With final regulatory approval, Samaritan says merger with Washington nonprofit will take effect Nov. 1

Almost 12 months after Corvallis-based Samaritan Health Services said it wanted to be absorbed into Tacoma-based MultiCare, the deal has cleared its last regulatory hurdles. With the approvals, Samaritan and MultiCare officials said in a statement Tuesday that their integration would begin Nov. 1.

27th year of Yachats’ weekend mushroom festival begins Friday with dinner, talks and walks

October 13, 2026

Surfrider Foundation presses city of Newport to enhance water quality testing at popular Nye Beach

October 11, 2026

Waldport city council looks to rein in towing companies to protect vehicle owners from too-high charges

October 10, 2026

Community News

Newport’s lawyers say feds using “Dog ate my homework” excuse for not reaching detention center settlement

October 9, 2026

The city of Newport wants to settle its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but the federal government keeps dragging its feet.

General election ballots go in the mail Wednesday — but be sure to check a few details first

October 8, 2026

It’s almost time to vote. But first, there may be some details to take care of. If you’re registered to vote, your ballot is expected to arrive between Friday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 22 after being dropped in the mail on Wednesday, Oct. 14.

Commissioner Casey Miller and Lincoln County agree to settle his federal civil rights lawsuit

October 8, 2026

Lincoln County and Commissioner Casey Miller have settled his federal whistleblower lawsuit with Miller agreeing to drop claims against two top county employees and a fellow commissioner. In return for dropping any current or future claims against the county, its insurance provider will pay Miller’s attorney fees of $64,000.

County commissioners approve $6 million more in bonds for now-$36 million Commons project

October 8, 2026

The price tag for the new Lincoln County Commons in Newport continues to go up as architects and contractors work through proposed designs and costs. Two county commissioners on Wednesday agreed with a recommendation to increase by $6 million the amount of bonds the county will sell to pay for the recommended design to rebuild and modernize the former fairgrounds

Lincoln County sheriff says hiring for patrol, contract deputies and jail staff is filling empty positions

October 8, 2026

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks, his command staff and contract deputies met for coffee Wednesday with Yachats residents, bringing them up to speed on hiring deputies for patrols and staff in the county jail, both of which had suffered because of hard-to-fill vacancies.

Lincoln Chronicle adds third day to its newsletters — and offers reminder on election letters

October 8, 2026

The Lincoln Chronicle is now sending newsletters of its top stories to readers (who sign up for them) three times a week -- Monday evenings and Wednesday and Friday mornings. And, we're also reminding readers about letters to the editor.

More community news

News Briefs

Health district foundation awards two $5,000 nursing scholarships

October 11, 2026

Two Oregon Coast Community College nursing students are this year’s recipients of the Gribler Loving Trust Nursing Education Scholarship from the Pacific Communities Health District Foundation.

Lincoln County’s transit director retires after three decades of work

October 11, 2026

Lincoln County’s first and only transit director retired Friday. Cynda Bruce's career in public transportation spans more than three decades, beginning in 1988 as a volunteer with the Council on Aging, which ran limited transit service with funding from the county.

Get ready to shake it out at 10:15 a.m. Thursday for disaster preparedness

October 10, 2026

The city of Newport is encouraging residents, schools, businesses, community organizations – and anyone who can -- to participate in this year’s Great Oregon ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15.

Deputies rescue Waldport man from car in the Alsea River on Thursday

October 8, 2026

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies rowed a small boat they found along the Alsea River on Thursday to rescue an elderly man trapped in his car 40 feet from shore.

Little Log Church Museum in Yachats looking for volunteers

October 8, 2026

The Little Log Church Museum is looking for friendly, community-minded volunteers to welcome visitors and share the history of Yachats.

Siletz tribe wins $11.7 million federal grant to expand internet access

October 7, 2026

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $11.7 million grant to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to expand high-speed internet access in rural Lincoln County.

