Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s executive order on state construction work prompts outcry in Salem and beyond

January 26, 2025

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — The most controversial policy being debated in Salem these days has nothing to do with the thousands of bills that have been introduced in the brand new legislative session. It’s an executive order issued by Gov. Tina Kotek late last year – one that offers a leg up to her labor union allies

News release: Lincoln City police arrest beach driver on DUII charges

January 26, 2025

LINCOLN CITY — On Saturday, Jan. 25, the Lincoln City police dispatch center began receiving multiple calls from people regarding a vehicle driving at a high rate of speed on the beach at D River. The driver departed southbound at a high rate of speed prior to police arrival. At the time numerous families were enjoying bonfires in the area

Fishing support group uses $50,000 in grants for commercial safety gear

January 26, 2025

NEWPORT – Members of Newport’s commercial crab fleet are a little safer this winter thanks to equipment purchased with more than $50,000 in grants to the Newport Fishermen’s Wives organization. The nonprofit received $44,925 from the Northwest Oregon Works maritime program and $6,750 from the Siletz Tribal Charitable Activities Fund to purchase safety equipment for Newport-area crabbers. With the money,

Rep. Hoyle announces subcommittee assignments for new session of Congress

January 26, 2025

Rep. Val Hoyle, who represents Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District including all of Lincoln County, has received her subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress. In the House Committee on Natural Resources, Hoyle was selected to serve on its subcommittee on water, wildlife, and fisheries, in addition to an appointment to serve on its subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. In the House

A $6 baseball ticket that ballooned to $18 prompts Oregon legislator to make fees more transparent

January 24, 2025

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — An Oregon lawmaker’s pricier-than-expected trip to a minor league baseball game could lead to a state law blocking surprise fees and forcing vendors to be transparent in online transactions. Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, introduced Senate Bill 430, which received its first public hearing on Thursday, after his outing to a Eugene Emeralds game with

Did 4,677 emails from the Yachats city manager look odd? It was a “phishing” scheme — so delete it!

January 23, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – If you are one of the more than 4,000 people who received an email from Yachats’ city manager on Wednesday asking you to view a contract agreement — delete it. It was not sent by Bobbi Price. And its intention is for the receiver to reveal personal information for nefarious reasons. The email is

Lincoln County’s two legislators want 2025 session now underway to address issues, finish projects started in 2023

January 23, 2025

By MIKE McINALLY/YachatsNews If the biggest issues facing the 2025 Legislature – transportation, housing, behavioral health, education funding, wildfires – seem familiar to you, Sen. Dick Anderson and Rep. David Gomberg sympathize. “You may have noticed over time that legislative members never finish anything,” said Anderson, R-Lincoln City. He’s joking. Sort of. But Gomberg, D-Otis, sees it the same

Yachats Fire board will see if outside expert can help resolve concerns over employees staffing ambulance nonprofit

January 23, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS – The Yachats Rural Fire Protection District board agreed Monday to see if someone from the outside can help it sort out increasing concerns over the district’s staffing of the longtime nonprofit ambulance that serves the area. Meeting in a special session Monday, board members asked fire district administrator Frankie Petrick – who is also

Four months at sea helps NOAA scientists gather “most thorough” data yet on marine mammals

January 23, 2025

By NOAA News Service NOAA Fisheries scientists have completed a four-month, 5,000 mile survey of marine mammals and seabirds off the West Coast and collecting a trove of some of the most thorough data and biological samples ever on whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals. Researchers also saw immense schools of dolphins, an unusual number of sei whales, and

Deputies arrest Newport and Siletz men in three child luring stings

January 23, 2025

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three men the past week on a variety of charges from a child luring sting operation it conducted from late December to mid-January, the agency announced Thursday. During the investigations, deputies posed as an underage girl on various online social media platforms and were contacted by men wanting to meet for sex. It is part of