Oregon’s minimum wage is going up again July 1

June 24, 2024

By Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon’s minimum wage varies based on location. On July 1, the state’s standard minimum wage will rise to $14.70 per hour. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $1.25 above standard and will increase to $15.95 per hour. The wage in nonurban counties is $1 below standard and will go up to $13.70 per hour.

Campaigns trade barbs after Republican challenger sends email seeking six debates with Rep. Hoyle

June 24, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Republican congressional nominee Monique DeSpain is challenging Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle to six debates in a congressional district that many Republican operatives are eying as key to maintaining the party’s slight majority in the House. DeSpain made the challenge via a news release and email last week, according to campaign communications director, Kevin Hoar.

Weyerhaeuser needs to find alternatives to helicopter spraying

June 23, 2024

To the editor: We received notice from the Oregon Department of Forestry that Weyerhaeuser Timber Holdings between July 1 and Sept. 28, will spray pesticides by helicopter on more than 2,000 acres of its private timberlands in Lincoln and Polk counties. Weyerhaeuser’s notice acknowledges that many of the 27 parcels to be sprayed contain wetlands and streams, including numerous fish

Yachats valley resident opposes roadside herbicide spraying

June 23, 2024

To the editor: I am a resident of Yachats living along Yachats Valley Road. I want to voice my opposition to the use by a contractor for Lincoln County of the herbicide “High Noon” as a weed control along our road and river. It is scheduled to be sprayed between Miles 1-7 before the end of June. When I read

Port of Alsea hits a snag in search for new manager as replacement resigns, business slows

June 23, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The Port of Alsea is postponing looking for a new manager until winter after the man hired for the job resigned and business this year dropped significantly. “I have been telling you every month for the last few months that this year has a totally different feel to it financially,” manager Roxie Cuellar told

Losing county candidate asks radio station for his money back — and more

June 23, 2024

A candidate who finished a distant fourth in the May primary race for a seat on the Lincoln County commission has gone to court seeking nearly $3,600 from a Newport radio station which he claims did not run his advertisements and therefore hurt his campaign. Don Gomez of Newport says he paid $450 for radio station KSHL and The WAVE

OSU gets $5.5 million for ocean energy work

June 23, 2024

Oregon State University is getting $5.5 million from the federal government to support its Pacific Marine Energy Center operations in Corvallis. The $5.5 million award will be issued through the U.S. Department of Energy’s water power technologies office. The funding will assist the Pacific Marine Energy Center, a university consortium with OSU, the University of Washington, and University of Alaska-Fairbanks, establish

District offering free breakfasts, lunches at four schools this summer

June 22, 2024

Lincoln County School District is offering free breakfasts and lunches to any child age 18 and under during the summer. No income verification is required. Sites at four schools are open Monday through Friday until Aug. 16 but closed July 4-5. Meals are only served during the listed hours and must be eaten at the school. The meals sites and

YachatsNews passes first benchmark in local fundraising effort; two weeks left in June campaign

June 20, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews The past two years when YachatsNews conducted its local fundraising campaign my wife, Kathi, asked if I’m embarrassed to seek donations from people. My answer has been “No, it’s simply a request, not a demand” and people are obviously free to choose whether to support us financially. Yes, it is always a bit awkward, but I

Lincoln County district attorney-elect Jenna Wallace will be appointed to office Friday, begins work rebuilding office

June 20, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek will appoint Jenna Wallace as Lincoln County’s next district attorney on Friday as Lanee Danforth’s resignation takes effect six months before the end of her troubled four-year term. Wallace won the May primary to succeed Danforth after the incumbent decided weeks before the primary not to seek re-election. Wallace would normally have