Lincoln County commissioners resume work on controversial vacation rental rules — and schedule first discussion of limits

December 15, 2022

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews Vacation rental owners in unincorporated Lincoln County have a new set of rules to follow next year, as county commissioners prepare for the most controversial aspect of a 2021 ordinance — determining limits on the number of short-term rental licenses allowed in seven areas. Lincoln County commissioners held a brief workshop Monday to discuss staff work

Harney County judge issues temporary injunction Thursday blocking implementation of BM 114 on Oregon gun rules

December 15, 2022

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle A Harney County Circuit Court judge on Thursday blocked a new voter-approved Oregon law banning the sale of large-capacity firearms magazines with more than 10 rounds from taking effect while court arguments proceed. Judge Robert Raschio’s preliminary injunction also stops the state from enforcing other parts of Measure 114, including a permit system that will

Monsanto and Oregon agree to $698 million settlement to end lawsuit over chemical pollution

December 15, 2022

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Monsanto Co. will pay Oregon a $698 million settlement to end litigation tied to its alleged role in polluting the state with toxic chemicals that still remain in landfills and riverbeds decades later. The settlement is the largest environmental damage recovery in Oregon history, Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Thursday. For more

Elliott State Forest, Oregon’s oldest state forest, will no longer be logged to provide funding for schools

December 15, 2022

A view from the Elliott State Research Forest near Coos Bay. By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle A state forest with some of the last and largest swathes of old-growth trees in the Oregon Coast Range will no longer be logged to help pay for the public schools. A vote from the State Land Board made the decision official Wednesday, following

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown commutes 17 death sentences — including Waldport killer — and ends death row

December 14, 2022

By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — For more than 10 years, Oregon governors have enforced a moratorium on executions. In one of her last acts as governor, Kate Brown went a step further, announcing Tuesday that she will commute the sentences of the 17 people on Oregon’s death row. The list includes a Waldport man, Christian Longo, now 48,

YachatsNews transitions to 501c3 nonprofit, hires full-time reporter, seeks donations and posts operating policies

December 14, 2022

Editorial Independence Policy, February 2023 We subscribe to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News. Our organization retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied

Lincoln County schools superintendent announces retirement June 30 after five years of change, crises and recovery

December 13, 2022

By KENNETH LIPP/YachatsNews Lincoln County schools’ superintendent will retire June 30 after five years leading the district, including facing two major crises for much of her tenure. Superintendent Karen Gray announced her impending retirement Tuesday night during the regular meeting of the Lincoln County School District board meeting in Newport. She segued into the news as part of a

Oregon judge upholds temporary restraining order on Measure 114 permits, will rule on rest of issues by Friday

December 13, 2022

By CONRAD WILSON and LILLIAN MONGEAU HIGHES/Oregon Public Broadcasting The same Oregon judge who temporarily blocked Measure 114 from becoming law last week, heard arguments on Tuesday in Burns over whether the voter-approved measure should be put on hold for months – or longer – as a legal challenge brought by gun groups makes its way through the courts. Less than

Yachats’ “open mic” night returns Sunday after two-year absence

December 13, 2022

YACHATS — Thanks to a grant obtained by Polly Plumb Productions, “Open mic night” is returning to town after a pandemic absence. Musician Ian Smith of Yachats will emcee the proceedings at Yachats Presbyterian Church at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, once again giving singers, musicians and readers of poetry and the spoken word the chance to perform. The free,

Oregon reaches $173 million settlement with pharmacy companies in opioid lawsuit

December 13, 2022

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon will receive as much as $173 million to prevent and treat addiction and substance use disorder as part of three national settlements with pharmacy chains involved in the opioid epidemic, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum said Monday. Oregon’s share comes from $13.7 billion in three national settlements Rosenblum and other attorneys general have reached