Unemployment rate in Lincoln County continues slow decline in June

July 31, 2022

Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continued its slow decline in June, but remains a full percentage point above the state and national rates. The county’s unemployment rate in June was 4.7 percent, according to Oregon Employment Department regional economist Erik Knoder, a decline from the rate of 4.9 percent in May. It was 7 percent in June 2021. The

COCF&R hosts National Night Out event Tuesday in Waldport

July 31, 2022

WALDPORT – Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue will host that community’s National Night Out gathering from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. Residents are invited to the free event in the parking lots of the Waldport Community Center and the fire district’s main station. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong emergency community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to

Oregon Employment Department believes impact will be small when it transitions to new computer system in September

July 31, 2022

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon businesses and workers will begin to see the rollout of a new computer system for the Employment Department after more than a decade of false starts and frustrations. When the transition is completed in more than three years, the new system will automate employer payroll and tax records, employee claims and benefits from the

Growth in Yachats is not a question of if — but when, where and how, consultants tell city meeting

July 31, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com YACHATS — During a public webinar last week on future housing needs for Yachats, one attendee posed a basic question: “Why is it necessary for Yachats to grow?” The answer to that underpins the initial findings of consultants working under state grants totaling $73,000 to study the myriad factors involved in planning for the city’s future.

Yachats Library Commission re-doing description for part-time employee, interviewing two companies for building expansion

July 31, 2022

YACHATS – The Yachats Library Commission is considering a change of direction in its quest to hire someone to oversee operations at the city’s all-volunteer operation. The commission had received council permission this winter to recruit a part-time employee with a master’s degree in library science in order to meet a requirement to be a member of the

Drazan, Johnson, Kotek spar over guns, abortion, homelessness in first Oregon governor debate Friday

July 29, 2022

Oregon gubernatorial candidates, from left, Christine Drazan, Tina Kotek and Betsy Johnson, participate in a debate hosted by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association in Welches. By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle WELCHES — The three women running to be Oregon’s next governor sparred over abortion, homelessness, guns and climate change in their first debate on Friday. Friday’s forum, hosted by the

To make the November ballot as nonaffiliated candidate, Betsy Johnson barnstorms the state with a sales pitch for every crowd.

July 29, 2022

Betsy Johnson talks to supporters at a pep rally in St. Helens, Ore., on June 14, 2022. As an unaffiliated candidate for governor, Johnson is hoping to collect enough signatures to make the November ballot. By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting It’s mid-June, in St. Helens and several hundred people have come out to the Columbia County fairgrounds to see

Neil E. Hokkanen Jr.

July 27, 2022

Neil E. Hokkanen Jr. July 15, 1934 – July 13, 2022 Neil E. Hokkanen Jr. of Yachats died on July 13, 2022 after a short illness, two days before his 88th birthday. He was born July 15, 1934, in Portland to Neil and Florence Hokkanen. He attended Franklin High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army where he earned

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log July 20-26

July 26, 2022

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP22184891 07/20/2022 14:29 Officer #60787 NATHMAN, CAMERON Warrant Arrest Location 229, Mile post .5, LINCOLN Narrative Summary While contacting multiple subjects about their camping on ODOT property, an individual with an active warrant out of Lincoln County was identified. The warrant was confirmed and the individual was taken into custody. The individual was then transported and lodged in

Central Coast Chorale offering concerts in Yachats, Lincoln City and Newport

July 21, 2022

After an abrupt Covid shutdown, a cancelled concert series, installation of a new artistic director, vaccination and mask mandates, constant re-evaluation of rehearsal protocols, and a new scheduled then re-scheduled concert series, choral music will once again fill the air on the Oregon coast. The Central Coast Chorale is offering three performances of their concert “Peace by Piece” at three