Oregon health officials Friday warn of “exponential growth” of COVID-19 cases if current trends continue

July 10, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon faces an “exponential growth” in COVID-19 cases if current trends continue, Oregon health officials said Friday, with ever rising numbers of infections, hospitalizations and deaths. “We have troubling news,” Oregon Health Authority Director Pat Allen said in presenting the state’s updated forecast on the pandemic. The state issued three forecast scenarios. Current trend:

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Friday, July 10

July 10, 2020

Oregon reports 275 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 232, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Oregon Health Authority reported 275 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Friday bringing the state total to

Yachats couple also sees evidence of city’s “growing pains”

July 10, 2020

To the Editor: Thank you, Fran Morse, for your letter that so eloquently, and in such a heartfelt manner, stating what my husband and I have been calling “Yachats’ Growing Pains.” Your description of the disconnect between those who long for the “old days” in the guise of small-town quirkiness and those who see the maturing of a vibrant coastal

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Thursday, July 9

July 10, 2020

Oregon reports 389 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 230, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Thursday. Oregon Health Authority reported 389 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Thursday bringing the state total to

Middle school math teacher from Yachats wins “Einstein” award to work in Washington, D.C. for a year

July 10, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Kama Almasi of Yachats has lived in Japan, been a paralegal in Seattle, taught college in Wisconsin – and this spring taught math to middle school students in Toledo. But starting in August, Almasi will spend 11 months in Washington, D.C. as one of 15 Albert Einstein Distinguished Education Fellows. The 30-year-old program is sponsored by five

Lincoln County reports 14 more COVID-19 cases Thursday, sixth death Friday as number of daily cases across Oregon hit highest yet

July 9, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com and STEVE LUNDEBERG/OSU News Service Lincoln County reported its sixth COVID-19 related death Friday, a 91-year-old man who died at his residence. That follows the county’s highest number of COVID-19 cases in more than a week and its fifth death Thursday. On Thursday, the Oregon Health Authority reported a record 389 new cases, then 275 cases Friday

With pie socials and craft shows shut down by coronavirus, Yachats Ladies Club pivots to help community mask up

July 9, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com When the coronavirus pandemic forced cancellation of the Yachats Ladies Club’s traditional fundraising activities this year, members took the opportunity to provide a different service to the community. Traditionally, the club’s goal of promoting the welfare of the community has been rooted in activities that sound gloriously old-timey — pie socials and hand-crafted gifts bazaars. But now

Free meal in a paper sack times 11,600 — Waldport’s Moose Lodge dishes out food with lots of community support

July 9, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT — One Sunday in early June, Jim Sehl had to do something “just tragic” — he suspended the free meal program at the Waldport Moose Lodge. For the next 17 days, the homeless, the jobless and the just plain hungry had to find food elsewhere or do without. In the wake of a surge of COVID-19

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Wednesday, July 8

July 8, 2020

Oregon reports 217 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 4 new deaths PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed four more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 224, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 217 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday bringing the state total to

Steep drop in Oregon Lottery funds kills off $273 million in projects, including three in Lincoln County

July 8, 2020

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau A steep drop in Lottery Funds due to the COVID-19 crisis has killed the sale of $273 million in state bonds to pay for major projects — including three in Lincoln County — state officials said Tuesday. “There’s not enough money — there is no repair,” said Sen. Betsy Johnson, D-Scappoose, a chair on