By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews YACHATS – The city of Yachats is scrambling to fill three of seven seats on its Planning Commission as resignations over health issues and frustration with city operations leave it with just one longtime member and the possibility of not having enough members to function next month. Commission chair John Theilacker […]
Archives for December 2023
Changes to the U.S. Forest Service’s forest plans should protect more old-growth trees from wildfire and climate change
About 25% of all the remaining old-growth trees across all national forests and grasslands in the lower 48 states are in national forests in the Northwest that are managed by federal agencies. By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle America’s oldest trees, most of which are in the West, will get added protection from wildfire and climate […]
PacifiCorp to pay $250 million in timber company settlement for 2020 southern Oregon wildfire
By RYAN HASS/Oregon Public Broadcasting For the second time this month, the utility provider PacifiCorp will pay out hundreds of millions of dollars to end a lawsuit over its alleged role in the devastating Oregon wildfires in 2020. In a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, PacifiCorp announced it has reached […]
Coastal ports abuzz with activity as first loads of Dungeness crab arrive for the 2023-24 season
By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews NEWPORT – A buzz of excitement electrified Newport docks Saturday as the first of the small crab boats arrived to unload their catch under perfect December weather. Crews with Pacific Living Seafood positioned totes, shoveled ice and hoisted crab from boat-holds to the dock where forklifts scurried to fill box trucks […]
Couple’s new coffee shop in Yachats focuses on high-end brews in leased Ona restaurant space
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews YACHATS — A new place to get a premium caffeine buzz has quietly opened inside Ona Restaurant in downtown Yachats. Dream Machine Coffee is now offering high-end espresso-based beverages and single origin pour-over coffees. In addition, there are beverages for non-coffee drinkers, along with snacks, all in a colorful space that […]
Waldport man arrested in burglary of ranger district offices
WALDPORT – A 36-year-old Waldport man is scheduled to be arraigned in Lincoln County circuit court Tuesday on four charges stemming from a burglary at the Siuslaw National Forest’s Central Coast Ranger District and theft of eight specialized hand-held radios worth $2,000 each. Michael A. Colon is accused of first-degree burglary, first-degree theft, possessing a […]
Yachats celebrates winter solstice Thursday with bonfire, food, music
YACHATS — Yachats’ annual Winter Solstice celebration fires up at the Pavilion behind the Commons from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21 “or until the bonfire goes out.” The public is invited to enjoy free chili, cookies donated by the Yachats Ladies Club, popcorn, beverages, music and dancing. Attendees are urged to dress warmly for the outdoor […]
Yachats Lions Club resurrects “Lunch Bunch” gatherings Thursday
YACHATS — A popular monthly gathering returns this week when the Yachats Lions Club resumes its “Lunch Bunch” meal Thursday at the clubhouse on West Forth Street. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the noon seating, which offers diners alcohol-free Kalua Pork (a Merriman’s Hawaii restaurant recipe), steamed rice, green salad and holiday pies. Suggested […]
As government benefits end, local food banks struggle to meet increased demand from the working poor
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews Two young boys and their parents came to the Yachats Food Pantry recently to get groceries. Pantry leader Pam Luderitz was working the counter that day, and finished up the order by asking the boys what kind of cereal they wanted. As they pondered, she opened the freezer for another client, […]
Crab boats light up the night ocean as they drop pots Wednesday in preparation for first pull Saturday
By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews The white lights of fishing boats shimmered under a purple dawn in an unbroken string along Oregon’s central coast Wednesday as Dungeness crab fisherman prepared to drop their first pots of the 2023-24 season. Wednesday marked the day pots could be left to soak off the central and southern coast in […]