For the best experienceDownload the Mobile App
App Store Play Store

Local News & Alerts

Date Range

Clear
Want to contribute your own news?

Are you a local entity that would like to contribute local news within our app and website?

Click request below and give us details!

Request

Total Items 108246

Apple bear claws Featured News by Oregon Today News
Resembling something glorious between an almond croissant and a handheld fruit pie these f... More

08/28/2026

Banana nut oatmeal Featured News by Oregon Today News
This quick pantry-friendly oatmeal has banana bread sensibilities It gets its sweetness fr... More

08/28/2026

Hollywood legend dies at ‘86′ Featured News by Oregon Today News
Andrea Eastman the Hollywood casting director and manager who helped shape cinemas blockbu... More

08/28/2026

Burlington's big expansion is here — 20 new stores, a new look and more on the way Featured News by Oregon Today News
If youre a huge fan of Burlington and are waiting for one to open closer to your neighborh... More

08/28/2026

Beloved TV star announces retirement, says roles get ‘less interesting’ with age Featured News by Oregon Today News
Actress Holly Marie Combs is stepping back from the limelight More

08/28/2026

Judge reinstates pause on Trump order limiting mail ballots Featured News by Oregon Today News
A federal judge froze for two weeks a Trump administration regulation to restrict mail vot... More

08/28/2026

MAYOR'S MESSAGE  
  
Local Voices, Local Choices: Make Your Vote Count This November  
  
As we look ahead to fall, I want to take a moment to encourage everyone in Coos Bay to participate in one of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens—voting.  
  
The November 3, 2026, General Election gives Coos Bay voters an opportunity to choose their local representatives and consider a proposed amendment to the City Charter. Voters will elect a Mayor to a two-year term and three City Councilors to four-year terms. I have filed for another term as Mayor, and Sara Stephens, Jacob Niebergall, and Carmen Matthews have filed for the three City Council positions.  
  
Serving our community in elected office is a significant commitment, and I appreciate those who are willing to put their names forward and serve the people of Coos Bay.  
  
Coos Bay voters will also consider Measure 6-230, which proposes several amendments to the City Charter. I want to provide a little background on why these changes are being brought before the voters.  
  
Our City Charter is an important document that establishes the framework for how our City operates. Over time, circumstances change, and occasionally the Charter needs to be updated to reflect both the priorities of our community and how the City operates today.  
  
A significant part of the proposed amendment involves the City's transient lodging tax, or TLT, which is paid by visitors staying in our local lodging establishments. Recent changes in state law have given communities an opportunity to reconsider how some of those tourism dollars are allocated.  
  
Here in Coos Bay, we currently invest these dollars in promoting our area and supporting tourism, and the proposed amendment would put that commitment into our Charter. We have seen the impact of that investment, and I believe there is still tremendous opportunity to bring more visitors to our community. Those visitors stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our businesses, attend events, and experience the many things that make the Bay Area special.  
  
Tourism promotion is also a regional effort. Coos Bay works alongside North Bend, Coos County, and the Coquille Indian Tribe in supporting our area's Visitor and Convention Bureau. Maintaining a strong investment in that partnership helps us continue telling our story and bringing people to the region.  
  
The proposed Charter amendment would formalize the allocation we are currently following by requiring at least 70 percent of transient lodging tax revenues to continue to be used for tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities and activities, while allowing up to 30 percent for other municipal purposes.  
  
In my view, putting that commitment in the Charter provides some certainty for the future. We have seen what investing in tourism can do for our area, and I believe continuing that investment gives us an opportunity to welcome even more visitors and strengthen our local economy.  
  
The measure also addresses our former Municipal Court. The City discontinued its Municipal Court in the early 2000s during a period of significant financial constraints that required the City to reduce its workforce and services. Municipal courts are locally funded, and operating one requires funding for a judge, court staff, legal services, records and case management, and other administrative costs. Because Oregon circuit courts also have jurisdiction to hear many of the matters previously handled by the Municipal Court, those cases could continue to be heard through the state court system after the City's court was closed.  
  
There are also some administrative and housekeeping changes included in the measure to update outdated language and provisions of the Charter.  
  
