Gov. Tina Kotek has made overhauling Oregon’s education system a priority but state leaders have delivered a plan that more than 20 experts and advocates say faces the challenges of past failures: toothless mandates, inconsistent guidance and opt-out policies for key measures of success. The post Inconsistent efforts from distracted leaders keep Oregon education outcomes from improving appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

After a mistrial and hung jury in August, Aaron Paulsen, whose son accidentally drowned 20 months ago in the Siletz River, pled guilty to a felony assault charge Tuesday stemming from a family fight when his brother-in-law threatened to commit suicide. The post Paulsen pleads guilty to assault, placed on three years probation, ordered to take classes appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregon Department of Transportation crews finished a three-day highly visible cleanup of a homeless camp on the north edge of Newport on Thursday that required diverting of the northbound lane of U.S. Highway 101. The post ODOT clears homeless camp along Highway 101 on north side of Newport appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Lincoln County School Board has selected former Portland State University president Stephen Percy of Lincoln City to fill a vacancy created with the resignation of Mitch Parsons. The post Former college president appointed to Lincoln County School District Board appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

A Newport man accused during his senior year of high school of sexually abusing a fellow student related to a city official has filed a lawsuit against Newport police, Lincoln County, the sheriff’s office and 11 of its corrections officers saying they conspired to have him assaulted in jail. The post Newport man files federal civil rights lawsuit over beating by Lincoln County jail inmate appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregonians are feeling pessimistic heading into the November election, with only 21% feeling that the state is heading in the right direction, according to a recent poll commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive. The post Oregon voters feeling pessimistic about direction of state, poll indicates appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Fiddles, harps, pipes and accordions will fill the Lincoln City Cultural Center from fall through spring, with eight concerts celebrating the music of Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, Québec and beyond. The post Monthly Celtic music series kicks off at the Lincoln City Cultural Center on Tuesday, Oct. 21 appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Passions run high in Tennessee Williams' critically acclaimed classic "The Night of the Iguana," a play with rich dialogue and beguiling characters that opens at the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 16 and continues through Sunday, Nov. 1. The post Tennessee Williams’ classic ‘The Night of the Iguana’ opens at the Newport Performing Arts Center on Friday appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The concerns of central and eastern Oregon were in the spotlight Tuesday, as the top candidates for governor held their final debate in Bend. In an event that featured few new issues but plenty of barbs, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan each pitched themself as the most qualified person to guide the state for the next four years. The post Kotek, Drazan hold third and final debate of governor’s race with focus on central and eastern Oregon issues appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregon’s governor has effectively issued a moratorium on new data centers and data center expansions in the state by ordering environmental regulators to pause approving new state and federal air and water pollution permits for data center projects until next July. The post Oregon governor orders pause on environmental permits to build or expand data centers appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

General election ballots are being dropped into the mail Wednesday to millions of Oregon voters. But slow mail delivery means completed ballots must be in the mail by Tuesday, Oct. 27 to be counted in the Nov. 3 election, Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read said Tuesday. If a ballot is not in the mail by then, Read urged Oregonians to take it to a ballot drop box or county elections office. The post Oregon elections chief urges early voting as test of USPS service shows slow mail service appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Short-term rentals in the coastal vacation town of Dunes City, south of Florence, would be more regulated and held accountable under a proposed ordinance going before voters in November. The post Dunes City voters to decide whether to increase regulation of short-term rentals appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The vote means that Oregon is the 25th state nationwide to officially add girls flag football, a noncontact form of football that involves pulling flags from the waists of opponents. The post Oregon School Activities Association adds girls flag football to list of approved high school sports appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

This fall, Oregon’s 197 school districts must start tracking their progress towards goals in attendance, third grade-reading skills and four-year graduation rates as part of a plan that includes “coaching” for failing districts and potentially state control of up to 25% of state funding for those that don’t meet expectations. The post Oregon’s accountability plan is latest test for a long-struggling schools system appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Almost 12 months after Corvallis-based Samaritan Health Services said it wanted to be absorbed into Tacoma-based MultiCare, the deal has cleared its last regulatory hurdles. With the approvals, Samaritan and MultiCare officials said in a statement Tuesday that their integration would begin Nov. 1. The post With final regulatory approval, Samaritan says merger with Washington nonprofit will take effect Nov. 1 appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Fans of all things fungi are getting ready for one of the central Oregon coast’s biggest autumn events -- the annual Yachats Mushroom Festival. Set to sprout Friday through Sunday at locations from downtown Yachats south to Cummins Creek, the popular festival is marking its 27th year of celebrating all things mushroom. The post 27th year of Yachats’ weekend mushroom festival begins Friday with dinner, talks and walks appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Two Oregon Coast Community College nursing students are this year’s recipients of the Gribler Loving Trust Nursing Education Scholarship from the Pacific Communities Health District Foundation. The post Health district foundation awards two $5,000 nursing scholarships appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Lincoln County’s first and only transit director retired Friday. Cynda Bruce's career in public transportation spans more than three decades, beginning in 1988 as a volunteer with the Council on Aging, which ran limited transit service with funding from the county. The post Lincoln County’s transit director retires after three decades of work appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Aiming to make up for lost revenue from federal benefit cuts, a coalition of powerful Oregon advocacy groups have announced they will launch a signature-gathering campaign for the November 2028 election to approve a wealth tax on some of the state’s richest households while cutting taxes for low-income residents. The post Progressive groups, unions announce wealth tax initiative aimed at 2028 Oregon ballot appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

