County and State
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Five Things to Know About Oregon’s Record Wildfire Season The Wrights Spring Fire as seen on the afternoon of Friday, August 7 from Sprague River Road. ~ Photo from InciWeb August 28, 2026 Oregon Journalism Project | Khushboo Rathore
Oregon’s unfinished fire season is the most destructive ever, burning more than 2.5 million acres and choking off clean air across the state.
At the same time, Oregonians may misunderstand some aspects of the wildfire crisis, which could leave communities unprepared as fire seasons grow longer and more intense year after year. The Oregon Journalism Project analyzed recent data updated Aug. 24 by the National Interagency Fire Center to dispel some misconceptions.
Read the full story…
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Data centers emerge as new flashpoint between Kotek, Drazan in Oregon governor’s race A view of data centers in Boardman, Oregon. ~ Photo by Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle August 28, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Shaanth Nanguneri
Growing public backlash over data centers is becoming an issue for voters of both parties in the Oregon governor’s race.
A fissure between the candidates is emerging over data centers and the growing public backlash over the server farms in Oregon and nationwide. A late July poll by the Portland-based firm DHM Research found that 71% of Oregonians have a negative view of data centers
Read the full story…
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State rebates on electric vehicle purchases, leases open again An electric vehicle charging at a station in a national park. Oregon’s popular EV rebate program is reopening through Nov. 4, 2026. ~ Photo courtesy of the National Park Service August 25, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Alex Baumhardt
Oregonians planning to buy or lease an electric vehicle before Nov. 4 can get thousands of dollars from the state to help pay for it, according to an article in the Oregon Capitol Chronicle.
Officials at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on Tuesday reopened the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which offers rebates of $1,500 to $7,500 on the purchase or lease of an eligible electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, depending on income. Motorcyclists through the program can get up to $375 back on the purchase of an electric motorcycle.
Read the full story…
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Oregon News Site to Close August 25, 2026 KLCC | Zac Ziegler
Another Oregon news website is shutting down.
The Highway 58 Herald, an online news outlet that covered Oakridge, Lowell, Pleasant Hill and other communities along the scenic highway, will officially shut down in September.
Earlier this year, The News-Review in Roseburg announced a significant restructuring of its newspaper, ceasing its print edition and laying off 11 of 15 employees.
According to the Agora Journalism Center, 13% of Oregon’s newspapers have closed since late 20222.
Read more about the Herald’s closure…
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Siuslaw National Forest is Hiring August 24, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest
The USDA Forest Service is hiring for wildland firefighter positions on the Siuslaw National Forest.
Jobs include fire engine operators, assistant fire management officer, and entry-level firefighter positions. Applications are open Aug. 24 through Sept. 22, 2026
Click to see the job postings…
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One of the greatest films ever shot in Oregon turns 100 this year August 21, 2026 The Oregonian/OregonLive | Jamie Hale
Buster Keaton’s classic film “The General” turns 100 this year. It was filmed in Cottage Grove and released in 1926.
This year locals will celebrate the anniversary with a special screening Aug. 29 at the Cottage Theatre. Tickets are available at cottagetheatre.org.
Read more…
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Compost bins can be a fire risk This semi-truck was hauling hay when it caught on fire on July 25, 2026. The entire truck and trailer were consumed by flames, stalling traffic on Interstate 5 Northbound near Albany, Oregon. ~ Photo by Brian Bull/KLCC August 20, 2026 KLCC | Brian Bull
Compost bins are a potential fire risk for homeowners. The enclosed space can’t easily dissipate the heat generated by composting, Mike Caven, Chief of Eugene Springfield Fire, said to KLCC.
Fires have erupted in gardens, hay trucks, and grain silos, sometimes explosively if pressure and heat exacerbated significantly. Caven said monitoring for moisture and tilling can help prevent such build-up.
Read more…
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Matsutake mushroom season arrives September 8 August 19, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest
Matsutake mushroom commercial permits will be available starting September 8, 2026, for use within the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area and the Central Coast Ranger District. The Siuslaw National Forest announced.
Permits can be purchased in person at the Reedsport office starting on September 8 and then at the Waldport office as well, on a first-come basis. 100 commercial use permits will be available.
The permits cost $200. No permit is required for non-commercial use, up to six mushrooms per day,
Similarly looking, poisonous mushrooms exist in the same areas as the matsutake, the Forest Service warns.
Click for more information…
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Oregon wants your input on transportation August 19, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman
Oregon is looking for public comment on the state’s transportation system. The governor has convened “The Rebuilding Our Transportation Vision Workgroup,” to offer recommendations by the end of the year.
