State cancels health advisory for tainted water at Seal Rock beach after one day

July 8, 2021

SEAL ROCK – The Oregon Health Authority on Friday canceled its public health advisory for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Seal Rock, one day after urging people to avoid direct contact with water in the area. The agency said results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality showed lower bacteria levels and

California man now charged with murder in February attack on former Yachats man

July 7, 2021

The man being held in the February assault of a former Yachats man in southern California is now charged with his murder, the San Diego District Attorney’s office said Wednesday. Martin Baker, a formerly homeless man who found shelter and friendship through the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, died a few days after the Feb. 19 attack. Baker had left Yachats

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for July 1-6

July 7, 2021

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP21181581 07/01/2021 12:51 Officer #53134 KOLACZ, BRYAN Crash – Injury Location 101, Mile post 150.4 150.4 SB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary E-Crash: A silver Nissan Titan was being driven southbound on US-101 where the driver (and only occupant) drove off the road as it came into Seal Rock and went into the ditch crashing head-on into a

Oregon coronavirus report for Tuesday, July 6: 463 new cases over four days; 1 death, 1,707 vaccinations

July 6, 2021

Oregon reports 463 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death PORTLAND — There is one new COVID-19 related death in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll at 2,782, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Oregon Health Authority reported 463 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday bringing the state total

Oregon legislators OK’d more than $700 million for housing needs, going beyond immediate crises of evictions and foreclosures

July 6, 2021

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon lawmakers have approved more than $700 million for housing needs that go beyond the emergency prompted by the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to avoiding evictions and foreclosures, the 2021 Legislature aimed at increasing the supply of lower-cost housing, helping people without permanent shelter and reducing housing disparities faced by racial and ethnic minorities. Lawmakers

Julie Ann Bongers, Yachats, June 26, 1953 – June 18, 2021

July 6, 2021

Julie Ann (Goodyear) Bongers June 26, 1953 – June 18, 2021 Julie was born June 26, 1953, in Pendleton, Ore. to Beverly Goodman and Elvin (Bud) Goodyear. Their family owned and operated the local Ranch Market where at a young age Julie worked for her parents and helped with all aspects of the store. Julie especially enjoyed working with her

Deputies arrest 2 men on arson charges after July 4 fireworks spree between Alsea and Tidewater

July 5, 2021

Two men from Corvallis and Lebanon have been arrested on a variety of charges on accusations they set off fireworks from their car Sunday as they raced west on Oregon Highway 34 from Alsea to Tidewater. One of the fireworks set a fire in steep terrain eight miles west of Alsea about 5:30 p.m. Sunday that was contained to less

Oregon’s usually quiet summer political season won’t quite be the same this unusually warm season

July 5, 2021

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Summer is normally a relatively quiet time in Oregon politics. But 2021 has been about as abnormal as a year can be. The Legislature adjourned June 26, a day before Salem recorded a record-shattering high temperature of 117 degrees. Politics remains broiling as well, with a special session in September to decide Oregon’s political

Here we go again. Oregon grocers trying for third time to put hard liquor sales on the ballot

July 5, 2021

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon grocers are hoping the third time is the charm for a ballot initiative to allow for hard liquor sales in markets. Lauren Johnson, owner of Newport Avenue Market in Bend and Oliver Lemon’s markets in Sisters and Terrebonne, is one of the sponsors of two possible ballot measures. Each would loosen the grip

Statewide opinion poll shows Oregonians don’t think sending seven Oregon counties to Idaho is going to happen

July 5, 2021

By DYLAN JEFFERIES/The Bend Bulletin Imagine Bend being Oregon’s eastern most city, a short drive from Redmond, Idaho. “Greater Idaho,” the concept of transferring parts of southern and eastern Oregon to Idaho — making Redmond, Idaho a reality — is gaining traction in some rural areas. According to Mike McCarter, the chief petitioner of Move Oregon’s Border, a nonprofit advocating