Newberg-Dundee Police Pursue Reckless Driver Through City; No Arrest Made
NEWBERG, Ore. — Newberg-Dundee Police officers pursued a reckless driver through Newberg on the evening of April 10 before terminating the chase south of the city, according to the department.
Officers learned of the vehicle — reported as a reckless driver in Yamhill County — through a county radio broadcast and positioned themselves in Newberg to intercept it. They located the vehicle around 6:30 p.m. and attempted a traffic stop on First Street. The driver did not comply and attempted to elude officers. The pursuit was terminated south of Newberg on Highway 219.
No arrests have been made. The Newberg-Dundee Police Department said officers are continuing to investigate the identity of the driver.
Capt. Ryan Simmons confirmed the incident in an email interview with Newsberg.
A Newberg resident who said she witnessed part of the pursuit described seeing a black SUV near Les Schwab being followed by police. Lauren Hall said the vehicle appeared to be traveling at high speed around a curve toward St. Paul and that a near-collision occurred.
“It was going 90 around the curve to head to Saint Paul and almost got in a head-on collision,” Hall said. She added that she stopped to assist the other driver involved in the near-miss.
Anyone with information about the driver can contact the Newberg-Dundee Police Department’s non-emergency line at (503) 538-8321.
Founder’s Day Celebration and Chili Cook-Off Set for May 2 at Champoeg
ST. PAUL, Ore. — Newell Pioneer Village and Champoeg State Heritage Area will host a Founder’s Day celebration Saturday, May 2, beginning at 1 p.m. at 8089 Champoeg Road NE in St. Paul.
The event commemorates the 1843 vote in which early settlers chose to organize a provisional government in the Oregon Territory — recognizing both those who voted in favor and those who did not. A mountain man and storyteller will also be on site.
At 2 p.m., the celebration continues with a Chili Cook-Off at Newell Pioneer Village. Admission to the cook-off is $5 and includes chili tasting and voting for a favorite entry. Organizers are still accepting chili contestants; those interested can register by emailing newell.events@oregondar.org.
Admission to the Founder’s Day celebration is $10, or free with a valid Champoeg State Heritage Area annual park pass.
Trail Advocates File State Appeal Over Yamhelas Corridor Removal
YAMHILL COUNTY, Ore. — Friends of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail filed a Notice of Intent to Appeal with the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals on April 7, challenging the Yamhill County Board of Commissioners’ decision to remove the Yamhelas-Westsider Trail corridor from the county’s Transportation System Plan on March 19.
The group contends the removal did not fully comply with the legal and procedural requirements governing amendments to adopted transportation plans under Oregon land use law.
“This appeal is about ensuring that decisions of this scale are made transparently, with meaningful public involvement, and in compliance with Oregon law,” said Wayne Wiebke, president of Friends of the Yamhelas Westsider Trail. “The Yamhelas corridor has been part of the county’s long-range transportation vision for years, and any change deserves a thorough and accountable process.”
The Yamhelas-Westsider corridor was established as a rail line in the 1870s and has been identified in county planning documents as a potential multi-use trail connecting communities across Yamhill County.
