Don and Steere compete in general election race for last two years of Lincoln County commission term

The Nov. 3 contest between Cristen Don and Joe Steere to fill the remaining two years of Position 2 on the Lincoln County commission is the first time that all three positions were up for election in one year and no matter who wins ensures there will be at least two new faces on the board.

Lincoln City Mayor Susan Wahlke challenged for second four-year term by Councilor Marci Baker in Nov. 3 election

October 22, 2026

Samaritan clinicians vote overwhelmingly to unionize, bargain over care and working conditions

October 22, 2026

Lincoln City voters face expensive — and confusing — options for repairing or building a new city hall

October 21, 2026

Community News

Newport voters will decide whether to approve a $38 million bond for 17 infrastructure projects

October 20, 2026

In addition to choosing a mayor and three council members, voters in Newport have a money measure to decide -- a $38 million bond proposal to repair and upgrade 17 projects involving the city’s infrastructure.

Nine candidates vie for Waldport mayor and three council seats in local government roiled by turmoil

October 19, 2026

Two years of turmoil in Waldport city government has led three people to seek the mayor's position and six to vie for three of six council seats in the Nov. 3 general election.

In bitter rematch, Oregon’s 4th Congressional District candidates clash over their records, immigration

October 18, 2026

The Democratic incumbent Rep. Val Hoyle and Republican challenger Monique DeSpain differ on immigration and healthcare and repeat talking points from their 2024 faceoff, which Hoyle won by nearly 8 percentage points. Pacific Green Party candidate Justin Filip is also running again this year.

Habitat and Samaritan Health team up to develop affordable housing project near Lincoln City hospital

October 18, 2026

A project to build nine affordable homes with priority for Samaritan Health Services employees and Otis wildfire survivors is one step closer to breaking ground. The project between Samaritan and Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln County is meant to be an opportunity for the hospital system's lowest-paid employees who meet certain requirements to own their own homes.

Astoria-based FisherPoets bringing its unique brand of seafaring entertainment to Lincoln County

October 18, 2026

The FisherPoets Gathering, a celebration of poetry, song and commercial fishing, is coming to Newport, Lincoln City and four other Oregon coast towns this month. The group will present FisherPoets sessions to audiences from Garibaldi to Port Orford, spreading the idea that a rich lode of narrative creativity is often found alongside the nets, hawsers and Grundéns.

Incumbent Miller and challenger Rigby both believe change on Lincoln County commission will ease issues

October 17, 2026

Incumbent Casey Miller and Cathie Rigby are facing off for a four-year term on the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners with each saying a change -- whether it be two or three new members -- will bring turmoil to an end.

Lincoln Chronicle adds third day to its newsletters — and offers reminder on election letters

October 17, 2026

The Lincoln Chronicle is now sending newsletters of its top stories to readers (who sign up for them) three times a week -- Monday evenings and Wednesday and Friday mornings. And, we're also reminding readers about letters to the editor.

Lincoln County foreclosure auction finds winning bidders for seven of 19 properties

October 17, 2026

Lincoln County put 19 foreclosed properties up for auction to the highest bidder Thursday. But only seven of the 19 properties drew interest and sold during the 45-minute auction in commission chambers attended by an audience of 25 and a handful of active bidders.

Newport voters have their first decision since 2020 on who will sit in mayor’s chair

October 15, 2026

Newport voters will decide their first contested mayoral race since 2020 when former mayor and now city councilor Sandy Roumagoux challenges incumbent Jan Kaplan in the Nov. 3 general election.

More community news

News Briefs

Siletz Valley School board hires interim superintendent from southern Oregon

October 21, 2026

The Siletz Valley School board has hired Brad Capener of southern Oregon as its interim superintendent as it continues its search for a new, permanent instructional leader.

Lincoln County’s unemployment rate dips slightly in September

October 20, 2026

Lincoln County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped slightly in September but remains significantly higher than the state and national rates. The unemployment rate in the county was 5.7 percent in September, down from 5.8 percent in August and below the 6.3 percent rate of September 2025, the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday.

Waldport chamber donates $2,500 to Lions backpack program

October 20, 2026

The Waldport Chamber of Commerce has donated $2,500 to the Waldport Lions Club’s backpack program through proceeds from its annual charity golf tournament held in August at Crestview Golf Club.

Coastal band will perform Halloween-themed concerts in Yachats, Florence

October 20, 2026

“Monsters, Mummies & Rubber Chickens” will take the coastal stage when the Pacific Coast Wind Ensemble plays two free concerts at 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Yachats Commons and 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at Presbyterian Community Church in Florence. Admission is free, with free refreshments and free treats for children in costume.

Volunteers needed to help Lincoln County residents with tax returns

October 19, 2026

The AARP Foundation’s vital Tax-Aide Program is looking for volunteers. Although tax filing season is months away, many volunteers are needed in Waldport, Newport and Lincoln City to help Lincoln County residents with low to moderate incomes complete their taxes, often obtaining much-needed refunds.

