A long-shot Eastern Oregon effort to join Idaho reflects the growing American divide

September 7, 2023

Along a highway just south of Fox, Oregon, ranch owners post their support for the movement to join Idaho. If eastern Oregon succeeds in joining Idaho, it could breathe life into similar secessionist movements nationwide. By MATT VASILOGAMBROS/Stateline News Service ENTERPRISE — This small ranching town, surrounded by towering tree-topped mountains and a valley of rolling grass fields, sits

British theater company brings new comedy to Newport PAC’s movie screen

September 7, 2023

NEWPORT — National Theatre Live, the award-winning program that brings the best of British theater to screens around the world, delivers the new comedy, “Jack Absolute Flies Again” to the Newport Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The production was filmed before a live audience in London and will be shown on the big screen in the Alice

Sheriff’s office asks public’s help to find Yachats man missing since late July

September 6, 2023

YACHATS — The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in locating a 45-year-old Yachats man who has been missing for more than seven weeks. Deputies in Lincoln and Lane counties have been searching for Dustin Steyding of Yachats, who hasn’t been seen since he left work on July 22. In a news release Tuesday, the sheriff’s office

Alaska man killed in Highway 20 crash Tuesday evening

September 6, 2023

An Alaska man was killed Tuesday evening when he swerved into oncoming traffic on U.S. Highway 20 four miles east of Newport and collided with a pickup truck. Killed was James R. Lebo, 70, of Wrangell, Alaska, Oregon State Police said. Police said their preliminary investigation indicated that Lebo was driving east in a Suzuki Sidekick about 5 p.m. Tuesday

Samaritan, contractor settle multi-million flooring dispute at Newport hospital

September 6, 2023

NEWPORT — A legal dispute between a Colorado contractor and Samaritan Pacific Health Services has been resolved through mediation, opening the way for most flooring to be replaced inside the three-story tower at Samaritan’s Newport hospital. Work will begin later this year and is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete, the hospital said in a news release

More public meetings scheduled in southern Oregon on proposed wind projects

September 6, 2023

Three in-person public meetings later this month will provide opportunities for the pubic and various interest groups to comment on federal proposals to build wind-energy platforms off the southern Oregon coast. The meetings coincide with the start of an extended, 60-day public review and comment period regarding the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s proposal to create to so-called “call

Newport center offering 10-week after-school acting program for kids this fall

September 6, 2023

NEWPORT – Ever want to have your child try acting – on the stage? You’ll have a chance this fall at the Newport Performing Arts Center. The new “PAC Players” 10-week after-school theater program is offered after school on Wednesdays from 3-5 p.m. beginning Sept. 20. Students in third through fifth grades are invited to unleash their creativity, ignite

Oregon regulators set 2024 rates for health insurance plans; average rates increase 6.2%

September 5, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The average Oregonian who buys health insurance on the individual marketplace will see costs increase 6.2% in 2024 after state regulators approved final rates. That’s a slightly smaller increase than last year’s 6.7%, but insurance rates for small businesses will increase slightly more than they did in 2023. The Oregon Division of Financial

Yachats trails leader and advocate for Native American truths wins national award from state parks directors

September 5, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — She’s a self-described “country bumpkin” who hates the spotlight. But Joanne Kittel will have to endure heaps of attention at a Lake Tahoe resort this month when the National Association of State Park Directors presents the Yachats resident with its highest individual honor — the President’s Award. “I was in shock,” Kittel

Health foundation holds Sept. 16 meeting on its charitable “Giving Circle”

September 4, 2023

NEWPORT – The Pacific Communities Health District Foundation is holding a meeting Thursday, Sept. 14 to explain and recruit people to be part of its annual “Giving Circle” fundraising campaign. The event is 5-7 p.m. at the Samaritan Center for Health Education in Newport Participation is open to any individual interested in actively supporting the health and well-being of the