Lincoln County district attorney says police justified in deadly shooting; issues statement and videos

May 1, 2020

Three officers who opened fire on a man with a knife in Lincoln City in April were justified in their use of deadly force, the district attorney announced Friday. The officers—Robert Bomar, Molly Wehrley and Hayden Tolzman—will not be charged with any crimes in the killing of David Xanatos, of Payette, Idaho, said Lincoln County District Attorney Jonathan Cable. “Every

Oregon Health Authority’s coronavirus report for Friday, May 1

May 1, 2020

Oregon reports 69 new COVID-19 cases, one new death May 1, 2020 Media contact: Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC) staff, 503-373-7872, media.COVID-19@state.or.us Oregon reports 69 new COVID-19 cases, one new death PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 104, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today. Oregon Health Authority reported

Oregon restaurants accept some, reject other elements of governor’s plan to reopen the economy

May 1, 2020

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon’s restaurant industry is accepting some points, but rejecting others, in the state’s proposed guidance for reopening after six weeks of state-ordered closures and curtailments prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. Draft guidelines for restaurants, retailers and child care services — plus the general public and employers — were made public Thursday. Gov. Kate Brown barred

Special Oregon House committee says there were no harassment issues in comments last fall by Rep. Gomberg

May 1, 2020

By MAGGIE VESPA/KGWNews SALEM — At the end of a nearly three-hour hearing Thursday that capped off a six-month independent investigation, Oregon’s House Special Committee on Conduct concluded a state representative’s comments about side-effects of medication for his prostate condition did not qualify as sexual or workplace harassment. Rep. David Gomberg, D-Lincoln City, was at the hearing with his wife

Newport attorney recommends Cable for Lincoln County DA

April 30, 2020

To the editor: Lincoln County received a superior public servant when Gov. Kate Brown appointed Newport attorney Jonathan Cable to serve as our district attorney in January. Mr. Cable brings to the office nearly two decades of experience as an attorney, most of it as a prosecutor; nine years as a Lincoln County deputy district attorney, serving under three different

April rainfall total in Yachats is second-lowest in past 11 years

April 30, 2020

April rainfall measured in Yachats was the second-lowest in the past 11 years, following a similarly dry month in March. The city of Yachats measured 3.33 inches of rain at its wastewater treatment plant in April, the lowest in the past 11 years except for the 2.78 inches recorded in April 2016. March rainfall was 4.09 inches, the third-lowest for

Hotly contested May primary race for Lincoln County district attorney pits two candidates with different views of the office

April 30, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The mid-term resignation of Lincoln County’s district attorney last fall and the governor’s replacement appointment in January has resulted in a vigorous and acrimonious race in the May primary election. The contest to see who becomes Lincoln County’s top criminal justice official is the most heated local political race in the May 19 election. Unable to

City of Yachats news: Visitor center contract goes out for bid; next council meeting in late May; loan applications now online

April 30, 2020

The city of Yachats is seeking proposals by people or groups to run the city’s visitor center and marketing programs for the next two to six years. The current contract expires July 1 and is held by Yachats Chamber of Commerce. The chamber contracts with Beverly Wilson to do much of the work and organize volunteers. While the

Lincoln County deputy district attorney supports Danforth in May primary

April 30, 2020

To the editor: I am a deputy district attorney in the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office and have been following the district attorney campaigns closely. What we have heard over and over from Jonathan Cable’s supporters is that Lanee Danforth is a brilliant attorney, but, gosh darn it, she’s just not ready to lead. I am here to tell you

Longtime defense attorney urges voters to replace circuit judge with Baldwin

April 30, 2020

To the editor: We are fortunate in Oregon to elect our judges. Circuit court judges are not appointed for life and are accountable to the people. This month we have an opportunity to choose a new judge. I am asking all of Lincoln County to join me in voting to elect Russell Baldwin as circuit court judge. I’ve been an