Samaritan Health dropping Medicare Advantage plans at end of year; nearly 5,000 affected in Lincoln County

September 3, 2025

Samaritan Health Plans has notified thousands of its Medicare customers in Lincoln, Benton and Linn counties that it will end its popular Advantage insurance plans at the end of the year.

Cynthia Jane Meier of Waldport

September 3, 2025

Cindy Meier of Waldport, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin passed peacefully on July 8, 2025.

Looking for high school sports calendar and results? Lincoln Chronicle now has them

September 2, 2025

The Lincoln Chronicle has added a section on its website for a high school sports calendar and scores that will be updated 2-3 times a week. Read more about it here.

Police arrest Chinook Winds employee for theft, computer crimes

September 2, 2025

An employee of Chinook Winds Casino in Lincoln City has been charged with aggravated theft and computer crime after his arrest last week for allegedly accessing the player's cards of 13 gamblers and using their points to win more than $14,000 on slot machines.

Democrats in Legislature put special session and ODOT funding on hold until Sept. 17 amid key senator’s absence

September 2, 2025

Oregon Democrats are hitting pause on their push to pass a transportation funding bill, as a key party member recovers from health complications. Senate President Rob Wagner announced Tuesday that a package of tax and fee increases proposed by Gov. Tina Kotek would not get a vote until Sept. 17 — two weeks later than expected.

Firefighters question leaders’ role in immigration raid while working on blaze in Olympic National Park

September 2, 2025

Wildland firefighters were stunned when federal immigration authorities last week raided an active wildfire response in Washington state, arresting two firefighters and sidelining crews for hours. Wildfire veterans say the operation was nearly unprecedented, a breach in longstanding protocol that federal agents don’t disrupt emergency responders to check immigration status.

Two rainy days make August a rare, wet summer month — but year’s totals still low

September 2, 2025

A two-day rainstorm in mid-August may have saved Lincoln County cities and water districts from tightening restrictions on water use, judging from rain measurements from weather-watchers in the Yachats area.

More restraining orders in Waldport: Beachcomber officer on receiving end after Moose Lodge dustup

September 2, 2025

One week after a Waldport Beachcomber Days board member won a temporary restraining order against the Waldport city manager, she was hit by a similar order claiming she attacked another woman at the Moose Lodge and harassed her online.

Schools across Oregon — and in Lincoln County — adjust to new restrictions on student cell phone use

September 2, 2025

The start of a new school year marks another step in the crackdown of cell phones in public schools – and a slight change for most Lincoln County School District students. Now, there will be no cell phones, smart watches or personal electronic devices the entire school day, including between classes and at lunch.

Newport-based scientists win award for research, crab industry outreach to help protect whales

September 2, 2025

A research and outreach effort led by Oregon State University to protect whales and help sustain Oregon’s commercial Dungeness crab fishery has been recognized as one of four regional winners of the 2025 W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award.