Lincoln County unemployment rate continues its slow decline

August 23, 2023

Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues its slow decline, but remains above the jobless rate for Oregon and the U.S. The Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday that the county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in July. The rate was 4.3 percent in June and 5.2 percent the year before. The statewide unemployment rate was 3.4 percent in July, and

Registration open for 3rd annual CoastBusters Walk for Breast Cancer

August 23, 2023

Early registration for the CoastBusters Walk for Breast Cancer is closing Thursday, Aug. 31 for the third annual walk Saturday, Sept. 30 at Newport High School. Early registration is $25 through Aug. 31 and guarantees a t-shirt, pink ribbon pin, and swag bag. Registration from Sept. 1-24 is $35, and onsite registration Sept. 30 is $45. The registration fee includes

PeaceHealth plans to close emergency, other services at University District hospital in Eugene

August 22, 2023

PeaceHealth is moving services from its hospital in Eugene to Springfield. By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle In the latest potential shakeup of Oregon hospitals, PeaceHealth announced plans to close its emergency department and end other services at its University District hospital in Eugene. The Catholic hospital group, based in Vancouver, Wash. said Tuesday it intends to move emergency care, inpatient

Man shot on Newport bridge had been arrested in June for threatening workers

August 22, 2023

NEWPORT — A man shot and killed Aug. 9 by a motorist on Yaquina Bay Bridge was a homeless man who had been arrested for disorderly conduct in mid-June for repeatedly threatening bridge construction workers. Newport police on Tuesday identified the dead man as Justin J. Salisbury, 49, of Newport. Salisbury was shot once at 12:54 p.m. on the west

Newport police identify man shot and killed Aug. 9 on Yaquina bridge

August 22, 2023

NEWPORT — A man shot and killed Aug. 9 by a motorist on Yaquina Bay Bridge was a homeless man who had been arrested for disorderly conduct in mid-June for repeatedly threatening bridge construction workers. Newport police on Tuesday identified the dead man as Justin J. Salisbury, 49, of Newport. Salisbury was shot once at 12:54 p.m. on the west

Lincoln County joins regional consortium to boost child-care businesses, adds $200,000 in grants

August 22, 2023

In an effort to attract new providers and make launching an in-home child care business easier, Lincoln County has joined a three-county initiative to address the area’s child care shortage. The joint effort brings more assistance than ever before to people wishing to open a licensed in-home care business, county officials said in announcing the partnership. Family Connections, the

NOAA researchers encouraged by larger number of gray whale calves that migrated north this spring

August 21, 2023

By NOAA FISHERIES Almost twice as many gray whale calves swam north with their mothers to their Arctic feeding grounds this spring compared to last year, according to a new count by NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center. The results suggest that the eastern North Pacific population of gray whales that migrate along the West Coast may be stabilizing

Eugene performer brings Wild West to Yachats on Friday

August 21, 2023

YACHATS – It may be the coast, but that doesn’t mean locals can’t enjoy a little Wild West entertainment. Timothy Patrick, a longtime Eugene musician, is bringing his one-act music and multimedia show “On The Horse” about the American West to the Yachats Commons from 7:30-8:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25. Doors open at 7 p.m. with a selection of beer

Siletz Charitable Fund makes quarterly awards totaling $249,000

August 20, 2023

The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund has distributed $249,057 to 46 organizations as part of its quarterly donations to nonprofit groups. The seven-member charitable fund advisory board has distributed more than $16.8 million since its inception in 2001. Eligibility for money from the charitable fund is limited to two categories — entities and activities located in the Siletz Tribe’s 11-county

State report on 2020 Labor Day wildfires details shortcomings in response, recovery but offers ideas for improvements

August 20, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle The 2020 Labor Day wildfires strained understaffed state and local agencies and highlighted a need for more communication so people can recover and access services, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management concluded in a new report. The 147-page report, based on surveys and interviews, offers a window into the state’s work to recover from the