Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on June 12th lifted a public health advisory for contact with ocean water at Nye Beach, located in Lincoln County. The health authority issued the advisory June 9, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters. Results from follow-up tests taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the ocean water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. Offic

Lincoln County Personnel Rules (July 17, 2024), p. 46, Article 11, “Leaves of Absences.” Lincoln County District Attorney Jenna Wallace is questioning Human Resources Director David Collier’s handling of Debbie Howard’s paid leave and possible firing. Howard works in the District Attorney’s Office as a senior legal secretary. She is a 19-year county employee, union president and union steward. DA Questions Leave Approval In a June 8 email (below) to Commissioners Walter Chuck

Toledo Council, Mayor Mix, City Manager Huebner and Lt. Dell'Olio The Toledo City Council approved a new contract with the Salvation Army to double the annual assistance available through the city’s H2O program, increasing the maximum benefit from $100 to $200 per eligible recipient. The council voted 5–0 at its June 3 meeting to authorize the city manager to sign the updated agreement, following an earlier presentation from the Salvation Army in late April on how the program

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is issuing a public health advisory today for unsafe levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters at Nye Beach in Newport. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted. Unsafe levels of fecal bacteria can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. Children, elderly and those with a compromised immune system should use extra caution as they are more vuln

The Oregon Coast Aquarium opened “Amazon Basin: An Adventure for the Senses” on Saturday, May 23, immersing visitors in one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems through sight, sound, smell and touch. The changing exhibit, running through Jan. 2, 2028, features the largest collection of animals in a temporary exhibit at the Aquarium in decades. Entry is included with general admission. True to its name, the exhibit is designed to be felt as much as seen. An interactive smell

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners addressed multiple agenda items on June 3 but deferred final action on two matters: filling the vacant Position 2 seat and approving unapproved meeting minutes. Position 2 Vacancy Appointment The board did not reach a consensus on how to fill the Position 2 vacancy, which was created by the passing of Chair Claire Hall in January. Following an initial pool of 24 applicants, the county interviewed two finalists in March: Cristen Don of

Newport Police Officer Jeremiah Mangum was honored this week with the Newport Police Department’s Life Saving Medal for his role in preventing a suicide earlier this year. Newport Chief of Police Jason Malloy told the mayor and council he considers it a privilege to recognize actions that go beyond routine duty. “As I said before, I do have the greatest job in the world, getting to be the police chief of Newport, and because of the people that I get to work with, but every on

At 12:08 PM on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Newport Fire Department was dispatched to a report of a house on fire on the 300 block of NW 59th St. in Newport. Upon arrival, fire units observed a heavy level of smoke coming from the building. Fire crews initiated an exterior attack until a water supply could be established before fully extinguishing the fire. The fire was confined to the kitchen, however there was smoke damage throughout other areas of the home. One occupant suff

On June 2, 2026, the Lincoln County Clerk, Amy Southwell, confirmed that the recall petitions against all six Waldport City Councilors has met the requirements of Oregon election law. The petitions, filed by Chief Petitioner Tony Thimakis, submitted the required number of signatures from registered city voters and were verified by the Lincoln County Clerk. Under Oregon law, the councilors have five days to resign or face a recall election. This certification marks the culmina

InterCommunity Health Network Coordinated Care Organization (IHN-CCO) is accepting applications from interested community partners to fund innovative proposals focused on improving health equity and outcomes across Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties through our Delivery System Transformation (DST) Committee. Local health care providers, agencies and community-based organizations are invited to submit their grant proposals by no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. To be

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 1:18 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 18 near milepost 13.5 in Tillamook County. The preliminary investigation indicated a black Cadillac sedan, operated by Brandon Westly Joslin (43) of Scotts Mills, was traveling eastbound on Highway 18 near Otis when it failed to negotiate a corner and continued straight into the westbound lane for an unknown reason. The Cadillac collided head-on with a westbound gray

On May 28, 2026, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a theft at a business on Highway 101 in Yachats. Deputies learned a female suspect had entered a local business and stolen items. After reviewing video evidence of the theft, a deputy identified Danielle Condley as the suspect and located her behind the Yachats City Hall. When the deputy contacted Condley and informed her she was being detained for the theft, Condley began to walk away, staggering her stance an

During a series of town hall's Samaritan Health Services leaders laid out their case for affiliating with Washington-based MultiCare Health System during a public town hall in Newport, describing the proposed deal as essential to long‑term financial stability, expanded local services, and maintaining rural access to care on the central Oregon coast. President & Chief Executive Officer, Samaritan Health Services Marty Cahill was in Lincoln County providing information about th

The Lincoln County Budget Committee officially opened public reviews for the upcoming fiscal year 2026–27 budget on May 26, 2026, shifting attention toward significant institutional challenges and structural shifts in county governance structure. Financial Director and Budget Officer Lennon Pierce presented the proposed spending plan, which totals $216,583,435 for the county and its special districts. This figure represents a 4.2% increase over the current amended budget of $

Lincoln City Mayor Susan Wahlke delivered her annual State of the City address to the Lincoln City Chamber during their monthly luncheon last week, outlining progress on housing, public works, accessibility, and community engagement, while urging residents to stay involved in the city’s budget and planning processes. She opened with a rundown of the current council: Nicole Peterson and Todd Barker representing Ward 1 (north end), Marci Baker and Riley Hoagland in Ward 2, and

The Oregon State Marine Board held a public hearing on proposed rule changes for motorized boat use on the Siletz River, taking testimony from tribal members, local residents, fishing guides, and recreational anglers. The hearing is part of an ongoing rulemaking process launched following a petition from the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians seeking a motor ban above Jack Morgan Park. PROCESS AND TIMELINE Marine Board staff explained that the board approved proposed rules

In the May 19th election primary, results were counted for the second time on Wednesday May 20th and announced at 5pm with statewide results showing on Thursday May 21st at 7am. In Lincoln County right now the voter turnout was 44% and the statewide turnount was 34%. Here are the most recent results, for the race for Governor it looks like it will be Republican Christine Drazen who currently has 41% of the vote who is going against Tina Kotek, who has over 84%. For US Represe

The May primary election is tomorrow. 25 people are running for the Governor’s race. 15 are Republican and 10 are Democrat. There are 5 running for US Representative, 4th district. 9 are running for the US Senate race. For the first time in Lincoln County history all three county commission positions are up for election. We will have election information posted as soon as it is released around 8pm on May 19th. Measures on the local ballot include Measure 120, which if passed

Oregon Coast Community College’s Small Business Development Center wrapped up its annual youth pitch competition Wednesday night, giving Lincoln County high school students a public stage to present their business ideas and compete for startup funding. The event took place at the Gladys Valley building at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. Students from multiple local high schools delivered short business pitches to a panel of judges and an audience of parents,

Oregon’s overdose deaths have decreased over the past two years, according to provisional federal data and a new report released by Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Preliminary data show there were around 1,100 deaths in 2025, representing a continued downward trend, although the total is likely to increase slightly as more data from 2025 is processed. A total of 1,544 people died of a drug overdose in 2024, down from 1,833 in 2023. The decline marks the first year-over-year de