New national and local report highlights the impact of Lincoln County arts organizations on the economy

November 8, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews For you, it may just be a night at the play, a trip to an art gallery or going somewhere to listen to live music. But with your admission ticket — maybe a dinner beforehand, drinks afterward, or overnight at a motel — that play, that gallery and that venue has a noticeable impact on Lincoln

Report: Oregon election offices are underfunded, understaffed heading into 2024

November 7, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Local election offices throughout Oregon are understaffed and underfunded headed into the 2024 presidential election cycle, according to a “grim” report presented to state lawmakers Tuesday. The report from Reed College’s Elections & Voting Information Center was based on months of interviews with county clerks and other elections staff from 34 of Oregon’s 36

Yachats fire district voters easily approve 61 cent operating levy; county voters OK increase in lodging tax

November 7, 2023

Voters in the Yachats Rural Protection District on Tuesday approved the district’s request to renew a 61 cent property tax levy to support its yearly operations. The five-year levy easily passed 827 to 311 after the third day of counting ballots Thursday, according to the Lincoln County clerk’s office. Voters across Lincoln County also widely approved – 9,011

When Celtic performers from around the world come to Yachats this weekend, you can thank volunteers from Polly Plumb Productions

November 6, 2023

By Oregon ArtsWatch YACHATS — World-renowned musicians will take the stage in Yachats this weekend to play Celtic music to sold-out crowds from all over Oregon and the U.S. Few will mind that they are sitting in a former elementary school auditorium, as frill-less as a Depression-era place of learning can be, aware only that they are among

Governor names New Jersey doctor and health administrator to lead Oregon Health Authority

November 6, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Dr. Sejal Hathi, a New Jersey public health deputy commissioner, will be the next director of the Oregon Health Authority, taking over the mammoth state agency that provides Medicaid coverage to more than one in three Oregonians. Gov. Tina Kotek announced the appointment on Monday, which comes five months after the state posted

Lincoln County sheriff, other law enforcement officials tell legislators Monday they need help with drug epidemic

November 6, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Police officers lack the tools they need to help drug addicts enter treatment to help them kick the habit, Oregon law enforcement officials told a legislative panel on Monday. Oregon police officials from Portland to Hermiston spoke to Oregon lawmakers about the impact of drug addiction in their communities – and efforts

Chief Donald “Doc” Slyter of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw tribes dies Saturday of cancer

November 6, 2023

BY GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Revered for his passion and commitment to the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw – Chief Donald ‘Doc’ Slyter, who also served as a bridge to healing with the Yachats community – died Saturday surrounded by family at his home in Coos Bay. He was 72. Slyter had been diagnosed and under treatment for

State police seek information on shot elk left to waste near Alsea

November 6, 2023

OSP Fish and Wildlife Requests Public Assistance Cow elk left to waste near the border of Benton and Lincoln Counties ALSEA, Ore. 06 Nov. 2023 – The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is investigating the taking of a cow elk, left to waste, near the Benton and Lincoln County border last week. On Friday, Oct. 27, 2023, troopers responded

Ports in Newport, Astoria and North Bend receive $36.5 million in infrastructure funds

November 5, 2023

Ports in Newport, Astoria and North Bend are getting a total of $36.5 million as part of a national distribution of $662 million from a port infrastructure program managed by the U.S. Maritime Administration. By far the largest portion of the Oregon funds is $25.3 million headed to the Port of Astoria to pay for the complete rehabilitation of its

A ride-a-long with a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy in Waldport illustrates why no day is a typical day

November 2, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews The phone calls to 9-1-1 reporting a man walking around with a rifle and stopping to aim at people’s houses came in while Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were at their morning briefing in Newport. Deputies Doug Honse and Zachary Akin wasted no motion as they hurried to their patrol vehicles and sped toward the South Beach