Date: 09/03/2012 04:00 AM
OR–1st NewsMinute/304
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – An early morning fire has destroyed major portions of a vacant former hotel located on the Columbia River in North Portland. Portland Fire and Rescue Lt. Michael Silva says no injuries have been reported, but the blaze yesterday morning caused extensive damage to the former Red Lion Inn on Hayden Island. He says the owners were using the vacant hotel for storage.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Human remains and funeral objects found in southwest Oregon more than 60 years ago are expected to be delivered to the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. The Mail Tribune reports that a local miner gave the items, including 10 human teeth, to the Southern Oregon Historical Society in 1952. The items were uncovered near Little Applegate River in Jackson County on land once occupied by tribal ancestors.
PRINEVILLE, Ore. (AP) – U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley says legislation he is sponsoring that aims to divide the water from the Crooked River among stakeholders would not be expected to significantly decrease the water level in Prineville Reservoir. The Bulletin in Bend reports the bill would allocate more water for the city of Prineville, allow for a hydroelectric project below the reservoir and guarantee water supplies for irrigators. The bill is co-sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) – Conservation groups have filed at least four lawsuits against the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in federal court in Medford, Ore., over a half-dozen timber sales they say were not prepared in accordance with federal environmental policy. The Ashland Daily Tidings reports the latest complaint was filed last week against BLM by Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center, Oregon Wild and Cascadia Wildlands. The suit asks the court to block a timber sale near Ashland. Opponents say that timber sale threatens at-risk salmon populations.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.