Lacking information, south Oregon coast residents and tribes guess at future of federal offshore wind proposals

January 22, 2024

By MONICA SAMAYOA/Oregon Public Broadcasting The sun peeks through the clouds during a short break in the rain as Nick Edwards makes his way along the Charleston Marina. Edwards fished along the Oregon Coast for more than 40 years and now owns an 80-foot trawler named the Carter Jon, which commercially fishes Dungeness crab and pink shrimp. Near the

Behind schedule, over budget, state-backed rail projects near Albany and Nyssa — and costing $70 million — sit idle

January 21, 2024

The Mid-Willamette Valley Intermodal Center in Albany sits idle off of Interstate 5. State and Linn County leaders promised it would get trucks off the highway and move hay and grass seed to Puget Sound ports by rail. By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Five years ago, the Oregon Legislature approved $51 million for two rail shipping centers in the

Bicksler’s bench gives stylish makeover to a Yachats Post Office fixture, and colorful memorial to flamboyant citizen

January 21, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — Hiking boots and flannel shirts often define Yachats chic, but one sophisticated lady declined to take that trend sitting down. Joni Bicksler held court on the wooden bench outside the local Post Office every day for years, glammed up with thigh-high boots, oversized sweaters and fabulous scarves. Rain or shine, and always fashionably color

Arts council launches program to train artists to teach others

January 21, 2024

The Oregon Coast Council for the Arts is seeking local artists to apply for a new program to train them as instructors. The Newport-based nonprofit said the goal was to use tools and training to tap into local talent to “cultivate a team of teaching artists poised and qualified to share their unique skills, methods, and creative insights through guided arts workshops

Forest Service taking out vegetation, moving sand to create 50 acres of plover habitat south of Florence

January 21, 2024

FLORENCE — The western snowy plover, a small shorebird on the government’s list of threatened species, is regaining 50 acres of open sand habitat eight miles south of Florence. The Siuslaw National Forest has started work on its largest plover habitat restoration project by using heavy equipment to remove vegetation along the beach between the Siltcoos River and the

Ice storm severely damages, closes Cascade Raptor Center in Eugene

January 20, 2024

By BRIAN BULL/KLCC EUGENE — The recent ice storms ravaged a rescue and rehabilitation facility for birds of prey in Eugene. Staff at the Cascades Raptor Center say it’s now closed for repairs, and will remain so until further notice. Several of the CRC’s aviaries were crushed by ice and fallen trees. A power pole also fell, creating an electrical

Storm damage could lead to tax adjustments for county property owners

January 19, 2024

Lincoln County residents who suffered storm damage to their property may be eligible for a bit of a break on their property taxes. The county’s assessor and tax collector said Friday that property owners should be aware of potential adjustments to property tax bills as a result of damage from the January winter storm. Property owners who experienced damage or

Planning — not complaining — is key to surviving emergencies

January 19, 2024

To the editor: I am not a current customer of Central Lincoln PUD, although I’ve spent most of my life living on the northern and central Oregon coast, including 20 years and many storms in Florence. Preparedness was a way of life. I now live near Olympia, Wash. where high wind warnings come out for gusts to 35 mph —

Thompson Sanitary in Newport accepting wood storm debris at no charge

January 19, 2024

The City of Newport continues to clean up debris from the recent winter storm event. This event remains one of the most impactful winter storms in recent memory for Newport. City staff and contracted crews continue to put in long hours removing debris in various locations around the community, but unfortunately cannot be everywhere at once. The efforts to address

Oregon governor declares a state of emergency following storm that has knocked out power, led to 11 deaths

January 19, 2024

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle Late Thursday, Gov. Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency over the fatal storm that has iced sidewalks and roads around Oregon, caused widespread power outages and damaged scores of homes and vehicles. In a release, she said the declaration was prompted by requests from multiple counties in need of help after six days of