Lincoln County adds more jobs than expected in May

June 25, 2019

Lincoln County gained more employment than expected in May, adding 420 jobs and dropping the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate to 4.7 percent. The Oregon Employment Department’s regional economist in Newport said seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment in Lincoln County increased by 210 in May to 18,710 jobs. Seasonally adjusted figures compare expected changes with actual changes. A gain of 210

Oregon Ethics Commission investigating Yachats fire chief after allegations over land deal

June 25, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is investigating allegations that Yachats Fire District Chief Frankie Petrick used her position for financial gain and inappropriately used district personnel and equipment. The commission voted unanimously May 19 to proceed with a full investigation after a preliminary probe found “there appears to be a substantial objective basis to believe that

Yachats Coastal Gems schedules July 2 walk to Amanda Trail

June 24, 2019

The Yachats Coastal Gems walking group is inviting the public to join members on a walk along the ocean in Yachats and hike to the Amanda statue on Tuesday, July 2. The walk has cool views, easy walking and a bit of forest for those who choose the longer walk. Dogs are welcome but must be on a six-foot non-extendable

It’s big, it’s bright — and if Yachats doesn’t want it might it be yours?

June 24, 2019

It’s big, really big. It’s bright. It has YACHATS spelled out in raised capital letters. And it could be yours for $1,675, or $900 – or, maybe just make an offer. The city of Yachats just finished an $8,625 project to replace worn welcome signs at its north and south entrances along U.S. Highway 101. But when Newport Signs went

OSU names new director of Marine Mammal Institute in Newport

June 24, 2019

NEWPORT – Lisa Ballance, an ecologist at a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries research center in California was named Monday as director of Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute in Newport. Ballance succeeds Bruce Mate, who is retiring after serving as the director since its inception in 2006. She will start in the new position Oct. 14. Ballance is director

Yachats wrestling with how to resolve unpaid water bill for Bernard building

June 20, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The city of Yachats is trying to get a Eugene excavation company to pay most of a $2,309 water bill owed by businessman Nathan Bernard rather than shut off service to his building at 430 U.S. Highway 101 N., which is rented by the Yachats Cannabis Co. The shutoff issue has been brewing since Wednesday, June 12,

Angell Job Corps Center gets a reprieve but future transfer issue won’t go away

June 20, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com A cell phone call may have helped stop the controversial transfer of the Angell Civilian Conservation Center near Yachats to a private contractor. The Trump administration Wednesday dropped plans – at least for two years – to close nine U.S. Forest Service centers and transfer 16 others to outside contractors. In Oregon, the proposal would have closed

Waldport woman involved in fatal accident near Junction City

June 20, 2019

Oregon State Police are continuing their investigation into a two-vehicle fatal accident involving a Waldport woman Wednesday evening on Highway 99W near Junction City. Police said Carol Sedano, 65, of Waldport was driving south on Highway 99W near Lingo Lane when for unknown reasons crossed over and collided nearly head-on with a northbound car driven by Jeffrey Taylor, 68, of

County delays paving Ocean View Drive, also postponing city’s one-way traffic changes

June 20, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The repaving of Ocean View Drive through Yachats won’t happen this month and likely not occur until the fall. That, in turn, will delay the county’s turning over ownership of the road to the city of Yachats – and converting two portions of the road for one-way traffic. Yachats and Lincoln County signed an agreement 18 years

Lincoln County will test emergency notification system on Monday

June 20, 2019

Lincoln County has scheduled its yearly countywide test of its emergency notification systems from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, June 24. The Sheriff’s Office plans to test all components of the Lincoln Alerts emergency notification system in preparation for summer wildfire conditions, said emergency manager Jenny Demaris. A focus of the systems test will be on the Lincoln Alerts