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

Will a little humor help get us through this staggering pandemic?

March 23, 2020

I’m curious if we can mitigate the staggering effects that the pandemic is having on our lives with some mirth and whimsy? It might be a touch of tonic to help us through. The one thing that we can do to help slow the spread of the disease is social isolation. But with that, what tasks are we going to

Beach walks will be missed if state closes day-use areas

March 23, 2020

My husband and I live on the Alsea River in Waldport and have been watching the Waldport Facebook page regarding the extra influx of visitors this weekend. The panic is real and I worry about a portion of the population who might turn to vigilantism. That said, I mourn the closing of the state’s day use parking lots because we

An act of kindness, tears of gratitude

March 23, 2020

Two days ago a truck pulled up in my driveway. A couple got out, a young couple I know from Eugene. They are friends of my youngest daughter who lives in Los Angeles. The couple talked to my daughter a few days ago and told her they were coming to Yachats to stay in their home for a couple of