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Lincoln County, Oregon
Great white shark sand image takes first-place JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
A sand image of a great white shark is the winner in the annual South Beach State Park’s annual sandcastle competition “Team Parker were our first-place winners with their beautifully sculpted great white shark,” Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) South Beach Management Unit Park Ranger Patrick Newhall said. “We had 19 teams with 68 participants and approximately 200 attendees overall. It was a great morning to be out at the beach, and we had some spectacular sculptures!” The competition was held along the South Beach at Newport from 10 a.m. with judging conducted at noon Saturday, July 26. Anyone can compete as an individual or as a team for a chance to win first, second See SAND, page A6
These young ladies, holding their prize basket represent Team Parker, the first-place winners at the Newport sandcastle competition held July 26. (Courtesy photo from the OPRD)
Bear encounters advisory issued Drought triggers local water curtailment efforts JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
JEREMY C. RUARK Lincoln County Leader
City and county officials from Toledo, through Newport and Lincoln City, and across the state, are urging residents to take steps to conserve water. Oregon’s hot, dry summer has led to heighten concerns about the impact of drought. Both the environmental impact and the economic impact. For much of the year, Lincoln County benefited from normal to See DROUGHT, page A6
The drought has triggered water use restrictions and conservation requests in cities in Lincoln County. (Metro Creative Connection)
There has been an increase in the number of bear encounters in Lincoln County recently, according to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). The two agencies are urging Oregonians to respect wildlife and do their part to ensure that wildlife, including black bears, and people coexist. According to the ODFW, bear’s strongest sense is smell. This means See BEAR, page A4
Back bears have good memories. They remember where they have found food before, including in trash, according to the ODFW. (Courtesy photo from the ODFW)
Transportation plan includes 6-cent gas tax increase, registration fee hikes and doubled transit tax JULIA SHUMWAY Oregon Capital Chronicle
Gov. Tina Kotek’s plan to prevent layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation and local governments around the state relies on a 6-cent gas tax increase, hikes to title and registration fees and doubling the payroll tax that funds transit. Kotek laid out the basics of her plan during a press conference Wednesday, a day after announcing she would postpone planned layoffs for 45 days and call lawmakers back for a special session on Aug. 29.
“I am confident that next month, legislators are going to show up, they’re going to approve the necessary funding for the state’s transportation needs, and I truly appreciate their partnership right now to address the crisis that is facing the state when it comes to transportation,” Kotek said. The plan she laid out on Wednesday includes: Increasing the state’s 40-cent gas tax to 46 cents, splitting that difference between the state
transportation department and local governments. The state would receive 50% of the increase, Oregon’s 36 counties would get 30% and cities would receive 20%. A $42 increase to See PLAN, page A4
Gov. Tina Kotek answers questions from reporters during a press conference on Jan. 16, 2025. (Courtesy photo from Ron Cooper / Oregon Capital Chronicle)
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