New this academic year, Western has implemented a reward system called “Paw Points,” in which students can go to events around campus to earn spending points. Events that are listed as ones that participate will give out points to students who check in, which can then be traded in for various merchandise. On some occasions, students can earn Paw Points by filling out surveys sent to student emails if they specify that this incentive is provided on completion — one case being the recent email Jan. 8 from ASWOU — so students who are looking for more points should be sure to check their emails consistently.
To check which upcoming events are offering Paw Points for attending, students can log in to their Western Portal, navigate to the Involve icon in the top toolbar, click events and go to tags to filter for Paw Points. Students can also filter for events that offer three Paw Points, five or both. Then, all students have to do is attend the event listed, check in and receive their Paw Points.
Events coming up that offer Paw Points include a Law Careers Connect at the Student Success Center Jan. 14, a Phi Alpha Theta scavenger hunt at Hamersly Library Jan. 15, yoga at the Health and Wellness Center Jan. 15 and 20, MLK Day of Service at the Monmouth Senior Community Center Jan. 19, a ping pong tournament at the HWC Jan. 20 and a “Twilight” movie screening for Stalking Awareness Month at Abby’s House Jan. 27.
To view their current Paw Point balance, students can navigate to Involve, go to account and click login, and then scroll down to see their balance.
To redeem Paw Points, students can go to the Involve homepage and scroll down to the Paw Point store, where photos of Western merchandise that are available to redeem are listed. Below each picture is an amount listed for how many Paw Points each option costs. Once they find an item they’re interested in getting, students can submit an order form that an Involve admin will then verify, checking that the student has the required amount of Paw Points and that the item is still in stock. Once they approve the form, students can pick up their item at the information desk in the Werner University Center.
Items that are available right now to redeem for Paw Points include various pawprint pins, a red lanyard with pawprints as well as a Pride lanyard, hats in red, gray or black with the Western logo, a Wolfie squishmallow and plushie, a fleece blanket, a glass with the Western logo and a white water bottle that says Western Oregon University or a gray bottle with floral prints that has the Western logo. Items are limited to one per type per student.
The countdown for Monmouth’s “Making Spirits Bright” has begun. This is a series of holiday-themed events that take place in Monmouth over the month of December, beginning Dec. 5 with the annual holiday parade.
To kick off the season, the Monmouth Business Association will be hosting several events Dec. 5, including free cocoa and cider, the Merry Market and the holiday parade, with activities in the Werner University Center to follow. The Merry Market will feature local businesses and artisans selling various goods, taking place in the WUC at 4 p.m. Following this, cocoa and cider will be offered next to the giant sequoia tree on campus. Along with refreshments, Western swag will be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis. This portion of the festivities is sponsored by WOU Alumni Relations and will begin at 5:30 p.m. The main event — the holiday parade — will take place at 6 p.m. for the 58th year in a row. The parade will start at the Monmouth Public Library and travel to campus along Monmouth Avenue. Following the parade, residents will hear welcome speeches from both the Monmouth and Independence mayors as well as Western’s president, Jesse Peters. The elementary school’s annual essay contest winner will also be announced, and the student will read their essay. Finally, a countdown will commence, and the sequoia tree will be lit. Following the parade, more events will take place in the WUC, such as photos with Santa in the Willamette Room and cookie decorating on the first floor.
From 5 to 9 p.m., residents can also visit local businesses downtown that offer specials and discounts during the Tree Lighting. To keep tabs on what businesses are offering, follow the Monmouth Business Association at @mbamonmouth on Instagram.
Residents can also participate in Wolfie on the Shelf all of December. To join in, travel to one of the local businesses participating and grab a passport to fill out during the event. Those who find Wolfie at 10 or more participating businesses can turn in their passport to be entered into a prize drawing. To find out which businesses are participating, visit the Monmouth Business Association website.
To get more into the giving nature of the holidays, residents can support Toys for Tots by donating toys and gifts to children in Monmouth and Independence who otherwise might not get any gifts. Running through Dec. 15, toys or donations can be dropped off at Fee Mail Depot. During the last holiday season, Polk, Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties were able to support 13,873 children.
