AP-OR–3rd NewsMinute,281
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Three falcons are making hundreds of
seagulls nervous at Metro’s Central Transfer Station for Portland
garbage. A California falconry business — Airstrike Bird Control
— was hired after hundreds of gulls descended. They’re feeding on
food scraps, which are more abundant since Portland’s home food
composting service began. The Oregonian reports the falcons are
supposed to only make the gulls so uncomfortable they move on. But
one falcon killed a gull yesterday in a mid-air strike.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s largest public employees union
has launched a statewide radio ad campaign accusing Gov. John
Kitzhaber of trying to eliminate health insurance for thousands of
low-wage home care workers. The Service Employees International
Union represents about 12,000 workers who earn about $10 an hour to
provide in-home care for the elderly and disabled.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A Eugene home care worker for the elderly
and disabled has admitted he overbilled Medicaid and pleaded guilty
to theft charges in a plea bargain with prosecutors. Authorities
say 43-year-old Gordon Lamar Peppers took more than $32,000 in the
health fraud scheme. The Register-Guard reports he was sentenced
yesterday in Lane County Circuit Court to 13 months in prison and
ordered to pay restitution.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Despite objections from the police union,
the Portland Police Bureau will include testing for steroids in
this year’s random testing of officers for drug abuse. The union
filed a grievance last year, concerned that over-the-counter
supplements could test positive for steroids and that any
detectable amount of steroids would be considered a violation.
Training in the new policy begins Thursday. After that up to 55
Portland officers a month will be tested.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-01-10-12 1030EST
