Quinton Smith

1 week ago | lincolnchronicle.org | Quinton Smith

By ALEX BAUMHARDT/Oregon Capital ChronicleSALEM — Fred Cuozzo barely made it out of the South Obenchain Fire that burned through his home, barn, pumphouse and garage in Eagle Point, north of Medford, on Sept. 8, 2020. Three years later, PacifiCorp — owner of Oregon private utility Pacific Power — was found by a jury to have been reckless and negligent in causing that fire and three others.

1 week ago | lincolnchronicle.org | Quinton Smith

By CHERYL ROMANO/Lincoln ChronicleYACHATS — Want to amble around Yachats’ unique shops while sampling wines and other adult beverages, have a snack and then be shuttled back to your car? It’s happening Saturday, April 19, at Yachats’ third annual “Sip ‘n Stroll”. From noon to 5 p.m., 16 local shops and restaurants will host tastings — and purchases — of wines, beer, hard cider and more for an expected crowd of over 325 people. There are also two stops for water and restrooms.

1 week ago | lincolnchronicle.org | Quinton Smith

By SHAYLA ESCUDERO/Lincoln ChronicleWhen the lunch bell rings, students eagerly scramble to Newport Middle School’s cafeteria and line up, plates in hand. There are the usual options – pizza, burgers and sandwiches. But there’s something else too – bowls of shrimp alfredo with bread and ceviche with chopped cilantro, tomatoes, and cucumber. The dishes are part of Farm Fresh Fridays, a Lincoln County School District program that puts locally farmed or produced seafoods and meat in schools.

1 week ago | lincolnchronicle.org | Quinton Smith

By NATALIE PATE/Oregon Public BroadcastingSALEM — Oregon students may soon be prevented from using cellphones and other personal electronic devices at school. Oregon House Bill 2251, which House representatives passed Tuesday on a 36-21 vote, requires school districts to ban student cellphone use during the school day. The bill received bipartisan support on the House education committee, with Rep. Emily McIntire, R-Eagle Point, as the lone dissenting vote.

1 week ago | lincolnchronicle.org | Quinton Smith

By NATHAN WILK/KLCC NewsMore small farms in Oregon could operate without water rights under a bill moving forward in the Oregon Legislature. Farmers currently need a water right to irrigate crops they plan to sell. However, House Bill 3372 would exempt gardens that are a half acre or smaller. Those farms could use up to 3,000 gallons of well water daily for irrigation—and 5,000 gallons in total each day, when including other industrial and commercial uses.