Oregon governor calls special session of the Legislature for Monday to discuss House and Senate redistricting

September 16, 2021

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau The shape of the 2022 election could take a step forward next Monday with a special session of the Legislature called by Gov. Kate Brown. While Brown can call a special session, she cannot determine its length or scope. But in making the announcement, Brown said she hoped it would be short and stick

Oregon coronavirus report for Wednesday, Sept. 16: 2,069 new cases, 34 in Lincoln County; 46 more deaths

September 16, 2021

Oregon reports 2,069 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 46 new deaths PORTLAND — There are 46 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,536, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 2,069 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, bringing the state total

Oops. Just days after assurances from officials, Yachats Post Office closed again Monday because of staffing issues

September 16, 2021

Update Monday, Sept. 20: Despite assurances from Postal Service officials last week that staffing issues had been resolved, the lobby and transaction counter at the Yachats Post Office was closed again Monday, Sept. 20 because a clerk was out and there was no one else available to staff the office. Responding to an inquiry from YachatsNews, a Post Office spokesman

After repairing mechanical issues, Newport-based researchers set sail again Thursday in search of rare beaked whales

September 16, 2021

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com NEWPORT — In the inky darkness a couple hundred miles off the Oregon coast, Lisa Ballance slept soundly as the research expedition she led sailed toward Hawaii in search of a species of whale never before identified alive in the wild. Then, just after 4:30 a.m., Ballance awoke with a start when the constant thrum of

Lincoln City police arrest Oregon City man Monday with two missing children

September 15, 2021

MAN ARRESTED AFTER TRYING TO FLEE WITH TWO JUVENILES LISTED AS MISSING (PHOTO) News Release from Lincoln City Police Posted on FlashAlert: September 15th, 2021 6:02 PM Downloadable file: LCPD_Elude_Arrest_091321.JPG On Monday September 13, 2021, at about 10:00 PM, Lincoln City Police Officers were dispatched to the Lincoln City Plaza parking lot, located at 4101 NE Logan Road, regarding some suspicious activity

South “chute” from Aqua Vista to 804 Trail gets makeover Friday-Saturday

September 15, 2021

The hardworking Yachats Trails Committee hits the dirt again this weekend to improve a pathway to the popular 804 Trail. On Friday and Saturday, an all-volunteer squad will lay down weed cloth and gravel on the southern fenced “chute” leading from Aqua Vista Loop past several private homes to the 804 Trail. The city of Yachats previously fenced another

What can a rural, coastal community do when a naked man or transients in distress need help? Officially, not a lot

September 14, 2021

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Laura Mulroney’s first encounter with William Minkema occurred Sept. 3 at the front door of the C&K Market she manages in downtown Yachats. Minkema was not wearing any clothes. “I have never, absolutely ever, even once had a naked person in here,” said Mulroney, who has managed groceries for 20 years. “He wasn’t mean. He was

Oregon coronavirus report for Monday, Sept. 13: 4,700 new cases over the weekend, 56 in Lincoln County

September 13, 2021

Oregon reports 4,700 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 32 new deaths, surpasses 300,000 cases PORTLAND — There are 32 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 3,446 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Oregon reported 2,142 confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases on Friday, Sept. 10; 1,513 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19

Coast Guard rescues three people and dog Sunday after their vessel sinks west of Lincoln City

September 13, 2021

NEWPORT — The Coast Guard rescued two men, a woman and a dog found adrift in a life raft after their vessel sank Sunday afternoon approximately 45 miles off Lincoln City. The Coast Guard station in North Bend received a distress signal at 2 p.m. Sunday from an electronic position indicating radio beacon registered to the 44-foot commercial fishing vessel

New Waldport 6-day a week city bus system needs two things to launch — suggestions on routes and hiring drivers

September 13, 2021

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT — Getting around the city without a car will get easier sometime (hopefully) soon with a planned new bus service that will run a loop within the city. First, however, organizers need comments from local residents on where and when it should run — and the drivers to staff it. Thanks to a $224,640 grant