For more holiday cheer, grab some hot cocoa and visit Main Street Park and downtown Monmouth to view Christmas lights and displays.
A photo of what the new payment system will look like. | Photo courtesy of Ashley Schaumburg
Dec. 3 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor
Western’s business office has announced that they will be coming out with a new payment system starting in December. The current payment system was created by Western with help from U.S. Bank so that it would work well with the Portal system already in place. The business office was already working on changes, such as optimizing a one-point payment system — meaning students only need to go to one place to pay rather than the seven different cashier options currently — and adding credit card machines at front windows for payments. Due to the disappearance of Wolf Web though, they have additional upcoming changes to the online payment system itself they’re working on. By the end of December, Wolf Web will be completely integrated into the new Portal applet, Experience. Since Western’s payment system was through Wolf Web, it will also transition.
This process will be split into rollouts, all of which will be completed by May 2026. The first rollout will start in the second week of December to ensure students can make payments once Wolf Web disappears. This rollout introduces Transact, and will include the basics that are needed for students: a place to pay bills and student SS9 pages — student profile pages — where students can see their account balance and receipt numbers after payments, as well as an account summary and tax notifications. Their SS9 account allows them to view all statements and tax forms in one place.
During this first rollout, students can also send invites to parents or guardians. After a student sends an invite, their parental figure can open the invite, where they will see the student’s name and a link that takes them to a page where they can see both the student’s account and their account. Under their account, they can check account balances and make payments on their student’s tuition. They can also see if there is a pending balance, in case the student made a payment earlier.
When a payment is made under Transact, the system will list the remaining balance. Payments can be made with Apple Pay, a credit or debit card or an ACH. Students and parents should keep in mind that card payments will still have a small fee; the system will alert them to check the fee amount before paying.
During the second rollout, the business office will be working to offer payment plans. The type of payment plan that will be offered will be a three-month plan in which students can split their tuition payments into smaller increments once a month for three months. Students can also have the option to set up an auto payment at the beginning, so they don’t have to go back to manually pay during the payment plan.
The business office also hopes to set up 529 plans during the second or third rollout, meaning students can make electronic payments from a college savings account.
During later rollouts, the business office is looking to see if they can create stores through the financial page in Experience. This would mean that if a campus organization were to sell tickets or anything else, students could purchase them straight from their Portal, meaning they have an option to pay other than cash.
There aren’t any clear dates for what’s to come in the second and third rollouts of the new system, but Western’s business office assured that everything they are planning will be in place by May of next year.
Malcolm Liufau intercepts a pass against UT Permian Basin. | Photo from @wou.fb on Instagram
Nov. 12 2025 | Isaac Garcia | Sports Editor
Logan South — Kicker from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in California and a transfer from Western New Mexico. This season, he’s made 18 PATs on 20 attempts and is two for three on field goal attempts with a long of 26 yards. Tamirr Bullock — Linebacker from Turlock High School in California and a transfer from Modesto Junior College. Bullock recorded an interception against Western New Mexico earlier this season. Isaiah Rickard — Wide receiver from Franklin High School. Rickard has appeared in 28 games for the Wolves and has recorded eight receptions for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Kainoa Jones — Quarterback from Konawaena High School in Hawaii. In his career, Jones has scored 17 total touchdowns, six from passing and 11 from rushing, along with 1,450 all-purpose yards. His single-game career highs include 224 passing yards, 94 rushing yards, two passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns. Jones is also a captain for the team. Jaylen Fite — Wide receiver from Evergreen High School in Washington. Fite has appeared in 25 games for the Wolves