Grimes, the contractor experienced delays due to supply chain challenges and subcontractor scheduling.
The OR 99W intersection to Benjamin Road was closed to through traffic on May 5, 2025, to allow for sewer line installation for the new Crestview Greens neighborhood development. Contractors initially said they would reopen the road after installation was complete, but later planned to fully close the road in July.
The road never reopened due to construction delays, according to Yamhill County officials. Crews discovered buried concrete during stormwater line installation, which altered the timeline.
To access Benjamin Road from OR 99W, drivers should turn north onto East Crestview Drive, then take the first exit in the roundabout to go east on East Jory Street, which becomes Benjamin Road.
The Allison Named No. 1 Hotel And Resort In Oregon By U.S. News & World Report
NEWBERG, Ore. — For the third consecutive year, The Allison Inn & Spa has been named the No. 1 Best Hotel in Oregon by U.S. News & World Report, according to a Feb. 11 announcement from the resort.
The Newberg luxury hotel and spa was also ranked the No. 1 Best Resort in Oregon in the publication’s 2026 rankings. Nationally, The Allison placed No. 19 among Best Hotels in the United States and No. 10 among Best Resorts.
“We are deeply grateful to our dedicated team, our local partners, and the guests who continue to return to The Allison year after year,” the hotel said in a press release. “We invite you to experience the award-winning hospitality that has made The Allison Inn & Spa the No. 1 hotel and resort in Oregon — and one of the very best in the United States.”
U.S. News & World Report evaluates more than 30,000 hotels and resorts worldwide using a methodology that incorporates expert travel opinions, guest reviews, and hotel ratings.
The annual rankings recognize hotels and resorts based on quality, guest experience, and industry reputation.
ODOT Restarts Curb Ramp Work In Newberg
NEWBERG, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Transportation, or ODOT, announced plans to restart curb ramp work in Newberg this week.
“Whether you drive, ride, walk, or roll, we are committed to providing the best accessibility possible to all people using the transportation system,” the agency said in a statement posted to social media. “One of the ways we are doing this is by bringing curb ramps in Newberg to current ADA accessibility standards.”
ADA curb ramps provide access between sidewalks and roads for people using wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, hand carts, bicycles, and pedestrians, according to ODOT’s website. The work may include minor fixes, such as correcting slopes, or major updates, such as complete reconstruction.
“ADA curb ramps benefit everyone regardless of whether they have a disability,” ODOT said in a release. “By making curb ramps gently slope to the road, it improves accessibility and promotes safer travel between sidewalks and roads.”
In December, ODOT began curb ramp work in Newberg, largely downtown along First Street and Hancock Street. The project is part of a broader statewide effort covering Astoria, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Independence, Monmouth, Salem, Keizer, and Springfield, and costs $156,159,000, funded through the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.
Construction is expected to continue into 2027. Learn more about the ADA curb project at ODOT’s website.