In a recent survey of 600 Oregonians, nearly 30% said that economic worries were their top concern, and nearly as many cited poor leadership and government mismanagement as being major issues heading into the election. The post Voters describe Oregon as growing harder to afford, and harder to trust appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Oregon Housing and Community Services' benchmark for the cost of building affordable housing is that it should not exceed the national average, but for the past three years, the agency has failed to meet that standard — by a wide margin. The post State housing agency regularly exceeds benchmark for construction costs appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The city of Newport has announced plans to address high bacteria levels at its stormwater outfall at the popular Nye Beach. While encouraged by the news, the local Surfrider Foundation chapter has lingering questions on a site it has been monitoring for decades. The post Surfrider Foundation presses city of Newport to enhance water quality testing at popular Nye Beach appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

It's been nearly 10 years since the Oregon Legislature approved $50 million to build two rail shipping centers in the Willamette Valley and eastern Oregon that promised to reduce truck emissions, boost agricultural exports and save farmers money. But they continue to sit mostly idle, with those promises unfulfilled. The post 2 Oregon state-backed rail projects cost more than $70 million. They’re still mostly idle. appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Medford City Council has authorized eminent domain proceedings to acquire the Loring, a former Ramada Inn that city officials say has become unsafe. Councilors also approved hiring private security to clear and secure the property. The post Medford moves toward taking over former hotel that housed wildfire survivors appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Waldport City Council took strides to end predatory towing practices and to see if there are appropriate uses for artificial intelligence by city staff during its monthly meeting Thursday, while also agreeing to request a timeline for completing overdue audits. The post Waldport city council looks to rein in towing companies to protect vehicle owners from too-high charges appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregon state Sen. Christine Drazan reported $1 million from the Republican Governors Association this week, a gift that will help her candidacy stay financially competitive in what is considered a close race for governor. The post Christine Drazan reports $1 million check in tight race for Oregon governor appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The city of Newport is encouraging residents, schools, businesses, community organizations – and anyone who can -- to participate in this year’s Great Oregon ShakeOut earthquake drill at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15. The post Get ready to shake it out at 10:15 a.m. Thursday for disaster preparedness appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregon’s race for governor is still extremely tight, but new polls indicate growing support for Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek. A poll by The Oregonian/OregonLive gave her a 2% lead over her challenger, state Sen. Christine Drazan, while a Kotek campaign poll suggests she has a 4% lead. The post 2 new polls suggest Kotek may lead in Oregon governor’s race appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The city of Newport wants to settle its lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but the federal government keeps dragging its feet. The post Newport’s lawyers say feds using “Dog ate my homework” excuse for not reaching detention center settlement appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

It’s almost time to vote. But first, there may be some details to take care of. If you’re registered to vote, your ballot is expected to arrive between Friday, Oct. 16 and Thursday, Oct. 22 after being dropped in the mail on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The post General election ballots go in the mail Wednesday — but be sure to check a few details first appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies rowed a small boat they found along the Alsea River on Thursday to rescue an elderly man trapped in his car 40 feet from shore. The post Deputies rescue Waldport man from car in the Alsea River on Thursday appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Lincoln County and Commissioner Casey Miller have settled his federal whistleblower lawsuit with Miller agreeing to drop claims against two top county employees and a fellow commissioner. In return for dropping any current or future claims against the county, its insurance provider will pay Miller’s attorney fees of $64,000. The post Commissioner Casey Miller and Lincoln County agree to settle his federal civil rights lawsuit appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The price tag for the new Lincoln County Commons in Newport continues to go up as architects and contractors work through proposed designs and costs. Two county commissioners on Wednesday agreed with a recommendation to increase by $6 million the amount of bonds the county will sell to pay for the recommended design to rebuild and modernize the former fairgrounds property just east of Newport High School. The post Commissioners approve $6 million more in bonds for now-$36 million county Commons project appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Lincoln County Sheriff Adam Shanks, his command staff and contract deputies met for coffee Wednesday with Yachats residents, bringing them up to speed on hiring deputies for patrols and staff in the county jail, both of which had suffered because of hard-to-fill vacancies. The post Lincoln County sheriff says hiring for patrol, contract deputies and jail staff is filling empty positions appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Voting is underway at a few dozen Samaritan Health Services clinics in Lincoln, Benton and Linn counties with nearly 120 primary care providers eligible to decide whether to unionize and then bargain over working conditions and patient care. The post 120 Samaritan Health primary care providers voting whether to form a union to advocate for working conditions appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

