Waldport council and fire district board attempt to sort out finances, station loan payments and legislative help

January 30, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – After the smoke clears from crunching numbers, second guessing past decisions and scrutinizing disinformation from critics, one thing is undisputable — Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue District is strapped for cash. And unless that changes, the only option will be laying off personnel. With that in mind, Oregon Coast’s board and the Waldport

Police say Depoe Bay motel worker argued with boss before killing him

January 30, 2025

DEPOE BAY – A Depoe Bay motel worker charged with killing his boss had been fighting with him over job issues, told others that he was going to kill him and bought a handgun before fatally shooting Sarabjit Singh three times Thursday, according to a police probable cause affidavit filed in Lincoln County circuit court. Brennon M. Neal is charged

Former Lincoln County superintendent wades into St. Helens school mess

January 30, 2025

Former Lincoln County School District superintendent Karen Gray must have grown tired of a quiet retirement. Gray, who retired from the Lincoln County district in 2023 after five years, has been appointed to serve as the acting superintendent of the troubled St. Helens School District at least through the end of June. Gray, 67, replaces the previous acting superintendent, Steve

The hunt for special, artistic mushrooms occurs each Saturday morning around Yachats until March 1

January 30, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY YACHATS — The edible mushroom-hunting season on the Oregon coast is all too brief, but thanks to a program from the Yachats Chamber of Commerce, you can experience the thrill of finding mushrooms for much longer. And these mushrooms never go bad. When the Yachats Mushrooms Festival concludes in October the chamber kicks off its

National assessment shows Oregon’s 4th and 8th graders falling behind in key subjects

January 29, 2025

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon’s fourth and eighth graders are struggling in key subjects more than students in most other states, a national assessment found. The National Assessment for Educational Progress, often referred to as the nation’s report card, shows that Oregon’s fourth and eighth graders scored in the bottom half of all states in math and reading proficiency in

Vendors and spinners gather Saturday for 25th year of Yaquina Fiber Arts Guild’s event

January 29, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY A celebration of all things fiber will take place at the Yaquina Fiber Arts Guild’s annual Spin In on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Newport Middle School. “We are trying to get the word out about the guild,” said president Donna Carter. “The Spin In is the biggest thing we do all year.” The event is

Soon-to-be-open seat on Lincoln County commission draws 26 applicants for $94,000-a-year job

January 29, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews There are retired executives, current and former government employees, real estate salespeople, a restauranteur, travel executive, four city council members and a dozen others all seeking appointment to the Lincoln County board of commissioners. Some 26 people filed applications by 5 p.m. Tuesday to seek appointment to the seat being vacated Feb. 14 by Kaety Jacobson,

Oregon joins lawsuit as state officials scramble Tuesday to respond to Trump order freezing federal funds

January 28, 2025

By the Oregon Capital Chronicle staff SALEM — Oregon is suing the Trump administration after it ordered an abrupt freeze of many federal payments, leaving state agencies unable to access reimbursements for Medicaid and child care programs and sending state officials scrambling to determine the total effect. Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield, both Democrats, announced the suit

Oregon needs to build 29,500 more homes each year to get out of shortage, chief economist says

January 28, 2025

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon needs to build about 29,500 more homes each year, mostly in the Portland region and Willamette Valley, to emerge from a housing shortage years in the making, the state’s chief economist told lawmakers Monday. The state’s Office of Economic Analysis recently released its first annual housing needs analysis report, with homebuilding targets for the state and

City leaders across Oregon asking Legislature for infrastructure help, lodging tax changes

January 28, 2025

By REBECCA HANSEN-WHITE/KLCC News SALEM — The League of Oregon Cities, mayors and city councilor members gathered in Salem on Tuesday to ask lawmakers to boost funding for local water and transportation infrastructure. City leaders also pushed for updated laws around homelessness, and for more flexibility to spend hospitality tax revenues During a press conference Tuesday, Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler