Popular south coast light display now needs entry permit to view

December 4, 2022

COOS BAY — One of Oregon’s most unique holiday lights displays has returned after a two-year hiatus, but there are some big changes, including the need to get a timed entry permit to visit. Shore Acres State Park has once again turned its formal gardens above the ocean outside Coos Bay into a wonderland of lights between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve.

Federal agency that manages 13 Willamette Valley dams and reservoirs considering big changes

December 4, 2022

By ZACH URNESS/Salem Statesman-Journal The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering emptying Cougar Reservoir, scaling back hydropower and changing how it stores 500 trillion gallons of water in a new blueprint for managing 13 dams and reservoirs in the Willamette River Basin. In a 2,200-page document released late last month, the federal agency laid out seven alternatives for improving conditions for

Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble performs holiday concert Saturday in Yachats

December 4, 2022

The Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble has scheduled its annual seasonal celebration concert for 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10 in the Yachats Commons. Proceeds from the Yachats concert will benefit South Lincoln Resources and Yachats Food Pantry. The program will draw heavily on favorites of a season celebrated by Christian, Jewish, Solstice and Kwanzaa traditions. There will also be opportunity for

Federal judge says she will decide early next week whether to temporarily halt Measure 114 from going into effect Dec. 8

December 2, 2022

Union County Sheriff Cody Bowen speaks to reporters outside the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse after a hearing on Dec. 2, 2022, on a lawsuit to block Oregon Measure 114, a firearms law, from taking effect. Bowen and several other sheriffs say the voter-approved measure is unenforceable. By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle A federal judge will decide early next week

Some Oregon gun shops selling weapons to customers who might fail a background check

December 2, 2022

Assault style weapons are used in many mass shootings. (Connor Radnovich/Oregon Capital Chronicle) By GRANT STRINGER/Oregon Capital Chronicle As Oregonians scramble to purchase firearms before the state’s new gun regulations go into effect, some gun shops are using a loophole to potentially bypass background checks and sell firearms to anyone, including to people who might not qualify to legally own

Eckman Lake neighbors critical of information, ideas to improve its water quality, so Port of Alsea may suggest they buy it

December 1, 2022

By JORDAN ESSOE/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT – The first Port of Alsea meeting seeking solution for Eckman Lake’s problems with pollution and harmful algal blooms was met with some public opposition Tuesday. But on Wednesday, the Port suggested a new, potential path forward that might entice frustrated lakeside homeowners – allowing them to take ownership of the lake and manage it

Holiday season kicks off in big way this weekend with Santa’s visit, craft fairs, greens show and candlelight bridge walk

December 1, 2022

The holiday season starts crackling like a Yule log this weekend. From Yachats to Seal Rock to Waldport, local events — free to enjoy and all family-friendly — begin Saturday. One of the more traditional attractions is “Breakfast with Santa,” returning to the Yachats Lions Club Hall for the first time since 2019. The free pancake breakfast (although donations are

“Secret Santas” looking for local senior citizens to visit Christmas Eve

December 1, 2022

Do you know — or are you — a senior citizen in south Lincoln County who may be lonely this holiday season? If so, you can help someone else or yourself receive a free bag of gift goodies delivered to your door Christmas Eve. But don’t dawdle – the signup ends Dec. 11 and recipients are first-come, first-served as a

Yachats area keeps falling below yearly averages for rain in November

December 1, 2022

The low-lying areas of the central Oregon coast continue to fall behind yearly averages for rainfall, based on November’s numbers, but there is still plenty of precipitation falling in the foothills of the Coast Range. The city of Yachats recorded 8.23 inches of rain at its wastewater treatment plant on West Seventh Street in November, two inches below the 10-year

South county kids will pedal to happier holidays thanks to donations from Waldport’s Green Bike Co-op

December 1, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT — About 40 young children in the Waldport-Yachats area will be getting free bicycles this year, courtesy of the Green Bike Co-op in Waldport. A tradition for a dozen years, the holiday bike giveaway grants the wishes of kids whose families can’t afford to pay for bikes themselves. Green Bike is an all-volunteer nonprofit group