Fence blocking ‘unofficial’ portion of 804 Trail highlights property rights and scramble for long-term solution

March 30, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com When Mike Ruane extended his fence Thursday to prevent walkers on the 804 Trail from crossing his property just south of the Adobe Motel, he simply wanted to keep people away from him and his house. That happened. But he also ignited a firestorm of outrage from the hundreds of people who walk one of the

Coronavirus effects on gas stations leads Oregon to allow self-service for two weeks

March 28, 2020

Editor’s note: On Monday the Oregon Department of Energy clarified Saturday’s announcement suspending the state’s ban on self-service gas station, saying self-service is not mandatory and will only happen when a gas station owner exhausts staffing options. By LES ZAITZ/Oregon Capital Bureau As the novel coronavirus took hold in Oregon, workers who perform one of life’s most routine jobs – pumping

Waldport residents pull together and businesses adapt to weather the coronavirus storm

March 26, 2020

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT — From the street, the Waldport Moose Lodge appears to be every bit as shuttered as many other businesses in town. From all appearances, it’s just more victim of the coronavirus. Inside, however, the long-time community gathering place is humming with activity as head cook Jim Elkins, other staff and volunteers hustle to prepare and

Waldport council votes to hire the mayor as its new city manager

March 26, 2020

WALDPORT – The Waldport City Council stayed in house to find its new city manager – it hired the mayor. The council announced Thursday evening that it had selected Dann Cutter as its new city manager, replacing Kerry Kemp of Yachats, who is retiring after six years in the job. Cutter, who was elected mayor in 2018, is director of

Coronavirus stories: How communities and people are reacting, reaching out to help each other

March 26, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The group stopped making quilts and learned to make cotton masks. A grocery store manager changed her routine to help an elderly couple. More than 25 volunteers show up regularly to help distribute meals to school kids and their families. A neighbor walked her streets to set up a phone tree to help keep

Oregon coast clears out as Lincoln County commissioners, seven cities ban motel and vacation rental for visitors

March 26, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com It’s not your usual Oregon coast spring break week. After swarming to parts of the coast last weekend, visitors to the coast returned home this week as Lincoln County and its seven cities joined Tillamook and Clatsop counties in banning motel and vacation rentals for short-term recreational use. The emergency order also applied to RV parks

Coronavirus roundup: Call centers open, county takes over donation management, Yachats has plenty of water

March 26, 2020

Lincoln County and Samaritan Health Systems opened two call centers this week to help answer questions and give advice to people with questions about the coronavirus pandemic. The county’s call center number is 541-265-0621 and is staffed by a registered nurse, counselor and volunteers from 9 a.m. 1 p.m., with increasing hours as more volunteers become available. The phone line

Residents and staff of Sea Aire assisted living facility in Yachats getting along OK during shutdown

March 26, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com For the 44 residents and 35 staff of the Sea Aire Assisted Living facility in Yachats life is not going on as normal, but as well as can be expected during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our residents are doing very well,” Sea Aire administrator Robin Allen said Thursday. “There is a bit of boredom, but there hasn’t

Oregon governor says it’s OK to go outside for exercise — but just be smart about it

March 26, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown said the far-reaching executive order she issued this week should not stop immediate families from driving around for relaxation or hiking a trail, as long as they maintain proper social distancing while hiking. “The goal here is to limit your social circles. The goal is to stay away from crowds. The

Southwest Lincoln water district board appoints two new members

March 26, 2020

The Southwest Lincoln County Water People’s Utility District board has appointed two new members after previous board members moved out of the district. Roxie Cueller, current manager of the Port of Alsea, was appointed to fill Position 1 on the water utility board. Franklin Sherkow was appointed to fill the vacant Position 4. The March 11 appointments bring the PUD