Oregon and Idaho lawmakers from both parties want to restore bill providing millions in rural school funding

February 23, 2025

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle A bipartisan group of lawmakers from the West are joining forces to persuade Congress to reauthorize a 24-year-old bill that has sent billions to states including Oregon for critical public services and schools. Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, both Democrats, and two Idaho Republicans — Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch — announced

Tidewater man suspected of murder dies in Kansas police chase Jan. 25

February 22, 2025

A Lincoln County man sought in a woman’s death died Jan. 25 in south-central Kansas after a police pursuit led to a rollover accident. Jerry W. Thompson, 55, of Tidewater, was a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Anderson County, authorities said. The incident began at 9:03 p.m. Jan. 25 when Kansas Highway Patrol troopers spotted a stolen

Animal Welfare Act violations found at southern Oregon coast roadside zoo, federal authorities say

February 22, 2025

By JUSTIN HIGGINBOTTOM/Jefferson Public Radio A Dec. 3 inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture cited eight direct violations of the Animal Welfare Act at West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon. Those violations include an inspector finding a 16-year-old lioness confined to a dark, feces-covered den lacking ventilation or a heater. The USDA report also notes that after

Gov. Kotek introduces legislation that would allow her, future governors, Senate to choose state forester

February 21, 2025

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Following a rough few months of leadership and financial turmoil at the Oregon Department of Forestry — including the abrupt resignation of its director — Gov. Tina Kotek wants to change the law so she and future governors get to pick the agency’s leader, rather than the governor-appointed state Board of Forestry. Kotek

Key piece of Oregon governor’s housing effort launches with $75 million loan fund to local jurisdictions

February 21, 2025

By LAUREN DAKE/Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — A central piece of Gov. Tina Kotek’s plan to boost housing production in Oregon launched on Thursday. The $75 million “revolving loan fund” is aimed at helping cities and counties boost affordable housing stock. The idea is to create a program to help local governments offer interest-free loans to developers who are building

Got eggs? Got cash? Supply and demand squeeze shoppers, bakers, restaurants — and growers

February 20, 2025

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews Ever since Diana Buckley opened Café Chill in 2023, she’s done everything she can to keep the Waldport restaurant every bit as welcoming and laid-back as its name. In addition to a raft of local customers, Buckley opens her doors to groups of writers and poets. Local art is a staple of the Café Chill’s interior

Lincoln County commissioners agree to appoint Walter Chuck of Newport to open seat for 22 months

February 20, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Walter Chuck still has a few things to do before he’s sworn in as Lincoln County’s newest commissioner. Because the county commission gig is a full-time position, Chuck, 57, needs to give notice for his job with a private water plant operations company. He also plans to resign his seat on the Port of Newport commission

Yachats council approves seven focus areas for 2025 tied to goals for itself, city manager and staff

February 20, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS – The Yachats city council has adopted seven focus areas and goals to guide work for itself and city staff during 2025 and plans quarterly meetings to check in to see how they’re doing. The focus area and goals are: Infrastructure: Achieve water sustainability; Livability: Provide safe access to and use of city infrastructure, parks

Food Share of Lincoln County wants to put your old jewelry to good use

February 20, 2025

By Oregon Coast TODAY Looking to clear out a few drawers or jewelry boxes and support a good cause at the same time? It’s time for the collection of donations for the 16th annual Be Jeweled jewelry sale, the annual fund-raiser for Food Share of Lincoln County. The sale on Saturday, May 10, is made possible by donations of

With federal funds at risk, many spending bills face a difficult path through Oregon Legislature

February 20, 2025

By BRYCE DOLE/Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — Oregon is facing potential funding cuts amid the Trump administration’s efforts to dramatically downsize federal spending. More than 31% of the state’s budget comes from the federal government. At the same time, lawmakers are weighing an expensive transportation package — with the potential for new taxes or fees — and proposals from Gov. Tina Kotek to ramp up