Ultimately, changes to our City Charter belong in the hands of the voters. A Featured News by City of Coos Bay
MAYOR'S MESSAGE Local Voices, Local Choices: Make Your Vote Count This November As we look ahead to fall, I want to take a moment to encourage everyone in Coos Bay to participate in one of the most important responsibilities we have as citizens—voting. The November 3, 2026, General Election gives Coos Bay voters an opportunity to choose their local representatives and consider a proposed amendment to the City Charter. Voters will elect a Mayor to a two-year term and three City Councilors to four-year terms. I have filed for another term as Mayor, and Sara Stephens, Jacob Niebergall, and Carmen Matthews have filed for the three City Council positions. Serving our community in elected office is a significant commitment, and I appreciate those who are willing to put their names forward and serve the people of Coos Bay. Coos Bay voters will also consider Measure 6-230, which proposes several amendments to the City Charter. I want to provide a little background on why these changes are being brought before the voters. Our City Charter is an important document that establishes the framework for how our City operates. Over time, circumstances change, and occasionally the Charter needs to be updated to reflect both the priorities of our community and how the City operates today. A significant part of the proposed amendment involves the City's transient lodging tax, or TLT, which is paid by visitors staying in our local lodging establishments. Recent changes in state law have given communities an opportunity to reconsider how some of those tourism dollars are allocated. Here in Coos Bay, we currently invest these dollars in promoting our area and supporting tourism, and the proposed amendment would put that commitment into our Charter. We have seen the impact of that investment, and I believe there is still tremendous opportunity to bring more visitors to our community. Those visitors stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, shop in our businesses, attend events, and experience the many things that make the Bay Area special. Tourism promotion is also a regional effort. Coos Bay works alongside North Bend, Coos County, and the Coquille Indian Tribe in supporting our area's Visitor and Convention Bureau. Maintaining a strong investment in that partnership helps us continue telling our story and bringing people to the region. The proposed Charter amendment would formalize the allocation we are currently following by requiring at least 70 percent of transient lodging tax revenues to continue to be used for tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities and activities, while allowing up to 30 percent for other municipal purposes. In my view, putting that commitment in the Charter provides some certainty for the future. We have seen what investing in tourism can do for our area, and I believe continuing that investment gives us an opportunity to welcome even more visitors and strengthen our local economy. The measure also addresses our former Municipal Court. The City discontinued its Municipal Court in the early 2000s during a period of significant financial constraints that required the City to reduce its workforce and services. Municipal courts are locally funded, and operating one requires funding for a judge, court staff, legal services, records and case management, and other administrative costs. Because Oregon circuit courts also have jurisdiction to hear many of the matters previously handled by the Municipal Court, those cases could continue to be heard through the state court system after the City's court was closed. There are also some administrative and housekeeping changes included in the measure to update outdated language and provisions of the Charter. Ultimately, changes to our City Charter belong in the hands of the voters. A "yes" vote on Measure 6-230 would approve the proposed amendments, while a "no" vote would leave the existing Charter unchanged. Whether you are considering the candidates who have stepped forward to serve or the proposed changes to our Charter, I encourage you to learn about the issues, ask questions, and make an informed decision. Local elections matter. The decisions we make here at home shape the services we provide, the investments we make, and the direction of our community for years to come. Most importantly, please make your voice heard and vote on November 3. -Joe Benetti, Mayor of Coos Bay
MAYORS MESSAGE Local Voices Local Choices Make Your Vote Count This November As we look ... More

08/28/2026

Music legend cuts back on performances at 82 after health concerns Featured News by Oregon Today News
Gladys Knight announced Thursday she is cutting back on live performances following recent... More

08/28/2026

Nice Time brings Korean flavors to handmade Italian pasta in Portland Featured News by Oregon Today News
There is something wonderfully impractical about Nice Time a Korean-Italian food cart wher... More

08/28/2026

Major gas station chain to feature White Castle slider vending machines Featured News by Oregon Today News
White Castle burgers will soon be available at a gas station chain with locations in 27 st... More

08/28/2026

Hood to Coast: Nike's all-women's team blends fun and fierce competition Featured News by Oregon Today News
How a gardener’s neighbors shared their land to help her start a flower business Featured News by Oregon Today News
Marisa Mender-Franklin wanted to grow flowers and own a flower shop but she had no land to... More

08/28/2026

Beloved ‘Pretty Little Liars’ & ‘Charmed’  star confirms she’s retired from acting Featured News by Oregon Today News
Holly Marie Combs has confirmed her retirement from acting pointing to a shortage of compe... More

08/28/2026

Dolly Parton’s literacy legacy lives on for millions of Oregon children Featured News by Oregon Today News
Musical icon Dolly Parton died Tuesday but her legacy will live on for millions of young r... More

08/28/2026

Tony Romo facing new charges from July arrest Featured News by Oregon Today News
CBS Sports analyst Tony Romo is facing more legal trouble following his arrest in July More

08/28/2026

Businesses are getting tariff refunds. Why aren't consumers getting their cut? Featured News by Oregon Today News
Last year Sandra Alonso needed a new powered wheelchair to get around her city of Tampa Fl... More

08/28/2026

Join us for the following FREE programs during the week of August 30 - September 5! 📚  
  
🚹 Open Men's Group on Monday, August 31 @ 6:00pm  
  
🛸 Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club on Tuesday, September 1 @ 5:45pm on Zoom | September’s Book: ‘All Systems Red’ by Martha Wells  
  
🔍 Movie Night on Wednesday, September 2 @ 5:30pm | Tonight’s Film: Matilda (1996), Rated PG  
  
🫖 Tea Tasting on Thursday, September 3 @ 12:00pm  
  
🍹 Mocktail Happy Hour on Thursday, September 3 @ 4:00pm  
  
📚 Pickup/Drop-off Eastside on Friday, September 4 @ 9:00am at the Eastside Fire Station (365 D Street, Coos Bay)  
  
📖 Pickup/Drop-off Empire on Friday, September 4 @ 10:00am at the Empire Fire Station (189 S Wall Street, Coos Bay)  
  
🛍️ Teen Wellness Kits become available on Friday, September 4 @ 10:00am  
  
🧶 Fiber Arts Friday on Friday, September 4 @ 3:30pm  
  
👷🏻 Labor Day Closure from Saturday, September 5 – Monday, September 7  
  
Visit http://www.coosbaylibrary.org  for a full calendar of upcoming events or subscribe to our e-newsletter by visiting www.coosbayor.gov and clicking the yellow 'Subscribe' button at the bottom of the page. Featured News by Coos Bay Public Library
Judge’s order on housing transgender women in prisons is ‘illogical,’ Oregon argues Featured News by Oregon Today News
A state lawyer argued Thursday that a federal judge in Oregon has micromanaged the states ... More

08/28/2026

Amazon issues urgent recall of 20K toy sets after four choking reports: Return ASAP Featured News by Oregon Today News
More than 20000 toy sets sold on Amazon are being recalled after four reports of children ... More

08/28/2026

ShoutoutGive Shoutout
500/500