Pioneer Connect awarded nearly $25 million to build more rural broadband internet

August 29, 2023

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Pioneer Connect of Philomath a $24.9 million grant in the fourth round of funding in the federal government’s broadband “ReConnect” program. Pioneer said it will use the grant to build 168 miles of fiber cable to more than 1,600 rural locations in Lincoln, Benton and Lane counties. The projects are designed to provide

Waldport Planning Commission gives OK for county’s new animal shelter in industrial area off Crestline Drive

August 29, 2023

WALDPORT – The Waldport Planning Commission has given Lincoln County the green light to proceed with design and construction of its new animal control shelter at Waldport Industrial Park. The commission unanimously approved Monday a conditional use permit for the county to locate the shelter on two acres it bought on Southwest Dahl Avenue next to the Ideal Storage

$450,000 reconstruction of East Second Street in Yachats should be finished this week

August 29, 2023

YACHATS – The second stage of a three-part plan to upgrade East Second Street neared its finish Monday as construction crews laid asphalt on a $450,00 project that rebuilt 560 feet of the road. After years if complaints from neighbors, the project was originally intended to start in June 2022. But that was cancelled after bids came in 62

Salem woman dies in one-car wreck near Otter Rock

August 28, 2023

OTTER ROCK – Megan B. Wigington, 32, of Salem was killed Thursday afternoon when her car left U.S. Highway 101 on Cape Foulweather and rolled multiple times, Oregon State Police reported Monday. Police said their preliminary investigation indicated Wigington’s Chevrolet Blazer was southbound about 1:15 p.m. Thursday when for unknown reasons it left the highway, rolled several times, and came

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designates plant on Oregon dunes as threatened species

August 27, 2023

Invasive beach grass has edged out a native plant, sand dune phacelia, on acres of Oregon dunes. By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle A coastal plant that’s been hammered by invasive species and recreational vehicles has won federal protection after years of pressure from environmental groups. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced this week that it declared sand dune phacelia

Beaver Creek resident urges opposition to proposed aerial spraying

August 26, 2023

To the editor: My husband and I live between Waldport and Newport in the woods behind the gorgeous vacation community of Seal Rock. South Beaver Creek Road is a well-kept local secret, about five miles of small farms, country homes, and so much beautiful scenery and wildlife. It is our two acres of heaven. We were so fortunate to find

Republican senators, state attorneys seek quicker Oregon Supreme Court review of anti-walkout law

August 26, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Five Republican senators and attorneys representing the state are seeking a quick resolution from the Oregon Supreme Court on the senators’ challenge to a voter-approved state law intended to block them from running for reelection after they ground the legislative session to a halt for six weeks. Last year, voters frustrated with Republican

Oregon foresters, Seal Rock water district await word from timberland owner whether aerial spraying will proceed

August 24, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Whether an aerial spraying of herbicides in the South Beaver Creek watershed by a timberland owner will occur is still uncertain despite a company consultant saying last week that it was highly unlikely. The planned helicopter spraying of herbicides is opposed by the Seal Rock Water District, Lincoln County commissioners, residents who use district water, and

Yachats resident will lead new OSU effort to help prepare coastal communities for emergencies

August 24, 2023

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews A sizable federal grant just awarded to Oregon State University will help the state’s coastal communities create emergency preparedness programs to face tsunamis and earthquakes. The two-year effort is being led by Yachats resident Tracy Crews, who works as a marine educator for OSU’s Oregon Sea Grant program in Newport. “The whole goal here is to

Yachats chamber creates new interactive guidebook aimed at young travelers

August 24, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Young adventure lovers have new territory to explore in nature and between the pages of a nifty new guide issued by the Yachats Chamber of Commerce. The interactive Youth Outdoor Adventure Guide asks “tidepool detectives” to draw the critters they come across before moving on to describe the sights, sounds and smells found near