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Wednesday, February 25, 2026
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Lincoln County, Oregon
Consumer fireworks ban for Newport LCSD, Tillamook
School District to receive Rural School funding
Fireworks show over Yaquina Bay to continue JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
The Newport City Council has voted to adopt an ordinance amending the city’s municipal code to prohibit the possession, use, and sale of consumer fireworks within Newport city limits year-round. The ordinance takes effect immediately and is intended to protect public health and safety while reducing the risk of fire See FIREWORKS, page A4
JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
Fireworks are launched on the Fourth of July from the Port of Newport International Terminal on Yaquina Bay. The 2024 display was controlled by certified pyrotechnics operators working with Western Display Fireworks. (Lincoln County Leader)
Siletz students head to culinary competition
Students from Siletz Valley School will compete in the Oregon ProStart Championships. (Courtesy photos) JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
For the first time ever, students from Siletz Valley School will compete in the Oregon ProStart Championships on March 2 in Salem — and there’s a powerful local story behind this team. The Championships are produced by the Oregon Hospitality Foundation (OHF), which coordinates the ProStart® career technical education program across the state. While 13 high schools will compete this year, this marks
Siletz Valley’s debut at this statewide event. The Siletz program is led by Chef Patrick Clarke, a U.S. See SILETZ, page A2
Chef Patrick Clarke, right, serves as the Culinary Director for the Siletz Valley School. Recognized for his impact and leadership, Clarke was named the Small School Association’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
Nearly $49 million in retroactive federal funding from the U.S. Forest Service for fiscal year 2024 will be coming to Oregon counties following the passage of their bipartisan bill late last year to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program. More funding is expected to come when the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces its payments for the 18 Oregon & California counties. The Lincoln County School District will receive $1,249,130.97. The Tillamook County Schools will see $617,965.41. Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden and Sen. Jeff Merkley announced the funding Monday, February 23. Wyden first authored the law that created the SRS program in 2000. Funding for the program lapsed in September 2023, and counties in Oregon and nationwide have not received payments since early 2024. The bill to reauthorize the program had previously passed the Senate, but stalled twice in the House, delaying crucial funding for rural schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure projects. “Secure Rural Schools is a lifeline for rural communities in Oregon and across the country,” Wyden said. “It’s about damn time these funds get distributed to the counties that need them, and this lapse in funding is exactly why we need a permanent solution to get rural communities off the financial rollercoaster and ensure they have the funds they need, and that’s what I’ll be focused on in the months ahead.” “SRS payments are a lifeline for rural communities here in Oregon and across America— supporting our schools, public safety, and wildfire preparedness,” Merkley said. “This nearly $49 million in federal funds ensures counties with federal forest lands have the resources they need to stay safe and resilient.”
Commercial Fishing Impacts set record high in 2025 STAFF REPORT Lincoln County Leader
The Oregon commercial fishing industry’s economic impacts were an all-time high in Year 2025, according to a Corvallis-based economic research group, though tough times often are never far away.
BY THE NUMBERS Harvesting and processing businesses generated $517 million income – including multiplier effects – to households in Oregon last year. This is $81 million more income than the previous 5-year (2025 dollars) average. The 2025 generated income represents 10,321 jobs in Oregon. Business total economic activity (defined as harvesting and primary processing business sales) was $1.1 billion in 2025. The economic impact income See FISHING, page A4
Harvesting and processing businesses generated $517 million income – including multiplier effects – to households in Oregon last year. This is $81 million more income than the previous 5-year (2025 dollars) average. (Jeremy C. Ruark / Lincoln County Leader)