Lawyers in Lincoln County vacation rental lawsuit make their arguments on whether Measure 21-203 should be allowed to take effect

March 3, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com NEWPORT – After hearing two hours of arguments Wednesday, a Lincoln County circuit judge said she would wait until later this month to rule on whether she had jurisdiction over the validity of a voter-approved measure to phase out vacation rentals in unincorporated Lincoln County. Lawyers representing vacation rental owners are challenging the validity of Ballot Measure

Oregon Senate follows House in voting to end overtime exemption for farmworkers; bill goes to governor for signature

March 3, 2022

By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The Oregon Senate on Thursday approved a bill passed two days earlier by the House to end the agricultural overtime exemption, sinking attempts at compromise sought by farm organizations. House Bill 4002 passed the Senate 17-10. It phases out the overtime exemption over five years while providing tax credits to temporarily compensate farmers

As it lays out budget schedule, Yachats Fire board says November levy may be close — minus expiring levy — to one rejected last year

March 3, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com YACHATS – A proposed new tax levy by the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District will likely be similar in size to the $1.59 per $1,000 rate that voters rejected last November – but it just won’t have the same effect on property owners’ wallets. A proposed levy with a $1.59 tax rate was soundly defeated last

Oregon Senate overwhelmingly approves compromise agreement for managing private forestlands

March 2, 2022

By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The Oregon Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of new logging standards negotiated by timber and environmental groups under the Private Forest Accord compromise. Senate Bill 1501, which enshrines the deal into law, was approved by the Senate 22-5 after a brief discussion during which no objections against the legislation were raised. Representatives

Oregon schools get new guidance Wednesday for Covid-19 tracing and testing as mask mandate nears end

March 2, 2022

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle The Oregon Department of Education released updated guidance for school districts on Wednesday that ends some testing protocols and contact tracing. The changes to the Ready Schools, Safe Learners Resiliency Framework – a roadmap for keeping schools open and students safe during the pandemic – comes as schools prepare for the end of state mask mandates

Prime downtown property overlooking Yachats River is up for sale again. Should the city buy it for a park? Yachats resident may help with $100,000

March 2, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com YACHATS – A Yachats couple who wanted to turn a former restaurant site overlooking the Yachats River into a farm-to-market restaurant and gathering place have abandoned those plans and put the property up for sale. Now, the Yachats Parks & Commons Commission, which is overseeing plans for a boardwalk along Oceanview Drive just west of the

Divisive farmworker overtime bill passes Oregon House on 37-23 party-line vote Tuesday

March 1, 2022

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The House passed a proposal Tuesday that would require overtime pay for farmworkers. The proposal passed with 37 Democrats voting for it and 23 Republicans against. It now goes to the Senate. House Bill 4002 would phase in time-and-a-half pay over five years while paying farmers tax credits over six years to cushion the

Despite deluge during last three days of February, the month was very cold and dry in Yachats area

March 1, 2022

You wouldn’t know it from the last few days, but February was a dry, cold month in the Yachats area. A rain and wind storm that pummeled the central coast the last three days of the month also delivered half of the Yachats area’s February rainfall total, according to weather watchers who report their data to YachatsNews. In spite of

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log for Feb. 23-27

March 1, 2022

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP22046348 02/23/2022 12:16 Officer #53141 SEVERSON, SCOTT Warrant Arrest Location LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary On 2/23/22 at approximately 3PM a subject was located at North Fogarty Creek State Park and taken into custody for an outstanding warrant in Lincoln County Oregon for strangulation and harassment. Subject was lodged in Lincoln County Jail. Involved Parties Arrested; Charged SCHWEIZER,