Oregon Legislature tweaks “recreational immunity” law to protect owners of trails for most liability

March 5, 2024

By APRIL ERHLICH/Oregon Public Broadcasting Public hiking trails that closed this past year in response to a civil lawsuit could start reopening again after Oregon lawmakers Tuesday passed temporary liability protections for landowners. Senate Bill 1576 passed the Oregon House on Tuesday with overwhelming support and heads to Gov. Tina Kotek’s desk. Once signed into law, it will adjust

Nine authors will talk about writing and their work during daylong event Saturday at Heritage Center

March 5, 2024

By LESLIE O’DONNELL/Oregon Coast TODAY Where does a writer’s inspiration come from? Historic photographs and a great-grandmother’s memories? Girlfriends talking around the dinner table? What led to a writer’s change in direction from marine biology to science fiction? Diverse writing styles and subjects — and more — will be the topic of the first literary event at Newport’s Pacific

Saturday’s home and garden show focuses on local work of Habitat for Humanity

March 5, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY Even the Easter Bunny needs to do an occasional home repair, which is why you’ll find him at Habitat for Humanity’s second annual Home and Garden Show. The event, which is the organization’s largest fund-raiser of the year, will take place at from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at Chinook Winds Casino

ODOT returns Friday to continue paving deteriorating sections of U.S. 101 north of Newport — but it’s a temporary fix

March 5, 2024

Friday morning update from ODOT: U.S. Highway 101 near Beverly Beach will see long delays again Friday as crews work on paving the road. Flaggers will be in place reducing the highway to one lane. Drivers should expect long delays as crews work in the area. The speed limit has been reduced in this area to 35 mph. Please

Oregon Legislature finishes work on Gov. Tina Kotek’s housing bill as House approves $369 million

March 5, 2024

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Gov. Tina Kotek’s signature housing bill and $369 million in funding meant to help the state backfill a decades-long housing shortage are headed to her desk after bipartisan votes in the House. Kotek’s Senate Bill 1537 and Senate Bill 1530 easily passed the House on Monday after winning approval in the Senate last week. Along with House Bill

School district announces administrative change

March 5, 2024

Lincoln County School District superintendent Majalise Tolan has announced two changes to the district’s administrative lineup for the 2024-25 school year. Sandy Mummey, who now oversees the district’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, will become the director of elementary teaching and learning. Mummey succeeds Katie Barrett, who is moving to Spokane at the end of the school year, after six

State closes razor clamming from Lincoln City to Seal Rock

March 5, 2024

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed razor clamming from Cascade Head north of Lincoln City to Seal Rock State Park because of high levels of domoic acid, a marine biotoxin. Clamming remains open from the Washington border to Cascade Head and from just south of Seal Rock State Park to Cape Blanco, which is north of Port

Port of Alsea begins search for new manager as Cuellar retires this fall after nine years at helm

March 5, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – Anyone with aspirations of managing a port – sleuthing for smugglers while rubbing elbows with scalawags and flannel-clad pirates along brine-scented docks – may want to consider the Port of Alsea. They may also want to consider the actual job requirements without all the blarney. “I think people don’t realize how much of the

Researchers refine ocean oxygen sensors so they can enlist Oregon’s crab fleet to track changing conditions

March 4, 2024

By MICHELLE KLAMPE/OSU News Service Oregon State University researchers are helping to refine the design and expanded use of oxygen monitoring sensors that can be deployed in crab or lobster pots to gather critical information on changing ocean conditions. The new project, a collaboration with industry and tribes, is funded by a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the National

Toledo utility clerk accused of theft from city, employees union

March 3, 2024

TOLEDO – A city of Toledo clerk has been charged with two counts of theft on accusations she re-directed utility payments to herself and family members and made unauthorized purchases using the city employees union debit card. Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Janet L. Elmore, 47, on Feb. 20 at her home in Toledo. She was charged with first-degree theft