Food banks in Yachats, Waldport and Newport see increasing numbers of the working poor asking for help this winter

December 22, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews About 18 months ago, the Yachats Food Pantry found itself with more groceries than clients. “If you’re hungry, please come,” urged the pantry leader, reminding people of the free food available three days a week. How things have changed. Now, like food banks across Lincoln County, Oregon and the nation, the pantry operated out of Yachats

In its last — and shortest — meeting of 2022, Yachats councilors praise outgoing mayor and fellow council member

December 22, 2022

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com YACHATS – Yachats council members said goodbye to two of their members Wednesday, praising appointee Anthony Muirhead for his character and Leslie Vaaler for her attention to detail and integrity. Muirhead, the general manager of the Adobe resort who was appointed to fill Vaaler’s seat on the council in February 2021, came in third in a

With generous donations and many hands, five Yachats homeless shelters rise in just hours, could open in three weeks

December 22, 2022

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — Just 33 days after the City Council agreed to help pay for a homeless shelter, a giant truck backed into the rear parking lot of the Yachats Community Presbyterian Church. Just three hours after that, five shelters had walls and roofs up, almost ready to shield the homeless from winter weather. The prefabricated units

Oregon Gov-elect Kotek hears about housing, health, education needs on first statewide tour stop in Yamhill County

December 22, 2022

Gov.-elect Tina Kotek, center, participates in a conversation about early childhood education needs at the Head Start of Yamhill County. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle) BY JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle McMINNVILLE– Gov.-elect Tina Kotek launched a 36-county listening tour in Yamhill County on Wednesday, hearing from leaders at a community clinic, preschool and local government office that they need money, trained

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown forgives $1.8 million in uncollected traffic fines to allow 7,000 drivers to get licenses back

December 22, 2022

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle Gov. Kate Brown has forgiven more than $1.8 million in unpaid court fines and fees in traffic violations that, until now, prevented nearly 7,000 Oregonians from getting their driver’s license reinstated. The action on Wednesday allows them to seek reinstatement of their driver’s license through the Oregon Driver & Motor Vehicle Services agency. The move

Oregon State Parks will have staff, volunteers at 17 whale watching sites for five days starting Wednesday

December 22, 2022

For the first time in two years, Oregon State Parks will have staff and volunteers at 17 locations along the Oregon coast for its “Whale Watch Week” starting Wednesday through Sunday, Jan. 1. Park rangers and volunteers will be at the official sites – although experienced whale watchers can use any unobstructed view, of course — along the Oregon

Aylesworth named new head of Oregon marine reserves program

December 22, 2022

NEWPORT — Lindsay Aylesworth, a long-time ocean researcher, has been named to lead the state’s Marine Reserves program. Aylesworth, who had been serving as interim program leader since June, takes over for Cristen Don, who left the program earlier this year. Oregon has five designated marine reserves, which fall under the purview of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Lincoln County gets $2 million to help with Echo Mountain fire housing

December 22, 2022

Lincoln County has received $2 million to speed recovery in areas impacted by the September 2020 wildfires with a focus on affordable housing for low- and medium-income survivors. An agreement with Oregon Housing and Community Services was on Lincoln County commissioners’ consent agenda Dec. 14, allocating money from more than $150 million authorized by the 2021 Oregon Legislature. House Bill

Congress allocates $60 million for Newport dam replacement

December 22, 2022

Both houses of the U.S. Congress have authorized $60 million in funding for Newport’s dam replacement project as part of an omnibus bill. The Senate passed the $858 billion National Defense Authorization Act last week, which included an amended 2023 Water Resources Development Act. Both the U.S. House and Senate passed versions of the Water Resources Development Act last July.

Yachats resident sues contractor for $2.5 million after crash that cost her three fingers, numerous other injuries

December 22, 2022

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews A Yachats resident is suing an Otis excavation company for $2.5 million after she slid on ice into its parked trailer along U.S. Highway 101 near Wakonda Beach last year, piercing her vehicle “like a spear” with the trailer’s pointed end and amputating three of her fingers. According to a civil complaint filed in Lincoln County