ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) – The Mount Ashland ski area has closed
temporarily, hoping for a good storm to provide snow and cover the
runs now too rocky for skis and boards. The closure is a symptom of
a regional warm spell. The Medford Mail Tribune reports that the
snowpack in southwestern Oregon’s Rogue and Umpqua drainages, as of
Monday, is at a third of normal. The ski area has struggled
recently as a result.
CAVE JUNCTION, Ore. (AP) – Josephine County deputies say an
82-year-old Cave Junction man was able to drive off an attacker by
shooting him in the foot. Deputies didn’t name the man, but said
they arrested his attacker, 65-year-old David C. Roberson, on
multiple charges, including assault and attempted kidnapping.
Deputies say the victim and his 71-year-old wife both were hurt in
Monday’s attack but refused medical treatment.
ESTACADA, Ore. (AP) – Searchers say three people from Lake
Oswego who disappeared after a snowshoe trip are safe and sound.
The Clackamas County sheriff’s office says the father, son and
daughter were seen from the air yesterday afternoon. Search crews
then met them, confirmed they were in good condition and took them
to reunite with other family members. The three are 33-year-old
Stewart Schmidt, his 15-year-old son, Gabriel McCoy, and 6-year-old
daughter, Aidan Schmidt. They were found near Timothy Lake in Mount
Hood National Forest.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A 21-year-old Eugene man has been sentenced
in Lane County to a mandatory 10-year prison term for a crash that
killed a University of Oregon student and injured seven other
people. Brandon Schooley pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter
and assault charges in the January 2010 crash on Highway 101 that
killed UO student David Chai of South Korea.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon State Police say five people died
in three traffic accidents over the New Year’s holiday weekend.
Last year, one person died in Oregon during the holiday period, and
two years ago none did. Over a decade, the average number of
fatalities is five. The data is from a state tracking system, and
this year’s is still preliminary.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A man who served for 20 months as Oregon’s
top federal prosecutor says he’s leaving his government job to
accept a position with a Portland law firm. Dwight Holton said in
an email to colleagues that his last day with the U.S. attorney’s
office in Portland will be Friday. He begins work at the Lane
Powell law firm next Monday. He has declined to comment on any
political plans.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An Oregon Corrections Department
spokeswoman says the state expects to recover much of the $18,000
it spent on drugs it had planned to use to execute a Death Row
inmate. Jeanine Hohn tells The Oregonian a reverse wholesaler has
retrieved the drugs. It’s not yet clear how much of a restocking
fee the state will have to pay. Gov. John Kitzhaber canceled the
planned Dec. 6, 2011, execution of Gary Haugen.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s 2011 season was characterized by
the team’s unwavering ability to push aside adversity: From the
season-opening loss to LSU, to LaMichael James’ elbow injury, to an
ongoing NCAA investigation and a late-season stumble again USC. In
the end, the Ducks prevailed to finish 12-2 and prove they could
win a big game on a big stage with a 45-38 victory over Wisconsin
in the Rose Bowl. Coach Chip Kelly says the win Monday night shows
the Ducks are resilient and have faith – but that their success is
built on preparation.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – LaMarcus Aldridge had 30 points and eight
rebounds to help the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Oklahoma City
Thunder 103-93 last night. Wesley Matthews added 16 points for the
Blazers, who held Oklahoma City to 34 percent shooting in the
second half to push ahead on an off night for All-Stars Kevin
Durant and Russell Westbrook. Oklahoma City started the season 5-0
before losing for the second night in a row.
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Pete Carroll says the Seahawks have
solidified a future foundation quicker than expected. Much of the
focus during Carroll’s season-ending news conference yesterday was
on the play of QB Tarvaris Jackson. Carroll supported Jackson’s
play, saying others around him need to be better as well. Seattle
is likely to add a quarterback in the offseason, either through the
draft or free agency. And Carroll took ownership of team struggles
in losses to Washington, San Francisco and Arizona, saying they’re
being addressed for next year.