OR–2nd NewsMinute/277
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Kitzhaber administration plans to charge a 75-cent-a-month tax on prepaid cellular phones, despite the objections of Verizon and T-Mobile and a possible court fight. Users of other cellphones and land lines already pay the tax. It raises $80 million a year to support 911 services. Big cellphone carriers are crying foul. They fear they won’t be able to collect from prepaid customers and will wind up paying the tax themselves.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has created Oregon’s first no-trapping zones on public land. The unanimous vote yesterday bans animal traps within 50 feet of a public trail and 300 feet of a trailhead. The ban follows a petition by animal-welfare groups that want tougher restrictions on a practice some call inhumane. Trappers say tough restrictions would make it hard for them to earn a living.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – The tsunami that devastated Japan more than one year ago washed millions of tons of debris into the Pacific Ocean. But the U.S. government and several West Coast states still don’t have a clear plan for how to clean up rubble that floats to American shores. Oregon got a bulky remnant of the tsunami this week: A concrete and metal dock. It measured 66 feet long, seven tall and 19 feet wide.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A house fire in northeast Portland has sent an 89-year-old woman to a hospital with possibly life-threatening injuries. Portland fire officials said the woman’s son was also taken to a hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation after the fire last night.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
