Days before reopening debate, Lincoln County announces COVID-19 outbreak at popular hotel and increasing cases among lodging workers

August 18, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Days before Lincoln County commissioners again debate whether to proceed with entering Phase 2 of the state’s reopening process, health officials say visitors appear to be bringing the coronavirus into beach communities and announced a workplace outbreak at a large, popular hotel in Lincoln City. On Monday, Public Health Director Rebecca Austen told commissioners that since

Oregon legislative leaders OK COVID-19 relief funds over objections of half of state’s lawmakers

August 17, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau The Oregon Legislature’s most powerful panel approved a plan to use federal funds to buy $105 million of personal protective equipment, despite objections from over half of the state’s 90 lawmakers. “I feel like I have been beat over the head on this issue over and over and over again,” said Sen. President Peter

Yachats visitors and residents – please observe dog leash laws in state parks, on beaches

August 17, 2020

To the editor: I have been a Yachats resident off and on through the last three decades, and have been here permanently for over a decade. I love this little strange town with its diverse inhabitants, and I have always been made to feel welcome and appreciated here. Within the last few years my son has experienced some strange health

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for Aug. 13-16

August 17, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20228554 08/13/2020 20:23 Officer #53134 KOLACZ, BRYAN Crash – Non-injury Location 20, Mile post 9.5 9.5 WB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary E-Crash: Unit #1 was driving westbound on US-20 near milepost 9.5 when a bear came into her lane of travel. The bear was struck and ran off. The driver pulled over and had a tow arranged

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Monday, Aug. 17; Lincoln County reports 2 more cases

August 17, 2020

Oregon reports 192 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, no new deaths PORTLAND — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 388, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Oregon Health Authority reported 192 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Monday bringing the state total to 23,451.

As races begin for Yachats council, let’s resist the ugliness of the current national discourse

August 17, 2020

To the editor: I would like to assure Yachats residents of what I believe to be an appropriate context for Leslie Vaaler’s statement of candidacy in the latest edition of the YachatsNews. In speaking with the editor, I learned that the WordPress platform for the paper automatically produces “related posts,” which in this case was an unfortunate juxtaposition of a

State issues new guidelines for coronavirus protection at Oregon child care facilities

August 17, 2020

By TERESA CARSON/Pamplin Media Group New state guidelines are expected to ease capacity restrictions and require more masks at child care facilities and early education centers during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Child care and early education is essential to healthy development and is also an important support to working families and our state’s economic recovery,” said Oregon Early Learning System Director

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Sunday, Aug. 16; Lincoln County adds one new case

August 16, 2020

Oregon reports 252 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 388, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Sunday. Oregon Health Authority reported 252 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Sunday, bringing the state total to

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Saturday, Aug. 15; Lincoln County has six new cases

August 15, 2020

Oregon reports 412 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 386, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Oregon Health Authority reported 412 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, bringing the state total to

Big response to Tenmile Creek fire Thursday night keeps blaze at 6 acres and from spreading into U.S. Forest Service timberlands

August 14, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com State, federal and local fire crews were able to keep a fire that started in a barn along Tenmile Creek south of Yachats from spreading into heavy timber Thursday night. The damage was mostly limited to a lean-to shed and pole barn belonging to Sarah Scholfield and equipment and cedar logs belonging to her nephew, Louie