Federal energy agency announces next steps for offshore wind sites off southern Oregon coast

April 30, 2024

By MONICA SAMAYOA/Oregon Public Broadcasting The Southern Oregon coast is closer to hosting floating offshore wind energy, after the Biden administration announced it’s preparing to accept proposals for the area. This is the first step in a multiyear process before any wind developer could begin construction. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, or

Bicyclists, blues, barbecue descend on Waldport (then Yachats) this weekend for first big party of the season

April 30, 2024

By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews What has 1,400 tires, a smoky blues beat and the power to pedal big bucks to the central Oregon coast? That would be the Beach, Bike & Blues Festival back for its third year Saturday in Waldport. Anchored by two bicycle races — first in Waldport and then in Yachats — the celebration in Waldport includes

It’s been a good season for Oregon’s Dungeness crab fleet with strong prices and four more months to go

April 25, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Oregon’s 2024-24 commercial Dungeness crab season is proving quite successful five months into the season. Fishermen have hauled in 23.8 million pounds of crab so far, accounting for a catch valued at $88.9 million during a season that typically runs from December to August. Crabbers were paid $85 million in 2022-23 and $91.5 million in 2021-22,

Central Oregon Coast fire board will survey district residents on possible station, equipment bond

April 25, 2024

By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The Central Oregon Coast Fire & Rescue board will soon be asking district residents if they would support a bond ranging from $7 million to $10 million to either remodel its downtown Waldport fire station, buy equipment and build a new Five Rivers sub-station or construct a new station outside the tsunami zone. Seems

Yachats Ridge supporters again lobby Oregon Parks Commission to purchase, preserve its 1,100 acres

April 24, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews Proponents of the preservation of Yachats Ridge lobbied the Oregon Parks & Recreation Commission on Wednesday to purchase the 1,100-acre property from two forest landowners. The commission met in Cannon Beach where they held an executive (closed) session to discuss real estate and legal issues before continuing with a public meeting where people were invited to

Marine mammal groups remind beachgoers to leave baby seals alone

April 23, 2024

Harbor seal pupping season has started on the Oregon coast and various animal groups are reminding beachgoers that while the seals are adorable or may appear to be abandoned — do not touch them. The baby seals use time on land to regulate body temperature and rest. However, if a young pup is onshore alone the mother may not return

If you build it will ospreys come? After erecting platform Monday, Yachats bird group will find out

April 23, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – With the foundation laid it’s now a game of wait-and-see whether efforts will work to entice ospreys to make a home in the heart of Yachats. A flock of volunteers gathered on the northern fringe of the wetlands west of city hall Monday to attach an upturned pallet atop a 65-foot pole to serve

It’s seal pupping season along the Oregon coast — and more killer whales sightings by growing number of watchers

April 18, 2024

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews Up and down the Oregon coast, harbor seal pupping season is just getting underway. And while the sight of the small, helpless seals is arresting all by itself, it portends another annual marvel – the increasingly visible return of killer whales to the state’s bays, inlets and near-shore coastal waters. The seals may be cute, but

Yachats council gets an earful about potential homeless camping sites — but emphasizes no decision made

April 18, 2024

By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – Not in our neighborhood was the general tenor of testimony at the Yachats’ city council meeting Wednesday from residents opposed to a designated campsite for homeless people in the community. It was standing-room only at the meeting with more than 50 people attending in person and many more online. After two public hearings, the

Gov. Tina Kotek won’t veto millions for Oregon cities — including Siletz — as she initially threatened

April 17, 2024

By LAUREN DRAKE/Oregon Public Broadasting Earlier this month, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she was considering vetoing seven projects approved by the state Legislature this year. Kotek said she wanted proof that $16 million in projects would eventually result in new housing, before agreeing to allow that portion of the legislation to be enacted. On Wednesday, the governor announced