With summer just around the corner, Oregon agencies have begun their annual monitoring of the state’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs for the presence of toxic cyanobacteria blooms. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) launched their seasonal freshwater surveillance activities earlier this week, as increasing temperatures raise the risk of cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms (cyanoHABs) in water bodies. Cyanobacteria are beneficial bacteria found...

As warmer weather returns to Oregon, many people are adding water recreation to their weekend plans. If you’re heading out on the water, the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) want to remind you that even when the air is warm, the water remains very cold and hypothermia can set in quickly. Dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature. Find tips on what to do if you or someone else is exposed to cold water on the OEM Blog. In...

On Wednesday May 6th, 2026, at approximately 2:15, Newport Police Officers were dispatched to the area of Newport High School on the report a school aged male carrying a rifle. Officers from the Newport Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and began searching for the subject. Officers worked with Newport High School Administration and Lincoln County School District personnel to lock down the area schools until the area could be made safe. A suspect was...