5 Questions and a Secret: Michele Thompson, third generation owner of Thompson’s Nursery in Waldport

February 21, 2023

Editor’s note: This is a new feature called “5 Questions and a Secret” where we will be doing bite-sized profiles of community members and asking them to answer five questions — and tell us a secret. It appears every other Wednesday. By JORDAN ESSOE/YachatsNews Michele Thompson, 50, of Waldport and her children represent the third and fourth generation

“Wizard of Oz” and its cast of 60 opens Friday for three-week run at Newport Performing Arts Center

February 21, 2023

Follow the yellow brick road to the Newport Performing Arts Center for Coastal Act Productions’ presentation of the classic fantasy “The Wizard of Oz,” from Friday, Feb. 24, through Saturday, March 11. One of the best-known stories in American pop culture, “The Wizard of Oz” follows the adventures of Dorothy Gale after she is swept away from her Kansas

Three Rivers Foundation awards $1.1 million to 117 organizations in five counties

February 21, 2023

FLORENCE — The Three Rivers Foundation, established by the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians as the charitable arm of its Three Rivers Casino Resort, has awarded $1.1 million in funding to 117 organizations in Oregon. The foundation had a major increase in applications this year, allowing it to grant 62 nonprofits first-time grant funding. The Three

Rep. Gomberg gets few answers from Oregon Racing Commission director on continued betting on greyhound races

February 20, 2023

By NIGEL JAQUISS/Willamette Week SALEM — Connie Winn, director of the Oregon Racing Commission, stumbled out of the gate last week when questioned in a hearing before the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development. Winn presented an update on her agency’s activities and budget Feb. 13 and then asked committee members if they had questions. It

Oregon Board of Forestry votes narrowly to continue with harvest habitat plan despite pushback from counties, industry

February 20, 2023

By NICOLE BALES/The Astorian In a divided 4-3 vote last week, the Oregon Board of Forestry decided to stay the course on a draft habitat conservation plan amid growing pressure from counties and the timber industry to start over. The special virtual meeting was called late last week after county and timber industry leaders raised alarm over new data on

On the Oregon Coast, a pro surfer and young Siletz tribal members connect through ocean waves

February 20, 2023

By NOAH THOMAS/Oregon Public Broadcasting DEPOE BAY — On an overcast day in late summer, Kelly Potts sits cross-legged on her surfboard talking to a group of people who are eager to surf for the first time. They listen intently as she explains what’s in store for their introductory lesson at a retreat intended for members of the Confederated

State OKs reintroducing grass carp into Devil’s Lake for weed control

February 19, 2023

LINCOLN CITY — The grass carp is one step closer to being reintroduced into the waters of Devil’s Lake in Lincoln City. On Friday, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted rules that would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to approve a permit for stocking grass carp in Devil’s Lake. The decision comes after a long battle from

Newport, Lincoln City hospitals relax visitor restrictions

February 19, 2023

NEWPORT – Samaritan Health Systems is relaxing its visitor restrictions at its hospitals in Newport and Lincoln City as illnesses due to Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses declines. Medical-grade face masks are still required at all Samaritan hospitals, patient care departments and clinics, under Oregon Health Authority requirements. But, Samaritan’s visitor policy has relaxed to allow each inpatient to designate

Yachats council update on Ocean View Drive pocket parks turns into vote over manager oversight of process

February 19, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews YACHATS — The city of Yachats is one easement away from taking ownership of Ocean View Drive, the final obstacle to finishing a series of pocket parks and breaking ground on a $1 million boardwalk. But a prolonged city council discussion last week of an insurance agent’s visit to the parks also turned into a tussle

Sierra Pacific announces construction of new lumber mill to replace current Eugene facility

February 18, 2023

EUGENE — Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to add a new cutting and stud mill to replace its existing sawmill facilities, making it when finished one of the largest in the U.S. with yearly production capacity of 650 million board feet, the company has announced. The new sawmill project is estimated to be completed between 2025 and 2026, the company