and has 31 catches for 339 yards in addition to six rushing attempts for 17 yards. His career high in receiving yards is 64. Daron Ulrich Jr. — Defensive back and team captain from Union High School in Washington. Ulrich has appeared in 38 games for the Wolves, where he’s got two career interceptions and 149 total tackles. Malcolm Liufau — Linebacker from Punahou High School in Hawaii. Liufau has intercepted two passes this season and has 12 sacks with 30.5 tackles for a loss. Liufau also has 10 career pass breakups, six forced fumbles and one recovery in addition to being a team captain. Liufau won Lone Star Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the 2025 homecoming game against UT Permian Basin where he had an interception, a sack, and a forced fumble that secured a victory for the Wolves. James Duane — Linebacker from South Medford High School and forced a fumble versus Lincoln in 2021. He also has four career sacks along with 41 career tackles. Xavier Owens — Defensive back from Skyview High School in Washington. Xavier has career highs of one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and five pass deflections. Tamaaulelei Ma’alona — Defensive back from O’Dea High School in Washington and a transfer from Puget Sound. Here at Western, he’s appeared in eight games, giving out 12 tackles and helping out with a tackle for a loss. Jacob Pollock — Defensive back from Sherwood High School who has played in 20 games and given out 18 total tackles. Armaad Hubbard — Running back from Wichita Heights High School and a transfer from Butler Community College. Hubbard has appeared in 27 games, rushing 49 times, averaging 249 yards and one touchdown. Michael Gibson III — Quarterback from Canby High School, where he won All-League and All-State honors. Gibson was one of the top-rated quarterbacks in Oregon by Prep Redzone and had a 4.0 GPA. He’s appeared in seven total games for the Wolves and recorded a rushing touchdown at Western New Mexico last season. Blake Wolters — Running back from Heppner High School. He has appeared in 18 games. Aden Murphy — Linebacker from Tigard High School and has two career interceptions, along with six pass breakups and one forced fumble. Murphy is a 2025 team captain. Dominic Hankins — Tight end from Mazama High School, where he was First Team All-Offense and won the Rogue Valley Championship for his weight class in wrestling. Hankins has played 17 total games for the team. Emilio Castaneda — Offensive lineman from Hood River Valley High School. Has played in 41 total games for the Wolves and is a 2025 team captain. Travis Fenton — Offensive lineman from Seaside High School in Seaside, Oregon. Keyvaun Eady — Wide receiver from Southridge High School and a transfer from Portland State. For the Wolves, Eady has 85 catches, 1087 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Eady set a single-game career high last season with 100 receiving yards and is a 2025 team captain. Kainoa Doctor — Wide receiver from Kapalama High School in Hawaii. Doctor had his first catch of his collegiate career earlier this season against Sul Ross State for 11 yards. Joseph Northcutt — Defensive lineman and team captain from Henley High School. Northcutt has a total of 16.5 sacks and 25 tackles for a loss over the course of his career at Western. His single-game career high in sacks is 1.5 and in tackles is nine. Jeriah Jackson — Defensive lineman from San Diego High School in California and a transfer from Grossmont College. Since joining the Wolves, he’s played in nine total games, recording one tackle for a loss, half of a sack and one pass breakup. Massen Newton — Defensive lineman from Lakeridge High School. Newton has played ten games with the Wolves, making 23 total tackles, recording 3.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Andrew Simpson — Defensive back from Mountainside High School who has played in 22 games and has seven career interceptions, 21 pass deflections, a forced fumble and 72 total tackles. His career high for interceptions in a single game is two. Simpson has also returned 27 punts for a total of 207 yards. Join the Wolves Nov. 15 for senior day festivities against Central Washington University. The Wolves are currently 8-2 and are at second place in the Lone Star Conference, putting them firmly in the mix for a playoff spot as they sit at seventh place in Super Region Four in the most recent NCAA rankings. For those unfamiliar with how the Division II football playoffs work, the entire field is split into four geographic regions with four conferences in each. The champions in each conference will automatically make it to the playoffs while the top four highest ranked non conference champions will always qualify. The winner of each eight team regional bracket will meet in the semifinals and eventually the National Championship for those who win.
