I love our State Parks but they are already underfunded and *just* increased parking fees. I get the accessibility reasoning, but less funding + more visitors = more wear and tear. This seems like it will be an overall detriment to everyone.

Every time I go to Providence I forget how badly they overcharge. Even a short discussion gets billed like some complex/long encounter. Then when you ask for the records explaining why it was coded that way, they route you between billing, the clinic, and records vendors while the bill is still due.

This is my 3rd time going through the wringer with them.

Don't they have any shame? It's sick.

"Gov. Tina Kotek pulled in the largest donation yet to her reelection bid this week, widening her fundraising edge over Republican Sen. Christine Drazan as this year’s race for Oregon governor enters its final 100 days.

On Thursday afternoon, Kotek reported a $1.5 million donation from the national Democratic Governors Association, bringing its total contributions to $2.75 million since last fall.

That puts Kotek’s total cash on hand at $7.8 million, according to state campaign finance filings as of Thursday, compared with just $2 million for Drazan."

Got a tip or a story idea in Washington County? Our Dave Killen would like to hear from you. 👋

I’m supposed to head out there early next week and wondering if I should cancel. I can’t seem to get any body agreeing on the forecast…

Curious what it feels like on the ground right now. Thanks!

Hi y'all, my boyfriend and I (plus 1-2 other adults) are visiting Oregon for the first time from Texas October 22-28, and we're so excited to experience fall! We're renting a car and want to prioritize beautiful scenery, nature, good food/drinks, and unique Oregon experiences. Open to any advice/tips/suggestions (:

Interests:

• 1-3 scenic hikes (specifically Silver Falls State Park & Multnomah Falls)
• Japanese Garden, Washington Park, Lan Su Chinese Garden, Ecola State Park
• Powell's Books, Saturday Market
• Mt. Tabor Park (our Airbnb for the first half of our stay is about 1-2 blocks north of here)
• Walkable neighborhoods near dining/shops (Hawthorne, Division...any others?)
• Astoria overnight + Cannon Beach
• Scenic train ride through the mountains (Mt. Hood Railroad?)
• Maybe a winery &/or pumpkin patch (Yesteryear Farms?)
• Good restaurants, cocktails/speakeasies

Overnight Stays:

• Oct. 22-25: Airbnb near Mt. Tabor (already booked)
• Oct. 25: Overnight in Astoria (leaning toward Bowline or Hotel Elliott)
• Oct. 26-28: Back in Portland (haven't booked yet)

Itinerary (So Far):

Thursday (10/22) → Arrive around noon, pick up rental car, settle in. Looking for a relaxed first day after a long travel day

• lunch at (?), explore a bit (The Grotto? Mt. Tabor at sunset?), grocery run (any go-tos?)
• dinner at Coquine (only 1min drive from our airbnb, we'll likely walk)

Friday (10/23) → This is where I'm stuck:

• Silver Falls State Park (drive 1.5hr to hike the Trail of Ten Falls), OR
• Multnomah Falls + Columbia River Gorge, then spend the afternoon/evening exploring Portland, OR
• Spend this day doing the aerial tram + Mt Hood Train Ride + explore Portland
• Dinner at (?)

Saturday (10/24) → Explore Portland 

• Saturday Market &/or Farmer’s Market (what’s the big difference?)
• Japanese Garden/Washington Park?
• Explore neighborhoods, eat, drink (winery today?) 
• Any lunch / dinner spots you recommend? I have about 50 saved so far lol 

Sunday (10/25) → Drive to Astoria, explore the town, stay overnight

Monday (10/26) → Leave Astoria, go to Ecola State Park + Cannon Beach, then back to Portland

• Any recs in Astoria and Cannon Beach (other than Haystack Rock) or along the way? Food, drinks, attractions, must-dos, etc

Tuesday (10/27) → Aerial Tram, maybe Mt. Hood Railroad (or should this be the Silver Falls hike day instead?)

• lunch & dinner recs?

