Tuesday, July 1, 2025
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Duck and hide (new photo added)

A feathery soft nest and a handful of peas seem to make momma happy (photo James Scrutton)
Momma duck shows off her new brood (phot Lynn Scrutton)

So what’s a duck to do when it needs to lay an egg or two and there’s no room at the Inn?

Well, this determined mallard hen decided that the Whispering Winds Motel in Lincoln City looked like the perfect place to raise a brood and no “No Vacancy” sign was going to keep her out.

According to a staff member the young duck was “walking around the steps in the parking lot and next thing we knew she was nipping at a housekeeper who didn’t see her.” The mom to be had set up her nest in the planter located on the entry steps”

 

Home for awhile for an expectant mother.

The staff have been vigilant to let guests and staff know about their new guest and to give her the celebrity treatment she so richly deserves. They ask visitors to give the momma plenty of room and to not offer her any food. 

It is not known at the moment how many eggs she is sitting on. Details to follow.

New eBike rules

New rules ease restrictions on ebike use on Oregon beaches (AI generated image)

MEDFORD, Oregon— The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved  rule updates for electric-assisted-bikes, at its meeting April 23 in Medford.

The updated e-bike rules will go into effect July 1, 2025. These rules, 736-10-0026 and 21-0065, will allow e-bikes on multi-use trails where other bicycles are allowed unless specifically restricted. They will also be allowed on the ocean shore on wet sand areas unless specifically restricted.

The proposed changes contain:

“Within the Division 10 General Park Area rules, the proposed changes seek to update the definition of electric assisted bicycle to match the statutory definition. It also seeks to expand on the allowable use of such devices and operational accessibility by persons with mobility disabilities. Language around safe operation and required caution was also amended to be stronger and clearer, particularly operation around other visitors, pets, children and equestrians. The proposed amendments also do away with the 8 feet width trail requirement for e-assisted bike use. Instead, the proposed rules will allow a person to safely ride e-assisted bikes on trails where other bicycles are allowed unless specifically restricted.”

The updated e-bike rules also include stronger, clearer language for safe operation and required caution, particularly around other visitors, pets, children and equestrians.

2025 Halibut season announced

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free fishing dayApril 21, 2025

NEWPORT, Ore. – The Pacific halibut sport seasons and regulations were adopted by the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission last Friday. Seasons are as follows:

Columbia River Subarea (Leadbetter Point, WA to Cape Falcon, OR):

  • Nearshore season: open Mondays through Wednesdays inside the 40-fathom line May 5 – Sept. 30 or until the 500-pound quota is caught.
  • All-depth season: open every Thursday, Friday, and Sunday May 1- June 29 or until the 18,587- pound quota is reached. Back-up dates if quota is not caught are Mondays and Tuesdays, June 1-29.
  • Daily bag limit one Pacific halibut, annual limit six.

Central Oregon Coast Subarea (Cape Falcon to Humbug Mt.)

  • Nearshore season: opens daily beginning May 1 inside the 40-fathom line through Oct. 31 or when the 10,000-pound quota is caught.
  • All-depth season: the combined quota for the spring and summer fisheries is 277,074 pounds.
    • Spring: opens daily May 1 through July 31 with a 207,768-pound quota.
    • Summer: opens daily Aug. 1 through Oct. 31 or until the 59,256-pound quota is reached.
  • Daily bag limit two Pacific halibut, annual limit six.

Southern Oregon Subarea

  • Open daily beginning May 1 through Oct. 31 or until the 8,000-pound quota is reached.
  • Daily bag limit two Pacific halibut, annual limit six.

Review an online map for more information and Pacific halibut regulations.

A few important regulation reminders:

  • Pacific halibut anglers must have a descending device on board the vessel. The device must be used to release any rockfish species when fishing outside of 40 fathoms. It is easy and cost-effective to make your own descending device.
  • During all-depth halibut days, longleader gear fishing or the traditional general marine bottomfish fishery (lingcod and black rockfish) may be combined with halibut . The longleader fishery and traditional bottomfish fishery cannot be combined on the same trip.

A hoppin’ day at the office

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Peter Cottontail was a busy bunny

Easter day found the parking lot and surrounding grounds at Taylor and Taylor Realty awash in children scurrying about looking for Easter treasures. The annual event is one of the most attended and looked forward to. “My kids begin asking about two weeks out to make sure that Taylor and Taylor will be having this. The prizes are so fun and all the staff here  make it a great event.” said one mom with two kids in tow.

Despite the intermittent showers falling down the children were undeterred from their quest to gather as many prizes as possible.

Peter Cottontail emceed the hunt and a good time was had by all.

Taylor and Taylor Realty is located at 3891 NW Highway 101 in Lincoln City, OR. You can reach them at 541-994-9111 for all your real estate needs.

ODOT to pause curb rebuilds during spring break

ODOT release

According to a press release from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT),”During spring break, we’re planning to pause our work in the general downtown area and will continue to work near Lincoln Beach. Work in the general downtown area will resume after spring break.”

They also remind everyone, “We know that construction isn’t convenient for anyone, whether you drive, ride, walk, roll or shop in the area. 

To help you see where to go, we use blue signs and markers to show business entrances or accesses to parking lots. As a reminder, businesses are open during construction – and your support during this dusty time is appreciated!

When in doubt – look for blue to help guide you to a nearby business!”

To read the full press release click here

 

City Council orders recall of all glass floats found in 2024 and 2025

Lincoln City orders recall of dairy contaminated glass floats

In a stunning moment at the end of a typically boring Lincoln City City Council meeting, Margie Perry, a city employed “Float Fairy,” disclosed that she has learned that the majority of floats created in 2024 and 2025 for the hugely popular “Finders Keepers” glass float give away were in fact made in a glass factory where dairy products may have come in contact with the orbs.

