By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — As Oregon Supreme Court justices intently listened on Thursday, lawyers parsed and dissected Measure 113, a voter-approved law that bars state legislators from serving a subsequent term after at least 10 unexcused absences. Now, the state Supreme Court must decide how to rule on the challenge from five […]
Archives for December 2023
Oregon, Washington and tribes reach “historic” deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams
By LYNNE TERRY and BILL LUCIA/Oregon Capital Chronicle A decades-long battle over dams in the Columbia River Basin had a breakthrough Thursday, as the Biden administration announced a deal with four tribes in the region and the states of Oregon and Washington that is meant to restore salmon and other fish runs while also looking […]
House passes bill to remove one more hurdle to Siletz hunting, fishing rights
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation this week to provide the legal ability for the Siletz Tribe and the state of Oregon to change a legal clause that has severely limited the hunting, fishing, trapping and gathering abilities of tribal members. The bill sponsored by Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore. allows the Siletz Tribe to […]
Oregon Coast CC asks voters in May to approve $33.16 million bond to build trades/technical center
By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Oregon Coast Community College hopes the second time is the charm. The OCCC board voted unanimously Wednesday night to ask voters in May to approve a $33.16 million bond to build what is calling a “cutting-edge” trade and technical education center on its main Newport campus. The bond would be for […]
Owner of Underground Pub in Yachats closes it suddenly, surprising employees and customers
By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews YACHATS – The Yachats Underground Pub & Grub, a favorite local watering hole and music venue, has closed. The sudden and unexpected closure came the evening of Dec. 6 after a cash register malfunction led to words between a bartender and owner David Lothrop, who witnesses say berated the bartender in […]
BOLI settled racial discrimination lawsuit from second ex-employee under now-congresswoman Val Hoyle
By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries this fall settled a lawsuit from a second former employee who alleged racial hostility under then-commissioner and current Congresswoman Val Hoyle. The state’s $425,000 settlement with Shaina Pomerantz, who worked for the bureau for about eight months in 2020, includes an […]
Lincoln County commissioners Wednesday will discuss banning personal fireworks — and ask cities to do the same
By QUINTON SMITH/YachatsNews Saying that public sentiment and safety concerns are turning against widespread use of personal fireworks, Lincoln County commissioners are moving to ban their sale and use anywhere in unincorporated areas of the county. Commissioners are also encouraging the seven cities in the county to do the same. At the urging of […]
“The Christmas Show” returns to Newport PAC with three crowd-pleasing performances this weekend
By Oregon Coast TODAY NEWPORT — “The Christmas Show” by the Red Octopus Theatre Company has turned into a tradition that the central Oregon coast community looks forward to each December. The show returns to the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday through Sunday, Dec. 15-17. Due to its increasing popularity, what started out […]
5 Questions and a Secret: New book author Jay V. Chambers of Yachats
By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews For almost five years, customers at the Yachats Mercantile store have been used to seeing only one side of Jay Chambers — the side that works the cash register, helps them find things and orders hardware. Now, though, the world is getting a different view — Jay V. Chambers, book author. […]
Yachats Fire District looking to fill board vacancy after longtime member’s resignation
YACHATS – The Yachats Rural Fire District is looking to fill a board seat that will become vacant Dec. 31 with the resignation of longtime member Betty Johnston of Yachats. Johnston, 83, announced her resignation in October and attended her final board meeting Monday during which other members voted unanimously to create a title for […]