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Oregon Coast Explored, Newport, OR (2026)

08/21/2026

150 Years of Light at Yaquina Head

August 20 marks an important anniversary on the Oregon Coast. In 1873, the newly completed Yaquina Head Lighthouse came to life for the first time when keeper Fayette Crosby lit its original lard-oil lamp.

From that first night, the towering beacon became a familiar sight for vessels traveling the Pacific waters off Newport. More than a century and a half later, Yaquina Head Lighthouse continues to shine and remains a treasured piece of Oregon Coast history.

08/21/2026

Labor Day Weekend Events Along the Oregon Coast

Labor Day weekend brings a variety of events and outdoor activities to the Oregon Coast from September 5–7, 2026.

At Nehalem Bay Winery, a free Labor Day celebration will feature live music on Saturday and Sunday, with the Sedona Fire Band performing Saturday and Earl & The Reggae Allstars on Sunday. The family- and dog-friendly event begins at 2 p.m. each day, with food and drinks available for purchase.

In Yachats, the “Labor of Love” Art Show will take place September 5–6 at Yachats Commons from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event showcases paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photography, jewelry and other work by local artists. The community will also celebrate its annual Labor Day Pie and Ice Cream Social, offering a traditional small-town holiday treat.

Music lovers can head to Charleston near Coos Bay for IN A LANDSCAPE: Classical Music in the Wild. The outdoor concert experience places a grand piano in the surrounding landscape while attendees listen through wireless headphones as they explore the area.

For those looking to get outdoors, Lincoln City will offer guided Explorience programs during the holiday weekend. The Cascade Head Biosphere Explorience on September 5 will explore coastal wetlands, estuaries and wildlife with local naturalists. On September 7, the Agnes Creek Hiking Explorience will take participants through forests of western hemlock and Sitka spruce.

From live music and art to outdoor adventures and local traditions, Labor Day weekend offers plenty of ways to enjoy the Oregon Coast.

08/20/2026

Tillamook Air Museum Announces New Partnership and Future Plans

TILLAMOOK, Ore. — August 20, 2026 — The Tillamook Air Museum is preparing for a new chapter following approval by the Port of Tillamook Bay Commissioners of a term sheet for the lease and future sale of historic World War II-era Hangar B to Vintage Aviation Museum, a Utah-based nonprofit organization.

Under the agreement, Vintage Aviation Museum will take over operation of the museum and eventually become its owner. Despite the change in ownership, officials say the museum will continue operating as the Tillamook Air Museum, maintaining its strong connection to Tillamook, Naval Air Station Tillamook and the historic Hangar B.

Preparations are already underway for the museum to reopen, although an official reopening date has not yet been announced.

One of the major changes planned is the expansion of the museum’s aircraft collection. Vintage Aviation Museum intends to relocate most of its aircraft to Tillamook, bringing additional historic aircraft to Hangar B.

Long-term plans call for the entire historic blimp hangar to be used for aviation exhibits, aircraft displays, preservation efforts, educational programs and visitor experiences.

Preserving Hangar B itself will also remain a major priority. Following the museum’s reopening, work will continue toward repairing, restoring and protecting the massive historic structure for future generations.

Museum officials say becoming part of a nonprofit organization will create additional opportunities to pursue funding, partnerships and major restoration and aviation projects.

Community involvement and education will also remain important. The museum plans to continue working with local schools and developing partnerships throughout the Tillamook community.

The Friends of the Tillamook Air Museum, or FOTAM, will also remain involved. Museum officials credited the organization’s volunteers for their years of support and said they look forward to continuing the partnership.

The Port of Tillamook Bay was also recognized for its more than decade-long ownership and operation of the museum and its continued support of the facility.

As preparations continue, supporters can contribute toward exhibit preparation, restoration and other efforts needed to reopen the museum.

The Tillamook Air Museum’s next chapter will bring new ownership, additional aircraft and expanded plans for historic Hangar B while maintaining the museum’s longstanding connection to the Oregon Coast and the history of Naval Air Station Tillamook.

An official reopening date and additional updates will be announced as plans progress.

08/20/2026

Reedsport Mother Killed in Highway 101 Crash, Family Seeks Support

REEDSPORT, Ore. — A Reedsport family is mourning the loss of 34-year-old Heather Lynn Clement after she was killed in a vehicle-pedestrian crash on Highway 101 on August 12.

Clement was crossing the roadway with her 2-year-old son when they were struck near Highway 101 and 19th Street. Clement suffered fatal injuries. Her young son was treated for minor injuries and later reunited with his father.