A photo of the Fruit of the Loom logo with and without the Mandela effect. | Photo from @sosupernaturalpod on Instagram
Nov 5 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor
Coined by Fiona Broome, the Mandela effect is a phenomenon that many people experience, whether they realize it or not, in which they have faulty memories of a certain person, character, event or anything similar. Each faulty detail is often experienced by a multitude of people, making the effect seem that much more mysterious and odd. Broome created the term “Mandela effect” when she discovered that she, along with many others, believed that Nelson Mandela died in the 1980s when he in fact died in 2013. She was shocked that so many people remembered a key historic event falsely and thus put a name to the phenomenon.
A common occurrence of the Mandela effect that many encounter is centered around Disney’s well-known character Tinker Bell. Many people, including myself, remember in the old Disney movie era how Tinker Bell would come out at the beginning of VCR movies when they show the Disney castle logo and would circle around the castle and tap the top of the “I.” Supposedly, this never actually happened and, instead, there was only a white half circle that went around the castle, with Tinker Bell never actually showing up. However, many Disney fans speculated about this and tried to dig up old Disney VCRs and DVDs, with some allegedly proving that Tinker Bell did, in fact, appear. Whether she actually appeared or not is still up for debate.
Those who are familiar with “Star Wars” often recall what is argued to be the most famous line in the franchise: “Luke, I am your father.” What if I said that this was never actually Darth Vader’s famous line? In “The Empire Strikes Back,” the line that Darth Vader actually says to Luke is “No, I am your father.” Many fans distinctly remember the use of Luke’s name in this line as Vader is talking to Luke, and the line is quoted this way by fans and non-fans alike. In the same vein, many Disney fans remember the famous line from the Evil Queen in “Snow White” being “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” The correct line spoken in the original “Snow White” is in fact “Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest one of all?” Many people recall the use of “mirror, mirror” even though the Evil Queen never said this.
Another common Disney Mandela effect happens when recalling the original Mickey Mouse. When thinking about the clothes that he wears, many remember his shorts with buttons having suspenders. If fans go back and look, though, they’ll find that Mickey Mouse does not actually have suspenders, he only wears the shorts with buttons.
Those who read or watched it as a kid may recall the popular children’s show about Mama and Papa Bear as they raise their two bear cubs in Bear Country. But what comes to mind when prompted to spell out the name of this show? The correct spelling is “The Berenstain Bears,” even though many recall it being spelled as “Berenstein.”
Video game fans aren’t immune to the Mandela effect either. Those who spent their childhood playing “Pokémon” games or collecting Pokémon cards commonly argue about the appearance of the famous Pokémon Pikachu. Some fans recall his unique zig-zag tail having a black tip at the top, while some recall the black section of his tail being at the bottom. Fans who recall the black section being at the tip of his tail have fallen victim to the Mandela effect, because Pikachu does not have any black at the end of his tail.
When thinking about the show “Scooby-Doo,” people also often remember the character Shaggy as having a distinct Adam’s apple in his appearance. This characteristic often stands out to fans too because Shaggy is seen eating food a lot, making his Adam’s apple very clear. Shaggy also gulped a lot in the show out of fear, something that is believed to also feature his Adam’s apple. Yet, if we go back to view Scooby Doo, Shaggy doesn’t actually have an Adam’s apple at all. He does have the bulge when he swallows or gulps, so it is theorized that fans are just remembering this.
The Mandela effect is known as a phenomenon for a reason, but there are a few differing theories for why it occurs. One explanation is false memories. When we recall something that happened a while ago — more so the further back we go — our brains can set off neurons that are connected to other memories and details, potentially causing us to remember something incorrectly. Similarly, confabulation may happen, meaning that our brain subconsciously fills in gaps for things we don’t quite remember. Human brains try to make sense of this lapse of knowledge by filling in a reasonable explanation, even if we don’t realize it’s false. Our brains can also subconsciously change a past memory based on what we encounter after it. For example, perhaps the reason many people remember Tinker Bell at the beginning of Disney movies is because something similar occurred at a later date with something that was related. The fact that our brains do this also contributes to the fact that eyewitness testimonies are not always reliable.
A more unusual theory that some have surrounding the Mandela effect is alternate realities. In this theory, the individuals who make up the group believing that each instance of the Mandela effect happened are all from an alternate reality in which that version of the event is actually true. So, in the Tinker Bell Mandela effect, everyone who remembers Tinker Bell in the Disney intro somehow entered a different timeline in which Tinkerbell actually did appear.
