James Kerti abruptly resigns from Yachats City Council after his first year in position

January 9, 2020

By Quinton Smith/YachatsNews.com Yachats City Councilor James Kerti abruptly resigned from his position Tuesday afternoon, just one year into his four-year term. Kerti’s said his resignation was effective immediately. The City Council is scheduled to accept his resignation Wednesday, Jan. 15 and decide how to seek applications to replace him. In his four-sentence resignation letter and a brief interview with

King Tides and big waves expected to put on a show this weekend

January 8, 2020

A big storm forecast by the National Weather Service is going to hit the central Oregon Coast on Friday at the same time as the third “King Tide” of the winter. King Tides” – when normal high tides are higher than usual – occur once a month during the winter and summer. The first of the winter King Tides occurred

Yachats mayor and council miss three opportunities to build trust

January 6, 2020

To the editor: Continuing a 13-month trend, regular Yachats City Council meeting attendees last week witnessed three more instances of lack of respect towards new council members James Kerti and Leslie Vaaler. In Thursday’s session, Mayor John Moore described the position of council president as mostly ceremonial and opened the nomination process. Kerti nominated Vaaler. The mayor had an opportunity

Oregon State Police/Newport activity log, Jan. 3-5

January 6, 2020

OREGON STATE POLICE DAILY MEDIA/DESK LOG SP20002219 01/03/2020 06:33 Officer #50607 TUCKER, BRIAN Crash – Non-injury Location 20 HWY and 229 HWY, Narrative Summary ***E-CRASH*** On 01/03/19 at approximately 6:33 AM, a two-vehicle crash occurred at the US-20/SR-229 intersection. Vehicle #1 (red Toyota pickup) was southbound on SR-229 and entered the intersection in front of eastbound Vehicle #2 (silver Focus). #2 swerved but could

Small Coast Guard vessel capsizes in Astoria; four crew members are OK

January 5, 2020

Coast Guard vessel capsizes near 36th Street pier in Astoria, Ore. . ASTORIA, Ore. — A 26-foot Coast Guard Trailerable Aids to Navigation Boat capsized Saturday with four crew members aboard near Pier 39 in Astoria. Four Coast Guardsmen were aboard the vessel conducting routine operations when the capsizing occurred. The vessel reportedly encountered a series of heavy wakes that came

Yachats should close loophole in its comprehensive plan to protect scenic views

January 5, 2020

To the editor: The city of Yachats’ comprehensive land use plan and its supporting documents outline the protection of our scenic and visual environment as a guiding principle of the plan. There is currently, however, a big loophole in that protection. Inexplicably, Title 9 in the Yachats municipal code does not regulate the height of fences, hedges, walls and other

Yachats fire chief settles three state ethics claims, returns $1,750 to ambulance company

January 2, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Yachats fire chief Frankie Petrick has agreed to settle claims by the Oregon Ethics Commission that in three instances she used her position for financial gain. But the commission was not able to substantiate an allegation that Petrick received a tractor from her ex-husband after he sold land to the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District in

Yachats shoppers, Lincoln County stores already adjusting to Jan. 1 ban on single-use plastic bags

January 2, 2020

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews.com Yachats residents are joining all Oregonians this week in figuring out how to navigate a new statewide ban on single-use plastic bags. But from the looks of things, the task shouldn’t be too daunting. That’s due, in no small part, because Lincoln County residents who shop in Newport are already familiar with that city’s own plastic-bag ban,

Divisions between Yachats City Council members go public during first meeting of 2020

January 2, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Divisions on the Yachats City Council moved into public view Thursday during its first meeting of 2020, starting with a split vote for council president and ending with a disagreement whether it had approved hiring a facilitator to help craft goals for the year. Electing a council president during the first meeting of the year is usually

Newport hospital sponsors emergency preparedness seminars

January 2, 2020

NEWPORT — Do you have the essential items to survive when disaster strikes? Two free seminars Wednesday, Jan. 8, at the Samaritan Center for Health Education can help you be better prepared for an emergency. There are two sessions with the same information to be presented at each – 2 to 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Ericka Mason,