Reedsport Police said the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police also reported no indication that the crash was speed-related, involved a red-light violation, impairment, or criminally negligent driving at that stage of the investigation.

Heather is remembered by her family as a loving wife to her husband, Karl, and a devoted mother to their young son, Miles. Her obituary describes her as genuine and trustworthy, with a love of art and reading.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to help the family with memorial expenses and other financial needs following Heather’s unexpected death.

The family is asking for support during an incredibly difficult time. Those who are unable to donate can also help by sharing the fundraiser and helping spread the word.

Heather’s death has left a husband without his wife, a young child without his mother, and a community grieving the sudden loss of a loved one.

Anyone who is able to help the family is encouraged to consider making a donation or sharing the fundraiser.

GoFundMe link ⬇️

https://gofund.me/0242293e4

08/20/2026

Oregon Coast Treasure Hunting

The Oregon Coast is full of places where you can search for pieces of natural and maritime history. After storms, shifting sand and gravel can reveal treasures that have been hidden for years.

Some of the best places to explore include Oceanside for agates and fossils, Yachats and Neptune State Scenic Viewpoint for colorful stones, Cape Meares for agates, and Bandon and Whiskey Run for fossils, petrified wood and unique rocks.

For history lovers, Rockaway Beach has a long shipwreck history, while Fort Stevens is home to the famous remains of the Peter Iredale, which ran aground in 1906.

Other worthwhile stops include Stonefield Beach, Lost Creek, Gold Beach and Otter Point.

The best time to search is often after storms when waves have moved sand and exposed fresh gravel and rocks. Always check the tides and know the rules for the beach you are visiting.

If you find something that appears to be a historic artifact, archaeological item or shipwreck material, leave it where you found it and report it rather than taking it home.

08/20/2026

Carl G. Washburne Campground Closure Expected to Continue Through September

LANE COUNTY, Ore. — Campers planning a trip to Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park will have to wait a little longer to return to the campground as Oregon State Parks moves forward with a major culvert replacement project.

The campground closed August 1, 2026, while crews work to replace two culverts damaged during heavy rainfall in December 2023. The storm caused significant drainage problems and previously resulted in a partial closure of the campground’s B Loop.

The current project involves replacing both damaged culverts along with related excavation, drainage, erosion-control, paving and restoration work.

According to the construction schedule, the project is expected to reach substantial completion by September 15, with final completion scheduled for September 29.

However, Oregon State Parks has not announced an official campground reopening date. Reservations beyond August were placed on hold because construction could take longer than anticipated. Campsites are expected to be made available for reservations again as the project gets closer to completion.

That means September 15 should be viewed as a construction target rather than a guaranteed reopening date. If the project stays on schedule, the campground could potentially reopen sometime in mid-to-late September, but visitors should wait for an official announcement from Oregon State Parks before making plans.

The closure is specifically affecting the campground, while other portions of Carl G. Washburne Memorial State Park may remain accessible.

Visitors planning a trip to the park are encouraged to check Oregon State Parks’ latest notices for updates on construction progress and the eventual reopening of the campground.

For now, there is no confirmed reopening date, but late September is the current window to watch.

08/20/2026

Could El Niño Bring More Sharks and Unusual Marine Life to the Oregon Coast?

OREGON COAST — A warming Pacific Ocean could bring noticeable changes to marine life along the Oregon Coast as a strong El Niño develops and ocean temperatures remain unusually warm across the West Coast.

While much of the attention has focused on California and the possibility of tropical marine species moving farther north, Oregon could also experience changes in the species found in its coastal waters.

El Niño can alter ocean temperatures, currents and coastal upwelling. Those changes can affect where fish and other marine animals are found, with warm water species sometimes moving farther north while some cold water species shift their range or move into deeper water.

That does not mean Oregon is headed for a shark invasion. Oregon already has a diverse shark population, with several species regularly using Oregon waters during different times of the year. Great white sharks, salmon sharks, blue sharks, thresher sharks and shortfin makos are among the species that can be found off the Oregon Coast.

One species worth watching is the salmon shark, which is commonly found in the North Pacific and can be seen in Oregon waters during the warmer months. These sharks feed on fish and squid found over the continental shelf, meaning changes in the location of their prey can influence where the sharks travel.

The bigger story may actually be what happens farther down the food chain.

Warmer ocean conditions can change where squid, anchovies, sardines, salmon and other prey species are found. When those animals move, larger predators can follow. Previous strong El Niño events have produced significant changes in the distribution of marine life along the Oregon and Washington coasts.

The developing El Niño is also occurring as the West Coast experiences unusual ocean conditions. Warmer water can affect marine ecosystems from microscopic plankton all the way up to whales and sharks.

