Siletz tribal fund donates $475,876 to 44 groups for second quarter of 2022

September 5, 2022

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund has distributed $475,876 to 44 organizations as it continues its quarterly donations to nonprofit groups. The Siletz Tribe’s seven-member charitable fund advisory board has distributed more than $16.1 million since its inception in 2001 as part of its Chinook Winds casino operating agreement with the state. Chinook Winds has donated more than $6.5 million

Oregon Education Department recommends big changes to high school graduation requirements

September 4, 2022

Salem-Keizer High School graduation. The Oregon Department of Education is recommending changes to the state’s graduation requirements. (Courtesy/Salem-Keizer School District) By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Oregon Department of Education recommends the state make big changes to high school graduation requirements, including ending a decades-old requirement to show proficiency in reading, writing and other skills on top of

Motels, restaurants and state parks say summer of 2022 appears to be “normal” busy after two years of Covid tourism

September 1, 2022

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com Heading into the third summer of lingering global pandemic, Anthony Muirhead was not sure what to expect of a tourist season regarded as make-it-or-break-it for leisure and hospitality businesses on the Oregon coast. The summer of 2020, after all, proved ruinous to many restaurants, hotels and galleries, who barely scraped by, if at all, after struggling

Residents of south Lincoln County gain greater access to health care with new health clinic in Waldport

September 1, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT – When a new health clinic operated by Lincoln County sees its first patient here Wednesday, residents of south Lincoln County will gain another option for primary and mental health care. Lincoln Community Health and a host of officials held a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the clinic Thursday, the first standalone county health building south

Yachats Chamber of Commerce wins city contracts for visitor center and marketing, announces hiring of new executive director

September 1, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com YACHATS – The Yachats City Council on Thursday awarded contracts totaling $85,000 a year to the Yachats Chamber of Commerce to run the visitor’s center and to promote tourism and events. The unanimous vote returns the contracts to the chamber after a two-year break when former councilor James Kerti was selected to run the programs in

Fishing industry launches website to counter wind turbine proposals off Oregon coast

September 1, 2022

A coalition of seafood harvesters, processors and others has launched a new website aimed at slowing down the Biden administration’s fast-tracked effort to build towering wind-energy farms off the Oregon coast. Working under the name Protect US Fishermen, the 25-member coalition is sounding alarms that the proposed farms, consisting of floating wind turbines tethered to the ocean floor, could have

Lincoln County commissioners extend vacation license rental moratorium until February, will discuss “area limits”

September 1, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday extended their moratorium on new vacation rental licenses for another six months and said they need to have detailed discussions on how and where to limit such rentals in five unincorporated areas west of U.S. Highway 101. The decision comes after the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals ruled Aug. 8 that a

Waldport voters will have choices for mayor and council in Nov. 8 election

September 1, 2022

WALDPORT – Voters will have some choices when it comes to deciding Nov. 8 who will be mayor and members of the Waldport city council for the next two and four years. Waldport voters elect a mayor every two years and some of the six councilors every four years. Usually there are three council seats up for election – but

Looking for something to do this Labor Day weekend? Lots of events in Yachats Saturday through Monday

August 31, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com YACHATS — Yachats’ summer season comes to an unofficial close this weekend with a rich lineup of events. From handmade crafts to hand-poured pancakes, bargain books to free, live music, there’s no shortage of activities and attractions to spark the holiday weekend. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-4 Yachats Ladies Club craft bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,

Oregon’s latest economic forecast predicts a record $3.4 billion kicker to taxpayers in 2024

August 31, 2022

By CHRISTIAN WIHTOL/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Brisk wage and employment growth in Oregon are generating record state revenues that could send an unprecedented $3.4 billion back to taxpayers in 2024, the state’s latest economic forecast says. At the same time, the state’s Office of Economic Analysis said the chance of a recession is a “coin flip.” “The outlook is