By STEVE WICK Oct 21, 2026 The opponents of Measure 36-241 have repeatedly said that we must remove the Yamhelas Trail right-of- way from the Transportation System Plan, because the real intended use is as an expensive boondoggle; Light Rail, which could cost the citizens of Yamhill County millions of dollars. Yup, that was a plan many years ago, but it is no longer physically feasible, or economically viable. Why? First, there is no way light rail (Tri-Met/ Metro) could com

October 17, 20265:18 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered By Joel Rose and Rolando Arrieta Organizers hope to connect more than 150 existing rail-trails, greenways and other paths spanning more than 3,700 miles across America. NPR's Joel Rose checks on their progress in western Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio. https://www.npr.org/2026/10/17/nx-s1-5973071/biking-along-the-great-american-rail-trail

By Philip Forve Oct 15 Too often this debate is framed as farmers versus trail advocates. In my mind, that's "living with the tyranny of or." We do not have to live that way here in Yamhill County. We are a county with many industries and each one is important in a balanced economy. Oregon has shown that we are better off with balanced solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders and look long-term. For example, our historic decision to make our beaches a public spa

November 23, 2025 Who will be using the Yamhelas Westsider Trail, the YWT? For over 13 years of planning there have been public meetings, summer festival information booths and even a professional survey to gage how the community is thinking regarding the YWT. A frequent concern is who we will be using the trail. That topic is almost always brought up by someone who is in a degree of opposition to the trail. The assumption seems to be that we will be invaded by people from

November 25, 2025 To: The Planning Commission of Yamhill County From: Steve Harloff Yamhill, OR 97148 Re: Repeal of Ordinance 880 re: Yamhelas Westsider Trail During a recent visit to Utah’s great natural areas, I discovered a state covered with easily accessible pedestrian and cycling trails, but I found out something more important. Paralyzed and severely handicapped people want to get out and share the Utah’s lengthy trails with “Advenchairs,” a bicycle-like adaptation tha

Oct. 10, 2025 Two of our county commissioners have chosen to eliminate the Yamhelas Westsider Trail from the county’s official transportation projects list. This would be shortsighted and counterproductive to the economic growth of Yamhill County. The Lafayette to Gaston trail has faced opposition from hazelnut growers fearing increased crime. The two commissioners seem to be in their pocket. I’ve ridden many trails in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and British Columbia without se