Sheriff’s office will begin free pharmacy deliveries for elderly, ill residents

April 16, 2020

Afraid to go to the pharmacy and need someone to pick up a prescription for you? Just let the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office know. The sheriff’s office announced Thursday it will begin delivering prescription medications to the elderly or people with health issues in unincorporated Lincoln County to help reduce the chance of COVID-19 exposure. There is no fee for

Oregon State Police, Douglas County sheriff investigating fatal fire in Reedsport

April 16, 2020

On Sunday, April 12, 2020, 9-1-1 dispatchers received reports of a structure fire at 830 Myrtle Ave. Reedsport Fire Department responded to the incident along with the Reedsport Police Department. When officers arrived, they were notified an individual was still inside of the home. Officers entered the residence and located 68-year-old Joseph Lee Shoemaker, who was determined to be deceased. The other

Lincoln County lost highest percentage of its workforce to coronavirus closures than any other Oregon county

April 16, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Because of its reliance on tourism, Lincoln County has been the hardest hit county in the state in the percentage of its workers suddenly losing their jobs because of the COVID-19 crisis. The Oregon Employment Department released its weekly report Thursday on county and statewide unemployment claims. For the fourth straight week it wasn’t pretty. Across

Oregon Health Authority coronavirus report for Thursday, April 16

April 16, 2020

Oregon reports 6 new COVID-19 deaths, 73 new COVID-19 cases PORTLAND, Ore.— COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 64, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. Thursday. Oregon Health Authority also reported 73 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. Thursday bringing the state total to 1,736. The new COVID-19

Sheriff deputies, state parks rangers want to first educate not just issue citations to people accessing beaches

April 16, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com As weather improves, Lincoln County Sheriff Curtis Landers says deputies will gradually step up enforcement of people trying to get to the beach through closed federal, state or county access points. While the beach is open to people, public access points – federal, state, county or city parks and day-use areas – are closed because of

ODOT planners wrapping up public comment period on ways to improve popular Oregon Coast bike route

April 16, 2020

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com While cycling the length of the Oregon coast may not be for everyone, upwards of 10,000 people tackle the 370-mile trek every year. Along the way, they contribute $3 million to $5 million in annual tourism spending generated by coastal cycling and, best of all, take in the breathtaking views of the waves, beaches and majestic

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log, April 15

April 15, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20101230 04/15/2020 09:33 Officer #41617 ESKRIDGE, BRIAN Criminal Mischief Location Lincoln Narrative Summary On 04/15/2020 the Oregon State Police responded to a report of vandalism at the Devil’s Punch Bowl State Park. Unknown person(s) removed a road closure barricade blocking the viewpoint access and threw it over the security fence and into Devil’s Punch Bowl. The Oregon Department

Coast Guard rescues disabled 61-foot fishing vessel off of Coos Bay

April 15, 2020

NORTH BEND, Ore. – A Coast Guard 52-foot Motor Lifeboat crew towed a disabled 68-ton commercial fishing vessel Tuesday morning across the Coos Bay Bar, west of North Bend. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received a report at 3:38 p.m. Monday that the 61-foot fishing vessel Pacific Faith, with four people aboard and 10,000 pounds of fish, experienced

Oregon Health Authority coronoavirus report for Wednesday, April 15

April 15, 2020

Oregon reports 3 new COVID-19 deaths, 33 new COVID-19 cases PORTLAND — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 58, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority also reported 33 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. Wednesday bringing the state total to 1,663. The new COVID-19

After weeks of issues, Samaritan Health Services believes it has COVID-19 testing problems ironed out

April 15, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNew.com The head of coronavirus task force for Samaritan Health Services says the group of five hospitals – after weeks of issues — has improved the availability of COVID-19 tests and is now getting results more quickly. After initially using the state’s laboratory for tests in March, then turning to two out-of-state labs, Dr. Adam Brady says