Fire chief apologizes for actions that led to ethics investigation

January 31, 2020

To the editor: On Jan. 3 the Oregon Government Ethics Commission issued a stipulated final order and letter of education to conclude its investigation into my actions as fire chief and administrator of the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District. The commission found that my use of fire district equipment and personnel to block the road for cattle and to move

“The Hub” in Waldport provides a glimpse into homeless, poverty issues in south Lincoln County

January 30, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT – A tall, rangy man in worn jeans and parka rushes into the storefront near the Waldport Café. “Hey, bro,” he greets the man on duty as he strides past shelves and racks crammed with clothing and blankets. Heading straight for the children’s section, he grabs a package of baby diapers and heads back out

Lincoln County seeking five new members for planning commission

January 30, 2020

NEWPORT — Lincoln County is seeking five new members to serve on its Planning Commission. The nine-member commission plays a key role in the administration of land use planning within the unincorporated areas of the county, conducting public hearings and help make decisions on local land use applications and permits. The commission also reviews and makes recommendations on amendments to

Lincoln County unemployment rate finishes 2019 at 4.3 percent

January 30, 2020

Lincoln County’s unemployment rate ended 2019 at 4.3 percent – a percentage point lower than the end of 2018 but still higher than Oregon’s statewide rate of 3.7 percent and national rate of 3.5 percent. December’s total non-farm employment was 50 more than one year before, according to the Oregon Employment Department’s regional economist Erik Knoder, an increase of 0.3

Second member of Lincoln County district attorney’s staff files to seek top position

January 30, 2020

The race to become the next elected Lincoln County District Attorney is getting more interesting. A second deputy district attorney in the office has filed for the May primary election to challenge newly appointed district attorney Jonathan Cable. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown appointed Cable, a Newport attorney in private practice, to the position on Jan. 17. Cable succeeded Michelle

Deputies arrest 43-year-old man Tuesday night after series of Yachats incidents

January 29, 2020

A 43-year-old California man was arrested on criminal trespass charges Tuesday night after a Yachats resident called Lincoln County police dispatch about an intruder. Brandon R. Holve of Springville, Calif. is in the Lincoln County Jail on charges of first-degree criminal trespass. Bail is $15,000. The incident began about 10:10 p.m. Tuesday when dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from a

Little Log Church offers 25th year of vow renewals on Valentine’s Day

January 28, 2020

“Remembrance, Re-Vision, and Renewal” is the theme of the 25th annual ceremony of renewal and commitment on Valentine’s Day, Friday, Feb. 14 at the Little Log Church in Yachats. Both married and unmarried committed couples are offered the opportunity to renew their vows in a group setting. The ceremony will be offered at two times – noon and 5:30

State police investigating pedestrian killed by vehicle in Coos County

January 27, 2020

On Monday, January 27, 2020 at approximately 9:21 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers were dispatched to the report of a deceased person beside Hwy 101 near milepost 278 (Two Mile Lane). Preliminary investigation revealed the deceased male, identified as William Schippert (44) of Bandon, had been struck by a vehicle hours before his body was discovered. Investigators from the Oregon

Sheriff’s deputies arrest California felon after burglary report of Yachats River yurt

January 26, 2020

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police troopers negotiated with an armed felon from California for more than 15 minutes Saturday afternoon on North Yachats River Road before arresting him on a variety of charges. Michael G. Richie, 37, of Forestville, Calif. is in the Lincoln County Jail on accusations of first-degree burglary, being a felon in possession of

Yachats city manager outlines new plans for City Hall employees, planning and code enforcement

January 23, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Yachats City Manager Shannon Beaucaire has developed a new staffing and employee structure for City Hall, proposing to add one employee to handle community service duties and a second to be an administrative assistant. The plan is more than a year in the making. Beaucaire said it involved interviews with current staff and contractors, looking at