Date: 10/16/2012 10:37 AM
OR–3rd NewsMinute/289
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A man convicted of killing two people in Washington and accused of killing two more in Oregon and California says he’s ready to face the death penalty. But David “Joey” Pedersen tells The Oregonian there was no conspiracy and says his girlfriend — Holly Ann Grigsby — should be released. Pedersen pleaded guilty to killing his father and stepmother in Everett, Wash., in September 2011. He and Grigsby also are accused of killing a man near Newport and another man near Eureka, Calif.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A federal mediator is joining talks this week in Portland between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and operators of grain export terminals in Portland, Vancouver and Seattle. The two sides have been negotiating to replace a contract that expired at the end of September. The mediator could avoid a lockout at terminals that handled about a quarter of U.S. grain exports.
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) – High winds prompted transportation officials to close the Astoria-Megler Bridge near the mouth of the Columbia River for about four hours last night. The bridge that links the southwest corner of Washington and the northwest corner of Oregon has been closed twice in as many days as strong winds threatened to detach segments of contractor work decks attached to the bridge.
REEDSPORT, Ore. (AP) – A tax revolt in the Oregon coastal town Reedsport is spilling into the fall election. In May, voters in the Douglas County town approved a measure that rolls back water and sewer rates and requires a public vote on tax and fee increases. Now, the Roseburg News-Review reports that a slate of candidates who backed the charter amendment is challenging the incumbent mayor and three other City Council candidates.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.