Spanning the State:Local boy makes good edition

Carla Axtman

I've been traveling for the last few days so this week's Spanning the State will be an abridged version. I've spent most of this week in Montana meeting amazing people and taking in truly incredible scenery. So from my remote location in Big Sky country, let's Span the State!

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A few of you may have heard of this little newspaper called the New York Times. Some of those few may know about their columnist from Yamhill, Oregon named Nick Kristof. Nick and I are suffering today from a wonderful case of great minds think alike. Kristof is kind of like a super hero, all Clark Kent on the outside, but just under the surface lies the heart and soul of true greatness. So for today, I'm going to feel a little Kristof-superheroish.

On the other side of the issue, I give you Hillsboro Argus editor W. Clark Gallagher. Words escape me in trying to describe the breadth and depth of ridiculous that is this piece. Good luck getting through it. You'll need it.

An industry that's seen a lot of tough times in Oregon is living through more of them. Oregon's timber harvest saw Great Depression levels last year. Ouch.

On the good news front, Eugene-based company Shelton Turnbull Printers is beating the recession using some basic good business sense: innovation, creativity and a can-do attitude.

By Carla Axtman Aug. 22, 2010