July 4 fireworks cleanup collects more than 1,500 pounds of debris

July 14, 2024

Almost as soon as the glare of July 4 fireworks on the central Oregon coast began to fade, a small army of volunteers went to work cleaning up as much of the resulting debris as they could find. The results, according to the Surfrider Foundation, which organized the effort, were impressive. During 13 beach cleanups held July 5 and

Safeway stores in Newport, Florence may be sold in Kroger merger

July 14, 2024

Safeway stores in Newport and Florence and among the 62 that Kroger has identified to sell to another grocery chain to help win approval for its proposed merger with Albertsons. In a bid to mollify antitrust regulators, Kroger and Albertsons the two companies said they would sell more than 500 stores to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers for $2.9 billion.

Ethics laws allow Oregon First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson to work in governor’s office, commission says

July 14, 2024

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting SALEM — The head of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission has reiterated that nothing in state ethics law prohibits First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson from serving as a volunteer in her wife’s administration — as long as she doesn’t use the role for personal financial gain. That conclusion, provided in formal advice requested by Gov. Tina Kotek’s

Siuslaw Forest seeks comments on proposal to fight invasive plants

July 14, 2024

Siuslaw National Forest officials are seeking public comments for an initial proposal to reduce the presence of invasive and non-native plant species. Objectives of the proposed project include establishment of forest-wide standards for managing invasive species using a variety of treatment methods and restoring native plant ecosystems. Comments can be made through Aug. 7. “The Siuslaw National Forest has approximately

After a yearlong makeover, new Oregon wildfire hazard map will be released this month with few changes

July 14, 2024

A fire burns close to a home near the Rogue River. By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle A statewide “wildfire risk map” that drew the ire of many Oregonians will return in several weeks with few changes but with a new name following a yearlong makeover. The new “wildfire hazard map,” set to debut in mid-to-late July, will not differ

Oregon state parks agency is considering raising camping fees. Here’s how to weigh in

July 14, 2024

By Oregon Public Broadcasting and YachatsNews Oregon State Parks is proposing an increased rate range for the use of campsites and other facilities starting in 2025. But fees won’t be increasing substantially anytime soon. The parks department’s current range limit for fees is $40 per night for RVs, for example. And at a current rate of about $33 per night,

Army Corps misses key deadline to report to Congress on ending Willamette hydropower to save salmon

July 14, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Inexplicable delays to a federal report on ending hydropower generation in the Willamette River Basin to save threatened fish are creating frustration and concern from tribal leaders and conservationists in Oregon. Congress directed the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2022 to produce a report by the end of June, detailing the impacts that eight

Oregon’s longest serving congressman calls on Biden to withdraw; others mostly silent

July 10, 2024

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon’s longest-serving U.S. representative on Wednesday called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the presidential race, while other members of Oregon’s Democratic congressional delegation and nominees are keeping mum. Rep. Earl Blumenauer, a Democrat from east Portland who plans to retire in January after nearly three decades in the House, became the first member

“Local” gray whales make summer excursions onto the ocean exciting, fun and educational

July 10, 2024

By MICHAEL EDWARDS/Oregon Coast TODAY One hundred yards from the bluff where the cold Pacific breakers batter and bend the sea palms, wave power propels a common murre skyward into the morning mist. The murre flies low and fast over the ocean towards its boisterous breeding colony fussing atop Pirate Cove’s guano-plastered boulders. Within earshot of the murre colony,

Historical society hosts annual commemorative program Sunday on Ernest Bloch

July 10, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY Every year the Ernest Bloch Legacy Committee presents a commemorative program as part of its effort to preserve the legacy of the acclaimed Swiss-American composer, who spent his twilight years in Agate Beach. This year’s program at Newport’s Pacific Maritime Heritage Center on Sunday, July 14, will include a performance of a Bloch cello piece