Yachats community gathers to honor Joanne Kittel, advocate for trails, conservation and Native American history

September 21, 2023

YACHATS – The Yachats community saluted a favorite citizen Wednesday night, with 200 admirers of Joanne Kittel filling the Commons multipurpose room to sometimes tearfully honor the tireless advocate for trails, land conservation and Native American truth-telling. When she finally got to speak after all the accolades, the 72-year-old Kittel joked that the event had all the elements of

Samaritan stages “Healthier You Expo” Saturday, Sept. 30 in Newport

September 21, 2023

NEWPORT — More than two dozen local organizations, businesses and Samaritan Health Services will take part in the Healthier You Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30 the Samaritan Center for Health Education. There will be free exhibits ranging from A (acupuncture treatments) to V (volunteer opportunities), along with education and information for improved health. This is

Yachats church’s bigger and better Oktoberfest returns this weekend with beer, brats and music

September 21, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — Break out the lederhosen and dirndls — Munich, Germany is coming to the coast with the first annual Yachats Oktoberfest, a celebration of beer, bratwurst, music and dancing. From Friday through Sunday, Yachats will buzz with the sights and sounds of the traditional autumn festival, which originated in Munich and draws millions there each

Oregon auditors flag $35 million in questionable spending by four state agencies

September 21, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Secretary of State auditors unearthed millions of misappropriated dollars and a lack of oversight and accountability in four state agencies, according to an audit released Wednesday. In all, state auditors flagged $35.2 million of questionable spending within the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Housing and Community Services and

Second annual Newport Pride celebration is Friday through Sunday with pub night, fair, drag bingo, prom and fun run

September 20, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — Pride events are not just big, rainbow-hued parties. They are also a time for celebrating change, working toward a more positive future and breaking down barriers for people in the LGBTQ+ community. And the second annual Newport Oregon Pride aims to have some fun doing it. Running from Friday through Sunday, Sept. 22-24,

Portland-born pianist now living in Germany will highlight Newport Symphony performances this weekend

September 20, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — Mozart’s effervescent “Piano Concerto No. 23 in A Major” will fill the Newport Performing Arts Center this weekend as the Newport Symphony Orchestra welcomes pianist Ben Kim to the coast. Kim’s two concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, will also feature Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 2, o. 36,” and “Fantasia on a theme

Waldport crews begin cleanup of former middle school as city slowly works to turn it into recreation center

September 20, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The city of Waldport is taking the first major steps this week to clean up the former school gymnasium, cafeteria and kitchen it bought five months ago. Public works crews sorted scrap metal for recycling and threw years worth of accumulated junk into Dumpsters on Tuesday, the first day of a planned three-day cleanup.

Choir receives grant to help bring song to Lincoln County schools

September 19, 2023

Coastal Voices, the 56-member community choir based on the central Oregon Coast, has received a $2,300 grant from The Roundhouse Foundation to create a choral education program for middle and high schools in the Lincoln County School District. Coastal Voices artistic director Rhodd Caldwell is the head of the project, assisted by members of SoundWaves, a small ensemble drawn from

Lincoln County unemployment rate drops slightly for seventh month

September 19, 2023

For the seventh month in a row, Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined slightly in August – hitting 4.1 percent, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday. The county’s unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in January before beginning its month-by-month decline. The July rate was 4.2 percent. The statewide unemployment rate in August was 3.4 percent; the national rate was

Oregon Attorney General Rosenblum won’t run for fourth term in 2024 as state’s top law enforcement officer

September 19, 2023

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum talks with an official from Planned Parenthood before a news conference about the abortion pill on March 12. BY JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum plans to step down at the end of her term, clearing the way for a new top law enforcement official. Rosenblum, a Democrat, has served