January 9, 2026, Volume 1, issue #37.

We're back! Hi folks; our newsletter took a little break in December. I hadn't quite planned it, but between the holidays, some car issues, and leaving town for a boot camp on financial reporting, I managed to be out of the office pretty much every Friday in December.

I'm fully back in the office, and we have a ton of plans for the new year. Stay tuned for more!

-Chas Hundley, publisher

🚧 Washington County declares state of emergency over Highway 6

We were the first to publish this story, and had a comprehensive piece up with interviews and quotes from more than six local officials almost a full day before the rest of the Oregon media scene caught up.

🚓 Forest Grove police officer sentenced to probation, required to resign from department

We remain the only Oregon newspaper to cover this story involving official misconduct by a local police officer.

📅 2025 in review: The stories we wrote

We wrote a bunch in 2025! Take a trip down memory lane.

...and more stories and 35+ events!

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On to the Forest Grove-area news.

Washington County declares state of emergency over Highway 6

With no long-term fix in sight for the crumbling Highway 6, county leaders declared an emergency Tuesday morning, asking the state to address the issues plaguing the Wilson River Highway.

Protest held in Forest Grove over Venezuela operation

Following the U.S. attack on Venezuela that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, local elected officials and Forest Grove activists responded by saying the attack was illegal.

Pacific University eyes merger with Willamette University

Pacific University and Willamette University are pursuing a merger. News in the Grove spoke with the presidents of each university to see what could be next.

Forest Grove police officer sentenced to probation, required to resign from department

Resignation, probation, diversion: A Forest Grove police officer pled guilty to official misconduct and will resign from the city's police department by court order.

2025 in review: The stories we wrote

Some of the biggest, strangest, or just most impactful stories we wrote in the Banks and Forest Grove areas last year.

Column | Forest Grove Police Stats for December 2025

In the month of December 2025, the Forest Grove Police Department serviced 1,805 calls total. This and more in the stats for the final month of the year.

Oregon Gov. Kotek calls for repeal of transportation funding package she championed

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek spent months cajoling the state Legislature to provide billions for transportation infrastructure, safety and jobs. Now, she’s asking them to repeal that plan and start fresh.

Hazelnuts are a bright spot for Oregon agriculture

Although the total amount of cultivated farmland in Oregon is shrinking, filbert acreage is booming.

Column | 1926 in Forest Grove: Attempts to build Highway 6 continue

1926: A dream of a highway connecting Forest Grove to Tillamook continued. Dilley and Gales Creek feuded over flowers. Bacona, north of Buxton, still had a post office. Step into Forest Grove and Banks-area history from the lens of newspaper archives of the day.

Forest Grove events

What's going on this week?
🆓 = Free show or live music

Have an event you want to share? Email us!

Thanks to our sponsors, including Uncommon Grove, Welcome Home Realty, Waltz Brewing, and the City of Banks!

Find all events online.

Events in BOLD with a ⭐ were enhanced with a sponsorship.

Monday | January 12, 2026

Giggles! Wiggles! Stories! — Forest Grove City Library
Blood Drive — Forest Grove Senior & Community Center
Teen Library Council — Forest Grove City Library
Early 2000s Trivia — Pelagic Brewing

Tuesday | January 13, 2026

Preschool Storytime — Forest Grove City Library
Chess Club — Forest Grove City Library
Forest Grove School Board meeting — Forest Grove School District
Adv. Line Dance Practice — Zesti Food Carts
Tuesday Trivia at Waltz — Waltz Brewing

Wednesday | January 14, 2026

Friends of Historic Forest Grove Museum & Library Open — Old Train Station
Gales Creek Gleaners — Gales Creek Community Church
Teen Zone Crafting Hour — Forest Grove City Library
History Pub - Andrew Carnegie Libraries of Oregon — McMenamins Grand Lodge

Thursday | January 15, 2026

Cub Scout Pack 213 — Dilley Elementary
Gales Creek Library — Gales Creek Elementary School
Bluegrass Jam Session — Waltz Brewing
Rockstar Bingo — The Red Rooster Saloon
⭐ Open Mic — Taqueria Corona
Beginner Line Dance Practice — Zesti Food Carts
Bre Paletta — Garage Door

Find all events online.

Around town & coming up

Things that didn't quite make it to a full story and upcoming events beyond this week. Disappointed? Us too. Get a subscription so we can hire a full-time Forest Grove journalist!

🥳 I'm thrilled to be back. Questions? Hit the reply button!

-Chas Hundley