Gov. Tina Kotek delays impeding ODOT layoffs and announces August special session to fund roads

July 22, 2025

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting Gov. Tina Kotek will call lawmakers into a special session in late August to take another crack at finding millions — or billions — of dollars to pay for road funding in the state. In the meantime, Kotek announced Tuesday she will delay nearly 500 layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, ensuring 12 maintenance facilities throughout

William L. Turkaly of Waldport

July 21, 2025

William (Bill) L. Turkaly, Waldport Oct. 31, 1965 – July 5, 2025 William Lee Turkaly of Waldport, passed away July 5, 2025, following a sudden and brutal illness. He was 59. His wife, Cheri Brubaker, and his son, Jake, were by his side. They will always love him and will miss him forever. Bill was born Oct. 31, 1965,

City of Siletz first in Lincoln County to restrict water use due to drought conditions and river levels

July 21, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle The city of Siletz declared emergency water restrictions Friday due to ongoing drought conditions and record low levels in the Siletz River where the municipality draws its water. Siletz is the first city in Lincoln County to implement water restrictions and comes after county commissioners declared a drought emergency July 2 followed by a July

With Lincoln County students gone for the summer, contractors are busy with the first projects from $73 million bond

July 21, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle Inside Taft High School, rotary hammers drill into concrete flooring as shovels at the ready, lean against the dimly lit hall. Already some work is under way — financed by the $73 million bond that was approved by Lincoln County School District voters just three months ago — and more project planning across all the

Cafes? Zip lining? Oregon State Parks searches for new business partners as it faces 14% budget shortfall

July 21, 2025

By KRISTIAN FODEN-VENCIL/Oregon Public Broadcasting The Oregon State Parks department is facing a 14 percent budget shortfall in the next biennium and to avoid cuts the agency says it’s looking for new business partners that could include everything from new zip-lining operations to tree-climbing tours and unique lodging. One current partner, Leo Fischer, runs Tree Climbing at Silver Falls, a

Newport will give the “boot” to parking ticket scofflaws Aug. 1

July 21, 2025

NEWPORT — Vehicles with unpaid parking tickets in Newport will be getting the boot starting Aug. 1. Newport’s municipal code allows police to place parking “boots” on vehicles with outstanding parking citations. Vehicle immobilization is one of the final steps in the process of collecting parking fines. Newport Police Chief Jason Malloy said the immobilization program is resuming due to

Oregon Coast CC president joins national baccalaureate board

July 20, 2025

Oregon Coast Community College president Marshall Roache has been appointed to the board of the Community College Baccalaureate Association, a national organization that works to support community college development of four-year degree programs. Earlier this summer, the community college was approved to offer its own four-year degree in nursing, marking a milestone in the college’s nursing program that touts high

New boat fees begin in 2026 — but not (after all) for inner tubes

July 20, 2025

Enjoy the free ride while you can, kayakers, paddleboarders and rafters. Beginning in 2026, all non-motorized boats 10 feet or under in Oregon will have to have a waterway access permit, which will cost $20 per year. The expanded permit requirement is part of an effort to keep the state’s lakes and rivers clean of invasive species under House Bill 2982,

Toledo invites public to meet four city manager finalists Tuesday, July 29

July 20, 2025

TOLEDO – The city of Toledo’s recruitment adviser is holding a meeting Tuesday, July 29 so the public can meet and talk to four finalists for city manager. The meeting organized by Jensen Strategies is 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the training room of the Toledo Fire Department, 285 N.E. Burgess Road. The four finalists are: John Craig most recently served

Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” calls for more logging and one provision could cost Oregon counties

July 20, 2025

By TRISTIN HOFFMAN/The Oregonian/OregonLive New federal laws could “lock up” timber land for decades at a time, raising concerns big companies could elbow out smaller competitors and that timber revenue for counties could be delayed for years. President Donald Trump’s tax cuts and spending bill, which he signed into law on July 4, increases the length of federal logging contracts