OSU wave researchers find that new vegetation on coastal sand dunes can actually speed up erosion

June 18, 2023

By STEVE LUNDEBERG/OSU News Service CORVALLIS — Newly planted vegetation on coastal sand dunes can accelerate erosion from extreme waves, a study involving researchers from the Oregon State University College of Engineering suggests. The authors note the findings run counter to the widely accepted paradigm that vegetation always acts to reduce erosion on dunes, the first line of storm

Scenes from Waldport’s Beachcomber Days as thousands come out to watch a parade, hear music, play games and watch timber competition

June 18, 2023

WALDPORT — It started with the blare of fire engine sirens and ended Saturday night with a performance from Sol Fire Dancers. In between, thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Waldport for the 2023 Beachcomber Days parade, feasted on everything from tacos to elephant ears to strawberry shortcake, listened to rock n’ roll and patriotic music, and

ODFW commission OKs fishing, wildlife agreements with two coastal tribes

June 17, 2023

NEWPORT – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday approved agreements with the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians during its meeting in Newport. Consideration of a similar agreement with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde was delayed until the Aug. 4 meeting to allow more time for

VIA Oregon Coalition opposes steep increase in county vacation rental licenses

June 16, 2023

To the editor: VIA Oregon Coalition, the leading advocacy group representing short-term rental homeowners on the Central Oregon coast, strongly opposes the proposed 300 percent fee increase for short-term rental license annual renewals in Lincoln County. This exorbitant jump in fees, coupled with recent overreaching laws, threatens the future viability of short-term rentals in the county. The proposed fee increase

Yachats nonprofit receives largest private grant in city history to help fund expansion, remodel of library

June 15, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS – A small but very active Yachats nonprofit has received a $250,000 grant to help pay for the expansion and remodel of the city library. The award from The Ford Family Foundation of Roseburg to Friends of Yachats Library is believed to be the largest single private foundation award in the city’s history. The Friends group

Saying she no longer has the “passion or energy” for politics, Yachats city councilor Ann Stott resigns mid-term

June 15, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Saying she no longer had the “passion or energy” to be a member of the Yachats city council, Ann Stott resigned Tuesday after serving 2 1/2 years. Stott, who twice ran unsuccessfully for mayor, tendered her resignation in a letter to fellow council members. Mayor Craig Berdie announced Stott’s resignation at Wednesday’s council meeting. Stott

Tourism spending hits new highs on the central Oregon coast, but hospitality industry still coping with staffing issues

June 15, 2023

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews It’s taken three full years, but the number of leisure and hospitality industry jobs in Lincoln County has just edged past pre-pandemic levels. Due to the variety of factors, however, those numbers may more or less linger exactly where they are for years to come. That’s the view of economists, business-development specialists and hotel and restaurant

Week No. 3 of YachatsNews’ local fundraising campaign: Just like a house under construction, everything we publish is “hand made”

June 15, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews My sister-in-law and her husband are building a house on the former Reynolds family property next door in our little Yachats neighborhood. As the lot was cleared, the foundation dug and poured and walls went up I admired all the workers who showed up each day to brave wind, rain and cold through the winter – and

After work resumes Thursday, Oregon Senate quickly passes compromise abortion and firearms bills

June 15, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Senate on Thursday quickly and without debate passed two of the most contentious bills of the session – on abortion and firearms – as the Republican-led walkout ended and work began. To reach this point, senators endured a walkout that began on May 3 and ended Thursday with compromises to both proposals:

Oregon Legislature gets back to work as Senate Republican walkout ends with compromises

June 15, 2023

Senate Minority Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, reads paperwork during a Senate floor session on Thursday, June 15, 2023, when enough Republicans returned to end the walkout. By BEN BOTKIN and JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Senate leaders on Thursday reached a deal that brought a handful of Republicans back to the floor, ending the longest walkout in state