Month: December 2016

A total of 21 Democrat U.S. senators, including Oregon’s Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, sent a letter Wednesday to President-elect Donald Trump to remind him of his campaign promises to reject cuts to Medicare and Medicaid and to ask that he clarify whether he still intends to do so. The letter was signed by Senators

If you see some familiar faces replacing the regulars at the Salvation Army kettles in Redmond on Saturday, Dec. 17, it could be a member of the Kiwanis Club of Redmond. For more than 25 years, Kiwanians have taken on that task one Saturday before Christmas. Kiwanians will staff the kettles at Fred Meyer and

A burst of winter weather has greeted Oregon the first week of December. Those who rely on irrigation during the growing season hope it’s a sign of a colder, wetter winter that results in a strong mountain snowpack. Whether the state enjoys a winter wonderland in the months to come is still in doubt, but

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — State health and education officials in Oregon have launched an online database that allows parents to find out how much lead is in the water in their children’s school. The Oregon Health Authority said Wednesday that the tool provides an interactive map and displays results for individual school buildings across the

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A felon whose pistol was used to kill a Seaside police sergeant has pleaded guilty to federal charges. Jamie Lee Jones admitted Wednesday he possessed methamphetamine with intent to sell and had a firearm while selling heroin. Other charges are being dropped in a plea agreement, including allegations he threatened witnesses

Oregon has hired Willie Taggart, who spent the last four seasons as head coach at South Florida, to take over as coach of the Ducks following the dismissal of Mark Helfrich. Oregon formally announced Taggart’s appointment Wednesday. Taggart has led USF to an 18-7 record over the last two seasons, including a 10-2 mark this

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) — Medford officials are considering whether the city’s ban on outdoor marijuana cultivation also applies to greenhouses. The Mail Tribune reports (https://is.gd/Nyy8wT ) that the City Council on Thursday will hold a study session to discuss what constitutes a legitimate structure in the city and where marijuana can be grown. Voters in

Central Oregon plunged into single-digit — or below-zero — territory overnight in the wake of a snowstorm that left many roads slick in the region. A weather spotter near La Pine reported the coldest unofficial reading — -25 — while the National Weather Service in Pendleton reported the coldest spot in its forecast area was

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal officials are considering creating a fuel break system in southwest Idaho, southeast Oregon and northern Nevada to limit the size of destructive rangeland wildfires and protect habitat for sage grouse. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management announced Tuesday the 5,600-square-mile Tri-State Fuel Break Project proposed to create gaps in combustible

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The city of Salem is buying a historic building on the Oregon State Hospital campus, and hopes to transform it into affordable housing. The Statesman Journal reports (https://is.gd/63bJou ) the city is buying Yaquina Hall from the state for about $523,000. The Salem Housing Authority plans to apply for $750,000 in

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) — Springfield-based wood products manufacturer Rosboro has sold its manufacturing business to an Illinois-based investment firm. The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2hgPlCn ) that Wynchurch Capital has purchased Rosboro’s seven manufacturing plants across Oregon, including its main facility in Springfield. Financial details of the sale have not been disclosed. Wynnchurch Capital owns 19 companies,

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — Boutique Air announced plans to offer daily flights between Pendleton and Portland, restoring commercial air service to the city in Eastern Oregon. The East Oregonian newspaper reports (https://is.gd/W37zvJ ) that Boutique will offer three daily round-trips starting Dec. 19. Pendleton’s former provider of air service — SeaPort Airlines — declared bankruptcy

A Terrebonne veteran has received two pioneering brain surgeries, and while he is dissatisfied with the latter’s success so far, he’s happy about the improvement and to be playing a role that could help others. William Cronenwett has a neurological condition that affects his day-to-day life. He decided to go through an experimental treatment, hoping

As frigid, below-freezing temperatures and snow hit Central Oregon, the Humane Society of Central Oregon would like to remind people to provide extra care for their pets. — Pets are best kept inside. — Bring your pet inside when the temperatures drop, also consider the wind-chill factor. — Dogs and cats can get frost bitten

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Authorities say a driver has hit and seriously injured an Oregon Department of Transportation worker who had been helping at the scene of a highway crash. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2g9ca5V ) that 65-year-old Stephen Capps, of Hood River, is expected to survive his injuries from the Sunday crash on state Highway

High Desert Chamber Music has been awarded a grant from the Herbert Templeton Foundation for the third year in a row, in the amount of $7,500. This private foundation provides grants to organizations in the areas of education, social concerns, performing arts, and humanities operating within the State of Oregon. This award will go toward

As winter arrives in Central Oregon, the Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) reminds property owners to keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Sisters all have ordinances relating to the year-round clearing of sidewalks. While the language varies, the message is the same – business or property

BOYS PREP BASKETBALL Cascade 75, Corbett 56 Forest Grove 59, Newberg 47 Fruitland, Idaho 68, Baker 56 Glencoe 52, Benson 49 Grant 66, Barlow 60 Grants Pass 56, Eagle Point 48 Henley 66, Lakeview 35 Heritage, Wash. 61, Hood River 43 Jefferson PDX 56, Lake Oswego 49 Jesuit 91, Central Catholic 62 La Salle 52,

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — The National Guard is expected to join Lane County search and rescue crews as they look for two missing hikers. The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2g8ovfa ) that sheriff’s Sgt. Carrie Carver says the two Grants Pass men, both 27, had set out for their hike on Nov. 29 with two dogs. It

GRESHAM, Ore. (AP) — Police have arrested a homeless man on suspicion of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman while she walked to work just east of Portland. Gresham police said in a news release that tips from the public led officers to arrest 25-year-old Orion Mears in Portland on Tuesday. Police say Mears forced the