AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,319
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A former state penitentiary warden who
oversaw the last two inmate executions says he wants Oregon’s death
penalty repealed. The Statesmen Journal reports that Frank Thompson
has joined Oregonians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, an
advocacy group determined to repeal Oregon’s capital punishment.
Thompson became one of three new members on its advisory council.
Thompson tells the Statesmen Journal that the death penalty is “a
failed public policy.”
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – A discovery of inappropriate text messages
on a 14-year-old girl’s cell phone led police to arrest a
25-year-old Eugene man on rape charges. The Eugene Register-Guard
reports that parents uncovered the texts then promptly called
police, which launched an investigation. Officers arrested Jeremy
Gene Kautz on 21 counts each of third-degree rape, third-degree
sexual abuse and contributing to the sexual delinquency of a minor.
He also faces charges of using a child in the display of sexually
explicit conduct, among other charges.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – PremierWest Bank says it will be closing 11
branches in Oregon and California by the end of April. The
Medford-based bank says the closures will leave it with 33 offices.
The Mail Tribune says the 11 branches scheduled for closure
represent less than 10 percent of its deposits. Oregon branches
planned for closure are in Drain, Glide, Shady Cove, Running Y
resort near Klamath Falls and the Airport Road office in Medford
near the bank’s corporate headquarters.
BEND, Ore. (AP) – The population of Rocky Mountain goats on
Mount Jefferson is growing. The animals were reintroduced to the
area about 1 1/2 years ago. The Bend Bulletin says hunters, hikers and
mountain climbers likely won’t often encounter the high-climbing
animal. Corey Heath, a state wildlife biologist, says there are
still about 45 of the animals roaming the high country around
Oregon’s second-tallest mountain. The goats are returning to the
mountain after an absence of about 150 years.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-01-16-12 0400EST