No matter if someone has experienced the Mandela effect for themself, it can be interesting to think about why this phenomenon occurs in the first place. It can be easy to write it off as a coincidence if a couple of people experience each event, but large groups of people all report remembering the same false events. As humans, we naturally try to find reasonable explanations, but perhaps some things just can’t be explained.
29 de octubre del 2025 | Abbi Duhart | Editora de Noticias
Han comenzado las obras de construcción y mantenimiento de carreteras en las principales vías de Monmouth e Independence. Aquí está la informacion sobre lo que los estudiantes y residentes de la zona deben esperar durante esta fase de construcción y sus resultados. Mientras duren las obras, habrá cuadrillas trabajando en Main Street, Monmouth Street y South Main Street. Los residentes deben estar preparados para ver a las cuadrillas trabajando de lunes a jueves en horario laboral habitual, con trabajos ocasionales los viernes y por la noche cuando sea necesario. A partir del 29 de octubre, solo se han cerrado los arcenes, lo cual no afecta al flujo del tráfico, pero se recomienda a los residentes estar preparados para posibles cierres y cambios de carril según sea necesario. En ese caso, los conductores verán señaleros dirigiendo el tráfico. Además, se prevé que en ocasiones haya ruido, ya que los trabajadores de la construcción están utilizando maquinaria ruidosa. El Departamento de Transporte de Oregón solicita a los residentes que estén atentos durante este período, y que reduzcan la velocidad y estén pendientes de los trabajadores.
El objetivo de la construcción es añadir rampas de acceso a las aceras de Monmouth e Independence para cumplir con las normas de accesibilidad vigentes de la ADA. Se están instalando y remodelando 150 rampas en la zona. Estas nuevas rampas facilitarán el paso de la carretera a la banqueta y viceversa al caminar por la ciudad. Estas adaptaciones ayudarán a quienes tienen dificultades para subir y bajar de la banqueta, así como a las personas usuarias de sillas de ruedas. Los cambios también beneficiarán a quienes usan carreolas, andaderas, carritos de mano y bicicletas.
Los residentes podrían notar que no todas las rampas se construyen al mismo tiempo. Esto se debe a que los trabajadores deben revisar cada esquina donde se colocará una rampa y evaluar si está lista o necesita modificaciones antes de comenzar la construcción. Además, no todas las intersecciones y ubicaciones son iguales. Algunas zonas están listas para la construcción, mientras que en otras hay que tener en cuenta elementos como hidrantes,
cajas de servicios públicos y postes de luz. Se está trabajando primero en las intersecciones que ya están listas para la construcción, mientras que las demás se completarán más adelante a medida que se diseñen las rampas alrededor de las barreras de las intersecciones.
Estas rampas de acceso forman parte de un proyecto más amplio que abarca Astoria, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Newberg, Salem, Keizer y Springfield, además de Monmouth e Independence. El diseño y la construcción de estas mejoras suman un total de $1.56 millones de dólares. Los residentes pueden consultar un mapa interactivo del Departamento de Transporte de Oregónaquí para ver qué zonas se encuentran actualmente en construcción.
Las obras que se realizan localmente forman parte de un proyecto más amplio en todo el Valle de Willamette y la Costa Norte para adaptar más de 2,300 rampas de acceso a la normativa ADA. El Departamento de Transporte de Oregón trabaja arduamente para mejorar la accesibilidad en ciudades y pueblos como Monmouth e Independence, lo que beneficiará a todos.
