As Otis residents return to begin recovery from fire’s carnage “Everything looks so normal … and then you turn the corner”

September 20, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Even the cursory checkpoints manned by Oregon National Guard members don’t quite prepare you for what you’ll see a mile down North Bank Road in Otis. The first sign of the fire that ripped through the community on Sept. 9 appears as burned underbrush on the north side of the road leading into the heart of

Former deputy DA endorses Buckley for circuit court judge

September 19, 2020

To the editor: I have lived in Lincoln County for 35 years and worked in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office from 1987 through 1999. I was the chief deputy district attorney when Marcia Buckley was hired as a deputy district attorney in 1993, and supervised her for approximately six years. Marcia Buckley is an intelligent, hard working, and skilled

Even with fires still smoldering around Otis, emergency officials urge rest of Lincoln County residents to prepare for the next disaster

September 19, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Fires are still smoldering in Otis. Evacuees are still in shelters, motels or living with friends and families. Power and water are only slowly returning to 2,500 acres and more than 100 homes incinerated last week by the Echo Mountain and Kimberling fires in north Lincoln County. But Lincoln County fire and emergency officials want the 22,000

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Saturday, Sept. 19; Lincoln County has 2 new cases

September 19, 2020

Oregon reports 266 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed five more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 525, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Oregon Health Authority reported 266 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday bringing the state total to

Oregon’s one-of-a-kind fire insurance policy could help it receive up to $25 million

September 18, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau A British insurance marketplace in business since 1871 will pay up to $25 million of wildfire costs in Oregon under the state’s one-of-a-kind wildfire insurance. The policy with Lloyd’s of London calls for the state to pay the first $50 million in costs, then Lloyd’s pays the next $25 million. Anything above that would

With help of McKenzie River Trust and UO, Yachats gains a “RARE” intern for 11 months to help with community water issues

September 17, 2020

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com As a kid growing up in the cornfields of south-central Ohio, Sam Hillman heard the stories and saw the pictures of mile after mile of Pacific Northwest forests and ocean. Someday, he promised himself, he’d make the trek west to see them for himself. Now that dream is coming true as the 22-year-old embarks on an

Common sense, confidence makes Buckley right choice for Lincoln County court

September 17, 2020

To the editor: In the 15 years I have known Marcia Buckley I have been impressed by her honesty, integrity and willingness to fight for what is right. She has brought to the Lincoln County Circuit Court more than 27 years worth of experience as a trial lawyer. Her reputation speaks for itself and it speaks volumes. As a young,

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Thursday, Sept. 17

September 17, 2020

How to apply for disaster aid due to wildfires If you experienced uninsured losses or damage due to wildfires, you may qualify for disaster aid. Federal funds are available to help eligible individuals recover from wildfire in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Marion Counties. Oregon received federal emergency aid to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts

State police seek information on Waldport-area elk poaching case

September 17, 2020

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help locating the person or people responsible for the unlawful killing of a spike bull elk and cow elk along a Forest Service road just outside of Waldport in late August. A Newport-based state police wildlife trooper discovered a dead spike bull and cow elk Sunday, Aug.

Yachats Library Commission schedules meeting Thursday, survey to seek ideas on future of city library

September 17, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The city of Yachats is trying to determine the future of its library and wants residents to help figure it out. So it is seeking your thoughts. The Yachats Library Commission is sponsoring community meetings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24 at the pavilion behind the Commons. The meetings will be led by