Newport hospital using earthquake disaster plan to guide its coronavirus response, sets up drive-through testing

March 19, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport is using a plan developed for a giant offshore earthquake to guide preparation for what it expects to be a wave of coronavirus patients. But unlike a tsunami that would inundate the central Oregon coast without warning, Samaritan Pacific administrators and staff have used the past week to prepare as

Yachats church becomes center for community help during coronavirus outbreak

March 19, 2020

Yachats Community Presbyterian Church gave out $1,000 Friday to laid-off hospitality workers, the first day of its growing effort to help those in need. Earlier in the week the church assumed operation of the community’s food bank, which normally operates out of the Yachats Commons. The city closed that building Tuesday. The initial money for suddenly unemployed workers came from

Lincoln County schools scrambling to adapt to impact of closing schools for six weeks

March 19, 2020

Lincoln County School District administrators and staffers are scrambling to adjust to the state-ordered six-week shutdown of all schools – including how to figure out credits for graduating seniors to continuing to provide meals to its 5,500 students. Superintendent Karen Gray said Wednesday that while many issues are in flux, educators had this week received some clarification about Gov.

Oregon lawmakers hear first reports on impact of coronavirus — and it’s not good

March 18, 2020

By JAKE THOMAS/Oregon Capital Bureau As the coronavirus outbreak continues to disrupt daily life across Oregon, legislators had their first discussion Wednesday on the Legislature’s possible response to the pandemic. With some legislators attending via video chat, the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response for four hour listened to a dismal outlook offered by government officials and a range of

New group of government and corporate leaders exploring ways to help Oregon workers, businesses

March 18, 2020

By SAM STITES/Oregon Capital Bureau A team of Oregon’s top government and business leaders are looking at every state program and agency to confront the economic erosion created by the outbreak of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Gov. Kate Brown convened her 28-member Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council that comprises the heads of state agencies, executives of Oregon’s major business groups, leaders of

Oregon Health Authority sets up temporary, emergency hospital at state fairgrounds in Salem

March 18, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/The Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon is erecting a 250-bed temporary hospital in Salem so as to free up other hospital beds around the state for coronavirus patients. The Oregon Medical Station is a mobile emergency hospital that the state purchased several years ago in case of a health crisis. Gov. Kate Brown said the facility, which is

Oregon governor extends school closure until April 28; Lincoln County district will continue with meal service

March 17, 2020

By the Oregon Capital Bureau and YachatsNews.com Oregon’s schools now are closed for six weeks. Gov. Kate Brown announced the extended school closure late Tuesday, hours after talking with reporters by phone and announcing that 150 of the state’s 197 school districts had found ways to provide meals to children. On Monday, Brown had said she was still considering whether

Vital Bites, Yachats’ newest dining option, opens just in time for take-out only restrictions

March 17, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com The future looked bright for Yachats’ newest dining option, until the coronavirus pandemic changed the daily menu of life for everyone. Vital Bites Kitchen, a meal preparation and catering firm run by a mother/daughter duo, started operating out of the kitchen at Outta Gas Pizza last month. Under its innovative business model, customers place orders and pay

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log March 9-15

March 16, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20074869 03/09/2020 17:46 Officer #52129 LARSON, ERIC DUII – Alcohol Location 101, Mile post 123 123 NB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary On the evening of March 9, 2020, the Oregon State Police responded to a four vehicle traffic crash blocking Hwy 101 near mile post 123. The crash investigation found UNIT # 1 (red Chevrolet sedan), UNIT

Coastal reaction to Oregon governor’s restaurant dining ban is mixed; some try to stay open

March 16, 2020

By SAM STITES/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday banned on-site consumption of food and drink at restaurants and bars, a 180-degree turn from indications she gave earlier in the day that she would not order closures or curfews. Brown’s order, which takes effect Tuesday, allows restaurants to offer delivery or takeout service. But across Oregon, many restaurants were electing to