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Lincoln County Leader -- The News Guard
Big Creek Road to be closed
Big Creek Road in Newport, beginning east of Iler Street, will be closed to the public Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, and again Monday, July 15, through Tuesday, July 16, to allow engineering crews to survey the area in relation to the Big Creek Dam Project. The area will be open to the public July 13-14. All recreational activities at Big Creek Reservoir will be prohibited during the dates the road is closed. For more information on the Big Creek Dam Project, visit SaveOurSupplyNewport.com. (Photo by Steve Card)
Bay clamming reopens statewide, mussels reopen on south coast
Bay clamming is now open statewide and mussel harvest reopens from Coos Bay north jetty to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced today. Two consecutive tests showed biotoxin levels below the closure limit in these areas. People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline (1-800-448-2474) before heading out to harvest shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage. ...
Despite mild fire season forecast, agencies tell Oregon leaders they need to invest in workforce
Oregon is likely to face fewer big wildfires this summer than in previous years, but a lack of rural housing, coupled with unstable and often low pay, continues to create firefighter workforce challenges across the state and region. That was a big part of the message from state and federal fire and emergency response officials, who discussed this year’s fire outlook and what they need at a meeting Monday at the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. The Portland-based center is part of a larger wildfire prevention...
Newport Swim Team gearing up for state
With the arrival of July, the Newport Swim Team attended their final meet before the course State Championships. Seven NST members participated in the TEAM Eugene Invitational June 28-30 at the 50-meter outdoor Amazon pool in Eugene. A total of 12 swim teams from Oregon and Idaho competed. Team Eugene dominated the combined team score, while NST took 8th place. For athletes ages 11 and older, this meet followed a prelim (AM) and finals (PM) format, testing their training and racing abilities. Here are the individual performances: ...
Surf Clinic in Newport
A Surf Clinic will be held July 7 in Newport. This comprehensive, six-hour workshop is designed for beginners seeking to turn their surf sessions from getting tossed around into effortlessly gliding onto waves. From reading the surf forecast and pop-up techniques, to ocean safety and mindfulness, this clinic covers it all. The intimate 1 to 4 instructor to student ratio ensures personalized attention, making the learning experience safe and enjoyable. Visit kayinwaves.com for more information.
Sheriff discusses south county services
Sheriff Curtis Landers appeared before the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners last week to discuss proposed contracts for enhanced law enforcement services in Waldport and Yachats. Waldport already has an agreement with the county through which the sheriff’s office provides personnel dedicated to law enforcement in the city. The proposed contract with Yachats for similar services would be a new agreement. “There’s two contracts that would occur here,” County Administrator...
Celebrating with a bang
Coastal residents and visitors alike are gearing up for an explosive celebration over the Fourth of July holiday. Tom Coates and his son, Evan, of Seal Rock, purchase fireworks Saturday at a stand next to the Oregon National Guard Armory in Newport. But not all parts of the county allow the personal use of fireworks — Lincoln City prohibits them everywhere within the city — so people should check for local restrictions before setting them off. Everyone will be able to enjoy public fireworks displays around the county, however. Tonight (Wednesday), a display will be shot off over Alsea Bay in Waldport. On Thursday, July 4, there will be displays over Yaquina Bay in Newport, the Yachats River in Yachats, and Siletz Bay in Lincoln City. On Friday, July 5, there will be a display over Devils Lake in Lincoln City. All fireworks shows begin at dusk. (Photo by Steve Card)
Fatal crash on Highway 20 in Lincoln County
On Monday, July 1, 2024, at 6:35 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a three-vehicle crash on Hwy-20, near milepost 30, in Lincoln County. The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Toyota Rav4, operated by Jose Manuel Zapata (29) of Portland, attempted to pass a Dodge Ram 2500 with a trailer, operated by Raphael Francis Spielman (78) of Gaston, and struck and eastbound Acura TL, operated by Scott Thomas Novotny (34) of Newport. The collision caused all three vehicles to come to an uncontrolled rest along...
