Lincoln County resident confirmed as coronavirus victim, developed symptoms while traveling and now hospitalized outside of the county

March 24, 2020

A Lincoln County resident has been diagnosed with COVID-19, the Lincoln County Health Department announced Tuesday, but called it a “unique” case because the person developed the symptoms outside the county, had not been in the county recently and is now hospitalized elsewhere. The case brings Oregon’s total to 209 – 20 more on Tuesday. In addition, the state

Oregon governor orders most people to stay home; tightens restrictions on businesses, social contact

March 23, 2020

By DICK HUGHES/Oregon Capital Bureau Gov. Kate Brown on Monday directed most Oregonians to stay home except for getting groceries, going to work or handling important activities that cannot wait. Brown said she was acting because many Oregonians had failed to heed her directives to practice “social distancing” to decrease the transmission of COVID-19. “I was very, very clear. I

More Yachats-area restaurants close over the weekend as business plummets and to keep staff, public safe

March 22, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH and CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews.com Two more Yachats restaurants closed this weekend as business slumped from statewide dining restrictions, fewer Spring Break visitors and to protect staff and customers from possibly spreading the coronavirus. Ona Restaurant owner Michelle Korgan closed her business at 4 p.m. Saturday. Yachats Brewing + Farmstore announced on Facebook it would close Sunday evening.

Coronavirus concerns and few visitors leads to closure of Overleaf, Fireside and Adobe motels

March 21, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The three largest motels in Yachats are closing until the coronavirus outbreak subsides, laying off up to 140 employees. The 54-room Overleaf Lodge and 43-room Fireside Motel closed Saturday after the last of its guests departed. On Sunday, the 110-room Adobe Motel and Restaurant announced it would close all its operations Monday morning. Sweet Home vacation

YachatsNews seeks ideas for community and personal stories during coronavirus outbreak

March 21, 2020

Dear YachatsNews readers and subscribers: I’m seeking your ideas and comments during this very unusual time. We’ve had 2-3 weeks of near constant local and state coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and it won’t stop. But I’m trying to look ahead to the upcoming weeks and seeking: Your ideas (beyond the obvious breaking news) of stories that 1-2 reporters

Newport hospital using earthquake disaster plan to guide its coronavirus response, sets up drive-through testing

March 19, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport is using a plan developed for a giant offshore earthquake to guide preparation for what it expects to be a wave of coronavirus patients. But unlike a tsunami that would inundate the central Oregon coast without warning, Samaritan Pacific administrators and staff have used the past week to prepare as

Yachats church becomes center for community help during coronavirus outbreak

March 19, 2020

Yachats Community Presbyterian Church gave out $1,000 Friday to laid-off hospitality workers, the first day of its growing effort to help those in need. Earlier in the week the church assumed operation of the community’s food bank, which normally operates out of the Yachats Commons. The city closed that building Tuesday. The initial money for suddenly unemployed workers came from

Lincoln County schools scrambling to adapt to impact of closing schools for six weeks

March 19, 2020

Lincoln County School District administrators and staffers are scrambling to adjust to the state-ordered six-week shutdown of all schools – including how to figure out credits for graduating seniors to continuing to provide meals to its 5,500 students. Superintendent Karen Gray said Wednesday that while many issues are in flux, educators had this week received some clarification about Gov.

Yachats council votes 3-2 to seek general contractor for 501 Building remodel

March 16, 2020

By CHERYL ROMANO and QUINTON SMITH/YachtsNews.com The Yachats City Council is moving ahead to seek a general contractor to provide estimates to renovate the vacant 501 Building for city offices. After a long and contentious work session and meeting on the topic Friday, the council voted 3-2 to authorize City Manager Shannon Beaucaire to seek proposals from general

Yachats closes Commons building, city offices, library and Little Log Church

March 15, 2020

The city of Yachats, which had attempted to keep its buildings open in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, announced Monday it was closing city offices, the library and the Little Log Church to the public. On Tuesday the city said the Commons would follow suit and close to all activity. The outbreak and advice for people to keep their