Capital Chatter: A special session of the Oregon Legislature is not imminent

April 3, 2020

Despite the hopes of some, a special legislative session is not imminent after all. A curious press release emerged from the Oregon Legislature after hours on March 27. It lauded the work of the Legislature’s special committee on coronavirus relief and quoted Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem: House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland; and House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, of Canby. The press release

Slumping Oregon economy could jeopardize big infusion of money, programs for Lincoln County schools

April 2, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com An Oregon economy expected to be devastated by the coronavirus pandemic could also delay or derail the infusion of $4.5 million into Lincoln County schools. School districts around Oregon, including the Lincoln County School District, have been working for months on how to use an anticipated windfall in state money under a new initiative called the

Activity in Lincoln County courthouse slows to a crawl as sheriff, DA and courts react to coronavirus mandates

April 2, 2020

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com The jail has 60 fewer inmates. Court and district attorney employees are working from home as proceedings have ground to a near halt. People wanting to get into the Lincoln County Courthouse need an appointment and ring a buzzer to enter. Lincoln County’s justice system, like its counterparts in Oregon’s other 35 counties, is being taxed

County commissioner asks visitors – including owners of second homes — to stay away

April 2, 2020

Fifty years ago, Oscar the Grouch greeted anyone who approached his trash can on Sesame Street with a simple, blunt message: SCRAM! About the same time beloved Oregon Gov. Tom McCall was telling potential newcomers to “Visit, but don’t stay.” Today, as an elected official in Lincoln County, the heart of the beautiful Oregon Coast, I’m delivering a message I

Lincoln County announces its fourth COVID-19 case; state says ‘social distancing’ is working

April 2, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Lincoln County Public Health announced another positive case of COVID-19 on Thursday – bringing to four the number of county residents infected and the third confirmed coronavirus case in three days. The county said the latest case is a person in their 30s who had no known contact with a confirmed case. It is being investigated

City of Yachats giving businesses extra time to pay food and beverage taxes

April 2, 2020

The city of Yachats is giving restaurants and markets some extra time to pay quarterly food and beverage taxes that are normally due April 30 because all but a few have closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The city also announced Wednesday it is temporarily suspending water disconnections for late or non-payment and waiving late fees and penalties through the

Survey on coronavirus concerns show younger Oregonians more worried than older folks

April 2, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Younger Oregonians are quite concerned about coronavirus compared with older Oregonians, according to new research. The data released by DHM Research in Portland undercut the narrative prominent in national media that young people as blasé about COVID-19 and feeling invulnerable. “If you look at these numbers, younger people are more concerned about being infected. They

Police look for remaining suspect in Otis armed robbery

April 2, 2020

On March 30, 2020 at approximately 7:40 PM the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a fight in progress near the 1400 block of North Bank Rd in Otis. The caller who was not involved in the fight reported 4-6 subjects fighting on the side of the road. The caller reported that there appeared to be two silver

Oregon’s change in self-service gasoline doesn’t mean you have to pump your own

April 1, 2020

Feeling a bit confused about Oregon’s new gas pump pronouncement? You’re not alone, apparently. After the State Fire Marshal on Sunday announced new rules allowing self-service at gas stations across the state, the Oregon Department of Energy on Monday politely cleared its throat and asked for a bit of attention. “This temporary suspension does not make self-service mandatory,” ODE said. “The

Have a coronavirus question? Lincoln County call center has answers

April 1, 2020

Lincoln County and Samaritan Health Systems have two call centers open to help answer questions and give advice to people with questions about the coronavirus pandemic. The county’s call center number is 541-265-0621 and is staffed by a registered nurse, counselor and volunteers from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Also, people can email LincolnCoCallCenter@co.lincoln.or.us between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.