February 12, 2026, Tip Of The Week - Natural Gas Safety (Photo) - 02/12/26

NATURAL GAS SAFETY

Many homes and businesses use natural gas for heat and appliances. Natural gas is safe when used correctly, but leaks can be dangerous. Here’s what you need to know:

• Natural gas is made to smell like rotten eggs so you can notice a leak.
• If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, leave right away. Don’t use your phone or turn on lights inside the building.
• Go to a safe place and call 911 and your gas company.
• Don’t light matches, use lighters, or make sparks.
• Only turn off the gas if you smell it, hear it, or see signs of a leak—and only if it’s safe to do so.
• After an earthquake or disaster, it may take days for help to arrive. Have a plan and a safe meeting place for your family.
• Make sure everyone in your house knows what to do if there is a gas leak.
• Ask your gas company for more safety information.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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02.12.26 - Animal Shelter To Host New Facility Ribbon Cutting (Photo) - 02/12/26

ANIMAL SHELTER TO HOST NEW FACILITY RIBBON CUTTING 

The Lincoln County Animal Shelter, Sheriff’s Office, and Board of Commissioners are excited to announce the ribbon cutting event for the new animal shelter facility. Join us on March 5, 2026, to celebrate the hard work, dedication, and generosity shown over the last six years of this project.  

• What: Animal Shelter New Facility Ribbon Cutting Event
  • Ribbon cutting 
  • Building tours  
  • A closer look at shelter operations and what it takes to keep it running 
• Where: 220 SW Dahl Avenue Waldport, OR 
• When:  
  • 8:30 AM - Media Tours 
  • Members of the media are invited to tour the facility with the Animal Shelter team. Media is asked to RSVP for tour group planning.  
  • 10:30 AM – Ceremony 
  • Community members and media are invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony, guided shelter tours, and meet our team. 
• RSVP: Members of the media and community members are encouraged to RSVP to help with event planning. Click here to RSVP as a member of the media. Click here to RSVP as a community member
• Other:  
  • Parking is limited so carpooling is encouraged. The main Animal Shelter parking lot will be saved for ADA parking and the ribbon cutting ceremony. Street parking is available (see attached map).  
  • Please do not bring personal pets to the animal shelter event. 
  • Our team is unable to accept donated items at this time unless they are on our Amazon Wishlist. 

Can’t make it? Keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for a virtual look at the shelter.  
 

Looking for ways to support your Lincoln County Animal Shelter?  

• Make a donation 
  • Monetary donations may be mailed or brought to: 
    Lincoln County Animal Shelter 
    220 SW Dahl Avenue 
    Waldport, OR 97394 
• Call 541-265-0720 to make a donation over the phone. 
• Shop our wish list on Amazon.  
• Become a volunteer and enrich shelter life for the animals in our care! Dog walkers, cat socializers, foster homes, and more are needed. Learn more about volunteering and submit a volunteer application today! 

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02.11.26 – Waldport Plane Crash – Final Update (Photo) - 02/11/26

February 11, 2026 – Waldport, OR
 

On February 11, 2026, at approximately 1:35pm, The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office receive a report of an airplane crash at the Wakonda Beach Airport in Waldport, OR. The aircraft was reported to be severely damaged, with the pilot still inside, and stuck approximately 50 feet up in the trees.

Responders arrived on scene and contacted the pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft. The pilot was safely extricated from the aircraft and evaluated by medical staff. No fatalities or injuries resulted in this incident. There is no ongoing threat to the community.

The cause of the crash is still unknown and under investigation. The investigation was turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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02.11.26 - Waldport Plane Crash - Update 01 (Photo) - 02/11/26

WALDPORT PLANE CRASH – UPDATE 01

February 11, 2026 – Waldport, OR

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and partnering agencies area responding to a single occupant plane crash at Wakonda Beach Airport in Waldport, Or. Community members are asked to stay clear of the area while responders assess the situation and secure the scene.

More information will be shared as the situation develops.
 

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Tip Of The Week - Celebrate Super Bowl And Seafood And Wine Safely (Photo) - 02/05/26

CELEBRATE SUPER BOWL AND SEAFOOD AND WINE SAFELY

Football fans are gathering for Super Bowl Sunday and Seafood and Wine attendees are getting ready to trickle into town. When you think of drunk driving, it’s easy to think about the financial impact: fines, legal fees, and criminal charges are no joke and can seriously affect your future. But there are additional consequences that impact our communities.

Drivers that get DUIs (a driving under the influence citation) are the lucky ones. Many know someone that has been killed or injured by an impaired driver or know someone that made the wrong choice and was the drunk driver. During football season, special events, and throughout the year, we urge you to make the right choice and not to drive after drinking. If you are drinking, have a plan to keep yourself and your community safe. Have a designated driver, use a taxi, or alternate transportation. Friends also play a large role in keeping each other safe. Encourage those around you not to drive after drinking and when possible, help them find a safe way home.