The Wolves Women’s+ poses with the McMinnville Valley Panthers after a scrimmage. | Photo from @westernoregonwomxnsrugbyJonah Campbell carries the ball against Oregon State with Jason Parks trailing behind. | Photo from @westernoregonmensrugby on Instagram
Oct 29 2025 | Isaac Garcia | Sports Editor
The fall season is underway for both the men’s and women’s+ rugby teams. After hosting a preseason non-conference tournament over Homecoming weekend, the Wolves women’s+ rugby team will prepare for their first regular season tournament Nov. 1 at the Turf Field on campus. The tournament will include Willamette University and the University of Puget Sound with the first match starting at 10 a.m. The women’s+ team won both of their games at the tournament Oct. 18, setting a positive tone for the fall season early on. Men’s rugby will be preparing for a match against Oregon Tech on Nov. 1st at 2 p.m. after winning against Salem Rugby, who filled in at the last minute after Gonzaga University had to forfeit.
“They did wonderful,” coach Nic Smith, who is in her third season as the Wolves’ coach, said of the women’s+ team. “I’m very proud of them, very pleased with their performance. Are there things that we can fine-tune and get better? Absolutely. But overall, they did the best with what they had in terms of practice time.”
Last season, the women’s+ team was able to qualify for nationals, and they’ll be looking to make it right back this year with a roster that returns a significant number of players as well as an influx of new talent. Among the returning players for the women’s+ team is Jada Miller, who impressed Coach Smith in the opening tournament. “I was really impressed with her leadership this past Saturday. Holding the team accountable and making sure that they did what they needed to do.”
Mia Medina George, a sophomore back and new captain, received Backs MVP, and Leah Waller, a first-year forward, started her college career off strong, receiving Forwards MVP as well as Man of the Match. “Every player on my team has something to offer, and while these ones shine through this past Saturday, I have no doubt there will be moments where others shine through,” Smith said. For the men’s side, they bring Diah Kollaer Junior, Jack George Junior and Aidan Shamion, all solid returners that will be crucial to the team.
In addition to high-quality play on the field, the Wolves put in high-quality work off the field in order to maintain such high performance. According to Coach Smith, returning players have been coming to practice early and staying late in order to help the new players work on techniques and develop their skillsets, and described the more experienced players as very welcoming and very inclusive. Leadership in this form is key to a program having long-term success, especially in a sport like rugby, where many players’ first time playing is in college due to high school programs not being as prevalent as they are in other sports.
Along with hard work, inclusivity is a key trait for the club. For those interested in trying the sport, Smith encourages them to do so. “We don’t discriminate in any way. We are open, we are accepting, we are understanding. I tell my team, ‘Sometimes you’re not going to like each other, but we’re going to respect one another and we encourage healthy conversations to learn different perspectives and erase biases.’” Smith continued on by saying, “We encourage anyone that is interested to come out and try it. Rugby is a place for everybody regardless of your height, your size, your stature — there’s a place for you.”
Donnahoo similarly said, “I have never felt more included or appreciated in any other sport.” Donnahoo talked about what led him to rugby, saying that he began in his junior year of high school after playing sports such as soccer and football. “I immediately fell in love with not only the game, but the community as well.” Donnahoo has aspirations of reaching professional status in the sport, and mentioned the pathways rugby has provided him. These included the opportunity for him to play in an open division tournament in Florida this Thanksgiving hosted by London International 7s, the largest program in the United Kingdom who will be hosting events in the United States.
The Wolves women’s+ team is also very supportive of youth rugby programs in the area. They have a partnership with Oregon Rugby, the high school rugby organization in the state, and Girls Rugby Inc., a grassroots development program for grades two through eight. On Oct. 22, the Wolves welcomed the McMinnville Valley Panthers, a high school club, to Monmouth for a scrimmage in order to help the Panthers prepare for their upcoming championships, which was no doubt a great opportunity for them to hone their skills against older and more experienced players.
“It’s opened up recruitment opportunities, which is good for the university.” Smith also said, “We kind of get to see the present and the future of rugby, and then we also try to have a good relationship with our alumni, and we appreciate those that came before us and built the foundation that we’re growing.” To Smith, promoting the future of rugby is important to the health of the sport and the continuance of its strong community. “There’s a big sense of community and the culture is just like no other. So being able to involve ourselves in different levels of that is beneficial not only for us, but for rugby in general.” Speaking of recruitment opportunities, Donnahoo is the recruitment officer for the men’s team and helps add to the team during the season and after. “This off-season we managed to not only get a good amount of freshmen with rugby experience but also a good amount of new players that are eager to learn the game.”
