Out-of-state visitors to Oregon parks will now pay 25 percent more

July 1, 2025

Travelers from outside Oregon will soon be paying a little extra to visit a state park. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission has approved a new rule that will increase camping and parking fees by 25 percent for out-of-state visitors, effective Tuesday, July 1. The new proposal comes on top of the department’s recent cost increase for all park users, which went into effect at

Lincoln County paying $325 a month for small office that banned commissioner does not plan to use

July 1, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle Lincoln County is paying $325 a month for a small, away-from-the-courthouse office for a county commissioner who has no intention of using it. Commissioner Casey Miller has been instructed not to use his courthouse office after allegations last September that he bullied employees and created a toxic work environment. An investigation later cleared Miller of

Oregon begins massive curbside recycling changes — but Lincoln County residents will have to wait a bit longer

July 1, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle The good news for residents of Lincoln County who have curbside recycling pickup is that they will soon be able to add yogurt and margarine tubs, milk cartons made of paper – even the ones with plastic pour spouts — soup boxes, buckets for cat food and litter and twist off caps. But hold on.

Despite the bans, July 4th fireworks at the coast overrun police agencies, who say they’ll focus on critical calls

July 1, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle Just to be clear — all fireworks but smoke bombs and sparklers are banned across all of Lincoln County with the exception of Siletz and Toledo — where fireworks legally sold in Oregon will be allowed. Again, except for those exceptions — whether on beaches, in campgrounds, state parks, forests, public lands, backyard barbeques, private

The long Independence Day weekend for local residents and thousands of visitors begins Thursday in Waldport and ends Sunday in Yachats

July 1, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO and CHERYL ROMANO/Lincoln Chronicle The motels and vacation rentals are booked. The campgrounds are full. Hamburgers and hotdogs are ready for the grill. The weather forecast is good. Everything is as ready as possible for the thousands of visitors expected to swarm the central Oregon coast for the long July 4th holiday. Many of those visitors

Minimum wage in Lincoln County increases to $15.05 per hour Tuesday

June 30, 2025

Oregon’s minimum wage rises by 35 cents an hour Tuesday, with Lincoln County’s increasing to $15.05 per hour. The state raises the minimum wage each July 1. This year’s standard increase is 2.4 percent — the smallest since 2015. That was the year before the Oregon Legislature approved seven annual increases in the minimum wage and mandated further increases

July 4 fireworks on Washington’s ocean beaches ignite debate over tradition, tourism and damage

June 30, 2025

By GREGORY SCRUGGS/Seattle Times LONG BEACH, Wash. — Like the opening salvo of the First Gulf War. That’s how Long Beach Police Chief Flint Wright describes the annual Independence Day scene that plays out on the beach in front of this Pacific County seaside town. Tens of thousands of Northwesterners descend on the Long Beach Peninsula annually because the public can

Central Lincoln PUD will break ground this fall on new $26.5 million Newport headquarters building

June 30, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/Lincoln Chronicle NEWPORT – Central Lincoln People’s Utility District has signed contracts to design and construct a new $26.5 million headquarters building adjacent to its current office along U.S. Highway 101. Recent decisions by the utility’s board to award architect, engineering and construction manager/general contractor contracts ends a nearly nine-year process to replace its 44-year-old headquarters. The

Lincoln City tourism agency awards $76,511 in grants to six groups

June 29, 2025

LINCOLN CITY — The city’s tourism destination organization has awarded $76,511 to six organizations as part of its annual grants for tourism projects that emphasize stewardship, accessibility and inclusion. The 2025-2026 Community Partnership Fund repeats the theme of prioritizing projects that emphasize stewardship, accessibility and diversity. This year’s recipients are: Cascade Head Biosphere Collaborative received $21,385 to fund a series of

Want to teach others what you know? OCCC offering you that chance

June 29, 2025

If you’ve ever considered teaching a class based on a skill, favorite subject, passion, or hobby, now’s the perfect time to give it a shot. Oregon Coast Community College is seeking proposals for its fall Community Education classes from artists, tinkerers, and everyday experts eager to share what they love — with no teaching experience required. Selected classes will be