Yachats-based Sweet Homes Rentals buys second building in downtown Waldport

February 27, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Sweet Home Rentals, the Yachats-based vacation rental company, is continuing its expansion into Waldport with the purchase of a downtown building containing three businesses and three apartments. The purchase includes the area’s only public laundromat, which Sweet Homes will manage during the day and use at night to do laundry for its vacation rentals. Sweet Homes

Lincoln County launches website to deal with local coronavirus concerns and prevention

February 27, 2020

Lincoln County launched a special website Thursday to share local, state and national information on the emerging threat and public concern over the coronavirus, or COVID-19 and suggestions on how to possibly avoid it. The website was set up in coordination with the Oregon Health Authority, Lincoln County public health department and a wide range of local health and

2 of 3 Lincoln County commissioners say they’re interested in capping vacation rental licenses

February 26, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com Two of three Lincoln County commissioners said Wednesday they would like to look closer at limiting the number of vacation rentals in unincorporated areas of the county. Their comments came after county Counsel Wayne Belmont walked through short- and long-term proposals for gaining better control of the growing number of vacation rentals in areas outside of

City commission wants to look at 2011 parks plan before going much further with dog park idea

February 24, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com A city of Yachats committee that oversees use and changes to city property has again given its cautious approval for a group to keep gathering information on building a dog park somewhere in town. Mary Aebi and Carita Edson sketched out their initial plans to the Yachats Parks and Commons Commission on Thursday, Feb. 20. They had

Amidst issues and complaints, Yachats contractors defend work on conversion to new financial system

February 20, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com An Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments official on Wednesday defended the agency’s handling of the city of Yachats’ financial system but asked for more time to complete a transition started last July and to fix lingering problems. “It feels like I’m in front of a firing squad,” Sue Forty told a hastily called and little

Funding for Oregon coast’s “Shake Alert” system moving through special session of Legislature

February 20, 2020

By SAM STITES/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — Oregon would prepare 250,000 households to become self-sufficient following a catastrophic earthquake under legislation advancing in Salem. The legislation, Senate Bill 1537, also would double the number of monitors that would alert Oregon coast and in the Willamette Valley residents to an earthquake. The proposals are the latest effort to prepare Oregonians for

Yachats Planning Commission approves zone change recommendation for former fire station

February 19, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats Planning Commission on Tuesday approved recommending a zone change for the former fire station in downtown, paving the way for the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District to get the building ready for sale. The recommendation to zone the fire district property on West Second Street for commercial use now goes to the City Council

Yachats council vacancy draws interest from ex-member, planning commissioner and newcomer

February 18, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com A former three-term council member, a Planning Commissioner member and a newcomer to Yachats have applied for the vacancy on the City Council. Greg Scott, Mary Ellen O’Shaughnessey and Ariana Carlson are seeking appointment to fill the position vacated last month by James Kerti. Kerti took office in January 2019 and resigned in frustration with council direction

Vacation rental supporters, opponents fill hearing room Thursday night to weigh in on county regulations

February 13, 2020

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com NEWPORT — Friends and foes of vacation rentals filled a Lincoln County courthouse hearing room Thursday night to defend and bemoan the proliferation of homes turned into short-term rentals in unincorporated parts of the county. To applause of agreement, supporters and owners of short-term rentals said they provided steady jobs, supported local businesses and generated millions

New state audit critical of Travel Oregon executive salaries and control over contractors

February 13, 2020

By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE/Oregon Capital Bureau SALEM — The semi-independent Oregon agency overseeing tourism initiatives should be more transparent about managers’ pay and strengthen controls on contracting, Secretary of State Bev Clarno said in an audit report released Thursday. The Oregon Tourism Commission — also known as Travel Oregon — is a small agency that is supposed to help boost