Lincoln County’s emergency management director resigns, one week after being placed on administrative leave

October 5, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Virginia “Jenny” Demaris, who had worked as Lincoln County’s emergency manager since 2011, resigned from her position Wednesday, one week after being placed on administrative leave. County officials would not comment on the reasons for her departure, The county’s emergency management department operates under the sheriff’s office. In a three-sentence email to affected agencies late Wednesday, Lt.

Oregon Coast Jazz Party begins another weekend of live music Friday at Performing Arts Center

October 4, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — If fall weather has got you Kind of Blue, remind yourself What a Wonderful World we live in with a visit to the Oregon Coast Jazz Party, returning to the Newport Performing Arts Center for three days of exceptional live jazz starting Friday, Oct. 6. Known nationally for its incredible talent draw, beautiful

Late September rain and deluge this week is enough for city to ease water restrictions in Yachats

October 4, 2023

YACHATS – The Yachats area received the second-most rainfall in 15 years in September and coupled with steady rain Monday and Tuesday proved to be enough to ease city water restrictions. The Yachats city council decided Thursday to end the city’s phase 1 water restrictions. After a heavy late-September rainstorm and another downpour early this week, Yachats water supervisor

Seal Rock Garden Club celebrates 75th anniversary Saturday

October 3, 2023

SEAL ROCK — The public is invited to share in an open house celebration of the Seal Rock Garden Club’s 75th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 7. From 1-4 p.m. at the club building, 10377 NW Rand St., members will share the rich history of the club, along with gardening information and refreshments. The community non-profit organization helps coastal gardeners share

Using discarded bones, OSU researchers use DNA to suggest commercial whaling led to loss of genetic diversity

October 3, 2023

By MICHELLE KLAMPE/OSU News Service NEWPORT – Commercial whaling in the 20th century decimated populations of large whales but also appears to have had a lasting impact on the genetic diversity of today’s surviving whales, according to new research from Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Researchers compared DNA from a collection of whale bones found

Many Oregon families face uncertain day care outlook as state spends last of federal funds

October 2, 2023

Many people across Oregon are in child care deserts, with three or more children vying for each opening. (Getty Images) By GRANT STRINGER/Oregon Capital Chronicle Like thousands of other parents in Oregon, it was never easy for Luz Quevedo to find affordable day care for her son — even when she qualified for help from the state. Quevedo, 48, owns

Gas, oil companies argue against Oregon’s emission deadlines during Court of Appeals hearing

October 2, 2023

Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland, told protesters after the Court of Appeals hearing on the climate lawsuit that wildfires had devastated his southern Oregon district. Several dozen activists and organizers took part in the rally in support of Oregon’s climate goals. By GRANT STRINGER/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Oregon Court of Appeals heard arguments Friday from gas and oil companies

USGS records small earthquake Sunday west of Bandon

October 2, 2023

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was recorded Sunday evening off the southern Oregon coast. The earthquake occurred at 5:49 p.m. about 196 miles west of Bandon at a depth of just over 6 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey. There were no reports that anyone on land felt it. The quake occurred along the Blanco Fracture Zone, a system of “strike-slip

Like the downtown Yachats banners? Bid to own one Saturday

October 2, 2023

YACHATS — Colorful, original art banners have decorated downtown Yachats all summer and now they’ll all be up for auction Saturday, Oct. 7. From 5-6:30 p.m. in the Commons, people can view all 34 banners created by local artists, meet many of the artists themselves, and bid on the works. The auction will be conducted by Polly Plumb Productions, a

EPA issues $1 million fine to Seattle seafood company and 5 ships for improper waste discharges off Oregon coast

October 2, 2023

By TRACY LOEW/Salem Statesman Journal The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Seattle-based American Seafoods Company and the owners of its fish-processing vessels nearly $1 million for significant violations of the Clean Water Act committed while harvesting and processing fish in the Pacific Ocean off the Oregon and Washington coasts. EPA cited the companies for hundreds of violations, including discharging waste