Recreational crabbers can now catch triple the number of invasive green crabs, but problems will persist until ocean cools

August 9, 2022

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com Despite new state regulations allowing a tripling of the number of European green crabs that can be caught, the invasive specie isn’t likely to be eliminated anytime soon from Oregon’s coastal marshes, bays and inlets. Unless, that is, the type of cooler ocean waters more prevalent before about 2015 return. “I’m actually pretty hopeful that will be

Feds allocate more than $20 million to 11 Oregon airports for renovations to accommodate more traffic, lure commercial carriers

August 8, 2022

The Federal Aviation Administration allocated nearly $10 million to the airport in Klamath Falls for runway repairs. By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle The Federal Aviation Administration has allocated more than $20 million for repairs at 11 rural airports in Oregon and to help attract new flights from Salem to California, Nevada and Arizona. Most of the money – $17.5

Five farms featured in 12th annual Yachats tour Saturday, Aug. 13

August 8, 2022

YACHATS — The 12th annual tour of the farms and ranches along the Yachats River Road will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13 featuring locally grown fruits, vegetables, grass-fed beef, baked goods, jams, refreshments, and live music. Five farms will be open for visitors, each featuring a different attraction, most with local produce for

Fire departments in Lincoln County receive $270,000 from state to augment staff during hottest and busiest weeks of summer

August 8, 2022

Eight fire departments in Lincoln County have received state grants totaling nearly $270,000 to increase staffing during key summer months to better react to potential fires, especially wildfires. The departments are among the 180 fire districts and departments across the state that received $6 million through a bill passed by the 2021 Legislature. Fire agencies were able to request

Applications for commercial fall matsutake picking now available

August 7, 2022

WALDPORT — Applications for matsutake mushroom collection permits for the Central Coast Ranger District of the Siuslaw National Forest are open. Every year, 100 commercial-use permits are available on a first come, first served basis. Anyone wishing to obtain a commercial Matsutake collection permit needs to complete a request form by Aug. 22. Staff will begin processing permit requests Aug.

Community health centers are key to accessing affordable services

August 6, 2022

To the editor: Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, local community health centers have been key to ensuring everyone can access affordable, quality health care. These centers are locally run yet part of a national network serving nearly 29 million people. They also save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health-care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.

Oregon state forester rescinds new wildfire risk map in response to public, political outcry

August 5, 2022

The Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer map from the Department of Forestry has been taken down. It previously showed Ashland as an island of low-fire risk in a sea of high risk. (Oregon Department of Forestry/Screen Shot of Oregon Wildfire Risk Explorer) By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle On Thursday afternoon, just five weeks after publishing a wildfire risk map, the state

Iconic beachfront motel Deane’s Oceanfront Lodge gets new owners — and soon a new name and bit of a makeover

August 4, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Glen and Katherine Aukstikalnis were driving down Highway 101 in November 2009 looking a rental house to buy. Instead, three miles north of Yachats they saw a “For Sale” sign on Deane’s Oceanside Lodge. The 19-room oceanfront motor lodge had sat empty for a year after its elderly former owners got the property back in a

Thinking about running for political office in Yachats? It’s time to file for mayor or two city council positions

August 4, 2022

YACHATS – It’s been a tumultuous few years for the Yachats city council – so here’s that once-every-two years chance to see if you can try to do better. Three positions are up for election in the November general election – the mayor’s and two council seats. Application packets – and they’re complicated – are available at city hall or

Report says it is “feasible” to re-introduce sea otters off Oregon’s coast, but lots of work and many more years needed

August 4, 2022

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com A long-awaited federal report says it is “feasible” to reintroduce sea otters to their historical range along parts of the West Coast, including Oregon. The 200-page report, prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under a directive from Congress, does not provide a recommendation as to whether sea otter reintroduction should take place. It does,