Postal officials say Yachats office is just following rules, but former postmaster, residents say delivery is still wrong, chaotic

February 19, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Any perceived lull in complaints about how the Yachats post office is handling mail since the departure of the former postmaster now seems more of an eye-of-the-storm situation. The gale of complaints on social media is building with calls to contact a U.S. senator and possibly get the Yachats city council involved because it seems

Search and rescue crews recover remains of Yachats man missing since July

February 16, 2024

Update: On Wednesday, Feb. 21, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said the Lane County Medical Examiner identified the remains found Feb. 11 as those of Dustin Jay Steyding of Yachats. Remains believed to be those of a 45-year-old Yachats man missing since July have been found and recovered near Cummins Peak, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office announced

Judge rules that yurt and trailer complex developed in timber zone by Yachats businesswoman must be removed

February 15, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews A judge said Tuesday that a Yachats businesswoman’s complex of four yurts and a recreational vehicle on 20 acres of forest land violates zoning ordinances. Lincoln County Circuit Judge Sheryl Bachart agreed with Lincoln County’s argument that the housing created by Linda Hetzler and her husband, Thomas Smith, is not permitted in a timber conservation zone

Samaritan begins more visible work on Lincoln County’s first in-patient drug treatment center

February 15, 2024

NEWPORT – With background work mostly done, more visible work is now underway on Lincoln County’s first in-patient drug treatment center. The $11.7 million project is converting a former adult foster care home on Northwest Biggs Street in north Newport into an 8,300-square-foot facility with 16 inpatient beds to serve adults ages 18 and older seeking treatment for substance

In unusual situation, Yachats fire district gets at least four applicants for open board position

February 13, 2024

YACHATS – The Yachats Rural Fire Protection District board encountered something this week it hasn’t had to deal with before – a wealth of seemingly well-qualified candidates to fill a vacant board position. The district has been advertising for candidates to replace longtime member Betty Johnston, who resigned in December. It usually struggles to get candidates to run for office

Oregon lawmakers consider redefining “recreation” to keep public trails open after court ruling and insurance warning

February 12, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The public’s ability to access some trails and pathways maintained by local governments could come down to how “recreation” is redefined in a state law meant to protect local governments from lawsuits. On Monday, members of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary considered Senate Bill SB 1576-3, which would expand the definition of

Newport nurse is first in county to receive national certification to help treat sexual assault victims

February 7, 2024

A nurse at Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport has received national certification to help treat survivors of sexual assault – and four other Samaritan Health nurses are in training to gain the certification. Jennie Eley, who has worked in the hospital’s birthing center for nine years, recently completed training to be a sexual assault nurse examiner, Samaritan Health Services

Newport-based Dungeness crab fleet getting better prices this year, but harvest numbers are dropping off

February 6, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Word along the docks is the Dungeness crab harvest has dropped off markedly in comparison with this time last season – but prices paid to fishermen are considerably higher. Oregon’s Dungeness season was delayed from its earliest possible start date of Dec. 1 to allow crab in certain coastal zones to gain more meat. The Oregon Department

Oregon and local legislators begin 35-day session Monday to address numerous issues

February 3, 2024

By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon lawmakers are starting the legislative session, promising to aim squarely at the state’s homelessness and drug addiction crisis. From Gov. Tina Kotek to Democratic and Republican legislators, elected officials agree on the priorities, especially with fentanyl overdoses skyrocketing in Oregon and across the country. They agree police need more tools to

Angell Job Corps rebounds from closure threat, pandemic to re-fill its campus with young people learning trades

February 1, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Neither overcast skies nor the occasional downpour of rain dampens the undercurrent of inspiration running through the 16-acre campus of Angell Job Corps north of Yachats. The campus is home to more than 100 students from across the country who have enrolled to learn a blue collar trade while also furthering their education and