The City of Stayton is looking for passionate individuals to serve on the Public Arts Commission and the Planning Commission! This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference in our community. Public Arts Commission: Help bring art to life in Stayton! Work on art projects, exhibitions, and public installations that will inspire and enhance our city s cultural landscape. Planning Commission: Interested in urban development? Join the team that helps shape Stayton s future growth, reviewing land-use policies, zoning regulations, and development plans. Visit our Boards and Commissions page for more information on how to apply.

Quick Take: There will not be a deep-water drawdown at Detroit Lake this fall (2025), even though it was previously planned. We've been discussing recent changes to how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages the dams in the Willamette Valley, including Detroit Dam. One of the things being considered is the practice of deep drawdowns to help fish. Here s the latest update. USACE Visit: Representatives from the Army Corps, including Colonel Caswell, recently visited Stayton to meet with the Mayor, City Council, and staff. They wanted to learn more about our water treatment system and hear our concerns about how deep drawdowns affect local water resources. We re pleased to report that they confirmed there will be no deep drawdown at Detroit Lake this year. What s Happening? The Army Corps is finalizing their plan for managing the dams and lakes in our area. However, recent legislation (Water Resources Development Act of 2024) has asked them to also study what would happen if the dams no longer produced electricity. Because of this, their plans are being rolled out in two stages: Step One 2025: This year, they will follow a temporary plan to help fish and maintain water quality while they continue studying the issue. Step Two 2026 and Beyond: In 2026, they will release a final plan that includes long-term changes, which might even involve stopping power generation at some dams. In summary, the original plan called for a significant water drop below normal levels (called a deep drawdown ) at Detroit Lake this fall to help young fish swim downstream. However, this will not happen in Fall 2025. Instead, the issue will be studied further, and any potential changes may be part of the long-term plan in 2026. Thank you for staying engaged! We ll continue to provide updates on our Detroit Dam Drawdown page as we receive more information.

Spring has arrived, and the team at the Stayton Family Memorial Pool is thrilled to kick off another season of swim lessons! We are honored to provide essential water safety and swimming instruction to third-grade students from local schools. In 2024, we proudly taught approximately 200 children, helping them build confidence in the water. Thanks to the generous support of the Kiwanis Club, students from St. Mary s Elementary School, Mari-Linn School, Sublimity School, Cloverdale Elementary School, Santiam Elementary School, and Stayton Elementary School have the opportunity to learn vital swimming skills. This year, excitement is at an all-time high as we anticipate welcoming 287 young swimmers in April 2025! Our dedicated instructors are inspired by this growth and can t wait to witness each child s progress as they develop their abilities and confidence in the water. Let s make this swim season the best one yet! Student thank you cards to Pool staff following 2024 Kiwanis sponsored lessons.

Welcome to the very first edition of the Stayton Police Blotter, where we give you the scoop on key incidents from our city s streets. Here s a snapshot of police activity in Stayton for March. This blotter includes arrests for DUII, trespassing, warrants, and more. Remember, this is just a glimpse of the bigger picture of what s happening around town. and doesn t cover all calls for service just key incidents. DUII arrests across multiple locations Warrants served for various offenses Disturbances and trespassing at Santiam Hospital Fleeing suspect caught after pursuit Stay informed, stay safe, and let s all do our part to keep Stayton a great place to live! 3/1/2025 E. Washington St. : An officer initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle failing to maintain its lane. After an investigation, it was determined the driver, a 54-year-old male resident of Stayton, was taken into custody for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. 3/3/2025 Santiam Hospital : The Hospital reported a male causing a disturbance inside the ER. Officers trespassed the male at the hospital s request and escorted him off the property. Officers were called back later after he returned to the hospital. The 54-year-old male transient was subsequently taken into custody for Criminal Trespass and Disorderly Conduct and transported to jail. 3/4/2025 Santiam Hospital : Officers responded to a call from Santiam Hospital regarding a previously trespassed person causing a disturbance. Officers arrested the male transient for Criminal Trespass and Offensive Littering. 3/7/2025 N. Third Ave. & E. Santiam St. : A 43-year-old male resident of Sublimity was arrested on a Failure to Appear (FTA) warrant after he was contacted during a suspicious activity complaint. 3/9/2025 N. First Ave. : A 42-year-old male from Gresham and a 45-year-old female from Eugene were arrested on FTA warrants after they were contacted during a traffic stop. 3/13/2025 Fern Ridge Rd. / N. Third Ave. : A 29-year-old Stayton resident was arrested for Interfering with Making a Police Report after an investigation revealed he prevented another person from calling 911 to report an incident. 3/14/2025 W. Ida St. : A 37-year-old male resident of Salem was arrested on an FTA bench warrant out of Clackamas County. 3/15/2025 Wilco Rd. : Officers initiated a traffic stop after observing the driver using his cellphone. After an investigation, officers arrested the driver, a 31-year-old male resident of Salem, for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants and Driving While Using an Electronic Device. 3/16/2025 W. Washington St. : A 23-year-old man was arrested for Telephonic Harassment and Menacing-Threats/Intimidation. 3/16/2025 N. Third Ave. : A 36-year-old female from Stayton turned herself in on an FTA bench warrant from Marion County Sheriff s Office (MCSO). 3/17/2025 First Ave. : A 49-year-old female from Stayton was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants after conducting a traffic stop and officers performed standardized field sobriety test on the driver. 3/17/2025 Three juveniles charged with Minor in Possession. 3/17/2025 Cascade Hwy / Shaff Rd. : A 36-year-old Sublimity resident was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Driving While Suspended, and Driving Uninsured after officers were dispatched to a single vehicle accident near Shaff Rd. and Cascade Hwy. Officers arrived on scene and discovered the driver had lost control of his pickup and was stuck in the mud. 3/17/2025 Birch Ave. : A juvenile, who had been reported as missing in Yamhill County, was located and taken into custody for a warrant for Violating a Release Agreement and transported to Marion County Juvenile Detention. 3/23/2025 Shaff Rd. / N. Gardner Ave. : A 39-year-old male resident of Stayton was arrested on an FTA bench warrant. 3/24/2025 Gardner Ave. : A 27-year-old male resident of Stayton was arrested on a warrant for parole violation after responding to a reported disturbance at a residence. 3/25/2025 N. First Ave. : Officers attempted a traffic stop on a 37-year-old male who had several warrants for his arrest and was traveling through Stayton. He stopped briefly before he sped away from the officers. Based on safety concerns with the driving he exhibited since he was known to the officer, a pursuit was not continued. He was later stopped in Salem by a neighboring agency where he was arrested for Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, Reckless Driving, and his warrants including a felony warrant out of Benton County. Stayton officers also charged him with Theft from a previous outstanding Stayton case we had investigated where he was a suspect. See something suspicious? Report it anytime our dispatch line is open 24/7: (503) 982-2340.

