Researchers believe they have discovered what killed billions of sea stars off the Oregon and west coasts

August 5, 2025

After more than 10 years of searching, researchers have identified the pathogen responsible for sea star wasting disease all along the West Coast. Killing billions of starfish, the disease has affected more than 20 species in waters from Mexico to Alaska, including the sunflower sea star found off the coast of Oregon. It’s the largest epidemic to sweep through a

New federal threats over sanctuary laws targets Oregon, Washington, Portland and Seattle

August 5, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice has released a list of cities, counties and states it plans to possibly sue because they limit local cooperation with immigration enforcement. Oregon and Washington were included on the DOJ’s list, along with 10 other states and the District of Columbia. Portland and Seattle, which have city sanctuary ordinances, were included on a list of sanctuary cities.

Nurses at Samaritan Health hospitals in Corvallis and Lebanon will vote on tentative contracts

August 5, 2025

By LYNNE TERRY/The Lund Report After months of negotiations, hundreds of nurses in the mid-Willamette Valley vote this week on tentative contract agreements reached between their union and Samaritan Health. The Oregon Nurses Association union announced the agreements for two Samaritan hospitals last week. Union leaders said they would improve working conditions and pay for the 700 nurses at Good

15th annual Yachats River Valley farm tour is Saturday

August 5, 2025

The iconic Yachats River Valley Farm Tour returns Saturday, Aug. 9, giving everyone a chance to celebrate local farmers, buy their goods, and see what makes “up river” a special place. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday the 15th annual free, self-guided tour winds along Yachats River Road and its north and south forks. For a map of

Weeks after launching new statewide recycling program, Oregon sued by wholesalers claiming it is unconstitutional

August 4, 2025

The $8 trillion wholesale product distribution industry is challenging a four-year-old Oregon recycling law weeks after the law took effect. The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors is suing the state in U.S. District Court in Portland to stop it from continuing, claiming the law is unconstitutional.

Oregon State Parks will increase all camping charges next May, add daily parking fees at 21 sites in October

August 4, 2025

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, staring down a looming budget shortfall to the tune of roughly $30 million, has announced it will once again implement new fees to help fund the state park system.

Secretary of State opens investigation of Umpqua Public Transit district’s response to May election

August 3, 2025

The Oregon Secretary of State's elections division has opened an investigation of the Umpqua Public Transit District’s response to a hotly contested May election result.

No rain in July continues to put Yachats-area in tougher drought conditions

August 3, 2025

Yes, it’s dry as everyone knows. How dry? Just ask the weather watchers who send monthly rain and weather reports to the Lincoln Chronicle.

Judge in PacifiCorp’s 2020 wildfire trials wants to quadruple the court’s pace as many victims still await resolution

August 3, 2025

A Multnomah County circuit judge has adopted an ambitious new schedule to speed up a class action lawsuit PacifiCorp faces over Oregon’s 2020 wildfires, including for victims of the Echo Mountain Fire that swept through Otis in north Lincoln County.

Thompson’s garbage truck now sporting the art of two Newport High students

August 3, 2025

Two Newport High School students are better off by $500 and will be seeing their artwork traveling around town for years on the side of a Thompson’s Sanitary Service garbage truck. The Newport company last March approached the Lincoln County School District with an idea to have the school’s commercial art class students create designs for the sides of