AP-OR–1st NewsMinute,345
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Senate has agreed to keep compensating
rural counties for a decline in federal timber payments because of
environmental protections for the spotted owl, salmon and other
species. The Secure Rural Schools program has become a lifeline for
rural communities, especially in the West, that have suffered from
a decline in timber harvests on federal lands. The money goes to
about 700 counties in 41 states, with the most going to Oregon,
California, Washington state and Idaho.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say they arrested a teenager at
North Medford High School carrying a loaded pistol he’d just stolen
from an unlocked car. The Mail Tribune reported yesterday that
police couldn’t explain why the 17-year-old boy had the weapon and
said he didn’t threaten anyone or brandish it. They said gang
activity or bullying didn’t appear to be involved, and the youth
wasn’t looking to settle a dispute. Police say students told the
officer assigned to the school that a boy was carrying a pistol.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A former Talent city councilman accused of
attempting to take nude photographs of a teenage girl has entered a
modified guilty plea to a charge of coercion. KDRV reports that Dan
Goyette entered his Alford plea yesterday. He was sentenced to
three years of supervised probation and 120 hours of community
service. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but
concedes there is enough evidence a jury would likely convict him.
Goyette apologized to the victim’s family in court.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Traffic officers along Interstate 84 in
Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge say a lead-footed driver was in such
a hurry to make a court date on a meth possession charge that he
racked up $2,000 worth of speeding tickets in an hour. Police say
34-year-old Jose Romero-Valenzuela, of Las Vegas, was zooming west
on Wednesday and got pulled over three times – first at 105 mph,
then at 98 mph and finally at 92 mph. Police say the last ticket
appeared to have an effect; he slowed down.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-03-09-12 0400EST
