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

Governor-elect names Health Share CEO as interim director of Oregon Health Authority

December 13, 2022

James Schroeder, CEO of Health Share of Oregon, the state’s largest Medicaid insurer, will become the interim director of the Oregon Health Authority on Jan. 10. BY LYNNE TERRY and BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle Gov.-elect Tina Kotek will appoint a 20-year health care veteran to lead the Oregon Health Authority in early January, at least temporarily. In a statement

Waldport man in jail on multiple felony accusations of assault

December 13, 2022

WALDPORT — A 40-year-old Waldport man is being held on $250,000 bond for allegedly assaulting his wife on multiple occasions, strangling her and blackening her eyes with a cell phone. Jacob P. Reimer was arraigned Monday in Lincoln County Circuit Court on seven charges, including a Class B felony count of second-degree assault with a weapon, as well as two

Yachats shelter program gets $20,000 boost from county

December 13, 2022

Lincoln County commissioners have approved $80,000 from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to help emergency winter shelter programs in Yachats, Newport and Lincoln City. Newport’s Grace Wins Haven and Coastal Support Services of Lincoln City will each get $30,000 for hotel voucher programs. Lincoln City has a warming shelter that opens when the nighttime temperature dips below 40

Lincoln County allocates $100,000 to help child care providers

December 13, 2022

NEWPORT — Lincoln County will use some of its millions in federal relief funds to help current and prospective providers increase local child care availability. The $100,000 approved by Lincoln County commissioners Dec. 7 aims to incentivize child care providers to add slots to their rolls or to encourage new startups. Individual grants of up to $15,000 can go toward

Oregon prepares for the launch of a new paid leave program for employees

December 12, 2022

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle Oregon workers will see paycheck deductions in January for a new state program that will provide paid leave to employees. The program, called Paid Leave Oregon, will give employees paid time off for a serious illness or injury, the birth or adoption of a child, caring for a seriously ill family member or dealing with