Operation Dry Water launched
The Oregon Marine Board, sheriff’s offices across the state and the Oregon State Police will be participating in Operation Dry Water July 4-6. The enforcement effort is part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII). Leading factor The U.S. Coast...
Court upholds homeless camping ban
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a homeless camping ordinance in Grants Pass, a ruling that could impact homelessness efforts by cities in Lincoln County as well as across Oregon and the nation. The court states in its ruling, “The enforcement of generally applicable laws regulating camping on public property does not constitute ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ prohibited by the Eighth Amendment.” The plaintiffs filed a punitive...
Celebrate safely this Fourth of July: Rethink the Drink, drive sober
As Oregonians gear up to celebrate the busy months of summer – from Fourth of July and barbecues to weddings and river outings – the Oregon Health Authority's (OHA) Excessive Alcohol Use Prevention Program and the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Impaired Driving Program are partnering to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less. Excessive drinking impairs a person’s judgment, slows reaction times and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. This Fourth of July, OHA and ODOT are encouraging people...
Recommendations address teaching of reading and writing in elementary schools
Following a one-year review of Oregon’s early literacy education, a state council has released its final recommendations to strengthen educator preparation programs for teaching reading and writing in Oregon elementary schools. In January, the Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council released initial recommendations to revise educator and school administrator preparation program standards for literacy instruction. Members of educator prep programs and the general public were able to submit feedback to the recommendations. ...
Study illustrates how footwear options may increase risk of injury in youth runners
An abrupt switch to minimal shoes or barefoot running can put youth at greater risk for injury, according to a new study from researchers at Oregon State University – Cascades. While numerous clinical studies have focused on how footwear influences running mechanics in adults, few have looked at how different footwear affects running patterns in pre-adolescents and youth. “This is an important area for future research because, unlike in adults,...
U.S. Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors
The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that effectively bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property does not constitute the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. “Homelessness is complex. Its...
Gibson Farms donates to Siletz Valley Fire District
Gibson Farms, in Siletz, has donated $2,000 to the Siletz Valley Fire District (SVFD) in support of their emergency response, community services, disaster prevention and education programs. “We really hope we don’t need them, but when something goes unexpectedly wrong on the farm or in our community, these are often the folks who are going to show up to help first,” said Alan Fujishin, co-manager at Gibson Farms. “It’s important that they have the people, the tools, and the training to do their work well.” ...
Speed on Newport’s Oceanview Drive is topic of hearing
The Newport City Council on June 17 held a public hearing to accept testimony about a plan to reduce the speed limits on Oceanview Drive, a popular city street that provides access to the Agate Beach Wayside and also serves as a bypass to a section of Highway 101. At a meeting on April 15, the city council had approved a plan to implement a number of traffic control changes on that road, and this month’s public hearing was held specifically to consider an ordinance...
Fireworks issues beyond Independence Day
The use of fireworks, both legal and illegal, goes beyond celebrations during Independence Day. The fireworks are dangerous and have led to injuries and fires. Oregon law prohibits the possession, use or sale of any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground without a permit issued by the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon without a permit. ...
Health authority issues measles advisory
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and county public health officials are investigating two cases of measles in a single Clackamas County household. One household member, an unvaccinated adult, was confirmed to have measles Friday, June 14. The individual developed a rash June 11. While the time range of the exposure is believed to be between May 19 and June 4, the specific location of the exposure, which occurred in Marion County, is unknown, suggesting there may be other, unreported measles cases in Oregon, according to...
New public art in Newport
“Pegasus by the Sea” is the name of the latest installment of public art that was dedicated Saturday outside the Newport Performing Arts Center. The sculpture was designed and manufactured by artist Jesse Swickard (third from the right), who is pictured with members of the Newport Public Arts Commission. Cutting the ribbon is Newport City Councilor Cynthia Jacobi. (Photo by Steve Card)
Lincoln County Leader -- The News Guard
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