2nd Oregon News Minute from the AP

AP-OR–2nd NewsMinute,262
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) – The State Board of Education hears
testimony today on Native American mascots and nicknames in
Oregon’s public high schools. The board could eventually vote to
ban those names. Board officials say 15 public high schools in
Oregon have them. Critics say the mascots and nicknames perpetuate
degrading stereotypes. Supporters say the names can pay tribute to
Native Americans, and it would be expensive to change them.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Farmers in Eastern Oregon couldn’t persuade
the Legislature to take more water from the Columbia River, but
proponents are insisting the issue will not go away. Republicans
pushed aggressively to take more water from the river for
agricultural use and to develop more storage capacity, but they
couldn’t reach an agreement with Democrats.

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The Coast Guard’s decision to drop charges
against the sole survivor of a 2010 helicopter crash isn’t the last
word in the case. The agency still must complete an administrative
investigation. On Tuesday, the commander of the Coast Guard in
Alaska dismissed negligent homicide and other charges against Lt.
Lance Leone stemming from the crash on a flight from Astoria to
Sitka, Alaska.

BEND, Ore. (AP) – An independent investigation has found no
official misconduct by the Deschutes County district attorney in a
2011 grand jury probe of information released in response to a
public records request. District Attorney Patrick Flaherty’s probe
focused on Deschutes County’s top civil lawyer, Mark Pilliod.
Flaherty believed that Pilliod knowingly released more information
than required when The Bulletin newspaper sought deputy district
attorney’s job applications.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-03-08-12 0930EST