Trump upends historic Columbia River deal between U.S. government, tribes, Northwest states

June 12, 2025

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle An historic deal made two years ago between the U.S. government, four tribes, Northwest states and environmentalists to put legal battles aside and invest in restoring endangered Columbia River fish runs is now off. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing the U.S. government from a Dec. 14, 2023 agreement to help restore salmon, steelhead and

Samaritan Health Services calls off merger with Stayton-based Santiam Hospital and Clinics

June 12, 2025

By MIKE FRANCIS/The Lund Report One year ago the leaders of two small Oregon hospital systems said they needed to join forces to withstand the pressures that are building on hospitals nationwide, especially in rural America. Then, last month, with virtually no explanation, they called it off. Corvallis-based Samaritan Health Services, which dominates health care in its core territory of Lincoln, Benton and

Oregon legislators pass scaled back bill granting striking workers unemployment checks

June 12, 2025

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — A bill that would grant striking workers weekly unemployment checks is moving forward once again in the Oregon Legislature, two days after a surprising defeat in the state Senate. All it took was striking the number of unemployment checks striking workers could claim. Initially, Senate Bill 916 allowed up to 26 weeks worth of payments

Yachats Lions Club awards $45,200 to 17 organizations, programs and graduates

June 12, 2025

YACHATS – The Yachats Lions Club awarded $45,200 to 14 local organizations, three Lions Club programs and resumed giving scholarships during its annual community ceremony and dinner Tuesday night. The giving total is a record for the organization, besting its 2024 contribution total by $1,200. Yachats Lions raise money through its busy thrift shop on West Fourth Street, pancake breakfasts,

Lincoln County school board approves $180 million budget for new fiscal year

June 11, 2025

The Lincoln County School District’s board has approved a $180 million budget for 2025-26. In the coming fiscal year, the school expects a $2.8 million deficit from declining enrollment. The shortfall will be balanced by cash reserves, a one-time wildfire grant and not filling several vacant staff positions. However, the school district expects more tough decisions in the years to

Southwest Lincoln County Water District NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING

June 11, 2025

Oregon lawmakers weigh increased oversight of state’s embattled transportation department

June 11, 2025

By SHAANTH NANGUNERI/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — A powerful committee tasked with creating the Legislature’s newest attempt at a transportation investment package faced growing calls Tuesday to hold Oregon’s imperiled Department of Transportation accountable for funding future projects and regulations aimed at restoring the state’s infrastructure. Testimony from Oregonians on House Bill 2025, a 102-page piece of legislation that would institute dozens

Poet-author, artist and publisher combine to create book to be celebrated Saturday at gallery opening

June 11, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY It’s no secret that writers and visual artists are mostly solitary creatures when they work, but when they work together, it can create magic, as was the case with the collaboration between Taylor Yount and Veta Bakhtina. “My Sutured Mind: Poems of Healing Beyond Trauma,” written by Yount and illustrated by Bakhtina, will be presented

5 Questions and a Secret: Yaquina Bay Yacht Club members chase the wind with a passion

June 11, 2025

By KATHLEEN O’CONNOR/Lincoln Chronicle For thousands of years people have been chasing the wind on sailing vessels. Members of the Yaquina Bay Yacht Club in Newport follow that tradition, experiencing the same exhilaration that ancient mariners felt when successfully managing wind and water and tides. The Newport club was founded in 1947 by boating fans and its purpose remains

Exhibits featuring botanical paintings and ceramics open Friday at Newport Visual Arts Center

June 11, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY Visitors to the Newport Visual Arts Center can explore a broad mixture of ceramic forms and firing techniques then explore some tidepool paintings at two new exhibits: “Kelp and Tidepools of the Pacific Northwest,” featuring the oil paintings of Becky Miller and “A Little of This, A Little of That” featuring ceramics by Chasse Davidson.