September 6, 2026

West of the Tunnel

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  • Minimum wage increase photo/Will Yurman June 30, 2026 Oregon Capitol Chronicle | Alex Baumhardt Oregon’s minimum wage will increase by 50 cents per hour on July 1. For workers in the Siuslaw region, the new minimum wage will be $15.55/hr.
  • Firework restrictions Fireworks file photo/Will Yurman June 29, 2026 KLCC Oregon State Park officials are urging people to keep fireworks off the beaches and out of state parks. They are illegal and a fire hazard officials said.
  • Uptick in Ticks June 27, 2026 KLCC | Karen Richards Ticks are spreading north, including into Oregon, where they can carry diseases such as Lyme disease. Preventing infection includes checking for ticks after being outdoors and carefully removing any tick within the first 24 hours of being bitten.

More Local News

  • New: The Puzzle #11 September 5, 2026
  • 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.
  • 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…
  • 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…
  • 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…
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Postcards July 23, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman When a picture is worth a thousand words.
  • Sutton Lake Boat Ramp Closing July 22, 2026 Press Release

    According to a Siuslaw National Forest press release, “Sutton Lake Boat Ramp and day use facilities will be closed for construction from August through November 2026 to replace the deteriorating boat ramp and floating docks.”

    The facilities will close August 3.
  • Local firefighters helping with southern fire July 14, 2026 WotT | Will Yurman

    Area firefighters have been sent south to help fight the East Evans Creek Fire.

    UPDATE: As of 7/25 the fire has spread to 15,705 acres, and is 46% contained.