Oregon lawmakers share details of $200 million housing package, which should reach House floor in early March

February 23, 2023

The Oregon Legislature is working on a $200 million spending package and policy changes to hasten home construction. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon lawmakers plan to spend nearly $200 million within the next few weeks to address housing and homelessness, describing it as a “down payment” with more to come. A trio of Democratic

Late winter storm drops 5-12 inches of snow on much of Lincoln County, downing trees, closing roads, schools and businesses

February 23, 2023

By KENNETH LIPP and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews The central Oregon coast was shut down Thursday by a surprisingly cold, strong storm that dropped 5 inches of snow in Newport and a foot or more in coastal valleys, knocking out power to thousands, closing schools and businesses and stopping highway travel to the Willamette Valley. Emergency service officials are worried that

Yachats finally looking to hire four administrative positions in city hall

February 23, 2023

YACHATS – After using temporary employees for more than two years, the city of Yachats is looking to fill four positions with union-scale salaries, state retirement benefits, medical insurance and paid time off. In an announcement Tuesday, the city said it wants to hire four administrative assistants for technical and confidential tasks. Those assistants will be paid $43,016 to $55,635

Bad weather forces postponement of Tuesday afternoon meeting on future of county park along the Alsea River

February 23, 2023

A meeting scheduled Tuesday afternoon to discuss the future of Lincoln County’s Don Lindly Park in Tidewater has been postponed for two weeks. County parks and the Oregon State Marine Board scheduled the meeting to gather public input on a redesign for a boat launch and parking lot planned for the largely undeveloped park along the Alsea River at about

Latest state revenue forecast: Record kicker, more available for budget

February 22, 2023

By PETER WONG/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregon lawmakers will have more to spend in the next two years, and taxpayers can anticipate record credits against their tax bills next year, under the latest forecast Wednesday by state economists. The report presented to lawmakers is preliminary to an official May 15 forecast, which lawmakers will rely on for their decisions

Want to volunteer? City of Yachats needs you for commissions, committees

February 22, 2023

YACHATS – The city of Yachats is looking for volunteers to fill eight vacancies on various committees and commissions. With budget season coming up, there are vacancies on both the city’s budget and finance committees. The city council hopes to appoint the last member of the budget committee during its first March session so it can schedule budget meetings during

Want to get involved? There are dozens of opportunities on special district boards now open in May election

February 22, 2023

They determine school or college policy. They oversee port operations, help make sure firefighters and their equipment can respond to emergencies, that water flows, or potholes are occasionally filled. These are the mostly low-profile special service districts, many of whose board members are up for election in May. Candidates could file starting Feb. 4 – some already have –

Snow and ice delays opening of 46th annual Newport Seafood & Wine Festival; now planning noon Friday start

February 22, 2023

Special weather-closure statement from the Newport Wine & Seafood Festival: Due to extreme weather conditions, the Newport Seafood & Wine Festival will delay its opening. We plan to open our doors at noon Friday. Safety is most important for our community, attendees, volunteers, and vendors. The roads are expected to get icy this evening. What does that mean for Thursday ticket

For the first time since pandemic, Oregon Health Authority will check to see who still qualifies for state Medicaid

February 21, 2023

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle For the first time in three years, the Oregon Health Authority is poised to examine its Medicaid rolls to determine who still qualifies for the free, taxpayer-funded health insurance program. When the pandemic hit, the federal government extended benefits to states that kept people on Medicaid, and in Oregon, those numbers have swelled by hundreds

Lawmakers, unions reach compromise on ending reimbursements for state employees living outside Oregon

February 21, 2023

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Public employee unions and state lawmakers have struck a deal on a proposal to stop state employees who moved out of state earlier in the pandemic from being reimbursed for traveling back to Oregon. Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, introduced Senate Bill 853 to ban the state from paying for travel costs for employees