PacifiCorp agrees to $299 million settlement for Southern Oregon wildfire in 2020

December 7, 2023

By RYAN HASS/Oregon Public Broadcasting PacifiCorp, the parent company of the Oregon electric utility Pacific Power, will pay out $299 million to settle lawsuits related to a 2020 wildfire in Southern Oregon that destroyed around 170 homes. Tuesday’s settlement, first reported by Bloomberg, resolves years of legal wrangling over the Archie Creek Fire, which burned more than 130,000 acres along the

Five days of rain swamps central Oregon coast — but forecasters say we’re over the worst of it

December 6, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Well, that was a doozy. Continuous heavy rain for five days dumped between 10 and 17 inches of rain on the central Oregon coast through Wednesday, pushing rivers over their banks in spots and flooding some streets – but causing little damage or problems otherwise except along portions of the Siletz River. For longtime weather watchers,

State police seek help in two Lincoln County elk poaching cases

December 6, 2023

Oregon State Police are asking the public to help it identify hunters who shot and wasted elk in two cases late last month in Lincoln County. In a news release Wednesday, state police said a wildlife sergeant from the Newport responded to a Nov. 20 report of two spike bull elk that had been shot and killed in the Salmon

After a surprisingly quick year of planning, designing and fundraising, work begins on Yachats’ new skatepark

December 6, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Building a skate park in a town awash in retirees might seem like a ploy to entice the grandchildren to visit — but it can also be an amenity as popular as playgrounds that attract not only the young but the young at heart. “When you ride your skateboard it’s kind of like when

Lisha & the Outlaws headlining potluck and sober dance party Saturday in Yachats

December 6, 2023

YACHATS — Members of a popular local classic rock dance band Lisha & the Outlaws are hoping that their holiday event on Saturday will start a trend. The popular club band, led by well-known local vocalist Lisha Rose, is presenting a special Sober Dance Party and Potluck at the Yachats Commons from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. “Lisha has

Much of Oregon’s Dungeness crab fishery opens next week; negotiations begin Sunday in Newport on prices

December 5, 2023

BY GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery will open next Saturday from just south of Depoe Bay to the California border but will be delayed until at least Dec. 31 from Depoe Bay to the Washington border. In announcing the opening this week, the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife decided to split the commercial Dungeness opening after

Judge denies Lincoln County DA’s request to stop commissioners from controlling her appointments

December 5, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews An outside judge has denied a request by Lincoln County district attorney Lanee Danforth for a preliminary injunction to prevent county commissioners from limiting the number of chief deputies she may appoint. Danforth filed the lawsuit in May in a dispute over the amount of control commissioners had over her personnel decisions – including creating a

Seal Rock Garden Club’s annual greens sale is Saturday

December 5, 2023

SEAL ROCK — Handcrafted holiday decorations are an annual tradition for the Seal Rock Garden Club, which is holding its popular holiday greens sale from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. Shoppers can choose from locally-sourced green wreaths and swags, small live trees and tabletop arrangements, all handmade and decorated by members. The event will take place at

Oregon winter road maintenance will continue with $19 million promise from Kotek, legislators

December 4, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon’s top elected officials pledged to spend millions of dollars on winter road maintenance after dire warnings from the state Department of Transportation that highways would go unplowed because of a budget shortfall. Gov. Tina Kotek, Senate President Rob Wagner and House Speaker Dan Rayfield announced Monday that the state would commit $19

Coastal band will perform holiday concert Saturday in Yachats

December 4, 2023

YACHATS — The Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble will offer its annual holiday band concert at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Yachats Commons. The program will include both religious and secular seasonal pieces traditionally celebrated by Christian, Jewish, Solstice and Kwanzaa traditions. There will also be a carol sing-along. While the concert is free, donations are welcomed. Proceeds will