After five years of planning, county officials stage ceremonial groundbreaking for animal shelter in Waldport

October 10, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews WALDPORT – By this time next year a $5 million Lincoln County animal shelter with plenty of room for dogs and cats and where employees can better care for them should be up and operating at the edge of an industrial park in Waldport. With heavy machinery growling in the background, a phalanx of public officials,

Workforce grants expand capacity of college maritime welding program and sea urchin harvesting startup

October 8, 2024

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews During his 28 years in the U. S. Coast Guard Len Tumbarello learned a thing or two about running a tight ship. Now, in his latest stint as the first maritime program coordinator for a state workforce development agency, he’s off to a fast start in awarding grants to help build long-term, maritime-related jobs across five

Popular Yachats pre-school program lands experienced educator as its new executive director

October 7, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — It didn’t take long for the leaders of the area’s only public children’s center to name a local woman to lead the Yachats Youth and Family Activities Program. After advertising the position in August, the YYFAP board welcomed Kristi Anderson to the program in September. “She stood out by far” among the candidates for

Want to help expand local news coverage? YachatsNews begins October fundraising campaign

October 4, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YachatsNews is asking for your financial help this month to continue expanding its free, reader-supported news coverage in Lincoln County. This request is an outgrowth of our yearly local fundraising campaign in June which focused on larger, one-time personal donations and grants from Oregon foundations. During October we’re asking our readers – especially those in the

Across Oregon and in Lincoln County, most public school students still struggling on key subjects

October 3, 2024

ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle and QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Students in Lincoln County School District and around Oregon are still struggling to regain ground in their grasp of key subjects three years after returning to normal school routines following the Covid pandemic. Results released by the state Wednesday from statewide assessment tests in English language arts, math and science last spring

City of Yachats begins variety of new and expanded communication efforts for residents, visitors

October 3, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Staying current with all things Yachats is getting easier as the city steps up its communication efforts with increased offerings and stylish new publication designs and colors. Spearheading efforts to satisfy the information appetite of locals and visitors while also appealing to a broader audience is city manager Bobbi Price, who collaborated with Brett

Lincoln County’s drug deflection coordinator will be in DA’s office, but program not starting until at least November

October 3, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews An 11th-hour roadblock to getting a new Lincoln County drug possession deflection program up and running has been cleared and is now only a speed bump away from the on-ramp to implementation. Hiring a coordinator to oversee and manage the program is all that stands between arresting and sending people to jail for possession of small

Lincoln County commission chair working from home following harassment allegations in Sept. 18 meeting

October 3, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews NEWPORT – Lincoln County commission chair Casey Miller has been restricted to working from home after an allegation he harassed and bullied county employees. Miller was notified of the allegations the day after speaking out at the board’s Sept. 18 meeting when he expressed frustration about being left out of discussions with commissioners and county legal

Two Yachats groups bring social justice advocate to town for talk Oct. 17 and workshop Oct. 18

October 1, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — Two local activist groups are hosting a talk and day-long workshop this month featuring a noted author/psychologist. Roxy Manning, a California clinical psychologist and social justice advocate, will be the featured speaker in two separate events: “Strengthening Democracy through Nonviolent Dialogue” is the topic at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Yachats Commons.

Oregon Coast CC hires Chemeketa administrator to become its fifth president in 37-year history

October 1, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Marshall Roache has been a college wrestler and coach, retail store manager, police officer and community college administrator. Now he’s becoming a community college president. Roache, 49, was named the fifth president in the 37-year history of Oregon Coast Community College during a special board meeting Monday night. He will start work at the college Nov.