Payette County attorney and Army veteran Kelly R. Whiting has been appointed county magistrate judge. During his public interview, Whiting discussed his local roots, legal experience and approach to sentencing, treatment courts and public trust.
As the nation prepares to observe the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, a review of Argus Observer coverage from the first year afterward shows how communities across the Western Treasure Valley responded to a tragedy that killed nearly 3,000 people.
Vale School District Superintendent Alisha McBride was named Oregon’s 2027 Superintendent of the Year during a surprise announcement at the Sept. 9 school board meeting.
The Jayanthi Raman Dance Company will present “Margam: The Sacred Path,” a classical Indian Bharatanatyam dance production, Sept. 18 at Four Rivers Cultural Center in Ontario.
David Lee Evans faces two felony aggravated animal abuse charges in Malheur County after allegedly killing two cats in Ontario in separate 2025 incidents.
The Vale High School FFA Chapter earned a 1-Star rating in the National Chapter Award Program, placing it among the nation’s top 10% of FFA chapters. The award recognizes the chapter’s leadership, community service and agricultural activities.
Ontario Mayor Debbie Folden faces Arthur May and Jackie Koehler in a three-way reelection race. The candidates outlined priorities involving public safety, infrastructure, community involvement and the Sanctuary Promise Act.
Nominations are open now through the 15th. Get StartedNominate an Amazing Teacher of the Month!
Ontario’s Sydney Sather earned a Celebrity Choice Award at Hot August Nights for a 1967 Camaro she began rebuilding at age 14 with her grandfather, Pete Sather. The car stood out among approximately 6,000 classics at the Reno event.
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Four Rivers Community School students star in a Pitbull-inspired video campaign seeking support to transform the former Argus Observer building into a permanent home for Sr. Prep in Ontario.
New Plymouth veteran Joseph J. Katancik, 97, received the VFW Department of Idaho Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of military and community service.
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Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library provides free monthly books to more than 2,000 children in Malheur, Payette and Washington counties. Following the country music legend’s death at 80, residents can honor her literacy legacy by donating through Four Rivers Healthy Community.
Editor
The Payette City Council voted 5-1 to table a proposed communications and privacy policy after debating rules governing official emails, personal phone numbers, social media and public records.
Ontario police used pepper balls and a Taser while responding to a report of an armed threat near the bowling alley Aug. 22. Mark Alan Olson, 46, of Twin Falls, later died at the scene. Oregon State Police are leading the investigation, and four officers have been placed on leave.
ONTARIO — Local residents will have an opportunity Monday to comment on Idaho Power’s proposed $154 million sale of its Oregon distribution system to Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative.
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Join Angel Wings Network and Angel Riders on Sept. 19 in Weiser for 'Horsin' Around'—featuring horseback rides, games, and a cornhole tournament to support local cancer patients.
January 01, 1933 - September 09, 2026 William Z. Thomson, Ontario, Oregon formerly of Burns, Oregon died at his home on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at the age of 93. A Husband, Veteran, Fathe…
Payette County attorney and Army veteran Kelly R. Whiting has been appointed county magistrate judge. During his public interview, Whiting discussed his local roots, legal experience and appro…
June 25, 1948 - September 03, 2026 Funeral services will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in St. Helens, OR on September 12 at 2:00pm. Graveside will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Weiser,…
May 09, 1970 - August 01, 2026 John Raymond Long died on August 1, 2026, in Newport, Oregon, at the age of 56, after a short courageous battle with cancer. Born on May 9, 1970, John was the so…
Western Treasure Valley events Sept. 10 to 16 include car seat safety checks in Ontario, a jewelry and craft day in Payette, preschool story time in Vale, yoga and local government and school board meetings.
Join Angel Wings Network and Angel Riders on Sept. 19 in Weiser for 'Horsin' Around'—featuring horseback rides, games, and a cornhole tournament to support local cancer patients.
Adrian High School senior Addie West, 17, earned an associate’s degree in art from Treasure Valley Community College in June, becoming the school’s first student to earn a college degree before graduating from high school. With district support covering books and coursework, West balanced college classes with student leadership, FFA and three sports.
Landowners and producers affected by the Big Grass Fire connected with Oregon and Idaho agencies at a Sept. 8 recovery meeting hosted by Malheur Rangeland Partnership. The event drew 92 participants to Pleasant Valley School to discuss recovery resources, technical assistance and coordinated post-fire planning.
TVCC President Dana Young highlights the college’s role in workforce development, student life and strengthening community connections across the Treasure Valley.
Doug Dean explores how childhood play in eastern Oregon evolved from homemade Depression-era toys and outdoor games to postwar toy crazes and today’s video games, STEM activities and robotics.
The Argus Observer weekly faith column features a rotation of writers from many different faiths and perspectives. This week's column is written by the Rev. Jim Mosier, retired rector at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Ontario.
ONTARIO — The Ontario Bridge Club meets on Monday and Wednesday to play bridge and is part of the American Contract Bridge League.
Ontario High School Valedictorian speaker Sophia Romero Orozco said when she was growing up she was always called a "migrant." While she didn't fully understand what that meant when she was younger, she told the OHS Class of 2026 graduation attendees she now defines it as "working hard just …
Editor
The New Plymouth City Council approved a 3% increase in Hardin Sanitation trash-collection rates, effective Oct. 1, as operating costs continue to rise.
Payette County has approved a $35 fee for unsecured loads entering the Clay Peak Landfill in an effort to prevent garbage from blowing onto roads and neighboring properties.
Four attorneys, including Payette County’s chief deputy prosecutor, have been selected for public interviews as the Third Judicial District works to replace retiring Magistrate Judge Robert L. Jackson.
A judge sentenced Shane Loughran, 28, to up to 30 years in prison for repeatedly sexually abusing a child in Washington County and other jurisdictions.
New Plymouth’s junior varsity and varsity football teams earned back-to-back shutouts over Caldwell, winning 70-0 and 42-0, respectively.
Ontario High School Head Football Coach Billy Brost stepped down after the Tigers opened the season 2-0, including a 35-0 shutout of Payette.
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The Adrian Antelopes began their pursuit of another undefeated season with a commanding victory, while Vale and Ontario also opened the 2026 football season with wins.
FRUITLAND — The Fruitland Grizzlies opened their season with a 42-21 nonleague victory over the visiting Kimberly Bulldogs on Aug. 23.
This week, Dave talks to a father who wants to give his adult daughter a financial gift. The problem? She’s not very responsible with money. It’s a good opportunity for a teachable moment.
Dave Ramsey advises a couple to decide together how to use cash gifts while prioritizing repayment of their remaining $8,000 debt.
VALE — Following is the market report from Producers Livestock for Aug. 26.
Dave Ramsey advises a couple to decide together how to use cash gifts while prioritizing repayment of their remaining $8,000 debt.
For many Oregonians, spring doesn’t just bring cherry blossoms – it brings the "Grass Seed C…