There were few fireworks but plenty of policy discussion In the hourlong debate in Medford, with Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek and Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan addressing many of the central issues animating this year’s race, including affordability, struggling schools, homelessness and data centers. The post Oregon’s second gubernatorial debate features few fireworks, plenty of policy appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Little Log Church Museum is looking for friendly, community-minded volunteers to welcome visitors and share the history of Yachats. The post Little Log Church Museum in Yachats looking for volunteers appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Lincoln City sculptor Frank Boyden will share the story of how his Sundial artwork and other pieces along the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Walkway in Newport came to be. It’s part of “What’s New in Newport,” a celebration of the city’s newest art hosted by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts with the city, the Newport Public Arts Advisory Committee, and Discover Newport. The post Creating Vietnam Memorial obelisk in Newport helped sculptor come full circle with feelings on war, veterans appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded an $11.7 million grant to the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians to expand high-speed internet access in rural Lincoln County. The post Siletz tribe wins $11.7 million federal grant to expand internet access appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

A federal judge says he will issue a ruling by the end of October in a lawsuit that’s pitting concerns about the drinking water of 230,000 people in Marion County against efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and environmental groups to save imperiled Chinook salmon passing a major dam on Detroit Lake. The post Battle over drinking water, fish protections and Detroit Lake reaches federal court appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Newport Performing Arts Center is keeping its main auditorium and screen busy this weekend and into next week by showing two performances of the Metropolitan Opera and one from the National Theater Live. The post Performing Arts Center offering two operas and a theater performance on its big screen Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Now that their work brightening downtown Yachats is done, the colorful banners that hung on city lamp poles will be auctioned off on Sunday, Oct. 11. There will be both live and silent auctions to find new homes for the unique artwork from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Yachats Commons. The post Annual auction of colorful Yachats banners is Sunday evening, Oct. 11 appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The annual event will bring people, their dogs and plenty of community spirit to the beach for a fundraiser for the Beach Bark Fund, which helps provide emergency veterinary care for animals in need, including pets whose owners cannot afford an unexpected veterinary bill. The post Annual Beach Bark fundraiser takes place in Lincoln City on Saturday, Oct. 10 for dogs and their people appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The event will include a self-guided hunt for some of the newest artistic additions in Newport, with cards available at several centers for participants to complete for a chance to win a grand prize that includes tickets to the Oregon Coast Aquarium and a Local Ocean gift certificate. The post Newport celebrates art this Saturday with a citywide scavenger hunt appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Oregon vineyards are ramping up for this year's harvest but their outlook is worse than it's been in the past: The production of wine grapes dropped last year by 25% and 110 vineyards and wineries closed amid a general decline in consumption and an 80% drop in exports to Canada due to U.S. tariffs. The post Oregon’s grape harvest is in full swing, but wine sales have been dropping appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported two mild earthquakes within three hours of each other off the central Oregon coast on Sunday. Scientists say these small and numerous quakes are no great cause for worry because these occurred in an area known as the Blanco Fracture Zone, which is far enough offshore and located in deep enough waters not to present any significant threats to humans on land. The post USGS reports two mild earthquakes Sunday west of Newport appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

A U.S. House committee, including Oregon's sole Republican congressional member, has accused two Oregon-based environmental nonprofits of weaponizing litigation and profiting from lawsuits that challenge federal projects. The post Congressional Republicans target Oregon environmentalists appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

With the cost of diesel fuel at an all-time high, businesses, local governments and first responders are among those nationwide in a frustrating financial squeeze they can't avoid. One year ago, diesel in Oregon averaged $4.47 per gallon. On Monday, AAA Oregon said diesel prices averaged $6.79 per gallon across the state -- a 52 percent increase. The post Record diesel prices create headaches for businesses and local governments who can’t avoid rising costs appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is hosting “Coffee with a Deputy” from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Dream Machine Coffee, 131 U.S. Highway 101 in Yachats. The post Sheriff holding “Coffee with a Deputy” event Wednesday in Yachats appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.

Homeland Nickel, a Canadian company pursuing a nickel mine near Gold Beach, has signed an agreement with a U.S. refiner to buy nickel from the site if the mine opens. The deal gives the proposed Red Flat mine a buyer, but years of feasibility studies and environmental reviews remain before mining could begin. The post A proposed nickel mine near Gold Beach has a buyer, but years of studies remain appeared first on Lincoln Chronicle.