If you didn’t plan on drinking but find yourself drinking in the moment, do not drive home, find a safe alternative instead. But you really need your car for work in the morning and you’re “just a little buzzed?”. Buzzed driving is drunk driving. You may get hit with large fines, lose your car and your job due to court dates and a DUI charge on your record, and you may kill someone or yourself if you are in a crash. Don’t be the reason someone doesn’t make it home. Don’t drive after drinking. 
 

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Launches Seat Belt & Child Safety Seat Enforcement Campaign January 26 – February 8, 2026 (Photo) - 02/02/26

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up efforts to keep families safe on the road. From January 26 through February 8, deputies will conduct focused enforcement of seat belt and child safety seat laws across the county—because your safety, and your family’s safety, matters.

Although Oregon boasts a high seat belt use rate of 95.53% (2024), unrestrained crashes still lead to tragic outcomes every year. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT):

• In 2021, failure to wear a seat belt was a factor in half of Oregon’s traffic fatalities.
• More than one-third of children under age 8 injured in crashes were unrestrained, held on laps, or moved to adult belts too soon.

This enforcement effort is funded by the Oregon IMPACT Traffic Safety Grant, which provides additional patrol hours dedicated to preventing serious injuries and saving lives.

Our message is simple:

• Buckle up—every trip, every seat.
• Make sure children are in the right seat for their age and size. It’s one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect the people you love.

For more information on child passenger safety, visit ODOT’s Safety Resources.

#BuckleUp #ChildPassengerSafety #LincolnCounty #DriveSafe

BANK ROBBERY SUSPECTS DETAINED – FINAL UPDATE (Photo) - 01/30/26

BANK ROBBERY SUSPECTS DETAINED – FINAL UPDATE

January 29, 2026 – Lincoln County, OR

At approximately 11:48am, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a bank robbery at Columbia Bank in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Callers reported two armed adult males concealing their faces entered the bank and held staff at gun point, demanding access to the vault. Columbia Bank reported the two successfully obtained more than $50,000 in US currency before fleeing south on Highway 101 in a red sedan without license plates.

The red suspect vehicle was abandoned at a vacant lot near NE Stanley and E. Collins Street in Depoe Bay. The vehicle was set on fire. The suspects were seen getting into a grey 4 door Toyota and left the area west as reported by a nearby resident.

At approximately 12:51pm, Newport Police spotted a grey Toyota Camry near Don Davis Park in Newport, Oregon. Witnesses reported seeing two men leave the grey Toyota Camry on foot.

During a search of the area, Newport Police spotted a white male adult matching the description of one of the suspects at the intersection Hwy 101 and Hwy 20. The subject was contacted and detained. A short time later, the second male was spotted at Nye Beach and detained as well. A subsequent canvas of the nearby area around the vehicle revealed clothing found in a public trash can that matched the clothing worn by the suspects in the bank.

NPD K9 Officer Magnum and K9 Sly were used to search the area of Don Davis park and its related trails up to Nye Beach. A large backpack matching the description used in the bank robbery was located and seized. A search warrant for the involved Toyota Camry and backpack was applied for and granted. A search of the items located over $50,000 in cash and two weapons.

Franco Armando Mereno Jr. age 37 of Portland and Jonathon F. Schwentner age 43 of Canby were lodged at the Lincoln County Jail and charged with Robbery I, Kidnap II and Aggravated Theft. This incident is under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Oregon State Police, Newport Police Department, Lincoln City Police Department, and Toledo Police Department.

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01.29.26 - Bank Robbery Suspects Detained (Photo) - 01/29/26

BANK ROBBERY SUSPECTS DETAINED

January 29, 2026 – Lincoln County, OR

At approximately 11:48 am, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies, assisted by the Oregon State Police and Newport Police Department, responded to a bank robbery at Columbia Bank in Depoe Bay, Oregon. Two adult males were subsequently located and detained in the Newport area. This incident is still under investigation by the Lincoln County Major Crime Team.

More details will be released once they become available. 

Tip Of The Week - Tax Season Scams (Photo) - 01/29/26

TAX SEASON SCAMS

Many are working on their Federal and State taxes now that tax season has opened. As you prepare your taxes, be aware of scammers and suspicious activity. One tax scam includes scammers claiming to be from the IRS telling you that you are due a federal tax refund. They then direct you to a website that appears to be a genuine IRS site. The bogus site steals your information and even contains forms or interactive web pages similar to IRS. Don’t be fooled! These sites and forms have been modified to request detailed personal and financial information from the recipients. Other tax related scams can include claiming you need to pay late fees or back taxes to a suspicious recipient or in untraditional payment forms such as BitCoin, giftcards, through a third-party website or unsecured, etc.

