Waldport council evaluates manager, trims raise and seeks better communication

December 19, 2024

WALDPORT – City manager Dann Cutter received praise for doing a good job from the Waldport city council during his annual review last week, and a 5 percent pay raise with the caveat that it includes his annual cost-of-living adjustment. Before being hired as city manager in March 2020, Cutter served on the planning commission from 2000-2006, on the council

Federal government sues PacifiCorp over 2020 Oregon wildfire, as the costs of fires to the company climb

December 19, 2024

By APRIL ERHLICH/Oregon Public Broadcasting The federal government is suing the electric utility PacifiCorp over a 2020 wildfire in Douglas County. The Archie Creek Fire burned across more than 131,000 acres, about half of that federal land, according to the legal complaint filed Thursday. The U.S. Attorney General’s Office accuses PacifiCorp of failing to maintain its equipment or the vegetation

City officials, sheriff condemn racist letter urging roundup of “brown illegals”

December 19, 2024

The Toledo city council, Lincoln City’s mayor and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office are condemning a racist letter they received or is circulating that encourages residents to help round up and deport “brown folks” who may be in the country illegally. The letter, titled “The Brown Round-Up Part 1,” said Jan. 21, 2025 will mark the beginning of the “largest

15 vacation rental licenses available, but commissioners extend moratorium for another 3 months

December 19, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday extended a years-old moratorium on new vacation rental licenses for another three months, but also said it was time to examine how the new licensing, inspection and enforcement programs are working. After years of controversy, a ballot measure and legal battles, commissioners in early 2023 voted to create seven geographic areas and

Susie M. Charnik, Yachats

December 18, 2024

Susie M. Charnik April 8, 1928 – Dec. 15, 2024 Susie Marie Charnik, 96, originally from Los Osos, Calif., peacefully passed away Dec. 15, 2024, in Yachats. She had recently moved to Oregon to be closer to her daughter, son-in-law, and great-granddaughter. Although her time in Oregon was short, she was treated like royalty by Robin and the staff

Federal judge dismisses $33 million lawsuit against U.S. Forest Service over 2020 wildfire response

December 18, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle A federal judge in Eugene has dismissed a timber company lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service over its response to a destructive and deadly blaze that was part of the 2020 Labor Day Fires. U.S. District Judge Michael McShane on Dec. 6 dismissed the lawsuit brought by Freres timber companies in January against the agency. The lawsuit,

Oregon AG releases sanctuary information for immigrants before Trump takes office

December 18, 2024

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum rolled out a toolkit Wednesday so immigrants in Oregon can protect themselves and know their rights under the first-in-the-nation state sanctuary law that has been in place since 1987. Rosenblum’s release of the toolkit in English and Spanish is intended to inform immigrants as Oregon braces for likely

Newcomer’s unusual Christmas collection becomes centerpiece of “Find Your Elf in Waldport” contest

December 18, 2024

By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY WALDPORT — When Rhonda D’Amico left Idaho, she fairy quickly found her elf in Waldport. The reception she received dwarfed the sadness she felt after leaving the home she had gnome for so long. Part of the positive reception came because when she arrived, she was not alone. Her baggage included tiny passengers with

Hatfield visitor center offering special programs during whale watch week Dec. 26-31

December 18, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY You can see them on the license plates of cars or spouting offshore from the window of your own — whales are as integral to the central Oregon coast as crabs and conifers. The twice-yearly Whale Watch Weeks are times to catch the peak southern migration times of gray whales along the Oregon coast. Multiple

County commission candidate urges change from three to five positions

December 18, 2024

To the editor: After almost a month of waiting for the closest race in Oregon to be called, the official results for Lincoln County Commission Position 2 are in: challenger Rick Beasley, 13,027 (49.53%), versus five-time incumbent (now six) Claire Hall, 13,142 (49.97%). I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported my campaign.