“I was just taking off my gossamer wings and hip waders while I was talking by phone with Bill Bulb who creates many of our floats at Bill’s Big Bulbs in Bandon. Bill kind of whispered to me “We may have a problem. I think some milk may have been spilled on the floats. Maybe some cheese touched them too. I don’t know, it was a crazy party.”

A stunned council, barely able to process the information, begged the City Attorney for guidance.

After calling for a short recess while the attorney sought legal precedence on the matter, council returned to hear the city attorney announce his resignation and say, “You’re on your own.”

Council then voted to spend 150 thousand dollars to hire a Dairy Contaminant Consultant (DCC) to help them figure out what to do.

In the meantime, if you have found a float in either 2024 or 2025 you may bring it by the Lincoln City Homepage offices where it will be exchanged for a marble or something.

Commission votes to replace all county vehicles with Teslas

Lincoln County Commissioners choose Tesla

At today’s Lincoln County Board of Commissioners meeting, the three members unanimously voted to replace the county’s fleet of 1400 vehicles with brand new Tesla Cybertrucks.

With very little discussion, and no competing bids allowed, the motion to buy 1400 Tesla Cybertrucks was approved and a huge novelty check for 177,800,00 dollars was presented via Zoom to Tesla founder Elon Musk.

Lincoln County’s newest fleet vehicle

“This is really a step in the right direction for the county.” Said Claire Hall. “I can’t wait to try one of these out on the beach!”

“Lincoln County’s decision to purchase so many new Cybertrucks makes me feel like the wealthiest man in America!” beamed Mr. Musk.

The first Cybertruck delivery is expected after the check clears.

Renowned tree at Yaquina Bay to be felled

Tree at Yaquina Bay to be cut due to disease. (Photo Lincoln county Parks).

NEWPORT, Oregon— The Sitka Spruce that stands in the median near the entrance to Yaquina Bay State Recreation Site was declared a hazard due to widespread decay throughout the tree. The park is gathering community memories of the beloved tree before it’s cut.
The park will remove or significantly cut back the tree in June to avoid potential hazards including damage to vehicles and physical injuries to park visitors.

“It was a difficult decision to make especially with this iconic Sitka Spruce that has become a friend to us all over the years as the gatekeeper to the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse, but we have to balance between the beauty of nature and the safety of our visitors,” said Park Manager Burke Martin.

“We know that this tree is not only special to us but to the local community as well. We’re offering residents an opportunity to share their memories and potential ideas on how to honor this amazing gift of nature.”

Residents can share their memories and ideas at https://bit.ly/YaquinaBayTree. The park will gather the submissions and decide how best to incorporate the memories and ideas to commemorate the tree.

The Sitka Spruce lost a large limb during a winter storm, which prompted a physical inspection. The results showed there was significant decay throughout the tree. A resistograph was used to analyze the decay pockets within the tree, and it revealed widespread decay. The recommendation was to remove the tree to avoid potential hazards.

Staff will either cut back the tree significantly to create a snag for wildlife or remove the tree. Park staff will share updates with the community on the plans for the tree and how to commemorate it this spring.

Be on your best behavior at this breakfast

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Adam Shanks served breakfast last year

Are you looking for fun things to do with your family?  Look no further that the Gleneden Beach Community Hall annual “Pancakes with a Cop.” breakfast.

On Sunday, April 6, from 8-11am you and yours can enjoy a delicious hot breakfast served by Lincoln County’s Finest. This is a great opportunity to meet some fine community servants and help a worthy cause.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be serving breakfast at the Gleneden Beach Community Hall (110 Azalea St.). Menu is all-you-can-eat pancakes; eggs, sausage or ham, orange juice and hot beverages. Tips for the day go to the Shop With a Cop program. Cost is $10 for adults, $6 for kids ages 6-12 and kids under 6 eat free with an adult.

A change to the county fair

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AI generated image

The 2025 Lincoln County Fair is changing with venues spanning north, south, east and central county.
With redevelopment underway at the Lincoln County Commons, the Lincoln County Fair Board looked to alternative locations to present a Fair that preserves popular events while providing new opportunities for the community to participate. The
Fair Board will actively recruit vendors, live performers, and sponsors during the coming weeks and months.
In cooperation with the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Chinook Winds Casino Resort in Lincoln City will host live entertainment, the Open Class competition, the Friday and Saturday NPRA Rodeo, Kids Zone, and camel rides.

Some activities will still be held at the Commons as possible, namely, the 4-H exhibits and auction, as well as the annual “Seas the Day” dolphin drop fundraiser organized by the Rotary Club of Newport.
Also in the works is a pet parade on Thursday, July 3 in Waldport, with the exact time and location still to be determined.
And on Independence Day – Friday, July 4 – the fun will move to Siletz with a river float and community BBQ. Time and location for the float and BBQ will be announced soon.

Open Class Information:
Online entry for Open Class begins May 1 and closes June 15. Those wishing to
present walk-in entries can do so in Newport on June 28 and 29, and those entries will be transported to the Lincoln City venue. Walk-in entries in Lincoln City will occur on June 29.
Lincoln County
Lincoln County Courthouse
225 W. Olive Street
Newport, Oregon 97365
(541) 265-4100
FAX (541) 265-4176

To save time, online entry is strongly encouraged to use online entry,

More information coming soon to www.thelincolncountyfair.com.
For questions, please contact Fair Manager Heather Tower at
[email protected] or 541-648-6818.