New group of government and corporate leaders exploring ways to help Oregon workers, businesses

March 18, 2020

By SAM STITES/Oregon Capital Bureau A team of Oregon’s top government and business leaders are looking at every state program and agency to confront the economic erosion created by the outbreak of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Gov. Kate Brown convened her 28-member Coronavirus Economic Advisory Council that comprises the heads of state agencies, executives of Oregon’s major business groups, leaders of

Oregon Health Authority sets up temporary, emergency hospital at state fairgrounds in Salem

March 18, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/The Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon is erecting a 250-bed temporary hospital in Salem so as to free up other hospital beds around the state for coronavirus patients. The Oregon Medical Station is a mobile emergency hospital that the state purchased several years ago in case of a health crisis. Gov. Kate Brown said the facility, which is

Oregon governor extends school closure until April 28; Lincoln County district will continue with meal service

March 17, 2020

By the Oregon Capital Bureau and YachatsNews.com Oregon’s schools now are closed for six weeks. Gov. Kate Brown announced the extended school closure late Tuesday, hours after talking with reporters by phone and announcing that 150 of the state’s 197 school districts had found ways to provide meals to children. On Monday, Brown had said she was still considering whether

Vital Bites, Yachats’ newest dining option, opens just in time for take-out only restrictions

March 17, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com The future looked bright for Yachats’ newest dining option, until the coronavirus pandemic changed the daily menu of life for everyone. Vital Bites Kitchen, a meal preparation and catering firm run by a mother/daughter duo, started operating out of the kitchen at Outta Gas Pizza last month. Under its innovative business model, customers place orders and pay

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log March 9-15

March 16, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20074869 03/09/2020 17:46 Officer #52129 LARSON, ERIC DUII – Alcohol Location 101, Mile post 123 123 NB, LINCOLN OR USA Narrative Summary On the evening of March 9, 2020, the Oregon State Police responded to a four vehicle traffic crash blocking Hwy 101 near mile post 123. The crash investigation found UNIT # 1 (red Chevrolet sedan), UNIT

Coastal reaction to Oregon governor’s restaurant dining ban is mixed; some try to stay open

March 16, 2020

By SAM STITES/Oregon Capital Bureau Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Monday banned on-site consumption of food and drink at restaurants and bars, a 180-degree turn from indications she gave earlier in the day that she would not order closures or curfews. Brown’s order, which takes effect Tuesday, allows restaurants to offer delivery or takeout service. But across Oregon, many restaurants were electing to

Yachats council votes 3-2 to seek general contractor for 501 Building remodel

March 16, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO and QUINTON SMITH/YachtsNews.com The Yachats City Council is moving ahead to seek a general contractor to provide estimates to renovate the vacant 501 Building for city offices. After a long and contentious work session and meeting on the topic Friday, the council voted 3-2 to authorize City Manager Shannon Beaucaire to seek proposals from general

Yachats closes Commons building, city offices, library and Little Log Church

March 15, 2020

The city of Yachats, which had attempted to keep its buildings open in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, announced Monday it was closing city offices, the library and the Little Log Church to the public. On Tuesday the city said the Commons would follow suit and close to all activity. The outbreak and advice for people to keep their

Oregon records its first coronavirus death Saturday as shutdowns spread across state

March 15, 2020

By LES ZAITZ/Oregon Capital Bureau A 70-year-old veteran died Saturday at a Portland hospital from COVID-19, the first known fatality in Oregon as the number of people testing positive for the disease continues to increase. Oregon officials said the patient, who had underlying health conditions, was diagnosed on March 10 and died at the Portland Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center. “The

Newport hospital Thursday tightens restrictions on all visitors

March 14, 2020

NEWPORT – Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital on Thursday instituted even tighter restrictions on all visitors to the hospital and outpatient care areas in order to protect patients and staff and limit potential exposure to the novel coronavirus and flu. There are currently no known cases of the coronavirus in Lincoln County. If a patient meets one of the limited exceptions