Federal agency begins process of possibly ending power generation at some of 13 Willamette Valley dams

September 17, 2023

BY ZACH URNESS/Salem Statesman Journal The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is studying the possibility of ending hydropower production at its system of dams in the Willamette River Basin. The federal agency manages the dams and reservoirs, mostly located on tributaries east of Salem and Eugene, primarily for flood control. But the dams are also used for water storage, recreation

New Oregon legislation will help restore more critical coastal estuaries

September 17, 2023

To the editor: A juvenile coho salmon leapt out of the water in front of us just minutes after we finished removing a dike upstream from Toledo – the first wild fish to ride the afternoon tide to the marsh we were restoring along the Yaquina River. It was an incredible sight. Not often in the restoration world, do we

Waldport gallery owner launches art contest for teen-agers

September 17, 2023

WALDPORT — Teens in Waldport, Yachats and Tidewater can showcase their artistic talent in a new event created by gallery owner/photographer Donna Bader. The South County Youth Art Contest and Show is aimed at young people in two age groups: 12-15 and 16-18. In categories for painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and mixed media, entrants can have their works judged

12 homeless and housing organizations in Lincoln County receive $857,179 as part of $26 million state allocation

September 14, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Twelve organizations in Lincoln County that provide a range of services to the homeless have received a total of $856,179 from the state to help fund operations this winter and into 2024. The money is another slice of the more than $200 million allocated by the 2023 Legislature for homelessness. On Tuesday, Gov. Tina Kotek announced

Yachats implements modest water restrictions after flows in Reedy and Salmon creeks drops below 275 gallons per minute

September 14, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Drought conditions led to the Yachats city council declaring a phase 1 water-shortage emergency Wednesday, which means water customers will need to moderately curtail watering lawns, gardens and landscapes and shut off fountains that do not recirculate water. The declaration requires residents to water on alternating days based on the last number of their

November trial set for Yachats man charged with encouraging child sex abuse

September 14, 2023

A three-day trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 29 in Lincoln County circuit court for a 37-year-old Yachats man arrested in May after being indicted by a grand jury on 15 counts of encouraging child sex abuse. Joshua L. Slauf has pleaded not guilty to the charges and is being held in the Lincoln County Jail with bail of $250,000.

Oregon’s attorney general sues Fox Corp. saying its false elections claims led to retirement fund losses

September 13, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum is suing Fox Corp., alleging that false claims about the 2020 election broadcast on Fox News caused losses to the state’s employee retirement funds. Rosenblum and Treasurer Tobias Read, who oversees state investment accounts, began investigating Fox and preparing for a lawsuit in June. Their suit, filed Tuesday in the

Want to help central coast beaches? SOLVE’s annual cleanup is Saturday at locations all along Lincoln County

September 13, 2023

From grabbing a few pieces of litter to drop into a public waste bin after a solo beach walk to participating in the large SOLVE cleanups held every year, many Oregonians help keep the coast’s natural areas from being overwhelmed by trash. On Saturday, Sept. 16, people can help celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day by choosing from one of

Chinook Winds Casino hosting annual event Friday and Saturday honoring active duty military and veterans

September 13, 2023

LINCOLN CITY — For the past 20 years, Chinook Winds Casino Resort has spearheaded the Annual Celebration of Honor, a public event that honors active duty personnel, military veterans and their families. On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 15-16, visitors will find the casino grounds specially decorated and dedicated to the event. The Veteran Services tent will return from 10

Final trek of 33-year-old Cycle Oregon “classic” brings 1,000 riders through Toledo, Newport, Waldport and Tidewater this week

September 13, 2023

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews More than 1,000 cyclists will sweep into Toledo, Newport and through Waldport on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday as the week-long “classic” edition of Cycle Oregon pedals to the end of its 33-year run. Riders, who started their sojourn with a Sunday send-off in Albany, will spend their final layover day either enjoying a quiet day in