Portland-based vacation rental company laying off 800 workers

May 10, 2024

Portland-based vacation rental company Vacasa is laying off 800 workers – though most are not based in Oregon. The cuts represent 40 percent of Vacasa’s corporate and central operations jobs, and about 6 percent of its field personnel, the company announced in a letter sent to shareholders Thursday. These layoffs come after a punishing start to 2024 for the company.

Gov. Tina Kotek abandons two nominations to Oregon forestry board after pushback

May 10, 2024

By DIRK VANDERHART/Oregon Public Broadcasting Gov. Tina Kotek abruptly pulled back this week on a pair of nominations to the board that oversees Oregon forest policy, after blowback from environmental groups over one of her picks. Kotek had planned to tap two men for the state Board of Forestry who have often been on opposite sides of debates over how

After two searches, Oregon governor appoints insider to lead state water department

May 10, 2024

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — After two searches within the last year, including a national sweep for top water managers, Gov. Tina Kotek has settled on an insider to oversee management of Oregon’s water, one of its most valuable resources. Kotek said in a news release Wednesday she has appointed Ivan Gall, a longtime manager in the Water

Need help from social service agencies? A dozen will be in Waldport Tuesday to help connect you

May 9, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews WALDPORT — If you know someone in need, the kindest thing you might do is give them a ride to an event in Waldport next week. Almost a dozen agencies will gather from 2-5 p.m. Tuesday at DaNoble House, 125 N.W. Spruce St., to help people in south Lincoln County connect with shelter, food, senior and

Lincoln County’s six specialty courts aim to help people stay out of jail and get their lives back on track

May 9, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews NEWPORT – Daniel Neustel died five years ago in Eugene from an overdose of Xanax and methadone. A friend found him on the couch and called 911 before rolling him to the floor and administering CPR until paramedics arrived. Paramedics used Naloxone, a medicine that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose, to resuscitate him. “I was dead,

Yachats Library closes for three weeks as some items move to Commons; demolition possible in July

May 9, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — The Yachats Library closed its doors to the public this week as volunteers began boxing up and moving some of the collection to Room 8 in the Commons for up to a year. The temporary location will open May 29, when patrons can resume browsing a much smaller collection of books and some periodicals.

Now that your ballot has arrived, here’s a rundown of who and what are seeking your vote

May 9, 2024

There’s a little bit of everything on the May 21 primary election ballot for the more than 41,000 registered voters in Lincoln County – choices for political office and a handful of pocketbook issues. During a presidential year primary that includes races for low-profile statewide offices, there’s a bit more to chew on for Lincoln County voters. There’s a five-way

Emergency responders hold big exercise next week at Newport airport

May 9, 2024

NEWPORT — In the largest exercise of its kind on the Oregon coast, a variety of local, state and federal agencies will conduct a two-day exercise next week to introduce and train first responders and volunteers in the deployment of an evacuation center now housed at the Newport airport. Agencies involved include Lincoln County Emergency Management, the Oregon Department of

Lincoln City theater group opens five-week run of thought-provoking comedy “Bakersfield Mist”

May 9, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY Theatre West of Lincoln City will tackle deep topics with a lighthearted touch when it presents “Bakersfield Mist,” opening for a five-week run Thursday. Written by Stephen Sachs and directed by Bonnie Ross, the hilarious and thought-provoking comedy asks vital questions about what makes art and people truly authentic. “From Michelangelo to Frank Zappa, the

Food Share of Lincoln County holding annual “BeJeweled” fundraising sale on Saturday

May 9, 2024

By Oregon Coast TODAY Looking for a fun Mother’s Day weekend activity that can also help those in need? The annual fundraiser for Food Share of Lincoln County has thousands of second-hand jewelry for sale. The 15th annual “BeJeweled” second-hand jewelry sale, the annual fundraiser for Food Share of Lincoln County, is taking place Saturday, May 11, at Central