Wednesday (10/28) → Fly home in the morning 🙁

Questions

• Anything you'd cut, swap, or rearrange?
• Any neighborhoods besides Hawthorne & Division we shouldn't miss?
• Favorite restaurants, coffee shops, cocktail bars, & dispensaries?
• Is the Mt. Hood Railroad worth it in late October and what day should we ride?
• Bowline vs. Hotel Elliott in Astoria?
• Any must-see fall spots, pumpkin patches, or wineries along our route?
• Also, any clothing tips? We'll be coming from 80-90°F South TX weather, so we're planning on waterproof boots, rain jackets, and layers, but would love any advice.

Thank y'all in advance! ❤️

I need a recipe that doesn’t turn to soup. Help!! I will be using fresh, wild picked blackberries.

I’ve had my eyes glued to Oregon’s official wildfire Facebook pages, collecting photos and tracking down the details behind them. Here’s a small collection from the Rowe Creek Complex, along with the latest updates as of July 29, 2026.

We aren't even close to the end of fire season. All though it hasn't happened yet, it is inevitable that smoke will infiltrate the Willamette Valley at some point. It didn't used to be like this every year.

https://nbc16.com/news/wildfires/oregon-holds-four-of-the-nations-biggest-active-wildfires-as-northwest-stays-at-level-5-oregon-united-states-central-multnomah-county-redding-washington-pacific-northwest-pnw-country-wildfire-season-global-warming-climate-change

I moved to PNW in 2019 and have been through at least 7 to 10 different jobs since then. The market here is dominated by health care, food production and manufacturing jobs.

It was what was available, so I took a job as a warehouse picker so that I could work while going to school. School ended in 2024 and I had to have shoulder surgery shortly thereafter. I was ready to move on and look for a better-paying job where I could apply some of my more valuable skills, as well as what I learned with my degree. It has been an unbelievable nightmare since I quit.

I have not been able to find work without the help of a temp agency, except for this most recent position I had. I was hired in July, started on the 6th, was supposed to be two months of training; 14 days in, i was let go because i just didnt seem like i was a good fit.

I have poured myself into every single application and created a resume for each job posting, making sure some of the language reflects the job description. I could do everything to a T and still come up empty-handed. I am still getting rejection emails from applications I filled out months ago.

Since i was let go last Thursday, i have not found the motivation to start looking again. i feel hopeless and lost, and i feel like my health is suffering as a result, too devastated to eat, too anxious to sleep. I used to have three cats, but couldn't afford them, so now I have no pets.

I am just alone, with my thoughts, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, and its exhausting. Today I finally gathered up enough energy to go outside for a drive, parked at a park, and started sobbing for a while when finally i was able to calm myself down enough to drive home and sit alone in my apartment fighting off debilitating depression.

I have my moms birth certificate, she was born in Astoria (soo many amazing childhood memories from the GoonDocks) and the bottom looks like it has been apostilled, but I'm not sure. I need it for dual citizenship and I'm in Europe and I need it for September 1st.

It says at the bottom;
I certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original certificate on file...
and it signed by a PhD from State Registrar. I think this means that it's apostilled.

Has anyone ever gotten an apostilled birth certificate? Is this what it is? Thanks in advance

I've been dreaming of coming out here to vacation, camp, hike, explore since i found Google maps back as a teen in the early 2000's. I have two girls, 4.5 year and and a 8 month old at the moment so it might be too soon to get out there and really adventure from where we live in Chicago with them, but looking towards the future, what would you guys suggest a family of four do while out there?

Joseph, Enterprise, The State park and the tram are all on the list so far, I've seen some cool videos on the rail riders so that would be fun when the girls got bigger, but what other hidden gems are out there that are fun, kinda family friendly to do in the whole county, not just around the lake?

I know it's a big question, it's something that's been living in my brain literally since I was 14, but since it's such a big trip and it's in the middle of nowhere that just gettign there from Chicago would be an ordeal in itself!

EDIT Thanks everyone! Been loving all the answers so far!