Yachats council votes 3-2 to seek general contractor for 501 Building remodel

March 16, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO and QUINTON SMITH/YachtsNews.com The Yachats City Council is moving ahead to seek a general contractor to provide estimates to renovate the vacant 501 Building for city offices. After a long and contentious work session and meeting on the topic Friday, the council voted 3-2 to authorize City Manager Shannon Beaucaire to seek proposals from general

Yachats closes Commons building, city offices, library and Little Log Church

March 15, 2020

The city of Yachats, which had attempted to keep its buildings open in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, announced Monday it was closing city offices, the library and the Little Log Church to the public. On Tuesday the city said the Commons would follow suit and close to all activity. The outbreak and advice for people to keep their

Oregon records its first coronavirus death Saturday as shutdowns spread across state

March 15, 2020

By LES ZAITZ/Oregon Capital Bureau A 70-year-old veteran died Saturday at a Portland hospital from COVID-19, the first known fatality in Oregon as the number of people testing positive for the disease continues to increase. Oregon officials said the patient, who had underlying health conditions, was diagnosed on March 10 and died at the Portland Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. “The

Newport hospital Thursday tightens restrictions on all visitors

March 14, 2020

NEWPORT – Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital on Thursday instituted even tighter restrictions on all visitors to the hospital and outpatient care areas in order to protect patients and staff and limit potential exposure to the novel coronavirus and flu. There are currently no known cases of the coronavirus in Lincoln County. If a patient meets one of the limited exceptions

Coronavirus precautions lead to operation changes by Lincoln County sheriff

March 13, 2020

NEWPORT – The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announced changes Friday to protect jail inmates, staff and the public from possible spread of the coronavirus. For now, the changes will last no longer than 30 days. Sheriff Curtis Landers announced that effective immediately the county jail will only keep suspects arrested for serious crimes and individuals “who pose an extreme risk

Lincoln County schools will close Monday after Oregon governor issues late-night order for statewide shutdown

March 13, 2020

By LES ZAITZ/Oregon Capital Bureau and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Following an urgent, late-night order from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, the Lincoln County School District on Monday will close its 14 schools and keep nearly 5,500 children out of class an additional week to help fight the spread of coronavirus. Brown’s order, which state officials warned could be extended, is for two

Political hopefuls line up for May 19 primary races in Lincoln County and Oregon legislature

March 12, 2020

It could be an interesting two months for Lincoln County and Oregon coast politics. Oregon’s primary election is May 19. The filing deadline for county and state elections was Tuesday. The two state legislators representing the Yachats area are not seeking re-election, drawing contested primaries in those races. Meanwhile, the races for Lincoln County district attorney and two of the

Oregon governor bans large gatherings for 30 days to help fight spread of coronavirus; Yachats groups canceling events, city cutting back hours

March 12, 2020

By JAKE THOMAS/Oregon Capital Bureau and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Oregon could see up to 75,000 new cases of for coronavirus by mid-May unless the state takes measures aimed at stopping the spread of the disease that’s been declared a global pandemic. The remark by State Health Officer Dean Sidelinger came as Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday announced new restrictions she was imposing

OSU Sea Grant awards $1.15 million for five coastal research projects

March 11, 2020

Oregon Sea Grant, the marine research, public engagement and education program at Oregon State University, has awarded $1.15 million to five OSU scientists to study beach grass, groundfish trawling, sea lions and oysters over the next two years. Oregon Sea Grant receives a share of congressionally appropriated funds every two years that it awards via a competitive process to scientists at

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log March 6-10

March 11, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20071267 03/06/2020 14:36 Officer #53141 SEVERSON, SCOTT Crash – Non-injury Location 101, Mile post 134 134 SB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary eCrash – On 3/6/20 at approximately 240PM I observed a southbound silver Dodge vehicle overtake a southbound green Chevy SUV near milepost 134 of US Highway 101. After overtaking the Chevy, the Dodge merged quickly back