Reconstruction of Newport hospital enters last phase with demolition of 1951 Building

March 10, 2020

NEWPORT – The three-year construction project that is remaking Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital entered its third and final phase this week. The hospital structure known as the 1951 Building closed to patients and visitors this week as workers begin the process of tearing it down. The building was a former nursing home used as the original hospital. Samaritan Health Services finished the

Yachats library commission selects consultant for community study, expansion plan

March 10, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats Library Commission has found the consultant to help it find out what the community wants, what an expanded library might look like, how its various constituencies might be organized – and then hopefully find more money to do all that. The short-handed commission voted 3-0 last week to negotiate a contract with consultant Penny Hummel

Cape Perpetua speakers series cancels March talks over coronavirus fears

March 9, 2020

The Cape Perpetua Speaker’s series has cancelled its talks for the rest of March over concerns with the coronavirus outbreak. The Cape Perpetua Collaborative, which is a program within the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, made the decision under guidance from the Forest Service, which runs the Cape Perpeta visitors center. The Forest Service is concerned about the coronavirus

Oregon officials ban visits to long-term care facilities to help stop spread of coronavirus

March 8, 2020

By LES ZAITZ/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — State officials on Tuesday mandated a stop to visits to the 30,000 Oregonians in long- term care facilities to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus that has proven especially deadly for the elderly. That means, for now, no more time with parents, grandparents and others in licensed facilities except in special circumstances. “Our number

Wednesday coronavirus update: Six more cases bring total to 21 statewide

March 8, 2020

The Oregon Capital Bureau The number of people diagnosed with COVID-19 in Oregon increased to 21 after the Oregon Health Authority on Wednesday announced six new cases in scattered parts of the state, including two elderly men in a veterans nursing home in Linn County. The Health Authority confirmed two cases in Linn and one individual in each of Polk, Marion, Umatilla and

Award-winning bluegrass musician scheduled for Yachats performance cancels West Coast tour

March 8, 2020

UPDATE, TUESDAY, MARCH 10 The Missy Raines Quartet on Tuesday, March 10 cancelled its visit to Yachats and its West Coast tour after venues in Portland and Seattle decided to cancel performances to help curb the potential spread of the coronavirus. The quartet was scheduled to play at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 in the Yachats Commons. The performance

Best Bets: Friday, March 6 to Saturday, March 14

March 5, 2020

Florence: Florence Home & Garden Show More than 40 vendors will be at the Florence Events this weekend for the 2020 Home & Garden Show to answer your questions on everything from flooring to fencing. The weekend will offer demonstrations, exhibits, tastings, prizes and giveaways. The show runs 2-6 p.m. Friday, March 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 7, and

Special dental health program expands from Yachats and Waldport to include other services

March 5, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Rachel Gazeley and Rhonda Thompson want to help your teeth. And in doing so, they might be able to get you connected to better sources of food, nutrition and food preparation, and provide information on low-income housing in Lincoln County. They are part of a $100,000 year-long pilot program focusing on Yachats, Waldport and Newport to

Yachats council selects O’Shaughnessey for three-year term on 3-1 vote Thursday

March 5, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com The Yachats City Council voted 3-1 Thursday to appoint Planning Commission member Mary Ellen O’Shaughnessey to the council, immediately swearing her in to join them for the next three years. O’Shaughnessy replaces James Kerti, who served one year on the council before resigning in January. Mayor John Moore and councilors Leslie Vaaler and Jim Tooke voted for O’Shaughnessey. Max Glenn voted for

Oregon State Police/Newport: Activity log March 2-4

March 5, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20066600 03/02/2020 14:47 Officer #52129 LARSON, ERIC Crash – Non-injury Location 20 and MCNARY LN, OR USA Narrative Summary ***E-CRASH*** On the afternoon of March 2, 2020, the Oregon State Police was investigating a CMV crash on Hwy 20 near McNary Ln. outside of Toledo. During the investigation a secondary crash occurred involving UNIT # 1 (red Ford