Oregon relaxes rules for cleanup of properties damaged in September wildfires

October 11, 2020

By MICHELLE MAXWELL/Eugene Register-Guard As residents begin cleanup of their properties after the early September wildfires, one roadblock some hit was being unable to find a place to dump the ash and debris, which is considered potentially hazardous. Typically, if someone tries to take the debris or ash from a burnt property to a dump, they will be turned away. State regulations

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for Oct. 8

October 10, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20286868 10/07/2020 16:15 Officer #55167 WERTZ, DAVID Towed vehicle – Abandoned/Hazard Location 34, Mile post 2 2 EB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary On 10/8/20 at approximately 4PM I stopped a vehicle on suspicion of dumping an old RV near milepost 2 of Highway 34. Passenger exited the vehicle and walked away. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy contacted the

Big coronavirus outbreaks at Pacific Seafood’s plants on Oregon coast illustrate difficulty in dealing with food processors

October 9, 2020

By JAMIE GOLDBERG/The Oregonian/OregonLive Ada Gabi Gutierrez Castañeda, 18, took a job this summer at Pacific Seafood in Warrenton to help support her family after her mother’s hours at another seafood processor were cut amid the coronavirus pandemic. When the virus then infected nearly 100 workers from Pacific Seafood’s Warrenton facility, including Gutierrez, the company publicly blamed a Labor Day party some

After more than a year of work, Yachats Planning Commission schedules public hearing on new outdoor lighting rules

October 8, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com Does your neighbor’s security light shine in your bedroom window? Is your own motion sensor light so bright it actually hides a night-time trespasser? Lighting issues like these will be up for discussion Tuesday, Oct. 20 when the Yachats Planning Commission opens a “virtual” public hearing on a proposed new lighting ordinance. In the talking and

Sex crimes prosecutor urges vote for Benjamin to Lincoln County circuit court

October 8, 2020

To the editor: Courtrooms can be dramatic and poignant places, but as a combat-tested sex crimes prosecutor on both coasts, I can tell you that what goes on behind the scenes is even more compelling. The quiet, steely heroism of victims and witnesses has inspired my work every step of the way. Recently, I saw that same strength of character

Gerry and Roy Foss of Yaquina Nursery have spent decades growing cacti, succulents and love up Yachats River Road

October 8, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com No cellphone service. No cash machine. No bar-coded price stickers. No asphalt parking lot. At first glance, it might seem that the Yaquina Nursery is notable for its lack of modern retail features. But by the time you cruise the 10-mile drive up Yachats River Road from U.S, Highway 101, you’re primed for the green serenity

YachatsNews is sponsoring an in-person city/county candidate’s fair Sunday, Oct. 18 at Yachats pavilion

October 8, 2020

YachatsNews is sponsoring a forum for candidates for Yachats mayor, city council and Lincoln County commission. Because it might be the only live, in-person candidate’s forum in Lincoln County this fall, there will be some restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. The forum will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 in the outdoor pavilion behind the Yachats Commons. Nine

Astoria-based Coast Guard cutter returns to Oregon after 57-day narcotics patrol in eastern Pacific

October 8, 2020

News Release Oct. 8, 2020 U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area Contact: Coast Guard Pacific Area Public Affairs D11-DG-M-PACAREA-PA@uscg.mil Pacific Area online newsroom Astoria-based Coast Guard cutter returns home after 57-day counter-narcotics patrol; $67 million in cocaine seized ASTORIA, Ore. — The crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Steadfast (WMEC 623) returned home Sunday following a 57-day counter-narcotics patrol to the

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Thursday, Oct. 8; Lincoln County has 3 new cases

October 8, 2020

Oregon reports 484 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed 11 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 594, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Oregon Health Authority reported 484 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, bringing the state total to

Democrat Jeff Merkley faces only token, conservative Republican opposition as he seeks third term in U.S. Senate

October 8, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley is seeking to sew up his seat for another six years, hoping Democrats can snatch the Senate majority from Republicans on Nov. 3. “I’m going to work to fix our broken and dysfunctional Senate so it isn’t just a graveyard for good ideas,” Merkley said in March 3