Protecting Stayton's Water Supply: Your Voice Matters The City of Stayton is actively working to protect our water supply as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) moves forward with plans to release sediment-filled water from Detroit Dam beginning in fall 2025. While this project is intended to improve fish migration, it poses serious risks to our water quality not just for Stayton, but for all communities that rely on the North Santiam River. What We're Doing City leaders continue to push for solutions that safeguard our drinking water. In recent weeks, we have: Engaged in ongoing discussions with USACE, with more meetings scheduled. Worked closely with federal representatives to explain the consequences and seek their support. Collaborated with other affected cities along the North and South Santiam Rivers to coordinate efforts. Brought this issue to the State level, where involvement will be necessary for both short- and long-term solutions. Began collaboration with water treatment plant suppliers to investigate potential mitigation approaches to reduce the impact on our slow sand filtration system. Our Request to USACE We have been clear in our stance: Do not proceed with the drawdown. While this is unlikely, we continue to advocate for it. If the drawdown must happen, delay it giving us time to implement solutions and secure funding to manage the impact of increased sediment and turbidity. The Cost and Concern We are currently exploring pre-treatment options to mitigate water quality issues, but these solutions could cost millions of dollars. We firmly believe this financial burden should not fall on the Stayton ratepayers or those in any other impacted city. How You Can Help We need your voice! Please join us in urging state and federal representatives to take action. To make it easy, we have drafted letters and messages you can use. Visit our dedicated webpage for resources, contact information, and ways to get involved. Together we can work toward a solution that protects our water supply for generations to come.

On Monday, March 25th, the Stayton Public Library chugged up to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland for a special train-themed storytime like no other! ???? A total of 209 children and adults joined in for a morning filled with reading, dancing, and singing, all surrounded by historic trains and railroad displays. But the fun didn t stop there everyone climbed aboard a real locomotive for a breathtaking ride along the Willamette River! To top it all off, every child took home a free book and toy, making this an unforgettable day of learning and adventure. A huge THANK YOU to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center for making this event so special! From the museum space and train ride to the snacks, books, and train toys you truly made this a day to remember.

As part of its efforts to prevent distracted driving and enhance road safety, the U.S. Department of Transportation s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and your Stayton Police Department reminds drivers to prioritize safe road practices and avoid distractions while driving with this clear message: Don t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward. Beginning April 1st and running the entire month of April, Federal Grant money will be used to increase patrols around your town. Please remember these tips: If a text message is expected or needs to be sent and can t wait, the driver should pull over and park their car in a safe location before using the phone. Ask a passenger to be the designated texter, and give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages. Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. Listen to your passengers: If they see you texting while driving and tell you to put your phone away, put it down. Cell phone use is habit-forming. If struggling to not text and drive, drivers can activate their phone s Do Not Disturb feature, silence notifications, or put their phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until they arrive to their destination. Cell phone use while driving is dangerous. Break the cycle. Remember: Don t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward. Help save lives and be an example to others by committing to that message.

Looking for some awesome activities this Spring Break? We've got you covered! Join us for a week full of fun, learning, and community connections: Don't forget to pick up your copy of this year's Adventure Log at any City of Stayton facility! Tour the Stayton Police Department See what it takes to keep our community safe! Monday @ 3pm & Friday @ 12pm Meet a City Councilor Ask questions and learn how decisions are made. Wednesday 11am-12pm & Friday 1230-130 pm Tour the Wastewater Treatment Plant Discover the science behind clean water. Tuesday @ 1230pm & Friday @ 2pm Make Tracks with the Library An exciting experience for adventure lovers! Tue, Wed, & Fri 10am-6pm, Thu 10am-7pm, Sat 10am-2pm Ride the Slide at the Pool Splash into Spring Break with some serious fun! Tue & Thu 330-615pm & Sat 1-4 pm Don t miss out on this amazing lineup of activities for the whole family. See you there! ??