Lincoln County hopes to have new state-funded drug “deflection” programs running by November, at latest

September 12, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews For three years police in Lincoln County could not do much when they came across someone in possession of a small amount of illegal drugs except issue a $100 citation and give the offender a number to call for help with substance abuse. But more often than not tickets went unpaid, calls were never made and

Waldport community comes together to help assemble massive new play structure at Southworth Park

September 12, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – In a flurry of activity spanning three days this week, dozens of volunteers banded together to help erect what is being touted as the largest playground on the Oregon coast at Louis Southworth Park. The trouble now will be keeping half-pint thrill-seekers who see the shimmering oasis of fun from descending upon it before

Lincoln County senator proposing 2025 legislation that would exclude tips from Oregon taxes

September 8, 2024

By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle A Republican state senator who represents part of the Oregon coast that relies heavily on a tourist economy has submitted a plan to exclude state taxes on tips. Sen. Dick Anderson of Lincoln City said in a news release that his “No Tax on Tips” proposal is designed to offer tax relief to people

Like to demolish big buildings? This Lincoln County project might be right up your alley

September 3, 2024

Lincoln County is trying to find a contractor good at demolishing buildings. Lots of them. Six, in fact. The county is preparing for the redevelopment of its fairgrounds in the center of Newport by seeking a contractor to demolish six buildings or areas of the Lincoln County Commons, home of the Lincoln County Fair. Begun last year with the

As economy rebounds, many Lincoln County residents still struggle to find adequate housing

September 2, 2024

By REBECCA HANSEN-WHITE/KLCC News Over the last 20 years, Marti Johnson has lived in a few small Oregon Coast towns, but she’s always considered Newport home. “Coming up here, especially the sign that Newport has that (says) ‘the friendliest?’” she said. “I’ve never met more friendly people in my life.” Johnson said her teenage son has been in the

More traffic, higher speeds and distracted drivers likely cause for “alarming” increase in Highway 20 fatalities

August 29, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews The Benton County Sheriff’s Office plans weeks of stepped up patrols and at least one warning sign on parts of Highway 20 between Newport and Philomath following a horrific double fatality last week and expectations of very busy Labor Day holiday traffic. The enhanced patrols in Benton County come after a steep spike in fatalities this

Despite opposition, federal agency will auction two wind energy sites off southern Oregon coast in October

August 29, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle The Biden administration will seek bids on developing two wind energy sites off Oregon’s southern coast in October. The announcement Thursday followed an environmental assessment of the sites off Coos Bay and Brookings by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The analysis found the sites would pose “no significant” impact on people or the

Generous donations allow Waldport elementary families to avoid sticker shock of buying school supplies

August 29, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews WALDPORT — A young mother visited Crestview Heights School recently to see what supplies her child would need to start kindergarten. What she learned made her cry. She had been saving money all summer from her work cleaning houses, anticipating a big budget hit for notebooks, pencils, markers and whatever else the school would require. When

Yachats brings summer to a close with a Labor Day weekend packed with events

August 27, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews That whooshing sound is summer speeding by, but it won’t depart without a big weekend of Labor Day activities in Yachats. From Saturday through Labor Day Monday the city offers a packed schedule of crafts, food, art, books and music. Saturday and Sunday Yachats Ladies Club Labor Day Bazaar: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 286 W.

Waldport’s visitor center gives volunteers a chance to experience the world without leaving home

August 25, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews WALDPORT — Want to meet people from all over the world without leaving the central Oregon coast? If so, you might consider spending some time at Waldport’s Alsea Bay Bridge Visitor Center, which is actively seeking new volunteers. “In the last fiscal year we had about 9,000 people come through from every state in the