Hans Boyle

Albany

Education Reporter at Albany Democrat-Herald

Education reporter @dhnews and @gt news. Former @UO_Snowden intern at @mailtribune and former reporter at @dailyemerald.

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Articles

Oregon State grad students allege the university owes them backpay

2 weeks ago | oregonlive.com | Hans Boyle

Dozens of graduate employees at Oregon State University rallied outside the university’s administrative offices Thursday, June 5, because they say some workers are owed at least $17,000 in backpay. It appears to stem from a disagreement over when their latest contract was ratified. The Coalition of Graduate Employees, the union representing around 1,700 graduate workers, argues OSU failed to give retroactive pay increases to all eligible employees, as promised in their contract.
Can Albany voters be swayed by gas tax? Here's what a survey says

2 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

It looks like Albany voters may be swayed to support a local gas tax. Well, just barely. And that's if the messaging is right. That's according to a report on a survey of Albany voters from two consulting firms, set to be discussed at next week’s City Council meeting. The highlights: a gas tax gets 51% support among Albany voters if they get a little more explanatory information, and a plurality prefers a 10-cent gas tax that raises $4 million annually.
OSU grad workers demand 'backpay' at rally

2 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Dozens of graduate employees at Oregon State University rallied outside the university’s administrative offices Thursday, June 5, because they say some workers are owed at least $17,000 in backpay. It appears to stem from a disagreement over when their latest contract was ratified. The Coalition of Graduate Employees, the union representing around 1,700 graduate workers, argues OSU failed to give retroactive pay increases to all eligible employees, as promised in their contract.
Albany walks away from charging big retailers for 911 calls

2 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

It looks like Albany leaders won’t pursue a fee proposed for businesses that attract excessive 911 calls anytime soon. The decision follows an Albany Police Department presentation last week looking at call data from the city’s biggest retailers. That was prompted by a council request to see what imposing a “public safety impact fee” would entail. The conclusion from Albany police Chief Marcia Harnden: It's not really worth the effort.
U.S. Rep. Bynum talks Trump at Albany town hall

2 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Oregon Democratic Congresswoman Janelle Bynum stopped by Albany this week to rail against President Donald Trump’s policies. The first-term representative is organizing what she calls a “Give ‘Em Hell Tour” of Oregon’s 5th Congressional District to show off her opposition to the Trump administration, with a few more planned this summer. But unlike a joint town hall with U.S. Sen.
What to do with Albany's feral cats? How about a cafe?

3 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Tired of feral cats wandering Albany’s streets and meowing at your door? One woman wants to help. That’s Laurel Van Winkle, a Corvallis resident who wants to start a nonprofit to reduce feral cat population in the city east of her by transporting the cuddly-looking but wild felines up to Portland, where they can be neutered or spayed and then returned to whence they came. But she also harbors a greater ambition: opening a Hawaiian-themed cat cafe in downtown Albany.
Albany schools to reduce positions amid shortfall at GAPS

3 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Like other school districts in the state, Greater Albany Public Schools is finalizing its next budget amid a funding crunch. Earlier this year, officials projected a $6 million shortfall, though that estimate has since shrunk to around $4 million. Still, at a Budget Dommittee meeting this week, district Human Resources Director Susie Orsborn said GAPS will need to cut nearly 50 positions.
Albany council appoints new member

3 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

The Albany City Council has appointed Christopher Van Drimmelen, an Oregon State University business process manager, to fill its empty Ward 2 seat. Van Drimmelen will fill the spot vacated by former Ward 2 office-holder Jackie Montague who resigned earlier this month. Montague took a new job as a business analyst at the city’s IT department and stepped down to avoid any conflict-of-interest issues. Van Drimmelen will hold the seat for the remainder of Montague’s term, which expires Dec. 31, 2026.
Winner emerges in tight Albany school board election

3 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Retired Albany teacher Kris McLaughlin is declaring victory in the tight race for the at-large seat on the Greater Albany school board. More than a week after the May 20 election, she leads in the three-way race by 97 votes. That’s according to results posted to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website as of May 29. Both Linn and Benton counties have finished their counts this week and are now working on curing ballots with missing or nonmatching signatures, according to their respective clerks.
Ophelia's Place, a nonprofit to help girls, will close Albany location

3 weeks ago | democratherald.com | Hans Boyle

Earlier this month, the Eugene-based nonprofit Ophelia’s Place announced it will close its Albany location after two-plus years in the city. The organization, which runs prevention-based programs to support girls ages 10 through 18, opened for business downtown in 2022 on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Lyon Street. The move to close the location comes as program participation in the area has dropped by half and competition grows for grants amid federal funding uncertainty.