Benfield can end chaos, dissension in district attorney’s office

April 24, 2024

To the editor: Newport native Kathryn Benfield should be the voters’ overwhelming choice for Lincoln County District Attorney in the May election. With more than 35 years experience in practice, Benfield has handled both civil and criminal matters and regularly appears before juries. She has compassion and common sense. She has discernment and discretion. She understands how to make payroll

Southern Oregon activists claim victory after BLM changes road plans in logging area

April 24, 2024

By JUSTIN HIGGENBOTTOM/Jefferson Public Radio A logging company has canceled a proposed road within a Bureau of Land Management project in Josephine County which activists claimed threatened old-growth trees. Protesters had been staying at the location of a proposed road within the BLM’s Salmon Run timber sale, which they claim threatened old-growth trees, for the last three weeks. The activists

5 Questions and a Secret: Sherri Seaman and Joyce Adams lead Waldport church’s Saturday food program

April 24, 2024

By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews Many residents of the central Oregon coast are committed to helping their neighbors and their communities in many arenas — food, lodging, clothing, education, art, the environment, safety. A complete list would be long and impressive. What is it that drives people to help others, and in doing so, to buttress their communities? Sherri Seaman and

Five years later, Coast Guard completes investigation into 2019 Yaquina bar casualties

April 23, 2024

SEATTLE — The Coast Guard has completed its investigation into the Jan. 8, 2019, loss of the commercial fishing vessel MARY B II on the Yaquina Bay Bar near Newport. The Coast Guard convened a Board of Investigation, which held one public hearing session the week of May 13-17, 2019, in Newport. A copy of the Report of Investigation into

Coast Guard decommissions the cutter Orcas in Coos Bay on Tuesday

April 23, 2024

COOS BAY – The Coast Guard decommissioned the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Orcas (WPB1327) during a ceremony Tuesday. Rear Adm. Charles Fosse, the commander of the Thirteenth Coast Guard District, presided over the ceremony honoring the 35 years of service Orcas and its crews provided to the nation. Commissioned on April 14, 1989, Orcas was the twenty-seventh Island-Class cutter to

Oregonians have until April 30 to register to vote or change party affiliation

April 23, 2024

Oregonians have about two weeks left to register to vote or change their party affiliation before the May 21 primary. Only registered Republicans or Democrats will be able to vote in most primary elections, including picking nominees for Congress, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general and legislative districts. Voters have until April 30 to register to vote, update their registration

Marine mammal groups remind beachgoers to leave baby seals alone

April 23, 2024

Harbor seal pupping season has started on the Oregon coast and various animal groups are reminding beachgoers that while the seals are adorable or may appear to be abandoned — do not touch them. The baby seals use time on land to regulate body temperature and rest. However, if a young pup is onshore alone the mother may not return

If you build it will ospreys come? After erecting platform Monday, Yachats bird group will find out

April 23, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – With the foundation laid it’s now a game of wait-and-see whether efforts will work to entice ospreys to make a home in the heart of Yachats. A flock of volunteers gathered on the northern fringe of the wetlands west of city hall Monday to attach an upturned pallet atop a 65-foot pole to serve

Former colleague supports Benfield for Lincoln County DA

April 22, 2024

To the editor: I had the distinct pleasure of working for Kathryn Benfield at her law office in Newport, and it was one of the most impactful experiences of my professional career. I first met Benfield in the courtroom, while working for the Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Paulette Sanders. There I witnessed first-hand Benfield’s masterful professionalism while passionately advocating

U.S. Supreme Court justices appear to lean toward city of Grants Pass in complex homelessness case

April 22, 2024

Homeless rights activists hold a rally outside of the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday in Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson and Smith v. Spizzirri, a dispute over the constitutionality of ordinances that bar people who are homeless from camping on city streets. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) By ARIANA FIGUEROA/States