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Lincoln County, Oregon
Lincoln County Schools release Oregon preparing for federal changes in SNAP benefits 2024-25 assessment results JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
Lincoln County School District administrators have announced the district’s 2024-25 Oregon Statewide Assessment System results highlighting both areas of progress and ongoing challenges in student achievement. While the data reveals some district schools’ notable successes — particularly at Waldport High School and Newport High School — it also underscores the continued need for strategic focus and support See LCCC, page A6
JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
While the assessment results reflect progress, they also echo statewide trends of persistent opportunity gaps and scores still below prepandemic levels, according to the LCSD. (Metro Creative Connection)
The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has announced federally required changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Oregon. These changes are required under House Resolution (H.R. 1), a federal law passed on July 4, 2025, according to a release from the ODHS. More than 740,000 people in Oregon currently receive SNAP benefits, and ODHS expects more than 313,000
The people who will be most affected by the new federal law include older adults, immigrants and people living in rural communities with limited access to transportation. (Courtesy graphic) people enrolled in SNAP may be impacted by the H.R. 1 changes. “We are announcing these changes today so that families can prepare
for the impact we expect many Oregonians who depend on this resource will feel,” ODHS Federal See SNAP, page A7
New Marine Wildlife Rehab Center taking shape JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
“People will see major progress as they drive by the Aquarium,” Oregon Coast Aquarium Communication and Marketing Specialist Courtney Klug said in an interview with the Lincoln County Leader about the new Marine Wildlife Center being constricted at the Aquarium’s Newport site. LOCATION Located on the south side of the aquarium, near the intersection of Southeast Ferry Slip Road and Southeast 30th Street, the new facility will be called the Sees-Ha Xwee-Nish Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. The name was chosen in recognition of the indigenous peoples of Oregon’s central coast. The aquarium partnered with the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians to name the center “Sees-ha Xwee-Nish,” meaning ocean life, using Athabaskan words from their heritage, including Na-Dené, Alsea, and Yaquina. See MARINE, page A7
The Oregon Coast Aquarium’s new Wildlife rehabilitation Center is located near the intersection of Southeast Ferry Slip Road and Southeast 30th Street in Newport and will be called the Sees-Ha Xwee-Nish Marine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. (Courtesy photo from Jeremy Burke)
LCCC Board selects Serena Dressel as new executive director STAFF REPORT Lincoln County Leader
The Lincoln City Cultural Center (LCCC) Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Serena Dressel as the Center’s new executive director, beginning Oct. 13. Dressel succeeds longtime director Niki Price, who stepped down on Aug. 31 after 14 years of visionary leadership.
Serena Dressel
The selection follows an extensive search led by the Cultural Center’s Board of Directors, which sought a candidate who could build on the organization’s strong foundation while guiding it into a vibrant and inclusive future. “Serena brings a rare combination of professional experience,
personal connection, and deep commitment to community engagement,” LCCC Board President Dorcas Holzapfel said. “Her leadership style and values align beautifully with the Cultural Center’s mission, and we are thrilled to welcome her home.” Raised in Lincoln City, Dressel returns with
more than a decade of experience supporting mission-driven organizations, according to a release from LCCC. She most recently served as Coordinator of the Student Sustainability Center at Portland State University, where she led strategic planning, supervised staff, and facilitated more than 30 events
1422 N Coast Hwy 101 • Newport • 541-265-7731
annually. Dressel holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, and her background includes nonprofit governance, cultural programming, volunteer management, and education. See BOARD, page A7
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