Lincoln County high school students gain free bus passes

May 22, 2019

Yes, there is a free ride. Lincoln County Transit has announced a new program that allows any high school student a free ride anywhere in the county. This includes Waldport High School, Toledo High School, Newport High School, Taft High School, Lincoln City Career Tech High School, Siletz Valley High School, and Eddyville Charter High School. “This will open many

Yachats Fire Department headquarters and main station

Yachats Fire District levy wins voter approval, board gets two new members

May 22, 2019

Voters in the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District on Tuesday renewed a five-year tax levy for district operations by wide margin, 530 to 174. In other election results, two new members were elected to the fire district’s five-member board and the board chair, running unopposed, was re-elected. The fire district levy was the only money issue on the ballot in

Lincoln County’s unemployment rate dips below 5 percent in April

May 21, 2019

Lincoln County added 270 jobs and its unemployment rate dropped back below 5 percent in April, according to seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll numbers released Tuesday by the Oregon Employment Department. Although the number of jobs increased, regional economist Erik Knoder said that it was 50 jobs fewer than expected. Private-sector employment rose by 250 jobs, and government employment edged up

Yachats budget committee OKs 2019-20 fiscal year spending after debates on church replacement, warnings over lodging tax use

May 16, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats Budget Committee on Wednesday approved general fund and capital improvement budgets for fiscal 2019-20 that focuses on catching up with infrastructure work and starting remodel or replacement projects on three city buildings. The $1.15 million general fund budget is for daily operating expenses, including everything from payroll to legal fees to maintenance. The $952,000 capital

See those sea lion rafts offshore? Here’s an expert’s explanation – and more

May 15, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Jim Rice gets lots of questions about seals and sea lions. Most inquiries are about their health or when adult or offspring come ashore. Rice is the sole employee of the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network at the OSU Marine Mammal Institute in Newport. His job now is to report on – with the help of a

Vacation rental testimony Tuesday night favors license transfers and more code enforcement

May 15, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The speakers were nearly unanimous – the city of Yachats’ 2-year-old vacation rental ordinance needs some tweaks – and muscle. All but one of 20 people who testified to the Yachats City Council Tuesday night said a “pilot” vacation rental ordinance that caps the number of licenses at 125 needs some changes. There was only a little

City commission endorses outside study of Yachats’ water rates after more errors discovered

May 15, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Tom Lauritzen wants to know if the city of Yachats is going to return his $54.72. Lauritzen, a retired accountant and former finance consultant for the city, discovered an error in his water bill two months ago. Since 2016, when the city revamped water rates, it had been charging him – and maybe 850 other accounts –

Yachats man sent to state hospital for evaulation

May 14, 2019

A 61-year-old Yachats man has been sent to the Oregon State Hospital for treatment and to determine if he is fit to stand trial on charges stemming from firing a handgun into a neighbor’s house in late February. Terry L. Davidson was sent to the state’s psychiatric treatment in Salam last month for at least 60 days for treatment and

Public art group bringing example, participation pitch Thursday to Yachats

May 9, 2019

By ELAINE WATKINS/YachatsNews.com Does Yachats want to become a home for a big, bright plastic sea creature? John Tannous of the Bandon-based Washed Ashore non-profit group wants to find out. He’s bringing “Bella the Angelfish” to display from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at the Yachats Commons and to discuss if the community wants to get involved in his public

Yachats council to revisit controversial regulations governing vacation rentals

May 9, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com When the Yachats City Council opens a hearing Tuesday night on its 2-year-old vacation rental ordinance most of the drama from the past will likely be gone. Some vacation rental managers and owners are expected to attend to argue against the limit of 125 licenses in the city. A few homeowners will likely be there to say