Waldport takes first step in banning plastic and foam takeout containers, utensils from restaurants

February 14, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews WALDPORT — Waldport is on track to join Newport and Lincoln City among Lincoln County municipalities to enact bans and restrictions on plastic takeout materials. Waldport City Council held a first public reading last week of an ordinance that is essentially a carbon copy of one implemented Jan. 1 in Newport — city manager Dann Cutter

Coast Guard rescues 3 surfers Sunday, Feb. 12 near Agate Beach

February 13, 2023

Coast Guard rescues 3 surfers near Agate Beach, OR Editor’s Note: Click on images to download high-resolution versions. ASTORIA, Ore. – The Coast Guard rescued three surfers in distress Sunday near Agate Beach. Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Bend received a report just before 2 p.m. Sunday of two male surfers in distress who were being pushed up

Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission director resigns amid bourbon hoarding scandal

February 13, 2023

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is launching a criminal investigation into state alcohol regulators’ alleged ethics law violations. By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The executive director of Oregon’s liquor control agency will step down Wednesday as the state attorney general begins a criminal investigation into corruption. Steve Marks, who has led the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Control

Number of outdoor visits to Oregon state parks hits second highest number in 2022, but coastal trips down slightly

February 13, 2023

By The Salem Statesman Journal The number of people visiting Oregon’s outdoors plateaued just below record numbers in 2022 during another year of packed campgrounds and busy trailheads across the state. Oregon’s state park system recorded 52.2 million day visits and 2.97 million camper nights last year, the second-highest in the agency’s 100-year history. The numbers were down slightly

ODFW researchers win four grants to study coastal marine habitats

February 13, 2023

NEWPORT — Marine scientists with the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife in Newport have received grants for four research projects to expand understanding of Oregon’s rocky marine habitats. Funding came from the Oregon Ocean Science Trust, a group created by the 2013 Legislature to promote research and monitoring of Oregon’s ocean and coastal resources. ODFW’s shellfish program received $193,341 to

100 “Random Acts of Kindness” Tuesday from Yachats Ladies and Lions clubs

February 11, 2023

Valentine’s Day will be a little sweeter for 100 local individuals, civic groups and businesses this year, thanks to the Yachats Ladies Club and Yachats Lions. The two groups are teaming up to deliver “Random Acts of Kindness” on Tuesday, Feb. 14 in the form of treat bags containing cookies, cupcakes and other treats to recipients in Yachats and

Tree removal will stop U.S. 20 traffic Wednesday-Thursday three miles east of Newport

February 11, 2023

NEWPORT – Daytime commuters using U.S. Highway 20 between Newport and Toledo should be prepared for traffic delays of 20 minutes or more Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 15-16. The work was moved back by one day because of expected inclement weather Tuesday. Oregon Department of Transportation crews are removing 20 trees at the top of a landslide along the

Oregon Attorney General launches criminal probe into state liquor regulators after reports of diverting rare whiskeys

February 10, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is launching a criminal investigation into state liquor regulators who diverted rare whiskeys for their own use. Rosenblum announced the criminal investigation Friday, two days after Gov. Tina Kotek asked her office for a civil investigation of ethics violations at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, which holds

Oregon lawmakers ponder grants for local news, but amended bill won’t include tax credits for donating or subscribing to news outlets

February 9, 2023

Oregon lawmakers are considering a bill to give grants to organizations trying to expand and preserve local news. By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Local news is critical for democracy and needs state support to continue, supporters of a legislative proposal told the Oregon House Rules Committee on Thursday. House Bill 2605 would pay for a resource center to give

Waldport council moves forward with new rules on where, how and when homeless can camp in the city

February 9, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews WALDPORT — A new law regulating where homeless people can camp in the city of Waldport could be in place in April. During its regular meeting Thursday, the Waldport city council unanimously decided to move forward with an ordinance that would add language defining permissible camping on private and public property. Councilors expressed reticence at making