AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute,330
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The head of the union representing the
Portland area’s transit workers has been found guilty of drunken
driving. It was the second trial 40-year-old Jonathon Hunt, who was
arrested last December after Gresham police found him slumped over
and asleep at the wheel. The first trial ended in a mistrial. The
Oregonian reports Hunt is set to be sentenced next week. Hunt’s
future as union president is unclear.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – State economists say in their quarterly
revenue forecast that Oregon will take in $300 million less than
was estimated when lawmakers wrote the current two-year budget.
Lawmakers built significant reserves into the budget to guard
against a downturn in the economy, and the lower estimates won’t
require immediate cuts to schools, health care or other state
services. Gov. John Kitzhaber says state agencies have been told to
save money with a partial hiring freeze and a reduction in travel
and training costs.
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – A developer has withdrawn plans to build
two wind farms on Steens Mountain in southeastern Oregon. Columbia
Energy Partners says it will no longer pursue the projects on
private property within the Steens Mountain Cooperative Management
and Protection Area. The Oregon Natural Desert Association had
opposed wind farms on the mountain, arguing other places could be
developed that are not so beloved by Oregonians.
BEND, Ore. (AP) – A Bend man convicted of murdering his wife
says he disposed of her body in a river because she wanted to be
with her friends – the fish. The Bulletin reports that 47-year-old
Steven Blaylock was sentenced Thursday in Bend to life in prison.
Lori Blaylock disappeared over a year ago. Her body has not been
found. Just before the sentence was imposed, Blaylock said his wife
had told him that when she died, she’d like her body to be blasted
into space or buried at sea – but barring that she “would rather
be with my friends the fish.”
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-11-18-11 0930EST
