By APRIL ERHLICH/Oregon Public Broadcasting The Biden administration has published its proposed plan for preserving old-growth trees in national forests across the country, opening another opportunity for public input on conserving ancient trees. The proposal, presented in a draft environmental analysis on Friday, outlines ways national forests should prioritize preserving old-growth trees, but it falls short […]
Archives for June 2024
Proposed Forest Service mountain biking system sparks tension in south Tillamook County
By BRYCE DOYLE/Oregon Public Broadcasting Tillamook County has long been known as Oregon’s dairy capital. More than a million people visit the local creamery each year. Its products can be found in grocery stores nationwide. Within the next decade, however, something else could bring people here in droves — mountain biking. The U.S. Forest Service […]
Northeast Oregon city bans chain stores amid dollar store backlash
By ANTONIA SIERRA/Oregon Public Broadcasting An organized campaign to prevent the spread of chain dollar stores in Wallowa County scored a significant victory this month. The Joseph City Council passed an ordinance banning “formula” businesses from operating within city limits. While the law doesn’t identify any chain stores by name, it arrived amid community concern over […]
Oregon’s minimum wage is going up again July 1
By Oregon Public Broadcasting Oregon’s minimum wage varies based on location. On July 1, the state’s standard minimum wage will rise to $14.70 per hour. The minimum wage in the Portland metro area is $1.25 above standard and will increase to $15.95 per hour. The wage in nonurban counties is $1 below standard and will go […]
Campaigns trade barbs after Republican challenger sends email seeking six debates with Rep. Hoyle
By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital Chronicle Republican congressional nominee Monique DeSpain is challenging Democratic Rep. Val Hoyle to six debates in a congressional district that many Republican operatives are eying as key to maintaining the party’s slight majority in the House. DeSpain made the challenge via a news release and email last week, according to […]
Weyerhaeuser needs to find alternatives to helicopter spraying
To the editor: We received notice from the Oregon Department of Forestry that Weyerhaeuser Timber Holdings between July 1 and Sept. 28, will spray pesticides by helicopter on more than 2,000 acres of its private timberlands in Lincoln and Polk counties. Weyerhaeuser’s notice acknowledges that many of the 27 parcels to be sprayed contain wetlands […]
Yachats valley resident opposes roadside herbicide spraying
To the editor: I am a resident of Yachats living along Yachats Valley Road. I want to voice my opposition to the use by a contractor for Lincoln County of the herbicide “High Noon” as a weed control along our road and river. It is scheduled to be sprayed between Miles 1-7 before the end […]
Port of Alsea hits a snag in search for new manager as replacement resigns, business slows
By GARRET JAROS/YachatsNews WALDPORT – The Port of Alsea is postponing looking for a new manager until winter after the man hired for the job resigned and business this year dropped significantly. “I have been telling you every month for the last few months that this year has a totally different feel to it […]
Losing county candidate asks radio station for his money back — and more
A candidate who finished a distant fourth in the May primary race for a seat on the Lincoln County commission has gone to court seeking nearly $3,600 from a Newport radio station which he claims did not run his advertisements and therefore hurt his campaign. Don Gomez of Newport says he paid $450 for radio […]
OSU gets $5.5 million for ocean energy work
Oregon State University is getting $5.5 million from the federal government to support its Pacific Marine Energy Center operations in Corvallis. The $5.5 million award will be issued through the U.S. Department of Energy’s water power technologies office. The funding will assist the Pacific Marine Energy Center, a university consortium with OSU, the University of Washington, […]