Chance coffee shop meeting leads to starring role in Theatre West’s latest production

January 15, 2025

By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY The journey to the stage can take many paths. For Jason Kutchma, starring in Theatre West’s current production, “Dial M for Murder,” it was taking a break from home improvements. “I was at the Nauti Mermaid and was reading the Oregon Coast TODAY,” said Kutchma, clearly a person with great taste in reading materials.

Lane County hires former Lincoln County DA as its legal counsel

January 15, 2025

KLCC News EUGENE — Lane County Commissioners have voted to hire a former Lincoln County District Attorney as their legal counsel. As chief legal officer, Rob Bovett will lead the office that represents the county in legal matters, and advises the county’s top elected officials. He most recently served as senior assistant county counsel to Washington County, and previously served

Coastal wood carvers stage their annual show and workshops this weekend

January 15, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY This weekend will see woodcarvings of all kinds on display as the Coastal Carvers present their 31st annual Artistry in Wood show at Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City. This group of woodcarvers, made up of beginners to professionals from Lincoln City and surrounding areas, get together once a year to present a show

Leader of Lincoln County firefighters battling blazes in Los Angeles says it’s a “duty and an honor” to help

January 14, 2025

This story was updated Wednesday to include comments from COCF&R Capt. John Townley By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Despite rigorous 24-hour shifts and sleeping on cots, spirits are high among Lincoln County firefighters dispatched nearly a week ago to help battle the catastrophic fires in southern California. “We are doing well,” Depoe Bay fire chief Tom Jackson said in an interview with

5 Questions and a Secret: Waldport museum volunteer and bluegrass radio host Chip Russell

January 14, 2025

By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews Chip Russell believes he and his partner, Nicole Frederickson, purchased the last home in Waldport that sold for less than $200,000 when they retired in 2017. They purchased it sight unseen, knowing it needed quite a lot of work. But it has proved to be the perfect retirement home for them. Upon arrival, Russell set out

Closure of Macy’s store in Salem will mean layoffs for its 56 employees

January 14, 2025

The SALEM REPORTER SALEM — Macy’s will lay off 56 Salem employees in March due to the permanent closure of its downtown store. In a Jan. 9 notification sent to the state as required by federal labor law, the company announced that all 56 job eliminations are permanent and will occur March 18-31. “Information about benefits will be made available to impacted

Biden administration awards $53 million to HP in Corvallis for semiconductor research

January 14, 2025

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon’s high tech sector is about to grow even more, with a new multi-million dollar infusion of cash from the federal government. The Biden administration announced Monday that it will award up to $53 million to HP to support the expansion and modernization of its facility in Corvallis. The money comes from the CHIPS and

12th Yachats Agate Festival this weekend offers everything from precious rocks to expert talks

January 14, 2025

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — The Yachats Agate Festival rolls into its 12th big year this weekend with two buildings full of rocks, expert talks and demonstrations. On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 18-19, there’ll be a mother lode of agates, gems, fossils crystals and jewelry on display and for sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in both the

In first State of the State speech on Monday, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek calls for resilience, optimism

January 13, 2025

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek struck notes of frustration with the enormous problems facing Oregon and optimism that the state can fix them in an address to the Legislature focused on resilience on Monday. Kotek’s first State of the State address was delivered to a joint session of the House and Senate, with

New Oregon legislators sworn into office Monday in mostly ceremonial start to Jan. 21 session

January 13, 2025

By BEN BOTKIN and JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon lawmakers got to work Monday with largely ceremonial activities in preparation for the upcoming long session that will focus on transportation funding, affordable housing and other needs across the state. Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan Flynn swore in more than a dozen new members, and legislators officially elected