The Coast Guard has completed its investigation into the January 8, 2019, loss of the Commercial Fishing Vessel MARY B II on the Yaquina Bay Bar near Newport, Oregon. The Coast Guard convened a Board of Investigation. The Board of Investigation held one public hearing session the week of May 13-17, 2019, in Newport, Oregon. A copy of the Report of Investigation into this casualty can be obtained at the following link: Marine Casualty Reports (uscg.mil). Safety information on bar crossings and hazards can be found on the Coast Guard’s District 13 Waterways Management website. Waterways Management (uscg.mil). To schedule a Coast Guard Fishing Vessel Safety Dockside Exam, contact Sector Columbia River at 503-572-3516; email FVSPortland@uscg.mil, or Sector Puget Sound at 206-217-6208; email SecSeaDispatch@uscg.mil.

When I was an intern for Oregon Senator Mark Hatfield, I had a front row seat to see just how important it is for our state’s priorities and values to be represented on the powerful Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding the federal government. Now, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior and Environment, I’m working hard to continue Senator Hatfield’s legacy and ensure that Oregon has a strong voice in the nation’s spending decisions, including investing in vital projects that meet our state’s diverse needs, from building wildfire resiliency to boosting affordable housing. ...

Diversifying its customer base to bring different types of cargo to the Newport International Terminal (NIT) continues to be a priority at the Port of Newport. News of a $3.4 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has increased local conversation about the terminal and its use. Port Executive Director Paula Miranda sat down recently to provide more detail about the facility and its potential new customers. “It is important to start by saying that the terminal was built with...

A facility called STARS (Samaritan Treatment & Recovery Services) is currently under construction at 5840 NW Biggs St. in north Newport. This property, which was originally the site of a church and later an adult foster care facility, was purchased by the Pacific Communities Health District for a substance use disorder residential and outpatient recovery center, to be run by Samaritan Health Services. As part of this project, the Newport City Council was informed this month of traffic changes that will be made in that...

A Waldport woman has died as the result of a traffic crash along Highway 101. Oregon State Police (OSP) responded at approximately 5:39 p.m. April 22, to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy. 101 near milepost 143 within the Newport city limits. The preliminary investigation indicated a red Chevrolet Monte Carlo was driving southbound on Highway 101 when it crossed the middle lane into the northbound lane for unknown reasons and...

Rogue Stokes won state championships in Freestyle and Greco Roman Wrestling on the same weekend. Stokes earned the Triple Crown Trophy, a testament to his skill, dedication, and versatility as a wrestler. Securing titles across all three major styles of wrestling—Folkstyle, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman—in a single year is a rare and commendable feat. This accomplishment highlights his exceptional talent and possibly a bright sports future. Congratulations to him on such a standout performance!

An Arbor Day Celebration was held Friday, April 19, at the Newport Public Library, featuring a variety of activities for young and old alike. Above, Nathan Schilke, left, Keegann Ketola and Library Director Laura Kimberly place plants and seeds in the library’s Seed and Read Garden. Below. (Photos by Steve Card)

Restoration work is underway on the historic Rocky Creek Bridge, also known as the Ben Jones Bridge, located near the north end of Otter Crest Loop. The bridge was built in 1927. According to a project summary on the Oregon Department of Transportation website, “We’re replacing the system that helps prevent the metal from rusting. This is known as cathodic protection. During construction, it’ll look like we’re painting the bridge.” There will be some traffic impacts while work is underway. (Photo by Steve Card)

The Taft Pioneer Cemetery in Lincoln City, holds a significant piece of local history with the original WWII watchtower standing as a testament to the community's dedication to home defense during World War II. To commemorate this historic landmark, a dedication ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 25 at the cemetery, located at 3990 SE Highway 101. During World War II, the U.S. Coast Guard erected watchtowers...

A year-long celebration is planned to mark the 100th anniversary of the St. Augustine Church at 1139 NW Highway 101 in Lincoln City. The actual date of the 100th Anniversary is May 30, 2025. “For this momentous occasion, we have planned a year-long observance of our Centennial Year to "commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and capture the future" to begin on May 3, 2024 to May 30, 2025, coordinator...

Lincoln County School District Athletic Directors, Zach Lillebo of Taft 7-12 and Shelley Moore of Newport High School, have been honored for their outstanding contributions to interscholastic sports by the Oregon Athletic Directors Association (OADA). Zach Lillebo received the prestigious Class 3A Athletic Director of the Year Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership within his league. Lillebo, who has served as Taft's athletic director and assistant principal for the past three years, expressed humility in receiving the award. ...

A 50-foot tall electronic sign now welcomes visitors entering Lincoln City along North Highway 101. The design of the sign began in April of 2023 and the sign went live last month, on March 13, when it was lit up for the first time. “The tribe and the Chinook Winds executive management team have been working on the details for nearly a year to ensure the sign represents our vision...

Modern children face no shortage of things to do, and many kids are involved in competitive sports. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that the proportion of boys and girls playing on sports teams increased between 1998 and 2020. The lasting appeal of athletics and recreation is undeniable, and kids as young as preschool age can participate in a wide range of sports, including baseball and soccer. And though it might require a little more patience on the part of players and parents, golf...

Part of the beauty of Oregon is the hiking opportunities throughout the state. Hiking can be a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. But without proper planning, even a short hike could turn into a dangerous situation. Before you hit the trails, remember these hiking safety tips. 1. Make a Gear List Whether you're hiking for three hours or three days, you don't want to forget something important....

The next Coffee with a Deputy event with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will take place on Wednesday, April 24, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Little Chief Restaurant, located at 210 N Gaither St. in Siletz. Every three months, the sheriff’s office partners with a local coffee shop to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to share what’s on their minds. It offers people a chance to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you’re a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with deputies on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback.

25 years ago (1999) North county fire district holds first tsunami evacuation drill Fire and rescue rigs rolled in Lincoln City on Monday, with three-person crews covering low-lying areas in nine marked zones to take stock of homes, businesses and motels. It was all part of the first tsunami evacuation drill for the North Lincoln...

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has scheduled an opportunity for public comments concerning the proposed merger of two major grocery store chains — Kroger and Albertsons. This deal could impact more than 150 pharmacies in Oregon, according to a release from the OHA. “The OHA is reviewing this planned transaction to understand how it might affect pharmacy services in Oregon,” the release states. ...

Regular patrons of the Newport Public Library have no doubt noticed the recent change to the landscape there. A number of shore pine trees were removed at the north end of the parking lot to clear the area for a project called Juntos in el Jardin (Together in the Garden), which provides garden plots for use by the Latinx community and Mesoamerican Indigenous community members. Juntos in el Jardin had been located at the Lincoln County Commons (fairgrounds), but because the county is getting ready...

This election season, Oregonians could play a crucial role in deciding which party will control the U.S. House as voters across the country decide who will occupy the White House. However, as we learned in 2020 and 2022, disinformation targets our communities, sowing distrust, manipulating voters and potentially threatening our voice at the ballot box. We can fight back. ...

On Monday, April 8, at around 3:30 a.m., officers with the Lincoln City Police Department responded to the 1300 block of North Highway 101 on the report of gunshots. Officers learned that an intoxicated male had exited a bar in that area, walked to a nearby vehicle, retrieved a handgun, and then fired several shots into the air before leaving in a different vehicle. Thanks to eyewitness statements and video surveillance, officers were able to identify the male as 38-year-old Hugo Melo Garcia, of Woodburn....