Because rugby is a club sport, the team relies heavily on fundraising and the support of the local community. To show support for the teams, follow the women’s+ team on Instagram @westernoregonwomxnsrugby and click the link in their bio, which will lead to a page for donations. The Wolves will have merchandise sales and a series of fundraisers starting soon that anyone can stay updated on through the Instagram page as well. Donations go towards funding different team-related activities, such as a trip to nationals, among other things. For the men’s team,follow them on Instagram @westernoregonmensrugby. “I would say the best way to support the team would be to show up to our events that we hold and be active on our social media page, also coming to our games gets us super motivated. I would also say talk about rugby, talk about it to your friends and family, get it more popular,” Donnahoo said. After the upcoming tournament, the women’s+ team will round out their fall schedule with a Nov. 15 tournament at Willamette University and a Nov. 22 tournament at University of Puget Sound, while the men’s team will travel to the University of Idaho Nov. 8 for a game and then to Klamath Falls Nov. 15 for a match against Oregon Tech.
A photo of the entrance to Salem’s Grand Theatre | Photo from @salemhistoricgrandtheatre on Instagram
Oct 29 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor
No matter one’s preferences between cozy, community-centered Halloween events or scary, chilling adventures, there is sure to be a local Halloween event happening that is going to scratch that itch. While there is much more to explore in the area, I’ve compiled a list of note-worthy Halloween events that I encourage both autumn lovers and spooky enthusiasts alike to give a try.
Halloween Spooktacular —A big local event happening in Monmouth that many locals enjoy is the Halloween Spooktacular. This fun experience takes place Oct. 31 and begins at 4 p.m. at Main Street Park. Businesses around downtown Monmouth will be open for trick-or-treaters, and the park will have various goodies and activities set up. Businesses will also have pop-up booths along Main Street Park where they will be handing out various treats. There will also be a photo booth; residents are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes and take some fun pictures. Students at Western can also find a photo booth with Wolfie to take pictures with him in their costumes. This event is completely free and open to the public.
Dia De Los Muertos — During the Halloween Spooktacular event, residents can also stop by Monmouth Senior Center for Dia De Los Muertos, including various multicultural festivities. This event will have Halloween snacks, candy, arts and crafts and Mexican hot chocolate. They will also have a community ofrenda — a memorial table — set up. Anyone from the community is welcome to contribute to the table by placing special items to remember and pay homage to deceased loved ones.
Ghost of the Grand — Those seeking more of a haunted feel to their Halloween celebration may love the Ghost of the Grand tour. This event takes place at the Grand Theatre in Salem and consists of a tour through the theatre’s main stage, the initiation room and the basement. This isn’t just a normal ghost tour though; they combine theatre and ghostly haunting to create an interactive experience that allows participants to go in search of G.H.O.S.T. — a mysterious and dangerous cult that was driven underground after last year’s tours. Audience members will actively make choices that seal their fate in this event. Happening through Nov. 1, general admission for this event costs $24.95. The Grand Theatre is known as one of the most haunted places in Salem. Participants often report sensing a ghostly presence, whether it be a gentle breeze or a shadow lurking out of sight, so consumers of the paranormal will love visiting this theatre.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt — Powered by Questo, those who seek a fun, interactive event for a large group will love this Halloween Scavenger Hunt in Salem. Starting Oct. 30 and running through Nov. 2, participants who sign up will access the scavenger hunt through the Questo app and travel around Salem exploring haunted areas, tracking ghosts and solving puzzles. Great for those who love a challenge, participants will compete to find clues and finish first, and can even win fun prizes. There will also be a costume contest, so make sure to wear fun costumes. Questo promises that frightening dialogue, bone-chilling intrigue and petrifying twists are in store for those who sign up.
Just a short trip away, these are some of the intriguing and fun Halloween events to look forward to at the end of October. I believe there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy this time of year, even if none of these events sound that interesting. I encourage all to go out and try something new, because, chances are, there’s a lot of fun in doing so.