More news briefs

Quick Links

Oregon Coast Today

Performing Arts Center offering two operas and a theater performance on its big screen Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday

The Newport Performing Arts Center is keeping its main auditorium and screen busy this weekend and into next week by showing two performances of the Metropolitan Opera and one from the National Theater Live.

Annual Beach Bark fundraiser takes place in Lincoln City on Saturday, Oct. 10 for dogs and their people

The annual event will bring people, their dogs and plenty of community spirit to the beach for a fundraiser for the Beach Bark Fund, which helps provide emergency veterinary care for animals in need, including pets whose owners cannot afford an unexpected veterinary bill.

Coastal Events and Entertainment

Looking for something to do, some place to go, something to learn, something to enjoy? Inside this section are public events for the next seven days on the central Oregon coast as part of a partnership between the Lincoln Chronicle and Oregon Coast TODAY.

Go here for events

5 Questions and a Secret

Artist Liz Birdwell finds a home on the coast, landing residencies at Hatfield center and Yaquina Head

The Lincoln Chronicle's bi-monthly 5 Questions and a Secret feature is on artist Liz Birdwell, who fell in love with the Oregon coast and years later finally made her way to Newport where she is holding two artist in residency programs.

Oregon/NW News

Oregon governor orders pause on environmental permits to build or expand data centers

October 13, 2026

Oregon’s governor has effectively issued a moratorium on new data centers and data center expansions in the state by ordering environmental regulators to pause approving new state and federal air and water pollution permits for data center projects until next July.

Oregon elections chief urges early voting as test of USPS service shows slow mail service

October 13, 2026

General election ballots are being dropped into the mail Wednesday to millions of Oregon voters. But slow mail delivery means completed ballots must be in the mail by Tuesday, Oct. 27 to be counted in the Nov. 3 election, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said Tuesday. If a ballot is not in the mail by then, Read urged Oregonians

Dunes City voters to decide whether to increase regulation of short-term rentals

October 13, 2026

Short-term rentals in the coastal vacation town of Dunes City, south of Florence, would be more regulated and held accountable under a proposed ordinance going before voters in November.

Oregon School Activities Association adds girls flag football to list of approved high school sports

October 13, 2026

The vote means that Oregon is the 25th state nationwide to officially add girls flag football, a noncontact form of football that involves pulling flags from the waists of opponents.

Oregon’s accountability plan is latest test for a long-struggling schools system

October 13, 2026

This fall, Oregon’s 197 school districts must start tracking their progress towards goals in attendance, third grade-reading skills and four-year graduation rates as part of a plan that includes “coaching” for failing districts and potentially state control of up to 25% of state funding for those that don’t meet expectations.

Progressive groups, unions announce wealth tax initiative aimed at 2028 Oregon ballot

October 11, 2026

Aiming to make up for lost revenue from federal benefit cuts, a coalition of powerful Oregon advocacy groups have announced they will launch a signature-gathering campaign for the November 2028 election to approve a wealth tax on some of the state’s richest households while cutting taxes for low-income residents.

Voters describe Oregon as growing harder to afford, and harder to trust

October 11, 2026

In a recent survey of 600 Oregonians, nearly 30% said that economic worries were their top concern, and nearly as many cited poor leadership and government mismanagement as being major issues heading into the election.

More Oregon news

Letters from readers

Miller cares about Lincoln County, its people and should get your vote

October 12, 2026

Former Lincoln County commissioner endorses Cathie Rigby

October 9, 2026

Wahlke’s experience leading Lincoln City deserves support

October 9, 2026

Roumagoux is best choice as Newport’s mayor — once again

October 8, 2026

Let’s stop shopping at stores with digital price tags

October 8, 2026

Newport city councilors urge “yes” vote on infrastructure bond

October 6, 2026

More letters

Lincoln County Real Estate Sales

Want to know more about real estate sales in Lincoln County? What sold when, where and for how much? The Lincoln Chronicle is now offering weekly real estate sales data and brief stories based on all property sales in Lincoln County. This information is gathered from public, registered real estate sales records.

View real estate sales