The Toledo City Council has appointed longtime resident and former councilor Stu Strom to fill a vacant seat through the end of the year. Council noted his experience and institutional memory that would benefit the current council. The vacancy was created by the resignation of Council President Sylvia. The seat is one of three council positions up for election this November, meaning Strom will serve roughly five and a half months before voters decide who holds the seat long-t

The morning of July 16th the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board fulfilled a resource request from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office by mobilizing Strike Team 7 in support of the East Evans Creek Road Fire, located approximately 14 miles northeast of Rogue River in Jackson County, Oregon. Strike Team #7 is comprised of units from Lincoln, Linn & Tillamook Counties with the following resources. The deployment is being led by Strike Team Leader Mark Bernt of the City of Al

Kathleen Dugan shows the world that retirement is no time to slow down.

As technology evolves, so does the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF continues to adapt and integrate technological advancements into their work. During fire season, the agency uses several different types of tech for early detection, prevention, data collection and to support suppression efforts. Wildfire Detection Cameras ODF’s wildfire detection cameras play an integral role in the state’s early detection and response on fires. These cameras monitor thousands of acr

All six Waldport City Councilors will keep their seats. With 95% of the votes counted and a 37% voter turnout the recall of the six city councilors has failed. Tony Thimakis the recall organizer, said he was very disapointed in the voter turnout. On June 2, 2026, the Lincoln County Clerk, Amy Southwell, confirmed that the recall petitions against all six Waldport City Councilors. Ballots were due in by 8pm Monday July 13. The second unofficial count will be done by Tuesday Ju

Razor clamming on Clatsop beaches is closed beginning 12:01 a.m., July 15. The last day to harvest is July 14. The annual closure conserves young razor clams, giving them time to get established on these beaches so they can grow and be harvested in future years. This helps ensure population growth on Oregon’s most productive beaches for razor clams. Razor clam harvesting on Clatsop beaches resume October 1 pending biotoxin results. Alternative harvesting areas during the clo

The Lincoln City Police Department will be conducting a Pedestrian Safety Operation on Monday, July 13th, 2026 in the area of the South 900 block of Highway 101, in the vicinity of McKay’s Market and the City Hall building. With the use of a decoy pedestrian, the Lincoln City Police Department hopes to raise awareness of drivers and pedestrians through education and enforcement of pedestrian right-of-way laws. The operation will be conducted between the hours of 1:00 and 4:00

The green area shows where the problem pipe is and the square shows where the break is Lincoln County commissioners convened an emergency meeting on July 2 to authorize immediate septic repairs at the Lincoln County Courthouse, after a sewer line problem forced the shutdown of water service to much of the building and raised concerns about public health and access to essential court functions. The meeting, was called specifically to approve emergency procurement for the septi

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is awarding about $97.1 million in additional federal funding to improve the health and well-being of Oregon’s rural communities this year. The grants will collectively support 136 new projects across all counties in the state. With this announcement, Oregon has so far awarded about $175.3 million total to support health in rural communities this year. Lincoln County will receive 12 grants. “Overwhelming interest in this program demonstrates the

Lincoln City officials say the city’s aging City Hall and library complex is facing serious water damage, high operating costs, and growing safety and accessibility concerns, raising questions about how long the building can continue to function in its current state. Lincoln City residents got a chance to hear about the future of their aging City Hall and library building, during recent Town Hall meetings. Citizens got an opportunity to hear about three multi‑million‑dollar

Lincoln County commissioners adopted a package of year-end budget amendments during a special meeting June 30, while clashing briefly over public access and to commissioners access to backup documents and hearing sharp criticism from a citizen during public comment. Finance Director Lennon Pierce walked the board through a series of adjustments across multiple funds, including about $486,000 in increased materials and services for roads and highways, $125,000 for new motor ve

The Newport City Council approved a construction contract for the long-planned Safe Route to School project on Harney Street, clearing the way for major street and sidewalk upgrades ahead of the coming school year. Some of the work is underway and there are one lane closures between 3rd street and Highway 20 along Harney street. The council voted to award the Moore Harney U.S. 20 intersection and street improvement project to Road and Driveway Company in the amount of $1,919,

The Oregon State Marine Board, in partnership with marine law enforcement across the state, will be participating in Operation Dry Water, July 3rd through July 5th, as part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII). BUII includes consumption of prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or any combination impairing a person’s ability to operate a boat safely. The e

Tony Thimakis, organizer of the recall of the 6 Waldport Council members, has submitted a formal complaint to the Secretary of State's office alleging that the city, through the City Manager Dann Cutter, misled the public regarding the recall election. Thimakis said a statement that was made on the city of Waldport's website could mislead voters. In the statement, Cutter states he is responding to questions regarding how the city government will be run if all council members

Oregon Coast Community College held its 38th Annual Commencement Ceremony Friday, June 12, at the Newport Performing Arts Center, honoring graduates who together earned more than 200 degrees and certificates this year. Those credentials spanned the fields of healthcare, transfer education, skilled trades, and more. OCCC President Dr. Marshall Mease Roache and Board Chair Debbie Kilduff welcomed graduates, families, faculty, and community members to the ceremony. Graduate Kara

Vacant Seat Remains Unfilled NEWPORT - Lincoln County’s two remaining commissioners remain divided over how to fill the vacant Position 2 seat on the Board of Commissioners, leaving the three-member board with only two voting members. The seat has been vacant since the death of Commissioner Claire Hall in January. At the Board’s June 24 meeting, Commissioner Casey Miller and Commissioner Walter Chuck again reviewed their differing views on how to complete the appointment (wat

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners formally recognized the work of local probation, parole and community supervision officers, proclaiming July 19–25, 2026 as Probation, Parole and Community Supervision Week in Lincoln County. Commissioner Casey Miller read the proclamation at the start of the board’s meeting, noting that juvenile and adult community supervision is “an essential part of the criminal justice and public safety system.” The proclamation stated that Lincol

Statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington, and many local regions have additional restrictions in place. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of all active restrictions and closures as warmer weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest. “Every individual's choices directly impact community safety,” said Kim Prill, BLM Oregon/Washington Acting State Director. “Just one spark can start

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 5.2% in each of the first five months of 2026. The U.S. unemployment rate was 4.3% in March, April, and May. Although nonfarm payroll employment rose by a total of 4,200 jobs during April and May, this broad measure of Oregon’s employment was still 9,100 jobs, or 0.5%, below its May 2025 level. Over the past 12 months, nine of the major industries have cut jobs, while only five industries have added jobs. At 1,977,100, Oregon nonfarm payroll emp

NEWPORT — Lincoln County commissioners adopted the county’s 2026-27 budget after a process that raised questions about draft changes, audit findings, financial-system access and the public’s ability to review a 330-page spending plan before final approval. The dispute was not only about how much the county plans to spend. It was also about which version of the budget was being adopted, what changed between drafts and whether commissioners and residents had enough information