Month: March 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Two men have filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts of America and its local branch for $7 million each, claiming they were sexually abused by a former scout leader in Milwaukie in the 1970s. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (https://goo.gl/qW32Ev ) the lawsuit accusing the Scouts and its local branch, Cascade Pacific

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., took to the Senate floor Wednesday to call on Americans to resist President Trump ‘s dangerous tilt toward authoritarianism and recommit to a vision of “We the People” government — a government of, by and for the people, not a government for the privileged, powerful and elite. “Throughout his candidacy, and

A sewer line project at the intersection of Fifth Street and Highland Avenue in Redmond on Wednesday brought crews not just from Redmond, but Bend, Madras and even Portland to assist — not that it was a big project, but more of a big opportunity to partner and to learn. The Portland Bureau of Transportation

The Oregon Department of Transportation is demanding repayment of half of a $733,000 grant to the Sisters Eagle Airport, claiming the money was misused. The letter goes into details about why ODOT is demanding repayment of about half of the ConnectOregon program grant, which totals hundred of thousands of dollars. The ConnectOregon grant was supposed

BOISE, Idaho (AP) – Dead cattle floating in a reservoir just west of the Oregon-Idaho border are causing trouble for tourists. The Idaho Statesman reports (http://bit.ly/2nRylTb ) about 10 to 15 cattle carcasses were discovered floating in Owyhee Reservoir in Malheur County, Oregon, on Sunday. The cattle died as a result of heavy snow burying

(Update: Adding ODOT comment) High Desert Aggregate & Paving, under contract with the Oregon Department of Transportation, will resume work this week on the Wickiup Junction railroad overpass in La Pine, delayed by an accident that sent two beams crashing to the ground late last summer. ODOT officials said current work will take place on

The White House proposed last week to cut federal funding to dozens of social programs, including Meals on Wheels. Marie Larsen and her husband live in La Pine and rely on a balanced meal that will help them get through their day. “It’s just the convenience of having it that’s so important,” she said Tuesday.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The mother of a teenager who was fatally shot by a Portland police officer is demanding a federal investigation into her son’s death. Venus Hayes, the mother of 17-year-old Quanice Hayes, held a news conference Wednesday after a grand jury declined to indict Officer Andrew Hearst on criminal charges in the

A 21-year-old Northern California man who interrupted a family argument at a Sunriver rental home with a gun on New Year’s Day, firing a shot that put his wife in the hospital, was sentenced Tuesday to two weeks in jail and ordered to forfeit the weapon to police. Mikhail Pitsul of Antelope, California, appeared before

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A Medford homeless shelter has reopened after syringes flushed down the toilet caused severe plumbing issues at the church building where it operates. The Mail Tribune reports (https://is.gd/cSWRsh ) that Rogue Retreat announced Tuesday that it would reopen after the 55-bed facility closed its door Monday due to the plumbing troubles.

Deschutes County commissioners are seeking interested Sisters residents to serve on the county’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC). The BPAC offers residents the opportunity to promote and encourage safe bicycling and walking in Deschutes County. Residents with a background or interest in cycling and pedestrian issues are encouraged to apply. The BPAC advises Deschutes

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) – An Astoria man has filed a $9 million medical malpractice lawsuit against a city hospital, alleging a radiologist was negligent and missed signs of a stroke. The Daily Astorian reported (http://bit.ly/2o3lCvZ) Tuesday that John Pierce Christie filed the lawsuit last week against Columbia Memorial Hospital. According to the complaint, Christie had

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – The University of Oregon has been hit with a lawsuit by one of its psychology professors over claims that she is being paid substantially less than several of her less-experienced male colleagues. The Register-Guard reports (http://bit.ly/2mprQcY) Jennifer Freyd filed the lawsuit Tuesday alleging she was subject to sex-based discrimination in violation

The city of Bend has made its final decision on opponents’ appeal of rezoning for a controversial multi-family development planned on Reed Lane on the city’s south end. The hearings officer has approved the zone change from standard- to medium-density residential. That means unless those opposed to the rezoning file a state appeal by April

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., led a group of 37 senators on Tuesday in opposing President Trump’s proposal to inflict a more than 30 percent cut to the Environmental Protection Agency budget. Expressing “extreme concern” over the cuts, the senators wrote to appropriations leaders, “During the President’s February 28 , 2017 address to Congress, he pledged

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., highlighted the potential of the outdoor recreation economy and the need to address wildfire funding to improve maintenance of our public lands at a Senate panel hearing Tuesday. In a hearing on public lands infrastructure before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Wyden emphasized the strong link between fixing wildfire

Bend 2030 and Opportunity Knocks are now seeking contract support and applications from community groups to participate in The Civic Equity Project, a two-year program building the capacity of under-represented organizations to participate in civic dialogue and decision-making in Bend. The project was recently funded with a $100,000 from the Meyer Memorial Trust , a

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An 18-year-old woman has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing her son’s aunt, who was several months pregnant at the time of her death in northwest Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports (http://bit.ly/2nbHIyF) Tannekqwa Thompson was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to murder. The murder conviction was modified as part

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Khris Middleton scored 26 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks held off the Portland Trail Blazers for a 93-90 victory on Tuesday night. Giannis Antetokounmpo added 22 points for the Bucks (35-35) , who have won nine of 11 as they jostle for playoff position in the Eastern Conference. They are a

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A grand jury has found that a Portland officer was justified in using deadly force when he shot and killed a 17-year-old boy in February. Portland Police Sgt. Pete Simpson said in a news release the grand jury made the determination Tuesday that Officer Andrew Hearst was justified regarding the death