Residents and staff of Sea Aire assisted living facility in Yachats getting along OK during shutdown

March 26, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com For the 44 residents and 35 staff of the Sea Aire Assisted Living facility in Yachats life is not going on as normal, but as well as can be expected during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our residents are doing very well,” Sea Aire administrator Robin Allen said Thursday. “There is a bit of boredom, but there hasn’t

Oregon governor says it’s OK to go outside for exercise — but just be smart about it

March 26, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown said the far-reaching executive order she issued this week should not stop immediate families from driving around for relaxation or hiking a trail, as long as they maintain proper social distancing while hiking. “The goal here is to limit your social circles. The goal is to stay away from crowds. The

Southwest Lincoln water district board appoints two new members

March 26, 2020

The Southwest Lincoln County Water People’s Utility District board has appointed two new members after previous board members moved out of the district. Roxie Cueller, current manager of the Port of Alsea, was appointed to fill Position 1 on the water utility board. Franklin Sherkow was appointed to fill the vacant Position 4. The March 11 appointments bring the PUD

Oregon officials vow to release more complete coronavirus information

March 25, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon officials will begin releasing more data about the march of the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Kate Brown told reporters during a conference call on Wednesday that she has ordered the Oregon Health Authority to share “all COVID-19 information with the public that does not compromise patient privacy.” That includes more exact age ranges of patients,

Keep exercising – even if you can’t go to class

March 25, 2020

I help lead the 10 a.m. exercise class in the Yachats Commons. I know how hard it is to get motivated — that’s a big reason the classes in the Commons are so popular. But we can’t do it right now, and it would be foolish to let ourselves deteriorate physically. Exercise has so many benefits — besides the obvious

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log March 20-23

March 25, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20084159 03/20/2020 14:22 Officer #52129 LARSON, ERIC Crash – Injury Location 20 and WESTERN LOOP, OR USA Narrative Summary ***E-CRASH*** On the afternoon of March 20, 2020, the Oregon State Police responded to a three vehicle minor injury traffic crash that was partially blocking Hwy 20 near mile post 6 in Toledo. The investigation found UNIT #1 (yellow

Lincoln County resident confirmed as coronavirus victim, developed symptoms while traveling and now hospitalized outside of the county

March 24, 2020

A Lincoln County resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the Lincoln County Health Department announced Tuesday, but called it a “unique” case because the person developed the symptoms outside the county, had not been in the county recently and is now hospitalized elsewhere. The case brings Oregon’s total to 209 – 20 more on Tuesday. In addition, the state

Special legislative committee starts work Monday on coronavirus response

March 23, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The Legislature’s coronavirus response committee is working through proposals to help Oregon businesses and residents handle the economic and health effects of the pandemic. “What are the five most important things we must do as a Legislature to respond to this coronavirus?” committee co-chair Rep. Paul Holvey, D-Eugene, asked at Monday’s lengthy meeting.

Oregon governor orders most people to stay home; tightens restrictions on businesses, social contact

March 23, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown on Monday directed most Oregonians to stay home except for getting groceries, going to work or handling important activities that cannot wait. Brown said she was acting because many Oregonians had failed to heed her directives to practice “social distancing” to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. “I was very, very clear. I

Help hospitality workers by hiring them for jobs

March 23, 2020

I am a vacation rental owner. One of my best-booked years ever has ground to a halt with cancellations. I am happy that I am able to ride this out but I’m very concerned about the cleaning people we hire who are now out of work. I have scheduled some maintenance cleaning at the same rate I pay for house