Yachats affordable housing developer finishes 24-unit Florence complex, plans two more projects

June 4, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews A Yachats developer has completed a $10.9 million affordable rental housing project in Florence and has plans on the drawing board for two more projects totaling $22 million. Our Coastal Village, led by Layne Morrill of Yachats, will celebrate the opening of the 24-unit Oak Manor apartments during a ceremony June 13 featuring Andrea Bell, executive

May’s rain was a bit above average, but month gave us a rare sky show and ushered in big storm Sunday

June 4, 2024

Rainfall in May was slightly above average in the Yachats area – but the first days of June saw a doozy of a rainstorm. The Sunday storm dropped 2.26 inches of rain in downtown Yachats, according to YachatsNews’ weather watchers, and nearly 4 inches farther east in the Yachats River valley. “Anybody got a snorkel?” asked Jim Adler, who

Newport crabbers provide Hatfield visitor center with new giant Pacific octopus

June 3, 2024

By RACHAEL McDONALD/KLCC News There’s a new giant Pacific octopus at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport — thanks to a local crab boat. Hatfield Marine Science Center put the word out last winter asking local fishermen to alert them if an octopus attached itself to a crab pot. Jaimie Hart, the senior aquarist at Hatfield, said they got

OSU and two California universities will research potential impacts of offshore wind energy projects

June 2, 2024

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Three West Coast universities located near future offshore wind energy sites are joining forces to undertake research and to help inform the public about the benefits and potential impacts of the new industry. An auction expected to take place later this year for two wind energy sites off the southern Oregon coast has stirred

Oregon agencies close much of coast to shellfish harvesting because of paralytic poisonings

May 31, 2024

By APRIL ERHLICH/Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon officials closed many sections of the Oregon coast to some types of shellfish harvesting Friday after an unprecedented outbreak of paralytic shellfish poisoning, which appears to also be affecting parts of Washington and California. During a press conference Friday, officials said Oregon had never experienced such a large outbreak before, in terms of

YachatsNews launches third local fundraising campaign to expand coverage countywide

May 31, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Three months ago, YachatsNews published its annual “Report to Readers” with the stated goal for 2024 to “do more and better.” June is the month you can help us do that. Our goal this year is to hire a second full-time reporter by late summer to be based in Newport and cover Lincoln County and Newport

Builder begins work on eight-unit townhome project overlooking Alsea Bay in downtown Waldport

May 30, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – Foundation work is underway for eight new luxury townhomes on a vacant lot in the heart of Waldport. The three-story units are being built on less than a half-acre on Northwest Huckleberry Street by Chad Berry, who purchased the property for $225,000 in January 2023. Berry built two homes in the Bayshore community north

For Siletz tribe this weekend’s Run to the Rogue represents a long road to healing from trauma at Table Rock

May 30, 2024

By JAMIE HALE/The Oregonian/OregonLive Forged by an explosive volcanic eruption in southwest Oregon, Table Rocks took their shape over millions of years, carved by the steady waters of the Rogue River which flows more than 800 feet below the rim. Every autumn, as temperatures drop and rainclouds return, acorns fall from oak trees that surround the pair of flat-topped

Four Lincoln County projects worth more than $10 million included in Hoyle’s requests to House committee

May 28, 2024

Four projects in Lincoln County ranging from fire stations to a welding training center to wastewater repairs are among 15 projects that Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore. has submitted to the House Appropriations Committee as candidates for funding in fiscal 2024-2025. “These 15 projects reflect the priorities of local communities who know their needs best,” said Hoyle said in a

Yachats Pride’s sixth three-day celebration of diversity with “safe, inclusive fun” begins Friday

May 28, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews Friday launches a weekend of “safe, inclusive fun” around the Commons, as Yachats Pride offers its sixth celebration of equality and diversity. “Under the Big Top” is the festival theme, bringing events like Drag Bingo, a dance party, live music, games, a Puppy Parade, and a “dunk tank” featuring local luminaries. “Pride is about celebrating community