Umpqua Bank branches complete name change to Columbia

September 1, 2025

Umpqua Bank on Monday changed its name to Columbia Bank, with branches across the region now sporting new signs.

Sept. 1, 2025 Coast Guard news release on search for missing men off Gold Beach

September 1, 2025

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for two men who went missing after the motorized catamaran they were on capsized Sunday night near Gold Beach. A third person, who was on the catamaran, was rescued and transported by a good Samaritan to Gold Beach for medical evaluation by local EMS. It was reported that the three individuals donned life

Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation funding package clears Oregon House on Monday, moves to Senate

September 1, 2025

A proposal to raise billions for road maintenance and public transit in the coming decade advanced by the barest of margins Monday. The Oregon House passed House Bill 3991 by a vote of 36-12, the minimum number of yes votes required to approve the suite of tax increases the governor has put forward.

KPTV News report on Lincoln City menacing arrests

September 1, 2025

Three people were arrested Saturday night after reports of an assault in Lincoln County, according to the Oregon State Police.

With jobs harder to fill, Oregon’s forestry sector needs new workers with new skills, industry leaders say

September 1, 2025

Oregon’s forestry sector has scaled back dramatically, the result of modernization and reduced harvests. Yet the industry is still adding workers and looking to replace retirees — now with a growing demand for technical expertise. But forestry companies say they’re struggling to fill the jobs they have.

Former Waldport council member urges signing of recall petitions

September 1, 2025

To the editor As a former member of the Waldport City Council, I have significant concerns about the current action and inaction of the council. The city council has abdicated its role of supervision of the city manager and its responsibility for the operation of the city and its obligations to the citizens. The council has let the city manager

Unburned trees left after Oregon’s Labor Day Fires are dying — a potential blow to future forests

September 1, 2025

By JES BURNS/Oregon Public Broadcasting Five years ago, the Labor Day Fires burned more than a million acres across Oregon and Washington. Since then, researchers at Portland State University have been tracking the post-fire changes to the forests. What they’ve found reveals an evolving landscape, where unburned trees in the fire scars have succumbed to the delayed effects of the fires and will likely

After bumpy start Friday, Oregon lawmakers strike potential deal Sunday on transportation funding

August 31, 2025

A bill to stave off hundreds of layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, pay for road infrastructure projects and temporarily boost funding to public transit agencies moved forward Sunday after a rocky start Friday.

Military museum in Florence in turmoil after sexual abuse arrest and allegations, shocking board meeting

August 31, 2025

A small military museum in Florence is facing community backlash following allegations that the museum’s director sexually abused a minor and that one of the organization’s leaders referred to the girl by a slur.

Oregon’s community colleges want to train teachers. State’s universities say ‘not so fast’

August 31, 2025

An early stage proposal by a consortium of Oregon community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees for aspiring elementary school educators is drawing significant pushback from colleges and universities that already prepare teachers.