Yachats can learn from what happens when circumstances close vacation rentals

May 28, 2020

When considering a major decision, especially one that affects the lives and livelihoods of many others, it is wise to consider what could happen in a worst case scenario. What might be the unintended consequences? It is rare that a worst case scenario occurs, but it can happen. For example, the decisions of the city of Yachats and other coastal

Oregon legislators will get a second chance Saturday to quiz state employment officials

May 28, 2020

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon lawmakers will get a new chance to question officials about the much-criticized performance of the Employment Department in handling a record number of claims during the shutdown of business activity in the coronavirus pandemic. The House Business and Labor Committee has scheduled a session from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, which will be livestreamed

Two Yachats commissions debate, then recommend $158,000 street and parking project near Commons

May 28, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Two city of Yachats commissions gave their approval Wednesday to a $158,000 street and parking project for a 100-yard length of road between the Yachats Commons and West Sixth Street. But it wasn’t approved until after complaints from some commission members – and push back from others – that they either didn’t know or understand the

Lincoln County unemployment rate jumps to 26.2 percent in April, highest in Oregon

May 27, 2020

Lincoln County’s estimated unemployment rate skyrocketed to a record 26.2 percent in April, the Oregon Employment Department announced Wednesday, in the agency’s first county-by-county look at how the coronavirus pandemic wiped out jobs across the state. Lincoln County’s jobless rate was the highest in Oregon. Clatsop County’s rate was next at 24.4 percent. They were the only two counties

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Wednesday, May 27; Lincoln County has “presumptive” case

May 27, 2020

Oregon reports 71 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, no new deaths PORTLAND, Ore. — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 148, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 71 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday bringing the state total to 4,038.

Lincoln County announces its 10th COVID case — the first of a young person between the ages 10-19

May 27, 2020

Lincoln County Public Health announced a 10th confirmed COVID-19 case Thursday evening, the county’s first case involving a young person between the ages of 10 and 19. The person is not hospitalized and is self-isolating, the county said. The agency said it is investigating the case, contacting anyone who was near the person in the last 14 days. The

Lincoln County commissioners, staff debate requiring public to wear face masks in county buildings

May 27, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Should the public be required to wear face coverings in government buildings when they reopen? Lincoln County courts will require it. County employees can be required to wear face coverings. Businesses can insist customers wear them. But can – or should — Lincoln County require the public to wear face coverings in county buildings — and

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for May 24

May 26, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20136895 05/24/2020 04:51 Officer #57483 GRAVES, QUINTEN Crash – Injury Location 18 HWY and OTIS CONN. RD, Narrative Summary At approximately 5:02AM on 5/24/20, the Oregon State Police were dispatch to the report of a single vehicle crash near milepost 9 on Highway 18, Lincoln County, Oregon. Upon arrival, an occupant of the vehicle had already been transported

Oregon officials expected to release fall public school plans in early June

May 26, 2020

By LES ZAITZ/The Salem Reporter Parents, teachers and school superintendents will find out in early June how schools are expected to function this fall after months of being closed. Colt Gill, director of the Oregon Department of Education, said in an interview that the state expects school buildings to reopen in September. He said his agency, working with the Oregon

Hospitals finding patients reluctant to return for elective procedures, face some tough choices

May 26, 2020

By ELON GLUCKLICH/The Lund Report In mid-March, as Oregon health officials braced for a crush of COVID-19 cases, Gov. Kate Brown ordered hospitals to postpone elective surgeries to ensure adequate bed space and equipment for coronavirus patients. But even after the ban on non-emergency procedures was lifted May 1, patients are still staying away from hospitals. As a result, many hospitals