These changes could lead to more unusual marine life sightings along the Oregon Coast. Species that normally spend more time farther south could occasionally appear farther north, while familiar Oregon species may change their movements as their food sources shift.

For fishermen, boaters, surfers, beachgoers and wildlife watchers, the coming months could provide an interesting look at how quickly changing ocean conditions can reshape the marine environment just offshore.

However, there is currently no indication that El Niño will cause a major increase in shark attacks along the Oregon Coast. Sharks are already a normal part of Oregon’s marine ecosystem, and their movements are influenced by many factors beyond water temperature.

Instead, scientists will be watching water temperatures, ocean currents, prey availability and reports of species appearing outside their usual ranges.

The possibility of unusual sightings does not necessarily mean something dangerous is coming to Oregon beaches. It is more likely to be another example of how interconnected the Pacific Ocean is and how changes thousands of miles away can eventually affect the waters along the Oregon Coast.

As El Niño continues to develop, marine researchers will be watching closely to see what changes appear along the Pacific Northwest coastline.

08/20/2026

Bandon Cranberry Festival Returns to the Oregon Coast for 80th Anniversary

BANDON, Ore. — One of the Oregon Coast’s longest running community festivals will return to Bandon this September as the Bandon Cranberry Festival celebrates its 80th anniversary.

The main festival will take place Saturday, September 12, and Sunday, September 13, 2026, throughout Bandon, with events centered around Bandon Old Town and the Port of Bandon waterfront. Additional festival activities are scheduled for Thursday, September 10, and Friday, September 11.

The festival began in 1947 as a celebration of the region’s cranberry industry. Today, the event has grown into a major annual gathering featuring a parade, festival market, live music, performing arts, classic cars, farm equipment, art exhibits, craft vendors, sports tournaments, shopping, dining and the popular cranberry eating contest.

The annual Cranberry Parade will take place Saturday, September 12. The parade is one of the festival’s most anticipated events and brings residents and visitors together to celebrate Bandon’s cranberry growing history.

Pre festival activities begin Thursday evening with the Cranberry Court Coronation. Friday activities include the Cranberry Kitchen contest and other community events, with the day continuing into the evening with the Cranberry Bowl football game.

The festival’s 80th anniversary is especially significant this year after the Bandon Cranberry Festival was officially designated an Oregon Heritage Tradition. The designation recognizes long standing Oregon traditions that have been celebrated for at least 50 years and have played an important role in their communities.

Bandon remains closely connected to Oregon’s cranberry industry, with the area producing a significant portion of the state’s cranberry crop. The festival continues to highlight that agricultural history while bringing residents and visitors together for a weekend of family activities and community celebrations.

The 2026 Bandon Cranberry Festival will be held throughout Bandon, Oregon, with activities taking place at Bandon Old Town, the Port of Bandon waterfront, Bandon City Park, the VFW, Sprague Community Theater and Bandon High School.

Visitors planning to attend should mark September 10 through September 13 on their calendars, with the main festival activities taking place September 12 and 13.

08/20/2026

Lithium Batteries Ignite in Garbage Truck Near Charleston Boat Basin

A garbage truck carrying a load of waste caught fire Monday after improperly discarded lithium batteries ignited inside the truck.

A Les’ Sanitary driver flagged down a Charleston Fire crew that happened to be at Charleston Station 3 in the Boat Basin conducting weekly truck checks. Firefighters immediately directed the driver to dump the load onto Charleston Road so crews could safely access and extinguish the fire.

The fire was quickly put out, and firefighters determined that a large quantity of lithium batteries had been improperly placed in the garbage. The batteries ignited after being loaded into the truck.

Dumping the load allowed firefighters to quickly locate the source of the fire and likely prevented significant damage to the garbage truck, which can cost more than $500,000.

Residents are reminded not to place lithium batteries in household garbage. At this time, lithium batteries should be taken to the Coos County Solid Waste facility at Beaver Hill for proper disposal.

08/20/2026

‼️ MISSING ENDANGERED ADULT

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help finding 30-year-old Dylan Catlow, who was reported missing Wednesday morning and is considered endangered.

Dylan was last seen on foot between 8–9 a.m. near the 24300 block of Star Creek Road outside Corvallis. He was expected at a mental health follow-up appointment but did not arrive.

He is 6’1”, about 180 pounds, with brown hair. He was last seen wearing tan pants, an olive green shirt and carrying a black backpack. Dylan previously lived in Eugene and may be trying to travel there.

Anyone who has seen Dylan or has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at 541-766-6858.

Please share to help get Dylan home safely.

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