Unusual exhibit this weekend in Yachats showcases the vibrant work of reclusive Washington artist

February 11, 2025

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — Is that an image of the cosmos or a peek inside the human soul? Does that riot of color evoke a field of flowers or a psychedelic dream? A Yachats art appreciator is inviting the public to find their own answers at an unusual exhibit from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday,

Legislator from southern Oregon proposes changing state wildfire map to curb anger and rumors

February 11, 2025

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Nearly four years ago, in the aftermath of the state’s most destructive wildfires in history, the Oregon Legislature passed a bipartisan package of wildfire prevention initiatives, including one that required state experts to create a map showing high wildfire risk areas statewide. The point of the Wildfire Risk Map, first published in 2022, was to

Trump administration tells states billions in EV charger money is on hold, including $52 million in Oregon

February 11, 2025

By JAKE GOLDENSTEIN-STREET/Washington State Standard The Trump administration has told states it is blocking money for electric vehicle chargers, including $52 million for Oregon and $71 million for Washington, one of the latest steps by the White House to halt Biden-era funding. The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, known as NEVI, was set to dole out a total of $5

Oregon elections officials refer cases of possible noncitizen voting to state DOJ

February 11, 2025

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting Several people who were added to Oregon’s voter rolls because of errors by state employees could face prosecution for voting despite not being U.S. citizens. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read’s office last week forwarded three cases of suspected voting by noncitizens to the state’s Department of Justice for further investigation. Elections officials are still

Grant allows college to now offer business workshop for free

February 11, 2025

The Small Business Development Center at Oregon Coast Community College has received a state grant to offer its 90-minute workshop on disabilities at no cost. Scheduled 5-6:30 p.m. March 5 at the college’s Newport campus, the workshop is designed to help small businesses understand the importance of inclusivity and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance. The workshop by instructor Taylor Yount

5 Questions and a Secret: Love of animals keeps veterinarian Larry Occhipinti from retiring

February 11, 2025

By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/YachatsNews “Never enough!” That’s how Larry and Linda Occhipinti answer when someone asks how many animals they own. Occhipinti is a veterinarian who lives along Oregon Highway 34 about 18 miles east of Waldport and practices at the small veterinary hospital he built there. Because he and Linda own five acres they have room for lots of

Lincoln County’s first full-time administrator resigns after almost three years in the job

February 10, 2025

Editor’s note: This story was updated Wednesday, Feb. 12 to include portions of Tim Johnson’s resignation letter to county commissioners. By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Tim Johnson, who had served as Lincoln County’s first administrator for nearly three years, resigned Friday after apparent dissatisfaction by commissioners with his work. Johnson was hired as the county’s first administrator in April 2022 after

Yachats groups will deliver special treats Friday to 100 people or groups

February 10, 2025

YACHATS — One hundred containers filled with tasty treats will be delivered to local individuals, civic groups and businesses on Valentine’s Day, thanks to a “sweet” collaboration between two service groups. The Yachats Lions and Yachats Ladies Clubs will be surprising city staffers, volunteers and businesses with decorated bags and boxes of homemade cookies. The treat surprises are part of

Republicans in 2025 Legislature seek task force to study Oregon-Idaho border move

February 9, 2025

By MONIQUE MERRILL/Courthouse News Service SALEM — A grassroots movement intent on shifting the Oregon-Idaho border some hundreds of miles continues pushing for Oregon leaders to consider its merits. Last week, a cohort of Republican state representatives introduced a bill that would create the “Move Oregon-Idaho Border Task Force” to document what legislative processes are required to shift the

Oregon Republicans respond to Trump order on trans athletes by touting state legislation

February 9, 2025

By DIRK VANDERHART and TIFFANY CAMHI/Oregon Public Broadcasting The latest in a flurry of executive orders from President Donald Trump is a push to keep trans women out of women’s sports. The “No Men In Women’s Sports” executive order follows other measures Trump has signed targeting transgender participation in the military and access to health care. Oregon allows transgender youth