From medicine and the health care system to family life, public education and serving in elective office, Erin Cramer joins Coco to talk about life, especially during the pandemic. We hear Erin’s take on the COVID-19 public health response and how we’ve adapted health care delivery during the pandemic. He also shares his perspective on our community, goodness revealed during trying times and about the mental health impacts caused by the coronavirus and anxiety created from the widespread shockwaves. Erin and his wife moved from Montana to Oregon in 1995 and they have called Stayton home since 2009 raising two sons who both graduated from Stayton High School.

Stayton High School graduating senior Riley Hodges shares his story optimism in the face of adversity. Even in his darkest times when Riley contemplated whether life was worth living, he found the will and desire for a better life: “I want to be the best me I can be,” he says. His move to Lyons, Oregon and transfer to Stayton High was a positive move. Riley made great strides academically, he got involved in everything from football, track and field, to theater and tutoring. After the unexpected death of his uncle during his senior year, Riley had several life-changing moments, including receiving the news that he’d been awarded a four-year scholarship through the Ford Scholars Program and that he would be able to attend his college of choice, Oregon State University.

Twenty years ago community organizers led by John and Susan Brandt established a new park along the North Santiam River in Stayton. They worked to raise about $1 million – the funds necessary to purchase the privately held property. Their successful campaign ensures that future generations will have access to the nature and wildlife provided by the riverfront acreage.

The primary election takes place May 19 and the race for the Oregon Legislature is on. Six candidates are vying for the Republican nomination: Bruce Cuff, Tim Kirsch, Susan Coleman, Scott Sword, Jami Cate and Dylan Richards. One Democrat, Paige Hook, is running for her party's nomination. The candidates came on Santiam Local to share with our audience their perspectives on politics, policy and leadership for our community.

The statewide stay-home order shut down businesses across our community. Carmélle Bielenberg with the Stayton Sublimity Chamber of Commerce joins us to discuss how that economic impact is causing financial strain for business owners and laid-off employees, and how we can support local in the days and weeks ahead.

As Marion County's Public Health Officer, Dr. Christopher Cirino helps educate the community with critical medical information. He helps us understand the COVID-19 pandemic while sharing must-know facts about novel coronavirus that continues its deadly spread throughout Oregon and the world.

Colm Willis serves on the Marion County Board of Commissioners and is helping lead the county through the unprecedented novel Coronavirus pandemic from COVID-19. Colm sheds light on the local government response and his perspectives on the economic impact from the Governor's Stay Home order.

Based in Sublimity, Bend your Nutrition is led by Megan Basl. She's helping people get healthier with a focus on nutrition coaching and specialized lab testing for digestive and food sensitivities.

Finding help for a family in need when hard times hit can be a confusing process and seem impossible. That's changing thanks to Melissa Baurer's work at the Service Integration Team. She works at Santiam Hospital and helps build collaboration among school districts, state agencies, faith groups, nonprofits and private donors to ensure everyone has their basic needs met. In the 2018-2019 report, the three regional teams – Cascade, North Santiam and Santiam Canyon – brought a total value of $63,455 to benefit those most in need.

Since 2013 Todd Miller has served as Superintendent at the Santiam Canyon School District helping to lead an extraordinary recovery back from the brink of bleak budget deficits and uncertainty about its future. Todd shares the progress they've made in setting a new vision, building momentum and engaging with community supporters. In May of 2019, Todd and the school board worked to prepare a $17.9 Million bond funding measure for the ballot that voters approved – The fund will pay for construction of a new junior/senior high school campus.