Oregon lawmakers begin redistricting hearings despite no maps, no data and uncertain future

March 9, 2021

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Despite no redistricting maps or data to show voters, the Oregon Legislature is moving ahead this week with hearings on plans for redrawing 2020 political districts. Ten hearings are planned, two for each congressional district. First up was the 1st Congressional District in northwest Oregon on Tuesday, then the 2nd Congressional District that covers

Oregon coronavirus report for Tuesday, March 9: 517 new cases, 4 in Lincoln County; 15,945 vaccinations, 5 more deaths

March 9, 2021

Oregon reports 517 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 5 new deaths PORTLAND — There are five new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,303, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 517 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, bringing the state total

Lincoln County unemployment rate moves to 8.1 percent in January

March 9, 2021

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Lincoln County rose to 8.1 percent in January, up from 7.7 percent in December, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday. The statewide unemployment rate in January was 6.2 percent and the national rate was 6.3 percent. Lincoln County’s unemployment rate in January 2020 was 3.8 percent. The county lost 240 nonfarm jobs in January,

Oregon House Speaker wants fast track for foreclosure moratorium

March 9, 2021

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau House Speaker Tina Kotek says she wants to see a legislative fast track for an extension of Oregon’s moratorium on residential foreclosures. An overall moratorium ended on Dec. 31. House Bill 2009, which the House Business and Labor Committee heard last week, would be retroactive to Dec. 31 and extend the moratorium to Sept. 1.

After pause to reach more elderly, Lincoln County anticipates more vaccines and openings soon; Samaritan offering clinic Fridays and Saturdays

March 8, 2021

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com After a step-back last week to get more elderly people signed up for a COVID-19 shot, Lincoln County health officials say increases in supplies and a new clinic later this week should help more residents over 65 get inoculated. Lincoln County Public Health and its partners are holding five first-dose clinics this week using 1,700 Moderna

Oregon coronavirus report for Monday, March 8: 234 new cases, 1 in Lincoln County; 21,793 vaccinations, 2 more deaths

March 8, 2021

Oregon reports 234 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths PORTLAND — There are two new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,298, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Oregon Health Authority reported 234 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Monday, bringing the state total

Newport-based researchers use ‘poop’ samples to monitor health issues of gray whales off Oregon coast

March 8, 2021

By MICHELLE KLAMPE/OSU News Service Poop samples are an effective, non-invasive tool for monitoring gray whale reproduction, stress and other physiological responses, a new study from Oregon State University shows. Researchers from OSU’s Geospatial Ecology of Marine Megafauna Laboratory in Newport collected 158 fecal (commonly known as poop) samples from Eastern North Pacific gray whales off the coast of

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for March 3

March 6, 2021

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP21053596 03/03/2021 16:14 Officer #44704 KATSIKIS, KELLY DUII – Alcohol Location WALDPORT, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary On 3/3/21 at approximately 4:14 pm I responded to a driving complaint in the Waldport area involving a white Ford Explorer (537BMR). I located the described vehicle parked in the Keady Wayside parking lot. After observing the vehicle for a short

Oregon coronavirus report for Saturday, March 6: 202 new cases, 2 in Lincoln County; 33,847 vaccinations, 3 more deaths

March 6, 2021

Oregon reports 202 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths PORTLAND — There are three new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 2,296, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Saturday. Oregon Health Authority reported 202 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Saturday, bringing the state total

Lincoln County man sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after meth distribution conviction

March 6, 2021

EUGENE—A Lincoln City man with multiple felony convictions was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison Friday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute large quantities of methamphetamine in and around Lincoln City and illegally possessing a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug. Felix Daniel Garcia-Mendoza, 28, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison and five