Oregon and Lincoln County high schools maintain relatively high on-time 2023 graduation rates

January 25, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle and YachatsNews Despite beginning high school during a global pandemic, Oregon’s class of 2023 maintained a relatively high on-time graduation rate, and some groups set new records. More than 37,000 Oregon students graduated in 2023, 81.3 percent of the class, according to Oregon Department of Education data published Thursday. That rate tied that of

Police arrest 52-year-old man after armed fight outside Newport pawn shop

January 25, 2024

About 2:55 p.m. Jan. 24, Newport officers were dispatched to the 300 block of SW Coast Hwy on the report of a physical fight. It was reported that an employee from Newport Pawn was fighting with a male customer in front of the business, and the customer was armed with a knife. Newport officers were advised it was being reported

After 10 years as Oregon Coast CC’s president, Birgitte Ryslinge announces September retirement

January 25, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Birgitte Ryslinge, who has been president of Oregon Coast Community College the past 10 years, announced Wednesday that she planned to retire by Sept. 30. Ryslinge, 66, said her decision should leave the college board enough time to find her replacement “so that the next president can usher in the 2024-25 academic year.” Ryslinge made her

Everyone knows of Neil Diamond, of course. Now a world famous tribute band hits Newport on Sunday

January 24, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY As an actor, Neil Diamond became the first ever “winner” of a Worst Actor Razzie Award for his role in the 1981 movie, “The Jazz Singer.” But as an actual singer, there are few as enduringly popular. And speaking of enduring, Super Diamond, the world-famous Neil Diamond tribute band formed in 1993, will appear in

Thinking about running for a Lincoln County or state office? Candidates are filing for May primary

January 24, 2024

It’s time to consider running for office in Lincoln County – including filing for positions to appear on the primary election ballot in May. That was highlighted Tuesday when Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall announced she had filed to run for re-election in the May 21 primary. Hall, who has been a commissioner since 2005, is the longest-serving member

In response to BM 110 failures, Oregon Democrats unveil bill to recriminalize drug possession, step up access to treatment

January 23, 2024

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Democratic legislators plan to fight the state’s war on drug addiction and overdoses on multiple battle fronts. They want to build residential facilities to treat people, give police the ability to arrest people for possession and have programs to help people get off drugs, from offering medication in jails to sobering centers

Massive fire in Ilwaco, Wash. destroys hundreds of crab pots just before start of Washington’s commercial season

January 23, 2024

A seafood facility in Ilwaco, Wash. caught fire on Monday. No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is still unknown. By KATIE FRANKOWITZ/KMUN A massive fire broke out at a crab landing facility in Ilwaco, Wash. on Monday, inflicting significant damage on the facility and destroying fishing gear ahead of Washington’s commercial Dungeness crab season. According to

Lincoln County legislator and Republican counterpart looking for way to fund rural infrastructure projects

January 23, 2024

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau A Democrat from the Oregon coast and a Republican from southern Oregon are teaming up to devise a way for smaller communities to draw state money for the water and sewer lines and other infrastructure needed to construct more housing. Reps. David Gomberg, D-Otis, and Emily McIntire, R-Eagle Point have so far offered few

Older Americans say they now feel trapped in Medicare Advantage plans

January 22, 2024

By SARAH JAME TRIBBLE/KFF Health News In 2016, Richard Timmins went to a free seminar to learn more about Medicare coverage. “I listened to the insurance agent and, basically, he really promoted Medicare Advantage,” Timmins said. The agent described less expensive and broader coverage offered by the plans, which are funded largely by the government but administered by private insurance

Oregon craft brewers see continued decline in draft beer sales, more closures in 2023

January 22, 2024

By ALLISON FROST/Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon’s storied craft brewing industry suffered one of its worst years in 2023, with depressed draft beer sales and rising costs creating more pressure than some of the state’s businesses could bear. According to the Oregon Brewers Guild, Oregon is home to about 400 breweries, brewpubs and taprooms, which collectively provide 50,000 jobs and generate nearly $9