Two more Lincoln County beaches added to bacteria monitoring list

December 31, 2023

Two beaches in Lincoln County have been added to the five a state agency will monitor in 2024 and 2025 for unsafe levels of bacteria. The list of current and new beach monitoring sites was created based on high recreational use, nearby pollution hazards, previously measured high bacteria levels, and public comments. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of

Coastal counties struggle to provide workforce housing — and compete with metro-area jurisdictions for state help

December 28, 2023

By CLAIRE CARLSON/The Daily Yonder SEASIDE — Cloudy skies loomed over the small coastal town of Seaside on a November morning, but the rain stayed away as a group of residents, health care workers, and city officials gathered outside of what was, up until a few months ago a Red Lion Inn. The group was gathered to celebrate the

Eugene Weekly newspaper can’t go to print because of $100,000 embezzlement

December 28, 2023

By NATHAN WILK/KLCC EUGENE — The Eugene Weekly says it’s been the victim of embezzlement, and as a result, it can’t go to print for the first time in more than 20 years. According to the paper’s editor, Camilla Mortensen, an employee siphoned funds meant to pay vendors, retirement and the electric bill. She said those losses likely exceed $100,000.

14th annual New Year’s Day Peace Hike will also honor Coos tribal chief Donald “Doc” Slyter

December 28, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — The annual New Year’s Day Peace Hike has always been about remembrance of the past, but this winter there’s a more modern aspect — honoring the life and work of Chief Donald “Doc” Slyter. Now approaching its 14th year, the hike traditionally honors the memory of Amanda De-Cuys. She was a 19th century Native

As other jurisdictions raise lodging taxes, Yachats council decides to develop spending plan before making decision

December 28, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – The city of Yachats has decided to tap the brakes on increasing its lodging tax until figuring out how it might spend the additional revenue. City manager Bobbi Price advised the city council at its Dec. 20 meeting to hold off on an increase because the city is already sitting on hefty reserves and

Corps refilling Willamette River reservoirs after drawdowns meant to help migrating fish

December 27, 2023

A drone captures Lookout Point Dam, 22 miles upstream of Eugene on the Willamette River on Nov. 29, 2023. (Courtesy of Cascadia Wildlands) By GRANT STRINGER/Oregon Capital Chronicle The Army Corps of Engineers is refilling two Willamette River basin reservoirs that the agency had temporarily drained to historic lows to help fish, but the drawdowns washed mud downstream, threatening drinking

Oregon lawmakers’ overseas trips this fall funded by lobby groups, Taiwanese government

December 27, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon lawmakers jetted off to Taiwan, Portugal, Denmark and tech hubs in California this fall, all paid for by companies and groups that have a keen interest in the laws they’ll pass. These junkets, once common, have been rarer in recent years due to the COVID pandemic and associated travel restrictions. One planned

In last meeting of the year, Waldport council OKs sidewalk idea, crosswalk lights, new nonprofit and lodging tax increase

December 27, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The Waldport city council quickly approved several plans and projects during its last meeting of the year that ran the gamut from installing new crosswalk lighting, establishing a non-profit and raising the city’s lodging tax by 20 percent. But first on the council’s agenda was turning down a bid to install sidewalks from the

Siletz Valley School board fires superintendent/principal after investigation into seven complaints

December 26, 2023

By NIKA BARTOO-SMITH/Underscore News SILETZ – The Siletz Valley School board has fired principal/superintendent Casey Jackson following an investigation into seven complaints filed in October. The board announced its decision to fire principal Jackson at its meeting Dec. 14. The 200-student school is a charter school within the Lincoln County School District, with its own board, administrators and budget.

Elderly Seal Rock man hospitalized after spending night in wrecked car

December 25, 2023

SEAL ROCK – A 90-year-old Seal Rock-area man was treated for hypothermia and minor injuries Saturday at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital after leaving his house north of Waldport the night before and crashing it down an embankment. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office said Bonita Boldt reported her husband and their vehicle missing about 3:40 a.m. Saturday after last seeing him