Oregon legislators hear pleas to help fund drug and alcohol treatment centers, including one in Newport

March 14, 2023

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — In Lincoln County, nearly one in 20 adults have an addiction. Yet the county lacks a residential facility to house and treat people who suffer from drug and alcohol addictions, forcing them to seek help in Baker City, which is sometimes the closest option but far from family and friends. County and

New Waldport regulations on takeout food containers will go into effect July 1 after city council vote

March 13, 2023

WALDPORT — Get ready to ditch those foam and plastic food takeout containers July 1. The city of Waldport officially moved ahead with a tough, new ordinance on most food containers during a brief city council hearing and unanimous vote last week. The quick action – there was no opposition — followed a more detailed presentation and longer discussion

Dwindling Chinook stocks forces ODFW to cancel commercial and some recreational salmon fishing along much of the Oregon coast

March 12, 2023

By ALANNA MADDON/Courthouse News Service An extremely low “abundance” of California Chinook salmon stocks and projected low spawning escapements has led to the cancellation of the upcoming commercial and recreational salmon fishing season along much of the Oregon coast. The announcement Thursday came in two parts from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, with both actions canceling fishing seasons

Waldport library announces contest for young writers with $200 top prize

March 12, 2023

WALDPORT — Continuing its tradition of more than 10 years, the Waldport Public Library is urging young writers to “Find Your Voice” in the 2023 Young Writers’ Competition. This year, the theme aligns with the summer reading program theme, and the prompt or premise is “How will you find your voice?” detailed as “What matters to you? Do you express

School district puts downtown Waldport property back on the market — getting same interest plus donation request from fire district

March 12, 2023

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews The Lincoln County School District has put its 2.81-acre property in downtown Waldport back on the market – and already has two offers that led it to pull the listing last fall. In addition to two purchase offers, however, the Central Coast Fire & Rescue District Volunteer Association is asking the district to donate the property

Former college president urges yes vote on trades bond in May election

March 12, 2023

To the editor: This May, Lincoln County residents have the opportunity to vote yes on a trades training bond at Oregon Coast Community College. Now is the time to add training facilities in Lincoln County that will support career training in skilled trades needed locally and statewide, such as welding/fabrication, construction, maritime engineering, mechatronics and other vocational trades. Providing these

After some debate over concepts and specifics, Yachats city council adopts six goals for 2023

March 11, 2023

YACHATS — The Yachats city council has adopted its goals for the year, opting for broader concepts and excluding more specific objectives. The council began its March 3 work session relatively far apart on what form the goals should take. Mayor Craig Berdie and councilor Catherine Whitten-Carey favored a more detailed product, breaking down overall goals into measurable outcomes,

No Labels Party qualifies to run candidates in Oregon elections

March 10, 2023

By OREGON CAPITAL CHRONICLE SALEM — A centrist political group that Democrats fear could spoil President Joe Biden’s re-election is now a recognized Oregon political party. The No Labels Party of Oregon gathered enough petition signatures to be recognized as a minor political party, the Elections Division of the Oregon Secretary of State’s office announced Friday. That means that the

Can disappearing sea stars be treated and saved? Staff at Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport believe they have found a solution

March 9, 2023

By DINO GRANDOI/The Washington Post NEWPORT — In an old industrial warehouse, Tiffany Rudek leans into a chest-high tank. Using a laminated card, she gently pries a red-speckled sea star from the enclosure’s bright blue walls. The starfish was reluctant, clinging with its tiny, tubular feet. “It’s delicate to move them,” said Rudek, an aquarist at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Dozens of public members tell county, state officials that plans to redevelop Alsea River park are a bit too much

March 9, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The message from the public during a first meeting about the future of Don Lindly Park was clear — maintain the rustic nature of the 10-acre parcel with 1,800 feet of water frontage eight miles up the Alsea River. Dozens joined the online Zoom meeting Thursday hosted by Lincoln County parks supervisor Kelly Perry