Family and friends of Yachats man who perished trying to help swimmers not surprised at his compassion, courage

August 22, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Sean Johnson acted without hesitation Sunday when he scrambled down the rocky shoreline and jumped into the ocean to help a woman and her two young sons struggling against the current. The selfless act of courage cost him his life. But his actions were no surprise to those who knew him best – and

Waldport community reeling from death of Crestview Heights teacher in Highway 20 crash Tuesday

August 22, 2024

WALDPORT – The Waldport community and educators at its two schools are reeling from the death of a beloved second-grade teacher in a head-on crash Tuesday on U.S. Highway 20 east of Blodgett. Anna Kelley, 31, of Waldport, was killed when her vehicle was struck by a car driven by Shylene Olsen, 26, of Corvallis, who also was killed.

Yachats OKs emergency water contract during droughts, calls special meeting to discuss raising rates

August 22, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – The Yachats city council waded into all things water during its four-hour meeting Wednesday — which overflowed into scheduling an additional meeting next month to dive into potential water rate increases. Councilors also received updates on two high-profile projects and efforts to stop a clearcut in the city’s southern viewshed. City manager Bobbi Price

Transfer of Ocean View Drive from county to Yachats hits another bump after state’s objection

August 22, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Lincoln County has been trying to give Ocean View Drive to the city of Yachats for years. But its latest effort hit a speed bump Wednesday during a public hearing before county commissioners when an Oregon state parks official showed up to object to the county claiming a short section of the road through Yachats State

Cleanup of seagull poop on roofs of massive Depoe Bay resort leads to $2.5 million lawsuit

August 22, 2024

By AIMEE GREEN/The Oregonian/OregonLive The damaging effects of sea salt, constant winds and fierce winter storms can make maintaining any Oregon coast property a real chore. But seagull droppings? Don’t forget to add that one to the list. A pair of international companies – Wyndham Resort Development Corporation and WorldMark, The Club — filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Lincoln County

Newport’s long-running natural food store celebrates another year with celebration Saturday

August 22, 2024

By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN/Oregon Coast TODAY After moving to the Central Oregon Coast almost 20 years ago for a job in Newport, I asked my new co-workers for recommendations for a place nearby to get a hearty and healthy lunch. A few wisely recommended the hot food and salad bar at Oceana Natural Food Cooperative. With seating inside and out,

Lincoln County unemployment rate reached 4.7 percent in July

August 22, 2024

Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate continues to creep higher, reaching 4.7 percent in July and continues to be higher than the statewide average, according to numbers released this week by the Oregon Employment Department. The county’s unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in June and 4.2 percent in July 2023. The county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent at the beginning

Oregon Coast CC announces largest selection of community education courses for the fall

August 22, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY Oregon Coast Community College has announced its largest selection of noncredit community education courses with more than 80 offerings this fall from Waldport to Lincoln City. The lineup includes a variety of classes aimed at enriching the lives of community members, whether they are looking to explore a new hobby, improve skills or simply have

View the Future explains its position on 40-acre logging proposal

August 21, 2024

To the editor: View the Future commends the city of Yachats, specifically Mayor Craig Birdie and City Manager Bobbi Price, for their diligent efforts to prevent a forest clearcut on 40 acres of privately-owned land immediately abutting the southeastern city limits (and lying just below what we have come to call Yachats Ridge). Our land trust is offering the city

Eight health systems want to operate Oregon’s largest coastal hospital in Coos Bay

August 20, 2024

By NICK BUDNICK/The Lund Report COOS BAY — At least eight health systems, including some in Oregon, are interested in operating Bay Area Hospital as leaders of the Coos Bay faciilty look for a partner to help with its longstanding financial woes. Starting Sept. 3, executives of the hospital and its board will start evaluating the proposals, although they