County’s unemployment rate stays at 4.6 percent for third month

June 25, 2024

For the third straight month Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stayed the same – 4.6 percent May – the ideentical rate as in March and April, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday. The county’s unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in May 2023. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in May, and the national rate was 4 percent. Regional

Losing county candidate asks radio station for his money back — and more

June 23, 2024

A candidate who finished a distant fourth in the May primary race for a seat on the Lincoln County commission has gone to court seeking nearly $3,600 from a Newport radio station which he claims did not run his advertisements and therefore hurt his campaign. Don Gomez of Newport says he paid $450 for radio station KSHL and The WAVE

OSU gets $5.5 million for ocean energy work

June 23, 2024

Oregon State University is getting $5.5 million from the federal government to support its Pacific Marine Energy Center operations in Corvallis. The $5.5 million award will be issued through the U.S. Department of Energy’s water power technologies office. The funding will assist the Pacific Marine Energy Center, a university consortium with OSU, the University of Washington, and University of Alaska-Fairbanks, establish

District offering free breakfasts, lunches at four schools this summer

June 22, 2024

Lincoln County School District is offering free breakfasts and lunches to any child age 18 and under during the summer. No income verification is required. Sites at four schools are open Monday through Friday until Aug. 16 but closed July 4-5. Meals are only served during the listed hours and must be eaten at the school. The meals sites and

Bridge replacement will close South Beaver Creek Road for four months

June 20, 2024

SEAL ROCK – Residents of the Beaver Creek area who use South Beaver Creek Road to head north or south will have to take a bit of a detour the next four months. On Monday, an Oregon Department of Transportation contractor will close a section of the road to begin replacing a 60-year-old wooden bridge as part of a $2.1

School district seeks Newport-area board member after resignation

June 20, 2024

The Lincoln County School District is seeking to fill a board vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Rawles of Newport, who is moving out of the district. Rawles was elected in May 2021 to the seat representing Zone 3 on the board, which comprises much of the Newport area. The board is accepting applications from people interested in serving

Bees and butterflies celebrated at Saturday event in Waldport

June 18, 2024

WALDPORT — Bees, butterflies and other critters will be celebrated Saturday when the Waldport Public Library presents its second annual “Pollinators’ Day.” Returning to the Seashore Joy Garden in downtown Waldport, the free, all-ages event is part of the library’s summer reading program themed “Read-Renew-Repeat.” The theme represents repurposing and caring about the ecology of the Earth and its creatures.

Lane Transit doubles service around Florence, improves connections

June 17, 2024

FLORENCE – Beginning Monday, it will be easier to get around Florence – and make connections to and from Yachats or Eugene. The Lane Transit District is increasing the frequency of bus stops around Florence from one hour to every 30 minutes because of increasing post-pandemic ridership, the agency said in a news release. Rhody Express buses travel a north

Highway delineators (finally) coming this summer to south edge of Yachats

June 16, 2024

YACHATS — Pedestrian safety delineators along U.S. Highway 101 on the south edge of Yachats are expected to be installed this summer, the city council was told last week. The delineators separating pedestrians from traffic along U.S. Highway 101 will run in a solid line from Yachats River Road to the Yachats River bridge. When exactly the work will begin

Beverly Beach State Park closure extended to August

June 16, 2024

One of the most popular state parks and day-use areas on the Oregon coast just north of Newport has extended its closure through July due to construction delays, according to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Beverly Beach State Park seven miles north of Newport, has been closed since September and was expected to reopen July 1. Construction includes moving