3rd Oregon News Minute from the AP

Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Some state and union officials are talking about a proposal for “bridge” health coverage that would allow some Oregon state employees to retire early. The Oregonian reports it could apply to workers who are eligible for full pension benefits but not yet eligible for Medicare. “Bridge” health insurance could head off layoffs as the state makes budget cuts.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A 50-year-old Medford man who had struggle with police collapsed and died. The Mail Tribune reports Jackson County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the death of Scott Joseph Carlson. Residents reported he had been throwing things and banging on doors at 3:30 a.m. yesterday. The sheriff’s office says he struggled with officers before going into medical distress. Officers gave him first aid but he died at a hospital. Deputies say no chemical was used on him and he was not struck with a baton or shocked with a Taser.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – University of Oregon sociology professor Lawrence Carter, who helped develop a model for forecasting mortality rates, died Sunday in Eugene at the age of 68 from complications from multiple sclerosis. In the 1980’s he helped develop what is known as the Lee-Carter model. It is used by the Census Bureau and others in predicting demographic trends.  

MARION, Ore. (AP) – A truck driver says he was distracted when reaching for his lunch bag. That’s when he spilled the milk. The 18-wheeler overturned in a ditch yesterday in Marion and leaked an undetermined amount of milk. No one was hurt. The Marion County sheriff’s office says the 58-year-old truck driver from Salem was cited for failing to drive within his lane. 

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