Parks workers will begin removing barriers Friday to beach day-use areas after state OKs Lincoln County reopening plan

May 14, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Oregon State Parks will begin reopening day-use areas Friday along U.S. Highway 101 in Lincoln County after the county got state approval Thursday of its reopening plan for many businesses. Gov. Kate Brown and the Oregon Health Authority approved Lincoln County’s plan on Thursday. Hours later county commissioners gave the go-ahead for restaurants, personal services, gyms

Former business executive thinks experience matters in district attorney’s race

May 14, 2020

To the editor: As an 80-year-old woman, I’ve experienced a lot in my life. Plenty of failures followed by my share of successes. I was Boise Cascade’s first female executive during a time women didn’t dare think about the entering the boardroom. But I’ve learned a lot along the way. And one of those things is to think for myself. Not

$19,000 in donations replenishes Yachats church’s fund for local displaced workers

May 13, 2020

The displaced worker fund at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church gave $100 each to 37 unemployed residents Wednesday after supporters replenished the effort with $19,000 in the past week. The fund, which started when Yachats businesses were forced to shut down because of coronavirus restrictions, ran out of money last Wednesday when 53 people showed up at the church to get

Former office manager supports Danforth for Lincoln County DA

May 13, 2020

To the editor: Over the last 21 years I worked for four elected Lincoln County district attorneys, the last 10 years as office manager. In criminal justice, the best prosecution model is a prosecutor’s focus on a just outcome. This looks at the actions of the defendant, the loss to the crime victim, and ensuring the safety of our community

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Wednesday, May 13

May 13, 2020

Oregon reports 55 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 4 new presumptive cases, 4 new deaths PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 134, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 55 new confirmed cases and 4 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. Wednesday

Lincoln County commissioners, seven city councils will vote Thursday how to lift ban on motel, vacation rental and campground use

May 13, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com All motels, vacation rentals, RV parks and campgrounds in Lincoln County closed since March 23, could reopen in two weeks under a proposal to be considered Thursday by county commissioners and seven city councils. The county and cities raced to close recreational lodging and camping after the first weekend of Oregon’s Spring Break when Gov. Kate Brown’s

Oregon State Police could close stations, lay off troopers under state’s coronavirus budget plan

May 12, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau The Oregon State Police would make the “heartbreaking” decision to lay off almost 200 personnel and close nine field offices under a proposal submitted to Gov. Kate Brown. Brown has asked all state departments for how they would cut their budgets by 14 percent over the next year, the maximum the governor can

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Tuesday, May 12

May 12, 2020

Oregon reports 61 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, 11 new presumptive cases, 0 new deaths PORTLAND, Ore. — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from Monday and remains at 130, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 61 new confirmed cases and 11 new presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. Tuesday bringing

Oregon governor hopes some federal aid will soften blow of looming state budget cuts

May 11, 2020

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown says she hopes federal aid will cushion the blow of proposed state spending cuts that could amount to 17% of their shares of the tax-supported general fund. Brown made the statement Monday, May 11, a few days after state budget officials received plans from agencies on how they would cut

Lincoln County commissioners send reopening plan to state Tuesday, but unsure when they will allow some businesses to restart

May 11, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Lincoln County commissioners voted 2-1 Monday to send a plan to the state outlining how it meets guidelines for reopening businesses closed under Oregon’s coronavirus restrictions. While many counties are racing to reopen some businesses – including restaurants — on Friday, Lincoln County commissioners were reluctant to specify a reopening date. Chair Kaety Jacobson said if the