New year brings changes to employment laws, min. wage

A new grant fund to support career and technical education (CTE) in Oregon schools headlines a number of changes to the labor and employment landscape of the state that took effect on Jan. 1, according to summary materials released by the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI).

“The establishment of the Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grant Fund represents a huge victory for Oregon’s economy,” said Commissioner Avakian, head of BOLI. “Even more immediately, we’ll see the impact of important legislation strengthening our veterans’ preference and uniformed service protections, ensuring protected leave for jury service and victims of harassment, and empowering BOLI to help workers recover damages when their paychecks bounce.”

Housing market showing signs of life in West Valley

By Jo McIntyre
Correspondent, The Sun

It’s been several months since the last real estate report appeared in The Sun, and true to this paper’s name, some tiny little sunbeams are continuing to arouse hope in the hearts of home sellers and real estate agents everywhere.

While it is true that most sales are still foreclosures, charts from the private Regional Multiple Listing Service, which keeps track of real estate sales throughout Oregon, show fewer declines and even some upticks in Yamhill and Polk counties.

Mac vineyard donates 75 turkeys to local food bank

By George Robertson
Correspondent, The Sun

Hundreds of Yamhill County children and their families will have a brighter Christmas this year thanks to the efforts of one of Santa’s favorite helpers.

This energetic elf is Linda Lindsay, co-owner of Stone Wolf Vineyards in McMinnville.

Tastee’s dogs are ‘Awesome,’ says student

Entrepreneur opens traveling lunch stand on South Bridge St.

By Clinton Vining
Publisher, The Sun

Tastee’s Hot Dogs is offering Sheridan visitors a taste of New York on South Bridge Street.

“They are awesome. I really like them,” said Sheridan High School student Justin Taylor, who by late October had quickly become the street vendor’s no. 1 customer.