Lincoln County’s legislators schedule St. Patrick’s Day forum

March 9, 2023

Two months into the Oregon Legislature’s 2023 session, Lincoln County’s delegates to the Capitol in Salem will update their constituents during a livestreamed discussion Friday, March 17. The Oregon Coast Community College’s Small Business Development Center will host the town hall with Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City, and David Gomberg, D-Otis, starting at 8 a.m. St. Patrick’s Day. Anderson and Gomberg

12 accomplished writers will be all in one place Saturday, March 18 for Central Oregon Coast Author Fair

March 9, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — The Central Oregon Coast is home to a variety of accomplished authors with works that offer something for every reader: local color and history, fantasy, young adult novels, spiritual philosophy, ecological reality, poetry, mysteries, community organizing, song-writing essentials and memoirs of exceptional lives. You can meet and talk with 12 of these writers

Lincoln County health officials want to hear your ideas for programs

March 9, 2023

What are your priorities for health programs in Lincoln County? Share them starting Monday at community conversations hosted by Lincoln County Public Health, the Arcoíris Cultural Center, and public libraries in Waldport, Newport, Lincoln City and Siletz. Public comments on health priorities will help inform Lincoln County’s next regional community health improvement plan. This plan will guide what public health,

Lincoln County commissioners declare homeless “emergency” in attempt to win state money for more programs

March 9, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday declared a homelessness state of emergency in a bid to be included in a statewide declaration – and possibly get financial support. In one of Gov. Tina Kotek’s first official acts in January, she fulfilled a campaign promise by declaring a state of emergency to respond to Oregon’s homeless crisis. The executive

After its first lottery, Lincoln County ready to issue 19 vacation rental licenses for properties east of U.S. Highway 101

March 9, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews Lincoln County is set to issue its first new vacation rental licenses in three years following the first drawing in a new lottery system currently only open to applicants with properties on the east side of U.S. Highway 101. With limits on licenses in seven geographic zones adopted by commissioners in January, it will likely be years

Oregon legislation targets organized retail theft that cost businesses millions of dollars a year

March 8, 2023

Oregon lawmakers are considering legislation that would help law enforcement investigate and prosecute organized retail theft rings. Albertsons and Safeway stores have lost millions in the past decade from retail theft in Multnomah County alone. (Mario Tama/Getty Images) BY BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon retailers face sophisticated theft rings that steal goods – electronics, jewelry and other merchandise

Have your Oregon tax refund yet? Find out where it is with new tracking website

March 8, 2023

By the OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE SALEM — The Oregon Department of Revenue has begun sending tax refunds and launched a website for Oregon taxpayers to track their refunds. State and federal taxes must be filed by April 18. Nearly 682,000 Oregon taxpayers submitted their 2022 taxes by March 3, and almost 496,000 people have already received refunds, according to the

It’s nearly Spring Break whale watching time — and Oregon State Parks needs more volunteers to guide visitors

March 8, 2023

By SUSAN PALMER/YachatsNews Thank gazillions of tiny mysid shrimp for the imminent arrival of about 18,000 massive gray whales just off the Oregon coast this spring. The inch-long crustaceans inhabit the coastal kelp beds and the whales — baleen filter feeders —show up ravenous. You would think their winter sojourn in the lagoons of Baja Mexico would involve plenty

Works of five coastal drone photographers go on display at Pacific Maritime Heritage Center

March 8, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY It was a lofty idea — invite drone pilots to re-capture images of areas that were first photographed when the only option for aerial photography was from an actual airplane. Check out the results at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center during the “Lincoln County 400’” exhibition, featuring the work of five drone photographers and a selection

Lincoln County unemployment rate stays flat at 5.8 percent in January

March 8, 2023

Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in January – unchanged from December and the first time it has not increased since July, the Oregon Employment Department said Tuesday. After dipping to its lowest point last July at 4.7 percent, the county’s unemployment rate has risen steadily since then. It was 5.6 percent in January 2022. The statewide