The deadline for public comments is September 10.
Read more…
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Rise in Measles Cases in Oregon in 2026 Measles rashes usually appear as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline and spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. ~ Photo by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention August 17, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Mia Maldonado
The Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that Oregon has seen a rise in measles cases this year, already ahead of the 2024 outbreak.
The State of Oregon requires that children receive two doses of the measles vaccine before entering kindergarten, though parents can request an exemption and opt out.
Vaccination rates for individual school districts are available from the Oregon Health Department online.
Read the Full Story…
More Local News
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New: The Puzzle #14 September 26, 2026
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Western Lane Ambulance District Levy on the November Ballot The main station for Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority, on Highway 101 in Florence. ~ Photo courtesy of Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority September 22, 2026 KLCC | Karen Richards
Area voters will decide in November whether to renew an expiring levy for ambulance services from the Western Lane Ambulance District.
If the levy passes, the cost to taxpayers would remain the same, at $45 per year for each $100,000 of assessed property value.
Read the full story from KLCC…
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Siuslaw National Forest rescinds restrictions on campfires September 18, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest
Read more…
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Walk for Breast Cancer returns to Florence in October Members of the Lincoln County cancer-fighting group CoastBusters promote their upcoming fundraising walks Sept. 26 in Newport and Oct. 3 in Florence during the Beachcombers Festival parade in Waldport. ~ Photo Quinton Smith/Lincoln Chronicle September 2, 2026 Lincoln Chronicle | Cheryl Romano
CoastBusters Walk for Breast Cancer will be in Florence on October 3, 2026, at the Siuslaw Middle School.
After taking a year off in 2025 to mourn the loss of their co-founder and regroup, this year’s events will be held in memory of Sonia Graham, who co-founded the organization with Jeanette Campagna to support area breast cancer patients and their families.
Participants can register on the CoastBusters’ website.
Businesses, sponsors, volunteers and community partners are also invited to participate, as CoastBusters gears up for what it expects to be its biggest year since its start in 2021. Since then, the group has staged walk-a-thons and other events to help patients and their families along the central coast, raising almost $150,000.
Donations can be made online to support those in Lincoln County and in Lane County. People preferring to write a check may mail it to CoastBusters, P.O. Box 1804, Newport, Ore. 97365. Anyone who donates will get a receipt for their tax-deductible contributions.
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Car crashes into the Travelodge hotel August 31, 2026 Press Release | Florence Police Department
A red SUV crashed into the Travelodge on Route 101 on Saturday evening, August 29, injuring a woman inside the motel, according to a press release from the Florence Police Department.
The initial investigation of the scene, combined with eyewitness statements, indicates that the driver left the Circle K at a high speed, crossed 101, crashed through the Edward Jones Investment building before crashing into the Travelodge, trapping a woman inside. Western Lane Fire and EMS Authority extracted the woman from the room and both the victim and driver were transported to Peace Harbor Hospital.
The crash remains under investigation and felony charges against the driver are pending, according to the press release.
Read the full press release…
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Siuslaw National Forest raises fire danger level The Three Buttes Fire northeast of Florence on September 11, 2023. ~ File photo by Will Yurman August 12, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw National Forest is raising the fire danger level from moderate to high, effective August 13, 2026, they announced in a press release.
“Local firefighters have already detected and contained several small fires on the Forest this year,” said Anne Trapanese, Deputy Fire Staff Officer-Fuels with Northwest Oregon Interagency Fire Management. “With the hot and dry conditions in western Oregon, we want to urge the public to remain vigilant in preventing human-caused wildfires and follow all fire restrictions,” Trapanese said in the press release.
Read the full release…
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Road Work on Rhododendron Drive August 7, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman
Be prepared for road construction starting Monday on Rhododendron Drive, from 9th Street to Wild Winds Street.
Read More…
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Cooling Centers in the County A 2024 file photo of the Siuslaw Public Library ~ Photo by Will Yurman August 5, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman
Warm temperatures and poor air quality are in the forecast for all of Lane County including the coast.
In Florence and Mapleton, the library is a cooling center. The DHS office in Florence is as well.
Read the story to get the full list.
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Fee increases proposed for Siuslaw National Forest August 2, 2026 Press Release | Siuslaw National Forest
The Siuslaw National Forest has proposed fee increases to nearly two dozen recreation sites in the national forest area. Click to see the full list of sites, and the proposed fee changes.
The public is invited to comment, and the Forest Service has extended the comment period through September 18. See the press release for how to submit your comments by mail, email or online.
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Postcards July 23, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman When a picture is worth a thousand words.
