More than a dozen Oregon cities will ask their voters Nov. 5 if they want to ban psilocybin

September 15, 2024

By LAUREN DRAKE/Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon was the first state in the nation to legalize the use of psilocybin, often called magic mushrooms, and state officials hope to serve as a nationwide model for others to follow. But they are having a hard time convincing some in their backyard: Sixteen cities spanning the state and unincorporated areas of Clackamas County are

Waldport awards $302,000 in final contracts for Crestline sidewalks

September 15, 2024

WALDPORT – The city of Waldport has awarded Jesse Rodriguez Construction of Silverton the contract to do the final two phases of the Crestline Drive sidewalk project. Rodriguez submitted the lowest bids for both phase two — paving at $193,000, and phase three – curbs and lighted crosswalks at $109,000. Phase one, clearing trees and brush along the approximately mile-long

“Hands Across Bridge” recovery event is Saturday in Waldport

September 15, 2024

WALDPORT — September marks the 35th anniversary of National Recovery Month and the occasion will be marked with a special, free event Saturday in Waldport. Recovery and Wellbriety month will be celebrated with a bridge crossing Saturday during the 16th annual “Lincoln County Hands Across the Bridge” event, followed by a free lunch, speakers and activities. The observance is sponsored

Oregon election officials say data entry error added 306 noncitizens to voter rolls, two voted

September 13, 2024

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Oregon agency that issues driver’s licenses erroneously registered more than 300 non-citizens to vote, although state officials say only two people actually cast ballots. State Elections Director Molly Woon told the Capital Chronicle that she received a call late Thursday afternoon from the administrator of the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services division

Prices and interest rates leading to lowest number of Lincoln County property sales in three years

September 12, 2024

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews When it comes to coastal real estate, industry veterans are always trying to spot new influences capable of roiling a market that seems perpetually unstable. There are plenty of those afoot these days, they say, including rising insurance rates, the likely cut later this month of the federal interest rates that will affect home mortgage rates,

Federal judge approves historic Oregon child welfare settlement Thursday after emotional testimony

September 12, 2024

Rain Parrish, a 22-year-old from Portland, hugs her pink bunny Usagi. Parrish, who spent nearly 16 years in Oregon’s foster care system, shared her experiences in a court hearing on Thursday when the Oregon Department of Human Services settled a class-action lawsuit. By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle EUGENE – They were shuffled from foster home to foster home, physically

Lincoln County hopes to have new state-funded drug “deflection” programs running by November, at latest

September 12, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews For three years police in Lincoln County could not do much when they came across someone in possession of a small amount of illegal drugs except issue a $100 citation and give the offender a number to call for help with substance abuse. But more often than not tickets went unpaid, calls were never made and

Waldport community comes together to help assemble massive new play structure at Southworth Park

September 12, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – In a flurry of activity spanning three days this week, dozens of volunteers banded together to help erect what is being touted as the largest playground on the Oregon coast at Louis Southworth Park. The trouble now will be keeping half-pint thrill-seekers who see the shimmering oasis of fun from descending upon it before

After years of debate and budgeting, Yachats finally seeks contractors to repair and reopen Little Log Church Museum

September 12, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS — Mayors, councilors, commission members and city managers have come and gone but finally after at least six years of debate, studies and budgeting the city of Yachats is seeking contractors to repair and rebuild portions of its 97-year-old Little Log Church Museum. The city posted advertisements this week asking contractors to bid on a

Oregon State, Washington State revive Pac-12 by luring four colleges from Mountain West Conference

September 12, 2024

By JON WILNER/Bay Area News Group It took 13 months, eight days and many millions of dollars, but the Pac-12 is off the mat. It’s not the same Pac-12 that existed for 109 years — it will never be the same. But the conference wrote the first sentence of its next chapter Thursday when two schools became six schools in