Lincoln Chronicle is one local attempt to reverse Oregon’s growing “news deserts” cited in UO study

June 19, 2025

Here’s a link to our donation “button” through PayPal By QUINTON SMITH/Lincoln Chronicle Three years ago two University of Oregon journalism professors set out to draw a picture of the condition of local news in Oregon. Their report documented the declining number of news outlets in Oregon and highlighted some newly emerging local news providers like YachatsNews,

Yachats Fire board gets report on relationship with ambulance service and debates its connections, future

June 19, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle YACHATS – Should the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District have a dedicated ambulance stationed in Yachats or not? That is the question – and it is going to remain the question for now. After commissioning and then receiving a 22-page outside analysis to help decide the future of the long-running South Lincoln Ambulance and its

County commissioners adopt 2025-26 budget but using hiring freeze to make up $4 million deficit

June 19, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle Lincoln County is balancing a $4 million shortfall in its $207 million 2025-26 budget with a hiring freeze. Lincoln County commissioners unanimously adopted the budget Wednesday, which covers a variety of services from the sheriff’s department to the elections office. With growing expenses and some uncertain revenue sources, budget officer Lennon Pierce likened balancing the

Newport council OKs 2025-26 budget with 6 percent increase in water, sewer and stormwater rates

June 19, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle NEWPORT – The Newport city council this week unanimously approved a utility increase as part of the city’s $140 million budget for 2025-26, aiming to help it complete “urgent” capital projects. Although the average residential customer will see a 6 percent hike, which translates to about a $9 increase to their monthly utility bill, the

Central Lincoln PUD raises electricity rates 5 percent in July

June 19, 2025

The board of the Central Lincoln People’s Utility District on Wednesday approved a 5 percent increase in its residential rates beginning July 1. Rate increases the past three years have been 3 percent. Customers will see the increase on their August bills, said customer and community services director Eric Chambers. Central Lincoln supplies electricity to much of four coastal

City council awards 3-year tourism marketing contract to Yachats chamber

June 19, 2025

YACHATS — The Yachats city council approved hundreds of thousands of dollars to promote tourism at its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday. The city receives transient lodging taxes from motels and vacation rentals and is required by state law to fund tourism and tourism-related facilities with a portion of the proceeds. The city awarded two contracts to the Yachats Area Chamber

Kites of all stripes will be flying this weekend in Lincoln City’s 40th annual colorful festival

June 19, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY There will definitely be strings attached when Lincoln City’s celebrated Summer Kite Festival returns Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the family-friendly festival brings two full days of impressive kite demonstrations, carnival games and hands-on activities to the beach at the D River State Recreation Site. Professional kite fliers from around the

Oregon Farm Bureau says ICE’s targeted immigration enforcement is disrupting agriculture operations

June 18, 2025

By ALEJANDRO FIGUEROA/Oregon Public Broadcasting The Oregon Farm Bureau says its members are raising concerns about targeted immigration enforcements in agricultural communities after U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officials were sighted in Yamhill County. Federal immigration officials arrested a Newberg vineyard management business owner and one of his employees on Thursday. Now the farm bureau, which is Oregon’s largest agriculture group,

Leno and Hall will highlight big weekend as Chinook Winds celebrates its 30 years of operations

June 18, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY To help celebrate 30 years in business, Lincoln City’s Chinook Winds Casino Resort welcomes two comedy legends that have been standouts in stand-up and stars on screens since the resort first opened its doors. The comedy show, starring Jay Leno and Arsenio Hall, will kick off a fun-filled anniversary weekend Friday through Sunday, June 20-22.

Oregon cities clash with travel industry whether tourism taxes should pay for wear and tear on destinations

June 18, 2025

By JAMES NEFF/Oregon Journalism Project Every summer, more than two million tourists stream into Seaside, as relentless and predictable as the tides. They spend mountains of money, for sure, but they also wear out the streets, stress emergency medical services and water rescue, and leave behind several thousand tons of trash. Seaside mayor Steve Wright doesn’t have the money