ODFW biologists ask public to leave struggling murres alone

August 20, 2023

Oregon coast residents and visitors are seeing many dead and dying fledgling common murres on state beaches and some commercial fishermen report also seeing this at sea. At this time of the year, the young birds are trying to survive on their own for the first time. It’s not uncommon to get reports of some sick or dying birds say

County planners wrong to deny Hetzler workforce housing idea

August 18, 2023

To the editor: What is wrong with the Lincoln County planners who oppose the concept of providing safe and inexpensive housing options in a remote location for people who are trying to make a living in the hospitality industry in Yachats? The Drift Inn and its associated properties and businesses are an essential component of the lifeblood of Yachats. For the

Timberland spraying may be legal but it’s not safe for the public

August 18, 2023

To the editor: More than 1,700 people have signed a petition opposing Oregon Department of Forestry approval of aerial application of herbicides on private forest lands adjacent to South Beaver Creek and its tributaries. Thanks to laws written by chemical industry interests, this spraying may be legal but it is by no means appropriate or safe. Herbicides, like homicides and all

Lincoln County commissioners pass 1-year moratorium on new vacation rental licenses as they wait for judge’s decision

August 17, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews While they wait for a judge’s ruling on vacation rental regulations, Lincoln County commissioners took the pre-emptive step Friday of putting a 1-year moratorium on issuing new licenses in case the judge tosses out the contested rules. Circuit pro-tem judge Joseph Allison said at the end of a 5-hour hearing Wednesday that he intended to rule

Yachats businesswoman’s attempt to provide workforce housing on land zoned for forest use may land her in court

August 17, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Linda Hetzler is the well-known owner and operator of a popular restaurant, a small hardware store and a boutique hotel in Yachats and knows the struggles many of her 80 employees have finding places to live. “All of the businesses in Yachats are just screaming for help,” she says. “We have people in cars, in tents,

Yachats council agrees to seek grant to help buy $230,000 tourist trolley, but wants more information on operating costs

August 17, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews The light was green at the Yachats city council meeting Wednesday as councilors put the wheels in motion to pursue a local trolley service, a plan for emergency preparedness, secure a backup water supply, shift its interim city manager to a four-day work week, and codify height limits for fences, walls and hedges. Despite reservations about

NOAA recommends $106 million in salmon and steelhead recovery grants for five Western states

August 17, 2023

By JACOB FISCHLER/States News Service The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is recommending sending $106 million to 16 salmon and steelhead recovery efforts in five Western states, the federal agency said Thursday. NOAA and the Department of Commerce recommended grants to state agencies with salmon protection missions, tribes and tribal partnerships in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California. The funding

After uproar, consultant says it’s “highly unlikely” Beaver Creek timberland owner will proceed with aerial spraying

August 17, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews SEAL ROCK – A plan to spray herbicides from a helicopter on 473 acres of clearcuts in the South Beaver Creek watershed by a private timber owner is unlikely to happen anytime soon, a company representative said Tuesday. “It’s highly unlikely we will be doing the aerial spraying at this point,” Tyrol Forfar, a consultant who

DUII-related crash closes Yaquina Bay Bridge Thursday morning

August 17, 2023

News release from the Newport Police Department: On Thursday August 17th, 2023 at approximately 7:33 AM, Newport Police Officers were dispatched to a one vehicle crash on the south end of the Yaquina Bay Bridge. Callers reported a vehicle had struck the bridge railing and was blocking the southbound lane of travel. Officers arrived on scene and located the

Toledo’s annual wooden boat show launches Saturday with all types of crafts and music too

August 17, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY TOLEDO — Big boats, little boats, handmade boats and even antique boats — as long as they are made from wood, or, for one event, wood pulp, they are welcome at the Port of Toledo’s annual Wooden Boat Show. Located at Toledo’s Waterfront Park, this family-friendly event is Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20. Wooden boats