ODFW fined $16,980 for improper North Fork Alsea stream bank work

June 4, 2023

One Oregon agency is fining another for what it says are violations of the federal Clean Water Act for failing to follow best management practices while doing bank stabilization work on the North Fork of the Alsea River. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has proposed fining the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife $16,980 for the violations. ODFW is

OSU board of trustees approves $16.5 million apartment project for Hatfield Marine Science Center students, faculty

June 4, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews NEWPORT — When students, faculty or visiting researchers show up in 18 months to take or teach classes at the Hatfield Marine Science Center there should be 77 more apartments available for them to use. Oregon State University’s board of trustees Friday approved construction of a $16.5 million apartment building on five acres of land near

Debt vote splits Oregon’s congressional delegation — and not just on party lines

June 3, 2023

By GARY A. WARNER/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon’s delegation to Congress has split its vote on the House-passed bill to lift the debt ceiling beyond $32 trillion. The House voted 314-117 for House Resolution 3746, dubbed the “Fiscal Responsibility Act” by House Republican leaders. Oregon’s four Democratic House members evenly split their votes – two for and two against. The two

Unofficial GOP-run oversight committee told by audience to end Republican senate walkout

June 2, 2023

Members of an unofficial Republican-led committee on government oversight spent Thursday listening to Oregonians tell them to end a walkout. By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — A handful of Senate Republicans, in the fifth week of their walkout and facing the looming threat of hundreds of dollars in fines, found their way back to a cramped hearing room in

Nonprofit YachatsNews launches local, monthlong fundraising campaign with a goal of $50,000 from readers

June 2, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Another year of turmoil in Yachats city government, burgeoning municipal projects in Waldport, fights over vacation rentals in Lincoln County, stories from the ever-changing beaches and ocean just to our west, abandoned RVs, important elections, and features on groups, events and people that help stitch together our communities. Those were among the topics of more than 1,000

Nathan C. Woodruff, Yachats

June 1, 2023

Nathan C. Woodruff, Yachats March 27, 1976 – May 24, 2023 Nathan Christopher Woodruff, 47, of Yachats passed away at his home on May 24, 2023, following a valiant battle with colon cancer. Nate was born in Manteca, Calif. on March 27, 1976, to Kathryn Rogers and Rick Woodruff. He was a sweet and affectionate son who, from an early

Yachats council votes to hire Rick Sant as its interim city manager, who says he’s “super excited” to help

June 1, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS — The Yachats City Council voted unanimously Thursday to hire Rick Sant as its interim city manager while they search to fill the position permanently. Sant takes the helm on the heels of manager Heide Lambert’s resignation, which took effect Wednesday. He stepped into the breach after two candidates for the position fell through after

Homeless and Housing in Lincoln County: What are the numbers? What are the issues? What are solutions? What is anyone doing?

June 1, 2023

This is the first of a two-part series on homelessness in Lincoln County and a $1 million pilot program to help tackle the crisis. This first article seeks to paint a picture of the current scope of the issue in Lincoln County. By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews An extension cord runs from the building on First Street in Newport to

Oregon senators joining walkout will face $325 daily fines for unexcused absences starting Monday

June 1, 2023

The desks of Republican senators in the Oregon Legislature are vacant on Wednesday as the GOP-led walkout prevents the Senate from conducting business for the 19th day. By BEN BOTKIN/YachatsNews Oregon senators participating in the GOP-led walkout will need to decide Monday whether to return to floor sessions or face daily $325 fines. The walkout has denied the Senate a

Yachats area had its second driest May in 18 years, according to weather watchers

June 1, 2023

The weather was extremely dry during May – and cool except for one extraordinary day in the Yachats area. And with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration saying there is a greater likelihood of an El Nino event forming in the tropical Pacific Ocean this summer, it could be a warmer and drier fall and winter. Weather watchers for YachatsNews