House passes bill to remove one more hurdle to Siletz hunting, fishing rights

December 14, 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation this week to provide the legal ability for the Siletz Tribe and the state of Oregon to change a legal clause that has severely limited the hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering abilities of tribal members. The bill sponsored by Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore. allows the Siletz Tribe to return to federal court to

Oregon Coast CC asks voters in May to approve $33.16 million bond to build trades/technical center

December 14, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Oregon Coast Community College hopes the second time is the charm. The OCCC board voted unanimously Wednesday night to ask voters in May to approve a $33.16 million bond to build what is calling a “cutting-edge” trade and technical education center on its main Newport campus. The bond would be for 21 years. The proposal replaces

Owner of Underground Pub in Yachats closes it suddenly, surprising employees and customers

December 14, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – The Yachats Underground Pub & Grub, a favorite local watering hole and music venue, has closed. The sudden and unexpected closure came the evening of Dec. 6 after a cash register malfunction led to words between a bartender and owner David Lothrop, who witnesses say berated the bartender in front of customers. The bartender

BOLI settled racial discrimination lawsuit from second ex-employee under now-congresswoman Val Hoyle

December 13, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries this fall settled a lawsuit from a second former employee who alleged racial hostility under then-commissioner and current Congresswoman Val Hoyle. The state’s $425,000 settlement with Shaina Pomerantz, who worked for the bureau for about eight months in 2020, includes an apology letter from current Commissioner

Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday will discuss banning personal fireworks — and ask cities to do the same

December 13, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Saying that public sentiment and safety concerns are turning against widespread use of personal fireworks, Lincoln County commissioners are moving to ban their sale and use anywhere in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners are also encouraging the seven cities in the county to do the same. At the urging of commissioner Casey Miller, the three-member

“The Christmas Show” returns to Newport PAC with three crowd-pleasing performances this weekend

December 13, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — “The Christmas Show” by the Red Octopus Theatre Company has turned into a tradition that the central Oregon coast community looks forward to each December. The show returns to the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday through Sunday, Dec. 15-17. Due to its increasing popularity, what started out as a one-night-only event many

5 Questions and a Secret: New book author Jay V. Chambers of Yachats

December 13, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews For almost five years, customers at the Yachats Mercantile store have been used to seeing only one side of Jay Chambers — the side that works the cash register, helps them find things and orders hardware. Now, though, the world is getting a different view — Jay V. Chambers, book author. He’s the writer/illustrator of Mistaken

Yachats Fire District looking to fill board vacancy after longtime member’s resignation

December 13, 2023

YACHATS – The Yachats Rural Fire District is looking to fill a board seat that will become vacant Dec. 31 with the resignation of longtime member Betty Johnston of Yachats. Johnston, 83, announced her resignation in October and attended her final board meeting Monday during which other members voted unanimously to create a title for her as “board member emeritus.”

A year-end tax deductible donation can help YachatsNews cover more local news for you

December 12, 2023

To YachatsNews readers: There are a lot of worthy organizations peppering you this month for end-of-the-year tax deductible donations. YachatsNews, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is respectfully joining those groups to see if there’s anything left in your giving budget after donating to your other preferred organizations. Here’s why. As other media outlets, especially local newspapers, shrink in staff and coverage,

Seashore Literacy’s Green Bike Co-op again playing Santa to dozens of south county children

December 12, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews WALDPORT — Some of Santa’s best helpers work out of a building on Grant Street in Waldport. That’s where volunteer elves with the Green Bike Co-op have been working to give away about 45 bicycles to young children in south Lincoln County this season. For over 12 years, the nonprofit group has been granting the two-wheeled