The IRS does not send out unsolicited emails or ask for detailed personal information. Additionally, they do not ask people for their PIN numbers, passwords or similar private access information for their credit card, bank, or other financial accounts. The IRS primarily uses the mail when they need to notify you regarding any tax-related matter. They do not phone you late at night, or text you.
 

More Information and Resources
 

• For more information on phishing (suspicious emails) and identity theft, visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
• For information on preventing or handling the aftermath of identity theft, visit the Federal Trade Commission Web sites at http://www.consumer.gov/idtheft and www.OnGuardOnline.gov.
• Report Fraud - Federal Trade Commission: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov./#/
• Report Scams and Fraud - Oregon Department of Justice: https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/sales-scams-fraud/report-scams-fraud/
• Internet Crime Compliant Center - FBI: https://www.ic3.gov/

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Domestic Investigation Leads To Three Arrests - 01/26/26

TIP OF THE WEEK - TIE IT DOWN (Photo) - 01/22/26

TIE IT DOWN

Thinking of making that annual or semi-annual trip to the dump? Ridding your home of trash and items to be recycled is a great way to keep it a healthy, safe, and clutter-free place.

Remember that we also want to keep our environment and fellow motorists healthy and safe. Before making that dump run or hauling other loads, take a moment to inspect your cargo. Are there any light, loose items that can scatter and become debris or pollution along the roadway? Or are there any items that may fall out and cause another drive to swerve or crash?

The National Sheriffs' Association Traffic Safety Committee is working to raise awareness of the problem with unsecured loads.  Research by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that road debris played a role in more than 50,000 crashes each year in a four-year period. These resulted in over 9,800 injuries and approximately 125 deaths.

To be secured, loads should be:

• Tied down with rope, netting or straps
• Tied directly to the vehicle or trailer
• Covered entirely with a sturdy tarp or netting
• NOT overloaded
• Packed with lighter weight items at the bottom and evenly distributed to prevent them from sliding.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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01.15.26 - Helicopter Crash – Update 02 (Photo) - 01/15/26

January 15, 2026 – Newport, OR
 

On January 15, 2026, at approximately 08:37am, The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received reports of an unknown crash near the 2800 block of Moonshine Park Rd in Logsden, OR. While enroute, Deputies learned the incident involved a helicopter, which crashed into a cow pasture. The crash did not physically harm nearby structures, individuals, or livestock. There is no ongoing threat to the community.

Responders contacted the pilot onsite, who was the sole occupant of the commercially operated Bell JetRanger helicopter. The pilot suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was transported for further evaluation and treatment.

The cause of the crash is still unknown and under investigation. The investigation has been turned over to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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01.15.26 - Helicopter Crash East County - Update 01 (Photo) - 01/15/26

HELICOPTER CRASH EAST COUNTY – UPDATE 01
 

January 15, 2026 – Newport, OR
 

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a helicopter crash near Milepost 3 on Moonshine Park Rd (east Lincoln County). Our team and partnering agencies are currently on-site. The scene is contained and there appears to be no danger to the community. Community members are asked to stay clear of the area while responders  assess the situation.

More information will be shared as the situation develops.
 

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Tip Of The Week - Lincoln Alerts (Photo) - 01/15/26

LINCOLN ALERTS

Emergency Notifications and Time-Sensitive Updates

You can stay informed about emergencies and important community alerts by signing up for Lincoln Alerts, an emergency notification system coordinated by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office through Oregon’s OR-Alert system. These alert messages can be sent by Public Safety, City, Tribal, and County Officials. You can also subscribe to automated alerts like weather alerts, air quality advisories, flooding alerts, and more.

What to Expect

Lincoln Alerts sends time-sensitive messages on topics such as:

• Severe weather
• Distant tsunamis
• Evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods due to emergency events
• Available resources during and after a disaster

Flexible Notification Options

Subscribers can choose how they receive alerts. Notification options include phone calls, emails, text messages, and mobile app notifications. Alerts are sometimes sent only to affected areas. Be sure to include the address of your home, work, and school in your account to receive notifications for those areas. Regardless of your subscription, you can always view Lincoln Alert messages on the Member Portal.

Alerts are sent out in order of your preferred contact. Subscribers may receive multiple alerts depending on how quickly they confirm the notifications, or if their contact information is listed on multiple accounts. 

Sign Up Today

It is recommended that each household member create their own account with personal contact information to receive alerts during an emergency. Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime and anywhere. Keeping yourself and your loved ones connected to emergency alerts is one step you can take to stay safer and better prepared.

• Sign up for a Lincoln Alerts account: www.member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/new   
• Update an existing account: www.member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/login  
• Member Portal can be viewed here: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736721689/notif

More information about Lincoln Alerts: www.co.lincoln.or.us/789/Lincoln-Alerts