Union officials are going to bat for Talent’s newly out-of-work city recorder, contending he is being laid off in retaliation for his decision to unionize last year.

Local 223 of the Teamsters union is filing a complaint with Oregon’s labor appeals court, claiming that Talent’s decision to cut its city recorder position violates labor laws and hoping to get the decision reversed.

After a historic season for the North Valley softball team, it comes as no surprise that the Knights dominated the District 7 all-conference awards.

When the honors were recently announced, North Valley had a clean sweep of the top awards.

Senior Abby Smithwick won both Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year, while Charlie Chase took Coach of the Year.

Smithwick hit .394 this season and had an 2.12 ERA in the circle with 84 strikeouts and 34 walks.

If you read last week’s column, you may recall my pledge to return to the heartwarming memoir I had mentioned written by Coralie Johnson, who lived more than a century ago in Illinois Valley’s Holland.

To quote Robert Service, the Bard of the North, a promise made is a debt unpaid. It’s a promise I happily fulfill, albeit regret having to significantly pare down the fascinating tome.

But you’ll get the gist.

The Wild Rivers Photography Club has named Bridget Cline as its photographer of the year for 2025-2026.

Cline selected her photo “Bonbons Three” as best representing her photographic work to share with the Daily Courier readers.

When the photography assignment “Food for Thought” came in, Cline says, timing was everything.