Oregon governor says she will not veto $45 million grant to Willamette Falls Trust

August 7, 2025

By NIGEL JAQUISS/Oregon Journalism Project Gov. Tina Kotek decided Thursday afternoon she will not veto a $45 million appropriation to help the Willamette Falls Trust buy 60 acres on the west side of Willamette Falls. In a letter to Secretary of State Tobias Read, who assigns Oregon Revised Statute chapter numbers to new laws, Kotek explained that the trust had

Miller says he has nothing to do with Hall recall campaign

August 7, 2025

To the editor: I’ve heard suggestions that I am the driving force behind the recall petition against Lincoln County Commissioner Claire Hall. Let me be clear — I am not the petitioner, nor am I the architect of the recall campaign. What I have done — and will continue to do — is advocate for transparency, due process, and shared

Sheriff’s detective arrests Albany, Seal Rock men in child luring stings

August 7, 2025

A Lincoln County Sheriff’s detective has made two more arrests while conducting child luring investigations posing as a 15-year-old girl on various social media platforms. The arrests Thursday, July 31 and Tuesday, Aug. 5 follow two arrests by Lincoln County deputies last week of two Linn County men accused of engaging in sexually explicit conversations and attempting to arrange in-person

Veto of grant to Willamette Falls Trust would upend years of collaboration

August 7, 2025

To the editor: Recent news stories about the Willamette Falls Trust and a $45 million state grant paints a picture of tribal tensions and controversy. But that narrative overlooks a more powerful truth — the Willamette Falls Trust is a story of enduring Tribal histories and traditions, inspiring collaboration toward a shared goal of public access and connection to a

Oregon legislator says last week’s tsunami alerts should be a warning for state to upgrade responses

August 7, 2025

Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, has been introducing legislation to modernize the state’s emergency preparedness and response processes for years with little success. He called the state’s tsunami warnings last week to residents on the Oregon Coast — raised due to strong currents and unpredictable waves as a result of a massive earthquake off the coast of Russia — “a good

Newport Rec Center pools close for two weeks Monday, Aug. 11

August 7, 2025

NEWPORT — The Newport Aquatic Center will be closed for maintenance from Aug.11-25. The center’s lap pool, activity pool, spa and locker rooms will be closed to the public from Monday, Aug. 11 through Monday, Aug. 25 for annual maintenance. The center will reopen for regular operation at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26. The closure is part of an annual

New director of Siletz Bay Music Festival adjusts to challenge of shuffling performers on eve of event

August 7, 2025

t can’t always be smooth sailing. For Mei-Ting Sun, artistic director of the Siletz Bay Music Festival, one of the monster challenges of gathering 58 top musicians from around the world and assembling them in a small Oregon town for an 11-concert, 10-day series recently came roaring to life — just weeks before the festival’s Thursday, Aug. 14 start date.

Turmoil in Curry County leads to recall attempt against two commissioners

August 6, 2025

By JUSTIN HIGGINBOTTOM/Jefferson Public Radio Some residents unhappy with two Curry County commissioners have launched a recall effort. Curry County Sheriff’s Lt. Jeremy Krohn filed petitions late last month to recall commissioners Jay Trost and Patrick Hollinger. The petition against Trost alleges he has created a “culture of fear and retaliation,” supported expenditures like additional legal fees to litigate against

Siletz Tribe showcases its culture and history in annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow beginning Friday

August 6, 2025

The public is invited to take part in a celebration this weekend of Indigenous culture at the annual Nesika Illahee Pow-Wow, hosted by the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians. The event is Friday, Aug. 8 through Sunday, Aug. 10.

View the Future presents documentary, talk Monday of Emmett Till’s lynching

August 6, 2025

YACHATS – Investigative journalist and co-anchor of NBC News Chicago will discuss “The Lost story of Emmett Till: The Universal Story” at the Yachats’ Commons on Monday Aug. 11. Marion Brooks will share her work on the Emmy winning documentary she and her colleagues produced in an evening of history, reflection and truth telling. She will explore the hidden history