Republicans in Oregon Senate walk out again — this time in protest of COVID-19 restrictions

February 25, 2021

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau The walkout as a political tactic resurfaced Thursday in the Oregon Legislature. This time, however, the 12 Republicans in the Senate said Thursday that they were absent not to stall a vote on legislation by the 18 Democrats — although their walkout will delay at least five bills from coming to a final vote —

Proposal in Oregon Legislature would give tax-credit boost to state’s film industry

February 25, 2021

By KEVIN HARDEN/Oregon Capital Bureau New legislation could give Oregon’s pandemic-battered film industry a much-needed boost. House Bill 3244, introduced Tuesday, would increase the maximum annual tax credit for certified film productions from $14 million to $20 million. That jump could give the state a leg up in hot competition for film projects. “It’s huge for us,” said Tim Williams,

Waldport-area fire district board votes to offer fire chief’s job to interim chief

February 25, 2021

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District board voted this week to offer its chief’s job to Jamie Mason, who has been serving as interim fire chief since mid-December when its former chief was placed on administrative leave. Mason’s official hiring will take place once the board and he negotiate a contract. Mason replaces Gary

Oregon coronavirus report for Wednesday, Feb. 24: 427 new cases, 2 in Lincoln County; 22,406 vaccinations, 32 more deaths

February 24, 2021

Oregon reports 437 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 32 new deaths PORTLAND — There are 32 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,194, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 437 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state total to

After Newport mayor complains, state health authority pulls social distancing TV ad depicting man being thrown overboard

February 24, 2021

A screen image of an Oregon Health Authority ad promoting social distancing that was removed from YouTube. By Christina Kempster | KGW NEWPORT — The Oregon Health Authority has pulled an ad that depicted a crew of fishermen throwing a man overboard in a life raft in order to practice safe social distancing. The ad did not sit right with some

Oregon OSHA fines second Florence restaurant for violating COVID-19 guidelines

February 24, 2021

By the Eugene Register-Guard State officials have fined a second Florence restaurant more than $18,000 for three violations of guidelines meant to protect employees from COVID-19. Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Wednesday it had fined Firehouse Restaurant & Lounge for allowing indoor dining, failing to have an infection control plan and not conducting a risk assessment. Firehouse is

Lincoln County Sheriff updates Siletz shooting death investigation

February 24, 2021

Update- Siletz, OR Homicide Investigation- February 24th, 2021: Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and gathered additional evidence related to the events surrounding the shooting death of Richard A. Mann. Law enforcement would like to interview 23-year-old Donovan Eugene Carey-Bennett as a witness to the incident. Anyone who is in contact with Carey-Bennett or has information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact

Dramatic drop in COVID-19 cases the past month means Lincoln County moves into “low risk” category for social and business activity

February 24, 2021

The number of COVID-19 cases in Lincoln County has dropped so dramatically the past month that it will be one of three Oregon counties Friday that will relax heavy restrictions on social and business activity to much looser state controls. Lincoln and nine other of Oregon’s 36 counties will be classified effective Friday as “low risk” for spreading the

Oregon coronavirus report for Tuesday, Feb. 23: 528 new cases, 3 in Lincoln County; 14,917 vaccinations, 8 more deaths

February 23, 2021

Oregon reports 528 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 8 new deaths PORTLAND — There are eight new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,162, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 528 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, bringing the state total to

State fines popular Florence restaurant $18,000 for willful COVID-19 violations

February 23, 2021

By The Associated Press FLORENCE — The state of Oregon has fined a Florence restaurant nearly $18,000 for willfully exposing workers to COVID-19 after an investigation in which officials say compliance officers were threatened. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Tuesday announced the fine for The New Blue Hen, The Register-Guard reported. The New Blue Hen, doing business as Little Brown