On the Oregon Coast, a pro surfer and young Siletz tribal members connect through ocean waves

February 20, 2023

By NOAH THOMAS/Oregon Public Broadcasting DEPOE BAY — On an overcast day in late summer, Kelly Potts sits cross-legged on her surfboard talking to a group of people who are eager to surf for the first time. They listen intently as she explains what’s in store for their introductory lesson at a retreat intended for members of the Confederated

State OKs reintroducing grass carp into Devil’s Lake for weed control

February 19, 2023

LINCOLN CITY — The grass carp is one step closer to being reintroduced into the waters of Devil’s Lake in Lincoln City. On Friday, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted rules that would allow the Department of Fish and Wildlife to approve a permit for stocking grass carp in Devil’s Lake. The decision comes after a long battle from

Newport, Lincoln City hospitals relax visitor restrictions

February 19, 2023

NEWPORT – Samaritan Health Systems is relaxing its visitor restrictions at its hospitals in Newport and Lincoln City as illnesses due to Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses declines. Medical-grade face masks are still required at all Samaritan hospitals, patient care departments and clinics, under Oregon Health Authority requirements. But, Samaritan’s visitor policy has relaxed to allow each inpatient to designate

Yachats council update on Ocean View Drive pocket parks turns into vote over manager oversight of process

February 19, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews YACHATS — The city of Yachats is one easement away from taking ownership of Ocean View Drive, the final obstacle to finishing a series of pocket parks and breaking ground on a $1 million boardwalk. But a prolonged city council discussion last week of an insurance agent’s visit to the parks also turned into a tussle

Sierra Pacific announces construction of new lumber mill to replace current Eugene facility

February 18, 2023

EUGENE — Sierra Pacific Industries is planning to add a new cutting and stud mill to replace its existing sawmill facilities, making it when finished one of the largest in the U.S. with yearly production capacity of 650 million board feet, the company has announced. The new sawmill project is estimated to be completed between 2025 and 2026, the company

Proposed legislation allowing liability waivers is bad policy and needs to die

February 18, 2023

To the editor: Lincoln County legislators Sen. Dick Anderson, R-Lincoln City and Rep. David Gomberg, D-Otis, are among sponsors of a horrible bill that would rob consumers who suffer terrible injuries of the ability to sue river raft trip operators, ski areas, companies that rent mountain bikes and other recreation outfitters for ordinary negligence. When I was younger, I paid

Friday fire heavily damages home on Pacific View in Waldport

February 18, 2023

WALDPORT – A deputy state fire marshal is investigating the cause of a house fire that extensively damaged a home Friday on Southwest Pacific View Street in Waldport. Smoke from the mid-morning fire could be seen around much of the city as crews from three departments fought the blaze. Four occupants of the house and four of their five dogs

With goal of maintaining educational momentum, Lincoln County School District board votes 4-1 to hire Tolan as next superintendent

February 16, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews Majalise Tolan likes data and sports. She likes being in school buildings and with students. She likes reading — her goal is 100 books a year — and loves the New York Yankees. Now she’ll have to bring her passion to the 5,000 students and 600 employees as superintendent of the Lincoln County School District. The

Don’s Place — the only cold-weather emergency homeless shelter in Lincoln County — opened this week in Yachats

February 16, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS – David Jones has been homeless a long time, but making it through the winters on the Oregon coast is especially tough. There’s the rain, the cold, all your personal belongings to keep track of and care for. “I must have gone through 8-10 tents the last two years,” Jones said Thursday. “I’ve been through

Idaho House passes non-binding measure calling for formal ‘Greater Idaho’ talks with Oregon

February 16, 2023

One of the proposed “Greater Idaho” maps, which calls for several Eastern Oregon counties to secede and join Idaho. By CLARK CORBIN/Idaho Capital Sun BOISE — With a wink and a smirk the Idaho House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a nonbinding memorial calling for formal talks between the Idaho and Oregon legislatures to discuss moving some rural Oregon counties