AP Regional News and Sports

AZALEA, Ore. (AP) – An Azalea man brought into a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the head early yesterday has died. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office says Robin Brink died at Mercy Medical Center. The sheriff’s office says it has questioned one suspect and several witnesses but has made no arrests.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A Eugene bus driver is being credited with quick thinking after a bank robbery suspect tried to flee the scene in public transit. The Eugene Register-Guard reports driver Jon Jenkins saw a man changing clothes in the back of the bus and radioed the transit department, which alerted police. Suspect Chris Hayson was arrested after a brief struggle.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon State Police say two people were killed, including a child, in a New Year’s day accident outside of Salem. The Oregonian reports the crash happened shortly before 3 a.m. yesterday when a van carrying nine people and another vehicle with two occupants collided on Highway 99E north of Salem. A child in the van and the driver of the other vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.

   SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A Salem bomb squad has disposed of a potential explosive substance found in a foreclosed home by a cleaning crew. The Statesmen Journal reports the bottles with powder and fuses were  discovered Saturday in an unoccupied manufactured home in northeast Salem. Police Lt. Jim Anglemier says the bomb squad determined the substance was potentially explosive but further tests are needed to positively identify it.

     SALEM, Ore. (AP) -A new law is in place concerning Oregon’s 2009 ban on use of hand-held cell phones while driving. The Statesman Journal says the new law that went into effect yesterday removes what is known as the “employment-related exemption” that allowed drivers to use cell phones if the hand-held devices were considered necessary for  employment. Exemptions for use in farming operations, emergency responders and emergencies remain in place.

     CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Sage Romberg hit a jumper with 2:10 left in the second overtime to give Washington State the lead before Tia Presley and Jazmine Perkins hit free throws and the Cougars pulled out a 61-54 victory over Oregon State yesterday. Perkins finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds for Washington State, which defeated Oregon Thursday. Oregon State was coming off a victory over Washington.

     EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Oregon sophomore Deanna Weaver made a 3-pointer with 15.4 seconds left to lift the Ducks to an 88-86 come-from-behind victory over Washington yesterday. Oregon trailed 86-84 when Weaver hit the 3 to give Oregon its first lead since midway through the first half. Nia Jackson tacked on a free throw with 0.8 seconds left for the final margin.

      SEATTLE (AP) – Washington defensive coordinator Nick Holt and two other defensive assistants have been fired two days after the worst defensive performance in Washington history against Baylor in the Alamo Bowl. The school announced the firing of Holt, linebackers coach Mike Cox and safeties coach Jeff Mills yesterday.