Bill Poehler

Reporter for the Statesman Journal. Part-time destroyer of clutches. Writer of books about race car drivers you will want to read about. Repped by @Rosenberglit

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Articles

Marion County restaurant inspections: Cigarette butts in sink, warm ceviche

5 days ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

The following is a snapshot of the inspections conducted by the Marion County Health Department. Twice annually, licensed restaurants receive unannounced inspections that focus on food temperatures, food preparation practices, worker hygiene, dishwashing and sanitizing, and equipment and facility cleanliness. Violations: Scores are based on a 100-point scale. Priority violations deduct 5 points, and priority foundation violations deduct 3 points.
Oregon bills aim to tackle skyrocketing utility rates: What you need to know

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

Lawmakers are considering bills that change how the Oregon Public Utility Commission sets rates for investor-owned utilities. The proposals include giving the PUC more control over rate increases and creating a separate payment structure for large energy users. Other bills would increase PUC funding and shift to performance-based regulation.
Aurora sues to prevent airport master plan from being finalized

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

The city of Aurora has sued the Oregon Aviation Department to prevent the state from submitting a master plan for the Aurora State Airport to the Federal Aviation Administration for approval. The city argues in its lawsuit filed in Marion County Circuit Court that Oregon's land use processes would be bypassed if the master plan is approved by the FAA and adopted by the Oregon Aviation Board.
La Popular Envios in Oregon accused of laundering $18.5M in drug money

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation has issued a cease-and-desist order against a money transmitter that operated locations of La Popular Envios, including an office in Woodburn, after its owner was accused of laundering $18.5 million from alleged drug proceeds. The business operated locations throughout Oregon, including in Hillsboro, Canby, Odell and Beaverton, as well as in Washington. Owner Brenda Lili Barrera Orantes, 39, was arraigned in federal court in Portland on April 17.
Silverton High School closed April 18 due to phone threat

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

Silverton High School will be closed on April 18 after Silverton Police received a computer-generated phone call about an incident at the school. Silverton Police said they received the threat on April 17 and responded to the high school. They said no threat was found and school was released as scheduled. The Silver Falls School district decided to close the high school and all home athletic activities on April 18.
Highway 219 closed after crash north of Woodburn, Oregon

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

Highway 219 was closed 4 miles north of Woodburn due to a crash on the afternoon of April 17, the Oregon Department of Transportation said. The crash happened near milepost 33. ODOT said a detour was being set up to direct drivers around the crash. The closure was expected to last several hours. Bill Poehler covers Marion and Polk County for the Statesman Journal. Contact him at [email protected]
Speed limit will be reduced on McKay Road through the summer: What to know

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

A section of McKay Road will have a reduced speed limit of 45 mph until October for construction. The construction aims to improve safety on the road, which has seen increased traffic since the Newberg-Dundee Bypass opened. The $2 million project is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. Traffic on an arterial road between Newberg and the Donald Aurora Interchange on Interstate 5 will be temporarily slowed to 45 mph starting in May and lasting until October.
2 Gervais city councilors resign after meeting to select an interim city manager

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

Two Gervais city councilors resigned after a three-hour executive session about hiring an interim city manager. Four candidates were interviewed, including the former police chief who was fired in 2024. The city has been without a permanent city manager since January. Two city councilors in Gervais have resigned since a three-hour-long executive session earlier in April about hiring an interim city manager.
Dayton woman pleads guilty to stealing $1.7M from VFW to buy crystals, marbles

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

A Dayton woman pleaded guilty in federal court on April 15 to wire fraud for defrauding the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oregon and using $1.7 million in stolen funds to buy crystals, semiprecious rocks, marbles, stones and statues. Between January 2022 and June 2024, Cheryl Elizabeth Campos, 61, was Quartermaster at the VFW, according to court records.
Polk County restaurant inspections: Lukewarm cheese, cigarettes on counter

1 week ago | statesmanjournal.com | Bill Poehler

The following is a snapshot of the inspections conducted by the Polk County Health Department. Twice annually, licensed restaurants receive unannounced inspections that focus on food temperatures, food preparation practices, worker hygiene, dishwashing and sanitizing, and equipment and facility cleanliness. Violations: Scores are based on a 100-point scale. Priority violations deduct 5 points, and priority foundation violations deduct 3 points.