OSU trustees approve $13 million in dock improvements at Hatfield Center

October 29, 2022

NEWPORT — The Oregon State University Board of Trustees on Friday approved a $13 million project to improve the dock for university research vessels at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The approval came during part of a two-day meeting of the college’s governing board in Corvallis. The original dock at the Hatfield Center was constructed in the early

Weyerhaeuser union members narrowly vote to accept new contract, end six-week strike at mills in Oregon and Washington

October 29, 2022

By LOUIS KRAUSS/The Eugene Regiser-Guard A six-week worker strike at Weyerhaeuser mills across the Pacific Northwest ended Friday after union members narrowly voted to approve a new contract that included wage increases and benefits. The approved contract did not include all the changes unionized workers were hoping for but did secure improvements such as lower healthcare premium costs and 14%

ODFW biologists warn about getting close to dead sea lions on coast

October 28, 2022

Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife biologists are warning about an increase in the number of stranded California sea lions along the entire Oregon coast due to leptospirosis, a naturally-occurring bacteria that can also sicken dogs, people, other wildlife, and livestock. The agency said dogs are most at risk of getting the disease while the risk to people is small.

73-year-old Yachats Rural Fire Protection District is at a crossroads as voters weigh whether to approve new, large tax levy to fund operations

October 27, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com YACHATS – The 73-year-old Yachats Rural Fire Protection District is at a crossroads. Do voters approve a district operating levy request of $1.59 in the Nov. 8 general election and continue operations as usual, or do they vote no to force difficult conversations by its five-member board on possible other ways to provide services. In a

There’s a clash of philosophies, approaches as Gomberg and McEntee square off in race for Oregon House District 10 seat

October 27, 2022

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com The race for Oregon House District 10 pits Democrat incumbent David Gomberg, who is seeking a sixth two-year term, against Republican Celeste McEntee, a Newport restauranteur who is making her first bid for state office. Both candidates say they are more qualified than the other to represent the recently redrawn district, which now extends from Lincoln City

Central Oregon Coast Fire asking voters to OK small increase in one levy to help it keep up with rising equipment and personnel costs

October 27, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT – The Central Coast Fire & Rescue District is asking voters Nov. 8 to bump up a current tax levy by 10 cents in order to keep up with rising costs, continue replacing and upgrading equipment and raising pay for firefighters. The proposed levy is for 35 cents per $1,000 assessed property value and is for

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office resumes citizens academy in January

October 27, 2022

NEWPORT – After a two-year pandemic-forced shutdown, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is resuming its eight-week-long “citizens academy” in January. This program provides community members with opportunities to learn about the every day operations and services of the sheriff’s office. The classes are from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday nights beginning Jan. 24. The academy features interactive sessions with staff that cover

Waldport and Yachats organizations offer community trick-or-treat opportunities Friday and Saturday for kids — and adults

October 27, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com Cute kids (and some grown-ups) in costumes, free candy and ghoul-cool cars will highlight two frightfully fun Halloween traditions in Waldport and Yachats this week. The weekend’s fun kicks off Friday night in Waldport where the second annual “Trunk or Treat” party will haunt the community center parking lot from 6-8 p.m. Organized by Waldport’s Beachcomber Days,

Elections complaint alleges House District 10 candidate McEntee lied in voters pamphlet about graduate degree

October 26, 2022

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle A supporter of incumbent Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, on Wednesday asked the secretary of state to investigate whether his opponent lied about her education on the state-issued Voters’ Pamphlet. McEntee Newport restaurateur Celeste McEntee lists a “graduate degree” in conflict resolution from the University of Utah. Depoe Bay resident Monica Kirk’s complaint, a copy

In novel tactic, labor unions target Coos Bay hospital’s board for recall after years of issues and turmoil

October 26, 2022

Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay./Courtesy of Bay Area Hospital By CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/The Lund Report COOS BAY — Two Oregon labor unions, unhappy at how the Bay Area Hospital in Coos Bay is run, are taking the unusual step of trying to eject members of the nonprofit hospital’s publicly elected board through a recall. Last week, the $85,000 union-funded