AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,311
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Winds gusting as high as 110 mph have
hammered parts of the Oregon coast, knocking down trees, causing
power outages and disrupting traffic. The winter storm brought
little snow but lots of rain and plenty of inconveniences. Police
say both lanes of U.S. Highway 101 were closed when wind pushed a
tractor-trailer into a pickup on the Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport.
Crews have closed roads throughout the Coast Range because of
downed trees, while long backups formed after one lane of
Interstate 5 near downtown Portland was shut down because of high
water.
MOUNT ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) – This week’s fresh snow has Mount
Ashland Ski Area officials in southern Oregon preparing to reopen.
Ski patrols, lift maintenance crews and snow plow drivers were busy
yesterday getting reach for today’s anticipated noon opening. KDRV
reports the resort shut down two weeks ago due to low snow levels.
OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) – Police in Oregon City say a husband and
wife have been found dead in an apparent murder-suicide. Lt. Jim
Band says officers believe 56-year-old James “Mike” Hamel shot
his 66-year-old wife Rhonda, then himself. Band tells The Oregonian
that Rhonda Hamel had exhausted conventional treatments for cancer,
then turned to what he termed “extreme lengths” in hopes of
finding a cure. He says she was losing the fight.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Wildlife officials say a mule found dead
recently in northeast Oregon’s Wallowa County was probably killed
by wolves. Spokeswoman Michelle Dennehy said yesterday the carcass
was found last Friday on private rangeland east of Joseph, Ore.
Wildlife officials say wolf tracks were found in nearby snow and
data from a previously collared wolf show he was a mile west of the
site on the day the dead mule was found. Officials also considered
a history of recent livestock kills in the area.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-01-19-12 0403EST
