Sheriff’s office asks public’s help to find Yachats man missing since late July

September 6, 2023

YACHATS — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a 45-year-old Yachats man who has been missing for more than seven weeks. Deputies in Lincoln and Lane counties have been searching for Dustin Steyding of Yachats, who hasn’t been seen since he left work on July 22. In a news release Tuesday, the sheriff’s office

Alaska man killed in Highway 20 crash Tuesday evening

September 6, 2023

An Alaska man was killed Tuesday evening when he swerved into oncoming traffic on U.S. Highway 20 four miles east of Newport and collided with a pickup truck. Killed was James R. Lebo, 70, of Wrangell, Alaska, Oregon State Police said. Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that Lebo was driving east in a Suzuki Sidekick about 5 p.m. Tuesday

Samaritan, contractor settle multi-million flooring dispute at Newport hospital

September 6, 2023

NEWPORT — A legal dispute between a Colorado contractor and Samaritan Pacific Health Services has been resolved through mediation, opening the way for most flooring to be replaced inside the three-story tower at Samaritan’s Newport hospital. Work will begin later this year and is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete, the hospital said in a news release

More public meetings scheduled in southern Oregon on proposed wind projects

September 6, 2023

Three in-person public meetings later this month will provide opportunities for the pubic and various interest groups to comment on federal proposals to build wind-energy platforms off the southern Oregon coast. The meetings coincide with the start of an extended, 60-day public review and comment period regarding the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s proposal to create to so-called “call

Newport center offering 10-week after-school acting program for kids this fall

September 6, 2023

NEWPORT – Ever want to have your child try acting – on the stage? You’ll have a chance this fall at the Newport Performing Arts Center. The new “PAC Players” 10-week after-school theater program is offered after school on Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. beginning Sept. 20. Students in third through fifth grades are invited to unleash their creativity, ignite

Oregon regulators set 2024 rates for health insurance plans; average rates increase 6.2%

September 5, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The average Oregonian who buys health insurance on the individual marketplace will see costs increase 6.2% in 2024 after state regulators approved final rates. That’s a slightly smaller increase than last year’s 6.7%, but insurance rates for small businesses will increase slightly more than they did in 2023. The Oregon Division of Financial

Yachats trails leader and advocate for Native American truths wins national award from state parks directors

September 5, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — She’s a self-described “country bumpkin” who hates the spotlight. But Joanne Kittel will have to endure heaps of attention at a Lake Tahoe resort this month when the National Association of State Park Directors presents the Yachats resident with its highest individual honor — the President’s Award. “I was in shock,” Kittel

Health foundation holds Sept. 16 meeting on its charitable “Giving Circle”

September 4, 2023

NEWPORT – The Pacific Communities Health District Foundation is holding a meeting Thursday, Sept. 14 to explain and recruit people to be part of its annual “Giving Circle” fundraising campaign. The event is 5-7 p.m. at the Samaritan Center for Health Education in Newport Participation is open to any individual interested in actively supporting the health and well-being of the

Late August rainfall and new Southwest Lincoln agreement likely means no September water restrictions in Yachats

September 4, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews A good hard rain on the last day of August and a new agreement with a neighboring water district likely means there will be no water restrictions in Yachats this fall despite a very dry last four months. Weather watchers around Yachats recorded nearly a half-inch of rain Thursday, Aug. 31 to help ease the strain

As reimbursement policy ends, more Oregon employees are working from out of state

September 3, 2023

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting State employees who live outside of Oregon can no longer be reimbursed for the cost of traveling back to the state for work purposes, under a rule change that took effect on Friday. That hasn’t stopped state employees from opting to work for the Beaver State from outside of its borders. According to the Department