Housing crisis forces Presbyterian church to gently evict Yachats Community Garden for pastor’s new home

March 23, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews An activist pastor, a treasured garden and a thorny housing crisis — these are the elements of a bittersweet solution to a problem in Yachats. The problem: The pastor of the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church and his family were running out of housing options this winter, after his landlord announced other plans for the house he’d

It’s snowy plover nesting season on the Oregon coast as threatened shorebirds rebound with help of beach restrictions

March 23, 2023

By ZACH URNESS/Salem Statesman Journal Oregon’s cutest shorebird has made a big rally over the past two decades, from the verge of extinction to expanding its range. Western snowy plovers, which nest in beach sand on the Oregon coast and resemble a palm-sized cotton ball with legs, reached an estimated population of 483 in the most recent count, up

Eugene’s ban on natural gas hookups in new homes will now go to the ballot

March 23, 2023

The EUGENE REGISTER-GUARD EUGENE — A measure that would ban natural gas and other fossil fuel uses in some new residential construction in Eugene will appear on a future ballot. Eugene Residents for Energy Choice submitted about 12,000 signatures for a referendum petition earlier this month. The Lane County Clerk’s Office verified at least 6,460 of those matched signatures from

With Covid cash running out, Oregon legislative budget writers propose more spending on housing, health care while keeping state positions vacant

March 23, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Legislative budget writers plan to trim many state agency budgets while increasing overall spending in the next two years. Co-chairs of the legislative budget-writing committee on Thursday shared the broad strokes of their $31.6 billion spending plan for the two years beginning July 1. It starts with 2.5% reductions to current agency spending, cuts that

Three days of craft or book sales begin Friday in Yachats

March 23, 2023

YACHATS — The first spring weekend in Yachats is blooming with two popular arts and crafts fairs, plus a big book sale to benefit the Yachats Library. In all, beginning Friday there will be 38 hours of browsing and shopping fun. Yachats Ladies Club Spring Crafts Bazaar, 286 W. Third St., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Find

The big divide over guns and violence plays out in the Oregon Legislature on Wednesday

March 22, 2023

People with the gun violence prevention group Moms Demand Action listen to testimony about firearms legislation Wednesday in the Oregon House Judiciary Committee. (Ben Botkin/Oregon Capital Chronicle) By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon lawmakers heard civil but sometimes emotional testimony Wednesday about firearms legislation to prevent gun violence and ban untraceable or detectable guns. Dozens testified, including Attorney

Interagency training exercise planned April 1 for Lincoln County emergency responders

March 22, 2023

News Release from Lincoln City Police Posted on FlashAlert: March 22nd, 2023 5:45 PM Public safety agencies from all over Lincoln County will be taking part in an interagency training exercise for emergency response to a large-scale critical event on Saturday, April 1, 2023. This training event will be a day-long event that will allow emergency responders from Lincoln County to

One actor plays 11 characters in edgy “Sex, Drugs Rock & Roll” comedy at Newport Performing Arts Center

March 22, 2023

By BARBARA B. COVELL/Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — It’s the 1980s all over again. So, strap on your seatbelt and get ready for the ride of a lifetime in “Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll,” Eric Bogosian’s edgy raw comedy about life as it was, and — in many ways — still is. Eleven characters come to life in a

Festival of Illusions opens nine-day run at Lincoln City Cultural Center beginning Thursday

March 22, 2023

By SABINE WILSON/Oregon Coast TODAY LINCOLN CITY — The Lincoln City Cultural Center’s treasured Festival of Illusions is back, with nine days of festivities taking place from Thursday through Saturday, April 1. “This year’s festival is one of our biggest yet with new acts, returning magicians, classes, workshops and photo opportunities,” said communications coordinator Frank Hoovestal. “This is a

Oregon Senate passes $200 million emergency housing package which now goes to Gov. Kotek for her signature

March 22, 2023

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Gov. Tina Kotek is the final stop for a $200 million-plus package that she and lawmakers crafted to aid unhoused people, avert homelessness and lay the groundwork for more housing production in Oregon. The Senate gave final legislative approval to both bills Tuesday night, following House votes on March 15, after the full