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GREAT BREAKFAST AND SEAFOOD ALL DAY
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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Lincoln County, Oregon
Decision to replace county Commissioner Hall pending JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
The two Lincoln County Board of Commissioners have launched the process to replace Commissioner Claire Hall, who passed away Jan. 4 Flags at the Lincoln County Courthouse were at halfstaff following the passing of Commissioner Clair Hall.
following an illness. Commissioner Casey Miller and Commissioner Walter Chuck have agreed to soon begin formal discussions about the process for filling Hall’s position. Until then, the two-member board will continue under the temporary co-chair arrangement. Community members wishing to provide comments or follow the appointment process are encouraged to monitor future agendas as Miller and Chuck determine
next steps in the coming weeks. Chuck and Miller convened the board Wednesday, Jan. 7 following the death of Commissioner Hall, who died after months dealing with health issues. The meeting opened with a recognition of Chair Hall’s service. Commissioners Chuck and Miller both offered personal reflections. Miller brought flowers and provided pens and paper so community See HALL, page A4
Depoe Bay Bridge gets improvement project JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
A $10,978,943 preservation and improvement project was to begin this week at the Depoe Bay Bridge along Highway 101. Over the next several weeks, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) crews will install temporary signs, set up scaffolding and work platforms under the bridge. The Depoe Bay Bridge is exposed to harsh winds and saltwater, according to ODOT. The protective coating to help prevent corrosion was last installed in 1993 and needs to be reapplied. To keep the bridge in good working order, ODOT plans to: • Reapply the protective coating. • Make minor concrete repairs. • Repair the existing bridge rail. You can expect: • Most of the work to take place under the bridge. • Crews working during the day, Monday through Thursday. • Lane and shoulder closures as needed. • Construction noise and See BRIDGE, page A4
The Depoe Bay Bridge along Highway 101. (Jeremy C. Ruark / Lincoln County Leader)
The work includes concrete repairs, protective coating and bridge rail repair. (Jeremy C. Ruark / Lincoln County Leader)
The Depoe Bay Bridge is exposed to harsh winds and saltwater. The improvements are designed to preserve the structure. (Jeremy C. Ruark / Lincoln County Leader)
LCPD tracking rise in DUII arrests Oregon’s first 2026 measles JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
Lincoln City Police are tracking a rise in Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) arrests. “For DUII arrests in Lincoln City we have been on an upward trend for the last three years,” LCPD Patrol Sgt. Erik Anderson said.
BY THE NUMBERS In 2023, the LCPD made 64 DUII arrests, for 2024 there were 71 DUII arrests, and for 2025 there were 84 DUII arrests. “Based on Oregon’s Initial Fatal Crash Information Viewer (which launched in 2024) in 2024 Lincoln
County had eight fatal crashes involving drugs or alcohol and in 2025 we reduced that to five fatal crashes involving drugs or alcohol, each one a tragedy for those lost and their loved ones,” Anderson said. Of those DUII See ARRESTS, page A4
cases confirmed in Linn County JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Linn County public health officials confirm two cases of measles in Linn County and want people to know about
locations where they may have been exposed to the highly infectious virus. The affected individuals developed measles symptoms—rash, fever, cough and runny nose— on Jan. 5. OHA is not identifying the individuals’ gender, age or county
of residence. People might have been exposed if they were at the following locations during these dates and times: • Lebanon Community Hospital Emergency See MEASLES, page A4