AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,295
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A new snowpack measurement at Oregon’s
Mount Hood found just 41 inches of snow. That’s about 54 percent of
average for this time of year. Across the state, the newspaper says
Oregon’s snowpack is about 43 percent of average. Washington is
doing better. While eastern parts of the state are drier than the
North Cascades and Central Cascades, overall Washington is at 81
percent of its average snowpack.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Oregonians worried about the impact of
closing regional mail-processing centers are telling the U.S.
Postal Service they’re worried about the impact on people who rely
on mail-order prescriptions, small businesses that need prompt
delivery and the Oregon system of mail-in ballots. The Postal
Service has lost money and is considering closing 252 processing
centers, including Springfield, Salem, Bend and Pendleton.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A draft report by Gov. John Kitzhaber’s
Commission on Public Safety says ballot measures instead of
business principles are dominating prison sentencing in Oregon and
that needs to change. The report is due to be submitted to the
governor today. Oregon’s prison population has risen significantly
over the past 20 years as have incarceration costs. The panel
suggests using cost-benefit analysis when considering sentencing
reforms. The panel has been charged with examining long-term
planning efforts on sentencing and public safety.
MILL CITY, Ore. (AP) – A Stayton man has been killed in a
logging accident about 30 miles east of Salem. Marion County
sheriff’s Cmdr. Kevin Schultz said 41-year-old Juan Alvarez-Lopez
was cutting trees yesterday afternoon on private property when he
was struck by a 15-20 foot section of a tree. Sheriff’s officers
and Mill City firefighters responded but he died at the scene.
Alvarez-Lopez was working for the Lulay Timber Co., at the time.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-12-30-11 0404EST