Immigration agents detain two men Thursday in Lincoln City

October 16, 2026

Immigration enforcement officers swept up two men Thursday in Lincoln City, including a McDonald’s employee on his lunch break, amid a rise in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in Oregon.

More news briefs

Quick Links

Oregon Coast Today

Cascade Head Biosphere celebrates 50th anniversary with film premiere at Pelican Brewing on Tuesday, Oct. 27

Five decades of conservation, research and community stewardship will be celebrated with film, poetry and a specially brewed beer when the Cascade Head Biosphere Region celebrates its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Tennessee Williams’ classic ‘The Night of the Iguana’ continues three-week run at Performing Arts Center

Passions run high in Tennessee Williams' critically acclaimed classic "The Night of the Iguana," a play with rich dialogue and beguiling characters that opens at the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 16 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1.

Coastal Events and Entertainment

Looking for something to do, some place to go, something to learn, something to enjoy? Inside this section are public events for the next seven days on the central Oregon coast as part of a partnership between the Lincoln Chronicle and Oregon Coast TODAY.

Go here for events

5 Questions and a Secret

For 17 years the “Pick of the Litter” thrift store in Newport has been helping both pets and people

The Lincoln Chronicle's semi-monthly 5 Questions and a Secret feature is on the Pick of the Litter thrift store in Newport, the people who run it and how Friends of Lincoln County Animals uses its proceeds to help the Central Coast Humane Society and the county's animal shelter.

Oregon/NW News

State approves Oregon’s first rural hospital network

October 22, 2026

With rural hospitals across Oregon under pressure, the Oregon Health Authority has approved the Cascades Rural High Value Network, an arrangement that will allow the small hospitals to pool their purchasing power, creating an economy of scale on par with larger hospitals.

Oregon’s longtime Shakespeare festival goes from surviving to thriving

October 22, 2026

Audiences are rediscovering the magic of live performance and a shared communal experience at southern Oregon’s landmark Oregon Shakespeare Festival, with revenue growing 150% since 2023, increasing from $7 million to $17.5 million.

Investigators probe Bend school shooter’s connection to violent extremist groups

October 21, 2026

Federal and state law enforcement are investigating connections between violent online extremist groups and the 16-year-old shooter who killed three children and a teacher at an elementary school in Bend last week, multiple sources tell OPB.

Experts say a prosecution could be difficult under Oregon’s gun laws in school shooting

October 21, 2026

Less than a week since a teenager shot and killed four people at a Bend elementary school, questions still linger about the attack, including how a 16-year-old boy acquired the firearm and whether anyone else could be held legally liable for the crimes he later committed.

Feds award Coos Bay $205 million to keep its massive port container project on track

October 20, 2026

The Port of Coos Bay has a big vision to make international shipping the heart of the south coast’s economic revival. The Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project would create a massive deep-water terminal where cargo ships drop off shipping containers up to 40 feet long, full of goods from around the globe. On Monday, the federal government agreed to pitch

Southwest Oregon airport eyes Portland flights as it plans for major growth

October 20, 2026

Southwest Oregon Regional Airport could restore daily flights to Portland in 2027, nearly a decade after its last scheduled service to the city ended. Officials said the route could serve south coast residents traveling to medical appointments in Portland and give passengers another way to connect with flights elsewhere.

‘It’s gonna be a hard drop off’: Bend prepares to return to school after Silver Rail shooting

October 19, 2026

Teachers, parents and students are preparing for the return to class on Wednesday in most schools in the Bend-La Pine School District, with the exception of Silver Rail, where the shooting last week left three children and one teacher dead. It's still unclear when Silver Rail will reopen.

More Oregon news

Letters from readers

Kaplan stood up for Newport community and deserves vote for mayor

October 21, 2026

Yaquina Bay Economic Foundation urges support for Newport’s infrastructure bond

October 17, 2026

Rigby’s grant experience would be an asset as county commissioner

October 17, 2026

May primary opponent endorses Miller for county commissioner

October 16, 2026

Hospital CEO urges Newport voters to approve infrastructure bond

October 16, 2026

Newport councilor urges support for four incumbents

October 16, 2026

Miller cares about Lincoln County, its people and should get your vote

October 12, 2026

Former Lincoln County commissioner endorses Cathie Rigby

October 9, 2026

Wahlke’s experience leading Lincoln City deserves support

October 9, 2026

More letters

Lincoln County Real Estate Sales

Want to know more about real estate sales in Lincoln County? What sold when, where and for how much? The Lincoln Chronicle is now offering weekly real estate sales data and brief stories based on all property sales in Lincoln County. This information is gathered from public, registered real estate sales records.

View real estate sales