Lane Transit doubles service around Florence, improves connections

June 17, 2024

FLORENCE – Beginning Monday, it will be easier to get around Florence – and make connections to and from Yachats or Eugene. The Lane Transit District is increasing the frequency of bus stops around Florence from one hour to every 30 minutes because of increasing post-pandemic ridership, the agency said in a news release. Rhody Express buses travel a north

Sheriff’s deputies arrest Siletz man Sunday on variety of charges

June 16, 2024

On Sunday, June 16, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office learned through community contacts that 36-year-old James Kelly was inside a residence owned by his twin brother, Keith Kelly, in Siletz. Local Law Enforcement have been attempting to apprehend James on multiple warrants issued for his arrest, many calls of community concern, and in relation to a crime Keith Kelly was

68th annual Beachcomber Days parade, car show, vendors and timber competitors take over downtown Waldport

June 16, 2024

WALDPORT — Crowds lined the major roads through downtown Waldport Saturday for the hour-long parade that kicked off the community’s 68th annual Beachcomber Days. There were truck-drawn floats, horses, cars, lots of fire engines making noise, candy tossed to excited kids. After the hour-long parade, the crowd broke up to swamp the food court, look at offerings from dozens

Highway delineators (finally) coming this summer to south edge of Yachats

June 16, 2024

YACHATS — Pedestrian safety delineators along U.S. Highway 101 on the south edge of Yachats are expected to be installed this summer, the city council was told last week. The delineators separating pedestrians from traffic along U.S. Highway 101 will run in a solid line from Yachats River Road to the Yachats River bridge. When exactly the work will begin

Beverly Beach State Park closure extended to August

June 16, 2024

One of the most popular state parks and day-use areas on the Oregon coast just north of Newport has extended its closure through July due to construction delays, according to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Beverly Beach State Park seven miles north of Newport, has been closed since September and was expected to reopen July 1. Construction includes moving

Razor clamming reopens from Yachats north, but other harvests still closed

June 14, 2024

Razor clamming has reopened from Yachats to the Washington border and commercial oyster harvest reopens in Netarts and Tillamook bays, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Friday after two consecutive tests showed biotoxin levels below the closure limit. Bay clam and mussel harvesting remains closed coastwide due to high levels of the

Amendment to 30-year-old Northwest Forest Plan could bring changes to 630,000-acre Siuslaw National Forest

June 13, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Tumbling down from the highest mountain in the Coast Range to the edge of the Pacific Ocean is the Siuslaw National Forest – a verdant landscape that backdrops Lincoln County communities which rely upon it for recreation, water and timber. For years the coastal forest has been managed to protect older trees that harbor fish and

A look at the week of a YachatsNews reporter illustrates why more help (and fundraising) is critical for local news

June 13, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YachatsNews reporter Garret Jaros started his week on Sunday afternoon listening to a speaker at the Lions Club’s monthly series to see if there was more to a Eugene-based land conservation group’s growing presence on the central Oregon coast. Monday morning he was the only member of the public at the monthly meeting of the Yachats

Eugene cider company plans to open in shuttered Yachats Brewing building in early July

June 13, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Cider lovers will have something to celebrate this summer as WildCraft Cider Works of Eugene prepares to open shop in the closed Yachats Brewing building by the Fourth of July holiday. WildCraft owner Sean Kelly describes the Yachats’ opening as a collaboration between his business and building owner and former brewery operator Nathan Bernard.

Garbage rates going up 3.15 percent in Yachats and Waldport

June 13, 2024

Yachats and Waldport customers of Dahl Disposal will see a rate increase on their August bills after approval Wednesday and Thursday from city councils in the two towns. Toledo-based Dahl, which has 7,500 customers in Yachats, Waldport, Siletz, Toledo and unincorporated Lincoln County, requested permission to raise its rates 3.15 percent. Yachats customers using a 35-gallon cart will see a