Oregon’s top fire officials say they asked PacifiCorp to shut down power lines before Labor Day 2020 fires

April 17, 2023

By ZACH URNESS/Salem Statesman Journal Oregon’s top fire official said he advised utilities to shut down power lines to reduce the threat of wildfire ignitions during a historic windstorm Labor Day night of 2020, just hours before the Santiam Canyon and much of western Oregon burst into flames. In a deposition recorded earlier this month and provided to the court,

OSU study: Native bees thrive after clearcuts in Oregon Coast Range, then decline as trees grow

April 16, 2023

By STEVE LUNDEBERG/OSU News Service CORVALLIS – Native bees in the Oregon Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within a few years of timber harvest but their numbers drop sharply as planted trees grow and the forest canopy closes, research by Oregon State University shows. The findings are important for understanding the roles forest management might

Should rural property owners be allowed to build ADUs to help housing crunch? Proposal in Oregon Legislature says yes

April 14, 2023

By ZACH DEMARS/Oregon Capital Chronicle BEND — The open space on Cathy and Kurt Springman’s 10 acres of land could offer a win-win — for their horses and a needy renter. In a perfect world, they’d fill some of that space with a tiny home just big enough to house one or two people. A potential tenant could get a

OSU scientists try to find answers to “so many questions” about small group of whales off central Oregon Coast

April 13, 2023

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews It’s no secret that watching migrating gray whales during the spring and summer is one of the biggest draws on Oregon’s coast. Far less known, however, is that if a pod is spotted during that time period, it more than likely belongs to a tiny subset of maybe 250 gray whales collectively known as the Pacific

Yachats city manager resigns effective May 31, citing personnel issues, misinformation and council interference

April 13, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS — The Yachats city council Wednesday announced the resignation of city manager Heide Lambert effective May 31, its plan to hire a contractor to assist during the transition and a professional consultant to find her replacement. Following a 90-minute closed, executive session to discuss the matter, mayor Craig Berdie said during a brief

Oregon governor Tina Kotek reiterates state’s stance on tribal casinos — just one, not two

April 13, 2023

By NIGEL JAQUISS/Willamette Week Gov. Tina Kotek gave unambiguous guidance Thursday to Oregon’s nine recognized Native American tribes and the Oregon Lottery about where she stands on gambling. In response to questions her office has received and to pending proposals that would add two tribal casinos, Kotek simply said no. “Throughout my legislative career, during my campaign for this

Waldport will likely re-think Crestline Drive sidewalk project after bids come in twice as high as expected

April 13, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews WALDPORT — A long anticipated project to install sidewalks and crossings along Crestline Drive between neighborhoods to the north and two schools to the south has hit a big stumbling block – money. The sole bid for the project along the east side of Crestline between Salmon Street and Crestview Heights and Waldport Middle/High schools came

Kotek calls for narrow research tax credits after signing $210 million Oregon semiconductor tax-break bill

April 13, 2023

Gov. Tina Kotek signs a $210 million bill for the semiconductor industry on April 13, 2023, at the state library in Salem. By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Tax breaks for semiconductor manufacturers should be targeted and not cost the state money, Gov. Tina Kotek said Thursday as legislators focused on expanding the state’s semiconductor industry consider tax cuts.

Melvin L. Johnson, Celebration of Life, May 6

April 13, 2023

Melvin L. Johnson Celebration of Life A celebration of life will be held for Melvin L. Johnson at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church, 360 W. Seventh St. Yachats. Melvin “Mel” LeRoy Johnson passed away June 27, 2020, in Selah, Wash. following a four-year battle with mesothelioma. He was 87 years of age and enjoyed

Guess what’s on the menu as Depoe Bay Crab Feed — and chowder contest — returns Saturday

April 13, 2023

Depoe Bay will be cooking up locally sourced and caught crab when the annual Depoe Bay Crab Feed returns Saturday, April 15. New this year will be the inaugural Chowder Contest, while the colorful classic wooden boat show will also return to the “world’s smallest harbor.” Hundreds of pounds of delicious whole Dungeness crab, caught locally in partnership with West