First six months of 2019 is one of driest, but rain last week helps Yachats’ water system

July 3, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Yachats experienced its third driest June in the last 10 years and so far this year has received five inches less than its average six-month rainfall. But the city’s water sources are in good shape, according to Rick McClung, who oversees Yachats’ water system, and it won’t be until August until any supply issues might appear. Yachats

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,

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

Yachats’ three-day “Clean Sweep” event begins Friday morning

June 19, 2019

Ok, Yachats folks, time to get rid of that junk piling up in your garage, attic and backyard – for free. The city’s annual “Clean Sweep” event starts Friday in the street and ballfield area west of the 501 Building. It runs 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Dahl Disposal is co-sponsor of the event. It’s the

Dahl Disposal rates to remain the same this year in Yachats

June 12, 2019

After getting hit with an 11 percent rate increase last year, Dahl Disposal customers in Yachats are getting break this year – no changes. Dahl, which has a franchise agreement with the city, has to request rate increases or service changes to the City Council by July each year. It informed the city last week it won’t seek any changes

Yachats council discusses vacation rentals, keeping cap but looking more favorably on transfers

June 7, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats City Council took its second step Wednesday in a months-long process of examining its vacation rental regulations, possibly warming up to ideas on ways to allow more licenses and transfer them. A two-year pilot program that caps the number of vacation rental licenses at 125 and regulates their use ends Sept. 30. The council is

Bright, new south entrance sign now greets Yachats visitors

May 31, 2019

Yachats will appear a little brighter to visitors heading north on U.S. Highway 101. Newport Signs finished construction and installation of a new entrance monument and sign Friday just south of the Yachats city limits. It’s much brighter, uses a new logo, and better resists the harsh, coastal weather. It replaces a worn, wooden sign and posts. “It’s an awesome

Yachats Trails group helps keep area attractive to hikers, visitors and locals

May 30, 2019

By ELAINE WATKINS/YachatsNews.com The 21 volunteers clad in yellow vests form a circle to hear Wally Orchard describe their morning’s task. It’s 10 a.m. Saturday. Gathered in a parking lot of the Yachats Commons, the volunteers are armed with clippers, gloves, buckets and knee pads — anything to make the next two hours a bit easier. Orchard outlines the work

Yachats Fire Department headquarters and main station

Yachats Fire District levy wins voter approval, board gets two new members

May 22, 2019

Voters in the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District on Tuesday renewed a five-year tax levy for district operations by wide margin, 530 to 174. In other election results, two new members were elected to the fire district’s five-member board and the board chair, running unopposed, was re-elected. The fire district levy was the only money issue on the ballot in

Yachats budget committee OKs 2019-20 fiscal year spending after debates on church replacement, warnings over lodging tax use

May 16, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats Budget Committee on Wednesday approved general fund and capital improvement budgets for fiscal 2019-20 that focuses on catching up with infrastructure work and starting remodel or replacement projects on three city buildings. The $1.15 million general fund budget is for daily operating expenses, including everything from payroll to legal fees to maintenance. The $952,000 capital