Workforce grants expand capacity of college maritime welding program and sea urchin harvesting startup

October 8, 2024

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews During his 28 years in the U. S. Coast Guard Len Tumbarello learned a thing or two about running a tight ship. Now, in his latest stint as the first maritime program coordinator for a state workforce development agency, he’s off to a fast start in awarding grants to help build long-term, maritime-related jobs across five

State agency approves $40 million for North Bend affordable housing project

October 7, 2024

By LEXI RYAN/KCBY News NORTH BEND — Approximately $40 million is headed to Coos County to create more affordable housing, making this the biggest investment in affordable housing in decades, according to officials behind the project. On Oct. 4 approval was given from the Oregon Housing Stability Council for North Bend Family Housing to build 176 affordable homes for low-income

Oregon officials call for DMV audit as number of noncitizens registered to vote by agency increases

October 7, 2024

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon’s governor and top elections official asked Monday for an independent external audit of the state’s automatic voter registration system after the Motor Vehicles Services Division found another 302 people were incorrectly registered to vote. The latest numbers, included in an “after-action” report Gov. Tina Kotek requested from the DMV, join an earlier

Popular Yachats pre-school program lands experienced educator as its new executive director

October 7, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — It didn’t take long for the leaders of the area’s only public children’s center to name a local woman to lead the Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program. After advertising the position in August, the YYFAP board welcomed Kristi Anderson to the program in September. “She stood out by far” among the candidates for

Lambert will bring “joyful approach” to Waldport mayor position

October 6, 2024

To the editor: As Waldport’s new mayor, Heide Lambert will bring a plethora of experience, wisdom, and joyful leadership to the role. She will invest in our local children, small businesses, and long-term residents. I met Heide years ago at a community meeting about finding solutions to our local child-care desert. She was serving on the expert panel. I was

County’s deflection process was unnecessarily contentious

October 6, 2024

To the editor: Lincoln County’s deflection program is moving forward. That is the good news. The bad news is that the whole process was way more difficult and contentious than necessary. During the Sept. 18 county cCommissioner’s meetings, deflection committee members harshly criticized county staff and commissioners for “lack of transparency.” Committee members had obviously reached a decision that the

Weather delays opening of new Waldport playground until spring

October 6, 2024

WALDPORT – Opening of the new playground at the 14-acre Louis Southworth Park in Waldport is delayed indefinitely because of weather conditions that prevent its surfacing from being installed. The city had hoped to have the 14,000-square-foot playground ready for use this fall but temperatures must be within certain limits to install the pour-in-place surface, said city manager Dann

20,000 gallon transfer puts new water agreement between Yachats and SW Lincoln PUD to the test

October 6, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – With a turning of valves last week Yachats entered a new era of water security during any future drought-stricken times. In a joint operation Tuesday, crews from the Yachats public works department and Southwest Lincoln County Water People’s Utility District opened the valves that connect the two systems at a pump located on the

Former CASA volunteer supports Lambert for Waldport mayor

October 5, 2024

To the editor: I would like to share my observations of Heide Lambert, who is running for mayor of Waldport. She is a creative, solution-oriented person who can think outside the box, but at the same time uses common sense to create programs and services. I see her as a person that can bring groups of people together to accomplish

Lincoln City police news release on assault of an officer

October 4, 2024

On September 29th, 2024, an off-duty Lincoln City Police Department Officer was requested by employees of the Space Age Convenience Store to trespass an intoxicated male who was refusing to leave their property. The officer was en route to a training event and not wearing his uniform, but was standing at his marked patrol vehicle after picking up food for