Oregon’s 988 suicide prevention hotline sees 33 percent jump in calls since service began a year ago

July 15, 2023

Texting 9-8-8: If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 for free, immediate support 24/7. By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle The new 988 suicide prevention hotline marked its first year in Oregon with a 33% increase in calls from people in crisis. The Oregon Health Authority

Gun store owners, two advocacy groups appeal federal judge’s ruling on Oregon’s BM 114

July 14, 2023

A federal judge ruled Friday that Oregon’s voter-approved tighter gun laws requiring a permit to purchase a firearm and limits on magazine size are constitutional. On Monday, her ruling was appealed by the two gun store owners and two gun rights advocacy groups that brought the case. The appeal is unsurprising and sends the case on to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court

Shortage of defense attorneys in Lincoln County leaves 160 indigent defendants without court representation

July 13, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews The passage of emergency legislation providing $96 million to restructure Oregon’s public defense commission may take a while to impact a shortage of public defenders and a significant backlog of criminal cases in Lincoln County. What kind of impact the infusion of money from the 2023 Legislature will make, when that will happen and whether it

A real “Monuments Man”, staff, volunteers and public support keep 101-year-old Waldport library busy, busy busy

July 13, 2023

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews WALDPORT — George Clooney and Matt Damon don’t hang out at the Waldport Public Library — but a tribute to someone responsible for one of their movies does. And in a way, it symbolizes how regard for the past is helping propel the library into the future. Mark Sponenburgh of Oregon was one of the real-life heroes

Salem lands its first commercial air service in 15 years as Avelo Airlines announces flights to Las Vegas and Burbank

July 13, 2023

By ABBEY McDONALD/The Salem Reporter SALEM — Avelo Airlines will begin flights to Las Vegas and Los Angeles this fall, returning commercial air service to Oregon’s capital after a years-long, multi-million dollar effort by the city, local businesses and tourism groups. The first flight is planned for Oct. 5 to Las Vegas, with twice-weekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. Flights

Lincoln County sheriff drops fundraising affiliation with trafficking group

July 13, 2023

From the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office After concerns were brought to our attention from community members regarding our recent fundraising efforts with Operation Underground Railroad (OUR) to establish an Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 program locally, our team followed up with additional research. Though we will still be working to establish an ESD K9 program, we will no longer be

Deadline for Yachats council application is 1 p.m. Monday

July 13, 2023

YACHATS — Applications for the vacant Yachats City Council position are due to city hall by 1 p.m. Monday, July 17. Only two people have applied so far. Kathryn Torrence is a retired nurse with experience in consultation and facilitating work groups in documenting for providers best practices for patient outcomes. Barry Collins is a retired attorney who spent the

Will Yachats’ next city manager have to walk on water to get the job? Council, recruiting firm go over long list of attributes

July 13, 2023

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – The next full-time Yachats city manager needs to be a good communicator and facilitator who is in step with the environmental and cultural sensitivity the town prides itself on. Those were crucial qualities the mayor and two council members stressed to Jensen Strategies staff as they reviewed the documents the Portland-based recruiting firm had

New study by OSU researchers warns of increasing incidental catches of salmon in big Pacific hake fishery

July 13, 2023

By MICHELLE KLAMPE/OSU News Service NEWPORT – Rates of incidental catches of Chinook salmon in the Pacific hake fishery rise during years when ocean temperatures are warmer, a signal that climate change and increased frequency of marine heatwaves could lead to higher bycatch rates, new research indicates. During years when sea surface temperatures were higher, including during a marine

Toledo’s annual three-day Summer Festival & Logging Show begins Thursday with sidewalk chalk contest for kids

July 13, 2023

By Oregon Coast TODAY TOLEDO — Everyone remembers being told not to run with scissors as a child. Chainsaws on the other hand? Mom never said anything about running with chainsaws. The chainsaw steeple chase is just one of the eye-popping attractions at this weekend’s Toledo Summer Festival & Logging Show, alongside a carnival, Main Street parade and a