Lincoln County officials are continuing to refine the redevelopment plan for the Lincoln County Commons after the project team estimated that the full master-plan vision would cost about $36 million—roughly $6 million above the project’s current $30 million budget. At the Oct. 7 Board of Commissioners meeting, project manager Joshua Dodson of DPM presented two approaches. The full plan includes a multipurpose event building, a covered rodeo area, restrooms and equipment stora

The executive director of the Community Services Consortium (CSC), asked Lincoln County to consider a one-time contribution of up to $500,000 to help the agency maintain operating cash as it works to stabilize its finances. Ryan Vogt, CSC’s executive director, made the request to the Board of Commissioners on Oct. 7. He said the request was for short-term operating flexibility and was not a decision about whether the county should remain part of the consortium. CSC is a gover

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners proclaimed Oct. 4–10, 2026, National 4-H Week, recognizing the program’s work with local youth and honoring Sue Giles, a longtime 4-H volunteer, who was recently inducted into the Oregon 4-H Hall of Fame. Sue said she has been involved in 4-H for 55 years. She joined as a 9-year-old and later became a club leader, for the past 43 years. Shelly Spangler, an education program assistant with the local 4-H program, nominated her for the H

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners announced the 2026-27 Community and Economic Development Grant Program. The application is available on the county’s website. Applications are accepted from local governments and organizations recognized by the IRS as nonprofit organizations. Applications are also accepted from public-private partnerships with the fiscal agent being a nonprofit or municipal organization. An example of a public-private partnership project that could qu

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners are preparing to resume in-person public meetings after several months of holding sessions virtually after county officials said employees raised safety concerns. . During the Sept. 2 Board of Commissioners meeting, Chair Walter Chuck said county staff and the county’s insurer had previously recommended moving to online-only meetings after multiple complaints from employees who reported feeling unsafe during contentious public comment

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners remained deadlocked Wednesday over its vacant third seat, despite Commissioner Casey Miller continuing to expand the number of people he said he would support for appointment. At the Sept. 2 meeting, Commissioner Walter Chuck again nominated Cristen Don. After Miller declined to second the motion, Miller proposed nine possible appointees. Chuck declined to second that motion and instead nominated Cathie Rigby. Miller declined to secon

Lincoln County commissioners on Wednesday approved a package of tourism room tax (TRT) agreements, continued their stalemated discussion over filling the vacant Position 2 commission seat, and discussed potential changes to the board agenda. TRT contracts for chambers and museums approved After being pulled from the consent calendar at a previous meeting, a set of tourism-related contracts came back for full board discussion. Commissioners reviewed agreements with seven entit

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

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