Banks - News in the Grove

Wymon Smith pleads guilty, sentenced to 75 months in prison

Former Banks High School teacher Wymon Wayne Smith, 67, pleaded guilty to two sexual abuse counts Wednesday morning and was sentenced to more than six years in prison.

By Chas Hundley

/ 14 Jan 2026

Wymon Smith pleads guilty, sentenced to 75 months in prison

Column | 1926 in Forest Grove: A Washington County map showing 1926 roads

Balm Grove sold, a 1926 map of Washington County, a 10-year fishing ban announced, a man falls off a train near Timber and more in the news of a century ago.

By Chas Hundley

/ 14 Jan 2026

Column | 1926 in Forest Grove: A Washington County map showing 1926 roads

Column | 1925 in Forest Grove: Pacific University president becomes dishwasher in Gales Creek cabin

"...He made an excellent dish washer," and other tidbits of life in western Washington County in 1925.

By Chas Hundley

/ 16 Oct 2025

Column | 1925 in Forest Grove: Pacific University president becomes dishwasher in Gales Creek cabin

The Banks BBQ returns for 79th year

The Banks BBQ will roll, crash, and hop into Banks Friday through Sunday, August 15–17. Haven't been? Read this story to find out all you need to know.

By Chas Hundley

/ 10 Aug 2025

Banks man arrested on DUII, reckless driving, and assault charges after crash on Highway 47

A two-vehicle crash on Highway 47 between Banks and Forest Grove on Wednesday evening led to the arrest of a Banks man on charges of DUII, reckless driving and assault.

By Chas Hundley

/ 12 Jul 2025

Banks man arrested on DUII, reckless driving, and assault charges after crash on Highway 47

With no fireworks display in Forest Grove, look to Banks (for one more year)

Banks' Independence Day celebrations, from a free event held on the grounds of Sunset Park, races at Sunset Speedway, to fireworks overhead that evening are sure to draw crowds.

By Chas Hundley

/ 27 Jun 2025

With no fireworks display in Forest Grove, look to Banks (for one more year)

Man arrested on rape charges near Banks

A man living in rural Washington County was arrested on rape charges near Banks, and detectives say he allegedly assaulted victims in and near Banks, Forest Grove, and Beaverton.

By Chas Hundley

/ 25 Mar 2025

Dispatches from history: Western Washington County September 28, 1922

In this column, we take a look back one hundred years ago in western Washington County. This week, a detailed listing of Banks-area winners of the Hog and Dairy show, a Verboort man loses a finger, and more from 1922.

By Chas Hundley

/ 30 Sep 2022

Dispatches from history: Western Washington County September 28, 1922

PGE opens community resource center at Jim's Market in Banks for charging, ice, info

Portland General Electric has established one community resource center in Washington County, located inside Jim's Market in Banks, to charge phones, get ice, and find info about power shutoffs in the face of critical wildfire risk.

By Chas Hundley

/ 9 Sep 2022

PGE opens community resource center at Jim's Market in Banks for charging, ice, info

Heat wave shatters high temperature records

An image from the road camera at the Highways 6 and 8 junction showing 111 degrees on Monday, June 28. Most of Oregon grappled with an intense heatwave that broke

By Chas Hundley

/ 29 Jun 2021

Heat wave shatters high temperature records

Black Lives Matter protest draws hundreds in Banks

Protesters on June 12, 2020 in Banks. Photo: Chas Hundley BANKS - As the rain fell on Greenville Park on the late afternoon of Friday, June 12, close to 300

By Chas Hundley

/ 17 Jun 2020

Black Lives Matter protest draws hundreds in Banks

Black Lives Matter protest and march planned Friday in Banks

A man photographs a Black Lives Matter protest in Forest Grove on Tuesday, June 2. Photo: Chas Hundley BANKS - Organizers plan a protest and march Friday evening to show

By Chas Hundley

/ 9 Jun 2020

Black Lives Matter protest and march planned Friday in Banks