A photo of the route for roadwork in Monmouth and Independence. | Photo courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation
Oct 29 2025 | Abbi Duhart | News Editor
Construction and road work has begun throughout main roads in Monmouth and Independence. Here’s what students and residents in the area should expect from the construction phase and the outcome.
While construction lasts, crews will be working along Main Street, Monmouth Street and South Main Street. Residents should expect to see construction crews at work Monday through Thursday during normal business hours, with occasional work on Fridays and at night when needed. As of Oct. 29, only shoulder closures have occurred, which doesn’t change the flow of traffic, but residents should be prepared for possible lane closures and shifts as needed. In that case, drivers will see flaggers directing traffic. Additionally, residents should expect some loud noise at times, as construction workers are using loud machinery. The Oregon Department of Transportation asks that residents be aware during this time, and that they slow down and watch for workers.
The reasoning behind the construction is to add curb ramps along Monmouth and Independence sidewalks to meet current ADA accessibility standards. Workers are adding and remodeling 150 ramps in the area. These new curb ramps will make it easier for people to transition from the road to the curb, and vice versa, while walking around town. Accommodations such as these will help those who have trouble stepping up and down from the sidewalk, as well as wheelchair users. The changes can additionally help people with strollers, walkers, hand carts and bikes.
Residents may notice that not all ramps are being built on the same timeline. This is because workers must review each corner where a ramp will be placed and evaluate it to see if it is ready or needs modification before a ramp can be built. Additionally, not all intersections and locations are the same. Some areas are construction-ready, while some areas have things to plan around, like fire hydrants, utility boxes and utility poles. The construction-ready intersections are being worked on first, while others will be completed at a later date as ramps are designed around the intersections’ barriers.
These construction ramps are part of a larger project throughout Astoria, Corvallis, Cottage Grove, Newberg, Salem, Keizer and Springfield, in addition to Monmouth and Independence. Design and construction for these changes totals $1.56 million. Residents can check an interactive map provided by the Oregon Department of Transportation here to see which areas are currently under construction.
The work being done locally is part of a larger project throughout the Willamette Valley and North Coast to bring over 2,300 curb ramps to ADA standards. The Oregon Department of Transportation is working hard to bring accessibility to cities and towns like Monmouth and Independence that will benefit everyone.
With springtime just around the corner, ‘tis the season to start the term with a fresh mindset. A good mindset can be cultivated by many factors, including staying organized, sticking to a routine and having a designated spot for work.
Organize one’s space — Having an organized room is crucial for the start of a term. It is much easier to focus on classes and other important things if supplies are readily available. In my experience, having an organized space helps declutter my own mind. I become more focused and productive when my surroundings match that mindset. It can be very easy for an area to become disorganized, so one should try to take a little bit of time each day to make sure that everything is back in its correct place.
Create a routine — Make sure to know one’s class schedule in order to plan meals, study time and other events around it.I like to dedicate at least one hour a day outside of class to productivity, for things like checking emails, performing chores or doing that task that I’ve been putting off for a while. I also try to make time to be active, whether it’s going to the gym, doing yoga in the comfort of my room or going on a walk around campus. Don’t forget to carve out time for rest and relaxation. It’s important to remember that what works best for someone might not work for others. Taking a nap or relaxing in between classes might be a great idea for one person, but personally, naps make me unmotivated and groggy for the rest of the day. Figure out what works best for oneself, then try to stick with it for the whole term.
Find a good study spot — Beds are for sleeping, not studying. It may be tempting to write an essay or study for an exam from the comfort of one’s own bed, however, research shows that it may be harder to fall asleep if people do homework or scroll on their phone in bed. Studying outside is a great alternative, especially with the warmer weather of spring. My favorite outdoor spots are the Grove, the tables outside the Richard Woodcock Education Center and Main Street Park in Monmouth. When the weather isn’t ideal for an outdoor study session, Hamersly Library or one’s favorite cafe are great alternatives. If certain spots are only used for studying, one can trick their brain into being in a productive mood by simply going to that spot.
