Oregon program has helped hundreds recover from 2020 Labor Day fires, but victims far from whole

November 14, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle More than 1,100 Oregon households have received help from a $150 million wildfire recovery program the state set up after residents lost their homes during the devastating 2020 Labor Day fires. Three years later, the area is still recovering from the wildfires, which burned more than 1 million acres and destroyed or heavily damaged

EPA moves on petition from West Coast tribes to investigate tire toxin linked to coho salmon deaths

November 14, 2023

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle For several decades, many coho salmon returning to waterways around Seattle to spawn have died mysteriously following heavy rains. In some urban streams, nearly all of the coho returning from the ocean died. It wasn’t until 2021 that scientists figured out what was behind what they called “urban runoff mortality syndrome,” and it was not

Life aboard the Essayons — the Corps’ dredge that keeps coastal harbors clear and Oregon’s economy moving

November 14, 2023

By KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/Oregon Public Broadcasting Simply getting aboard the Essayons is a hairy proposition. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge ship stretches the length of a football field and surges through the surf. To reach it, a motor launch pulls alongside, matching the Essayons’ speed, and two enormous hooks are attached. Then the whole launch — passengers included

Yachats chamber names co-directors to oversee its operations as Price prepares to take city job

November 13, 2023

BY GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – A tandem team has stepped into the breach at the Yachats Area Chamber of Commerce to fill the vacancy left by the departing executive director. Mindy Parsons and Nichole Lippincott will collaborate to cover all things chamber as they move the organization into the future on the heels of director Bobbi Price, who begins

Lincoln County school board member honored with statewide award

November 13, 2023

Longtime Lincoln County School District board member Liz Martin of Depoe Bay was named the 2023 Oregon school board member of the year at the Oregon School Boards Association’s annual convention Saturday in Portland. Martin has been on the Lincoln County board since 2010, currently serving as vice chair after three years as chair. During her tenure on the board,

Siuslaw National Forest now offering Christmas tree permits

November 13, 2023

Christmas tree permits are now available for purchase from the Siuslaw National Forest. To purchase a permit, go online to recreation.gov, go to regional offices in Waldport, Corvallis or Reedsport to purchase a permit in person. They can also be purchased over the phone by calling 541-750-7000. Christmas tree permits are $5 with an additional $2.50 fee per transaction when purchased

Newport/Waldport high school “team of destiny” wins state 4A boys soccer championship Saturday

November 12, 2023

By JOHN TAWA/OSAAtoday HILLSBORO — A season that started with tragedy ended in jubilation Saturday as Newport/Waldport, a self-styled “team of destiny” edged Cottage Grove, 2-1 in overtime, to win the OSAA 4A boys soccer state championship at Liberty High School. Newport coach Ollie Richardson said that he believed his team, which was 7-5-5 last year, would win its first state title since

Jury convicts Blodgett man for murder of former girlfriend

November 12, 2023

A Linn County Circuit Court jury convicted a 36-year-old Blodgett man on Oct. 27 for second-degree murder. James L. Anderson was arrested in July 2021 at his home on charges that included the murder of Angela N. Christian, 33, an Albany resident and his former girlfriend. Her body was found down an embankment off Marys Peak Road. Anderson is scheduled

Yachats resident featured in Dec. 9 fundraising gala for Samaritan hospital district

November 12, 2023

NEWPORT — The public is invited to help raise funds for heart health equipment at the 40th anniversary gala and auction of the Pacific Communities Health District Foundation. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Samaritan Center for Health Education. The evening will feature a champagne social, live music by the Pacific Standard Time trio, cuisine from

Waldport church invites public to workshop on coping with holiday grief

November 12, 2023

WALDPORT — People grieving the loss of a loved one this holiday season are invited to a support seminar titled “Surviving the Holidays” on Saturday, Nov. 18. From 10 am. to noon at First Baptist Church, 2620 East Alsea Hwy. in Waldport, three members of the church will lead a session providing encouragement and tools from GriefShare, a national grief