Coastal visitor spending and hospitality jobs continue to increase, state says

October 31, 2019

A new report by a Newport-based state economist says visitor spending on the Oregon coast and Benton County increased to $1.56 billion in 2018 and that leisure and hospitality jobs – a sign of visitor spending — continue to increase this year. Erik Knoder, a regional economist for the Oregon Employment Department, said that visitor spending for the region has

Shifting sands near Big Creek unveil old vehicle buried for decades

October 31, 2019

It’s always a wonder what can be found on an Oregon beach. On Tuesday, beach walkers found an old vehicle – possibly a truck – that had been swallowed by the ocean near the mouth of Big Creek between Yachats and Waldport. Shifting sand finally exposed the rust bucket, laying on its back, wheels up. Speculation by nearby residents

Yachats firefighters ask state to decertify year-old union as talks drag out

October 30, 2019

Yachats firefighters are asking a state agency to hold an election to decertify its 14-month-old membership in the International Association of Fire Fighters. Yachats firefighters voted in August 2018 to join the Newport chapter of the IAFF. It was their first attempt at joining the union to bargain over pay and working conditions with the Yachats Rural Fire Protection

At least four Yachats-area residents file election complaints against Fire Board member

October 24, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com At least four residents in the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District have filed complaints with the Oregon Elections Division alleging that statements by newly-elected fire board member A’lyce Ruberg in the Lincoln County voter’s pamphlet in May were lies. This follows a vote by the Oregon State Board of Nursing earlier this month to fine Ruberg

That big bill arrived in the mail this week — Lincoln County property tax statements

October 24, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com You should have gotten that dreaded bill this week – your annual property tax statement from Lincoln County. The Lincoln County Assessor’s Office this week mailed 49,000 property tax bills. Now you have three weeks to start paying – or to call the office if you have questions. “It’s always a busy first week,” said Joe

Inaugural Yachats Octoberfest celebration is Saturday, organizers hope it grows into larger event

October 22, 2019

Yachats is getting another festival. A group of oomph-band musicians and Yachats Community Presbyterian Church are staging an Octoberfest celebration from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26 at the Yachats Lions Club. The event was spurred by a casual conversation between three musicians after the Waldport Beachcomber Days this summer. Now its organizers hope the event can eventually grow into

Criticism and lack of data forces Yachats council to put off increase in vacation rental fees

October 21, 2019

Faced with a barrage of criticism and unable to explain how the money might be spent, the Yachats City Council has backed off a proposed doubling of fees for 2020 vacation rental licenses. Instead, it will discuss them again – and other vacation rental details it could not resolve Wednesday, Oct. 16 — at its Thursday, Nov. 7 meeting.

Port of Alsea delays $2.66 million marina project for a year because of permit issues

October 18, 2019

By Quinton Smith/YachatsNews.com WALDPORT — Delays in getting a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is forcing the Port of Alsea to delay rebuilding its marina and boat ramp for a year. The marina was scheduled to close Oct. 23 and the port and its contractor, Bergerson Construction of Astoria, had hoped to start work in November.

City halts Yachats Library expansion, seeks to leverage new $150,000 donation

October 17, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Yachats Library Commission wants to step back from an immediate expansion of the city library after the pledge of a $150,000 donation by longtime resident Marguerite Petersen. On Wednesday, the City Council agreed, barely. After months of study and preparing plans for the expansion, the commission and council were prepared to go ahead with a

Oregon nursing board proposes $5,000 fine for false claims by newly elected Yachats Fire member

October 14, 2019

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews.com The Oregon State Board of Nursing on Wednesday voted to fine a newly elected member of the Yachats Rural Fire Protection District $5,000 for claiming in the Lincoln County voters pamphlet that she was a registered nurse. The board found that the voters pamphlet statements last May by A’lyce Ruberg saying she was a nurse and