New NOAA report paints alarming picture of declining numbers of Pacific gray whales and their health

June 18, 2025

By DANA TIMS/Lincoln Chronicle An alarming new federal report released Wednesday indicates that the number of gray whales in the Pacific Ocean has dropped to the lowest number in decades and that the decline may be only getting worse. The eastern North Pacific population of gray whales, going back to the 1970s, has experienced period dips. But warming ocean

Cowen retiring as head of Hatfield Marine Science Center; Ballance to become interim director

June 17, 2025

NEWPORT — Robert Cowen, the longtime director of Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, is retiring at the end of the month. He will be replaced on an interim basis by Lisa Ballance, director of the center’s Marine Mammal Institute. A national search for Cowan’s permanent replacement will be launched this summer. “Since joining OSU in

Waldport opens dog area at new Southworth Park and playground unveiling could be just weeks away

June 16, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle WALDPORT – There is tail-wagging relief for the four-legged community and their two-legged owners with the opening of the new dog park at Louis Southworth Park. Two-year-old Phoenix, just days into being adopted, bounded with unleashed enthusiasm last week that inevitably led to a lot of sniffing before the arrival of Sadie. While 4-year-old Sadie

Peaceful “No King” demonstrations Saturday bring out thousands to cities across Oregon and the Northwest

June 14, 2025

By Oregon Public Broadcasting and Lincoln Chronicle When organizers began to plan for “No Kings” protests Saturday, they were motivated by the massive military parade President Donald Trump scheduled for his 79th birthday. But by the time protesters around the country and across Oregon showed up to rallies at noon Saturday many were more focused on immigration than on

Waldport employees show up to tell council members they like the job city manager Dann Cutter is doing

June 13, 2025

By GARRET JAROS/Lincoln Chronicle WALDPORT – With nothing more titillating on the Waldport city council agenda Thursday beyond the city manager’s report about ongoing projects – which can be akin to watching paint dry – it was at first difficult to explain the large turnout. It was not until the scheduled executive session, normally closed to the public, that

Widow of man killed at Lincoln City inn files $20 million lawsuit against attacker, father, motel and its managers

June 12, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/Lincoln Chronicle The widow of a tourist beaten to death outside a Lincoln City motel in May 2024 has filed a $20 million lawsuit against the man charged with killing her husband, the man’s father and the motel where they were all staying. Roland Evans-Freke, 31, is charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, assault and robbery in the

Siletz Valley School in upheaval again over leadership, budget cuts, board issues and communication with community

June 12, 2025

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln Chronicle SILETZ – Twenty-three graduates at Siletz Valley Schools received their diplomas in the hot Saturday sun, some adorned with eagle feathers, beads and cedar-woven graduation caps. While the joyous day was filled with school pride and honor songs, the celebration did not ignore the turmoil in leadership its students endured the last four years and even

Samaritan Health Services calls off merger with Stayton-based Santiam Hospital and Clinics

June 12, 2025

By MIKE FRANCIS/The Lund Report One year ago the leaders of two small Oregon hospital systems said they needed to join forces to withstand the pressures that are building on hospitals nationwide, especially in rural America. Then, last month, with virtually no explanation, they called it off. Corvallis-based Samaritan Health Services, which dominates health care in its core territory of Lincoln, Benton and

Double your money! Lincoln Chronicle donor is matching all contributions during June campaign

June 10, 2025

By QUINTON SMITH/Lincoln Chronicle The basic premise of Lincoln Chronicle — its reporters, freelance writers, news partners, editor and board — is that professionally-reported local news is an important, vital element to a vibrant, engaged and informed community. That’s why we want to keep growing as other media – locally and across Oregon — shrink. And while there is

Eight years after firing, federal jury awards Toledo recorder $1.3 million from city, former manager and mayor

June 10, 2025

By MAXINE BERNSTEIN/The Oregonian/OregonLive A federal jury has awarded a former Toledo city recorder fired eight years ago more than $1 million in a verdict against the city for retaliating against her as a whistleblower who reported mismanagement, waste and abuse of authority. Nancy Bryant had worked for the city as its recorder for 13 years before then-city manager,

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New NOAA report paints alarming picture of declining numbers of Pacific gray whales and their health

Cowen retiring as head of Hatfield Marine Science Center; Ballance to become interim director

Waldport opens dog area at new Southworth Park and playground unveiling could be just weeks away

Peaceful “No King” demonstrations Saturday bring out thousands to cities across Oregon and the Northwest

Waldport employees show up to tell council members they like the job city manager Dann Cutter is doing

Widow of man killed at Lincoln City inn files $20 million lawsuit against attacker, father, motel and its managers

Siletz Valley School in upheaval again over leadership, budget cuts, board issues and communication with community

Samaritan Health Services calls off merger with Stayton-based Santiam Hospital and Clinics

Double your money! Lincoln Chronicle donor is matching all contributions during June campaign

Eight years after firing, federal jury awards Toledo recorder $1.3 million from city, former manager and mayor

Letters from readers

$25,000 grant will help View the Future’s community conversations

Look at Medicare Advantage plans carefully before making a decision

Lincoln County has benefitted from Hall’s service for 20 years

Obituaries

Marie Jones of Newport

Rebecca L. Bloch of Yachats

Sandra Lee Dunn of Yachats

Civic Calendar

Port of Newport Commission executive session and special meeting

Newport Planning Commission work session and regular meeting

City of Yachats Parks & Commons Commission

Yachats Big Band monthly concert

Yachats Rural Fire Protection District board

Yachats Planning Commission monthly workshop meeting

Yachats Public Works & Streets Commission

Lincoln County School District board of directors

Waldport City Council

Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District monthly board meeting

Public & Legal Notices

NOTICE TO INTERESTED PERSONS

A regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Central Lincoln PUD

Otter Rock Water District NOTICE OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET HEARING