Record diesel prices create headaches for businesses and local governments who can’t avoid rising costs

With the cost of diesel fuel at an all-time high, businesses, local governments and first responders are among those nationwide in a frustrating financial squeeze they can't avoid. One year ago, diesel in Oregon averaged $4.47 per gallon. On Monday, AAA Oregon said diesel prices averaged $6.79 per gallon across the state -- a 52 percent increase.

Creating Vietnam Memorial obelisk in Newport helped sculptor come full circle with feelings on war, veterans

October 7, 2026

Eager Beaver Furniture and its owner return to Newport as shopping center prepares for new tenants

October 6, 2026

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

October 6, 2026

Community News

Will Elise and Finn make it from coast to Brazil? Tiny birds’ tiny transmitters monitor their migration

October 1, 2026

Elise and Finn are winging their way from the Oregon coast on a 7,000-mile trek to South America. That’s remarkable, but not unusual. But for the first time, as the two coastal Purple Martins head to southeastern Brazil, new tracking devices monitored in Yachats are detailing their progress.

Siletz community, families and tribal members use Orange Shirt Day to remember horrors of Indian boarding schools

October 1, 2026

There was a federal Indian boarding school in Siletz from the 1870s to 1908 as part of a national system trying to assimilate Native American children. On Wednesday, the Siletz community used Orange Shirt Day to remember those lost in such schools.

Lane County using $1.3 million grant to open one of coast’s only methadone clinics in Florence

October 1, 2026

Lane County commissioners have accepted a $1.3 million grant from state opioid settlement funds to pay for a clinic in Florence that will treat people for drug addiction. The clinic will provide medication-assisted treatment through methadone, a treatment not available anywhere along the coast between Coos Bay and Seaside.

Forest manager ends access or privately leases some of its 18,000 acres of property in Lincoln County

September 29, 2026

Manulife Investment Management has closed access to some of the 18,000 acres of timberland it manages in Lincoln County to protect the property from abuse and as part of a new program to lease lands to individuals for recreational use, including hunting.

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News Briefs

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.

Annual auction of colorful Yachats banners is Sunday evening, Oct. 11

October 7, 2026

Now that their work brightening downtown Yachats is done, the colorful banners that hung on city lamp poles will be auctioned off on Sunday, Oct. 11. There will be both live and silent auctions to find new homes for the unique artwork from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Yachats Commons.

Four county commission candidates will debate in online forum Thursday

October 6, 2026

The League of Women Voters of Lincoln County is holding an online forum via Zoom from 3-5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8 for four Lincoln County commission candidates.

USGS reports two mild earthquakes Sunday west of Newport

October 6, 2026

The U.S. Geological Survey reported two mild earthquakes within three hours of each other off the central Oregon coast on Sunday. Scientists say these small and numerous quakes are no great cause for worry because these occurred in an area known as the Blanco Fracture Zone, which is far enough offshore and located in deep enough waters not to present

Sheriff holding “Coffee with a Deputy” event Wednesday in Yachats

October 5, 2026

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is hosting “Coffee with a Deputy” from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Dream Machine Coffee, 131 U.S. Highway 101 in Yachats.

Lincoln City motel manager wins top award from industry group

October 4, 2026

Jason Coleman, the senior general manager at The Coho Oceanfront Lodge in Lincoln City, was named lodging operator of the year during the Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association’s annual conference in late September.

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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.

Newport celebrates art this Saturday with a citywide scavenger hunt

The event will include a self-guided hunt for some of the newest artistic additions in Newport, with cards available at several centers for participants to complete for a chance to win a grand prize that includes tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and a Local Ocean gift certificate.

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

Battle over drinking water, fish protections and Detroit Lake reaches federal court

October 7, 2026

A federal judge says he will issue a ruling by the end of October in a lawsuit that’s pitting concerns about the drinking water of 230,000 people in Marion County against efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and environmental groups to save imperiled Chinook salmon passing a major dam on Detroit Lake.

Oregon’s grape harvest is in full swing, but wine sales have been dropping

October 6, 2026

Oregon vineyards are ramping up for this year's harvest but their outlook is worse than it's been in the past: The production of wine grapes dropped last year by 25% and 110 vineyards and wineries closed amid a general decline in consumption and an 80% drop in exports to Canada due to U.S. tariffs.

Congressional Republicans target Oregon environmentalists

October 5, 2026

A U.S. House committee, including Oregon's sole Republican congressional member, has accused two Oregon-based environmental nonprofits of weaponizing litigation and profiting from lawsuits that challenge federal projects.

A proposed nickel mine near Gold Beach has a buyer, but years of studies remain

October 5, 2026

Homeland Nickel, a Canadian company pursuing a nickel mine near Gold Beach, has signed an agreement with a U.S. refiner to buy nickel from the site if the mine opens. The deal gives the proposed Red Flat mine a buyer, but years of feasibility studies and environmental reviews remain before mining could begin.

Nvidia pauses program connected to plan to train AI specialists on Oregon campuses

October 5, 2026

Computer chip company Nvidia’s promise last year to train “AI ambassadors” on Oregon’s college campuses and get foundational AI concepts taught in schools has largely been unfulfilled, with the company pausing the ambassador program, according to a Capital Chronicle inquiry.

More Oregon news

Letters from readers

Newport city councilors urge “yes” vote on infrastructure bond

October 6, 2026

Susan Wahlke’s leadership skills are evident as Lincoln City’s mayor

October 5, 2026

Rigby and Don would work to help protect our ocean resources, programs

October 3, 2026

Newport council should let voters decide stipend for councilors

September 30, 2026

Waldport council candidate offers thoughts on mayoral hopefuls, urges voters to watch LWV forum

September 28, 2026

Lincoln City mayor has accomplished a lot and deserves re-election

September 27, 2026

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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