Date: 10/17/2012 03:59 AM
OR–1st NewsMinute/316
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The developers who were asking voters to approve Oregon’s first privately owned casino are giving up on their campaign, saying there wasn’t enough support from voters. Campaign officials announced their decision on Tuesday. Two Canadian companies have spent more than $5 million on television commercials promoting their project called The Grange. Measures 82 and 83 will still appear on the ballot, but the proponents say they won’t spend any more money on them.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Sen. Ron Wyden says struggling rural timber counties should consider raising local taxes or finding some other revenue as part of a package to replace the expiring federal subsidies. The Oregonian reports that idea is among seven principles the Oregon Democrat has sent to an advisory panel Gov. John Kitzhaber assembled. But at least one member, Douglas County Commissioner Doug Robertson, says they won’t spend much time discussing higher taxes.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Tensions in the Middle East are being played out on Portland’s mass transit system. A pro-Palestinian group recently paid for an ad on buses and trains about the plight of Palestinian refugees. A pro-Israeli group has responded with ads describing opponents of Israel as “savage” and carrying the words: “Defeat Jihad.” The new ads started running Tuesday. They were purchased by the American Freedom Defense Initiative, a group run by blogger Pamela Geller. TriMet marketing director Drew Blevins says court rulings require the agency to accept all ads regardless of content.
HILLSBORO, Ore. (AP) – The new baseball team in Hillsboro will be known as the Hillsboro Hops. The club revealed the nickname yesterday via Facebook and Twitter. The minor league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks recently moved to Hillsboro from Yakima, Wash., and will play in a 4,500-seat stadium that’s under construction. The relocation marks a return of professional baseball to the Portland area.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
