Date: 11/19/2012 03:59 AM
OR–1st NewsMinute/282
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland Police arrested a man in North Portland early yesterday after he dropped a switchblade while struggling with officers. Sgt. Pete Simpson told KGW-TV that just after 12:30 a.m., officers saw 30-year-old Thomas Berry hiding in the bushes outside a dentist’s office. Police say Berry tried to punch an officer in the face when they confronted him.
COOS BAY, Ore. (AP) – The state of Oregon has withdrawn more than 900 acres of planned timber sales in Elliott State Forest, pending the outcome of an environmental lawsuit. The World newspaper reports the Oregon Department of Forestry plans instead to open 465 acres of alternative logging sites that were not named in the lawsuit. Forestry spokesman Kevin Weeks estimates the change in plans will cost the Common School Fund about $9.85 million in income next year.
CORVALLIS, Ore. (AP) – Public comments on a plan to close some unauthorized off-road vehicle trails in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area are due by Dec. 10. The Gazette-Times reports an 150-page draft environmental impact statement about the plan has been released for public comment. The recreation area covers 29,000 acres from Florence to North Bend along the Oregon Coast. It’s a popular playground for riders of dirt bikes, dune buggies and four-wheelers.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. John Kitzhaber has ordered flags at public institutions to be flown at half-staff today in honor of Army Capt. James Nehl (NEE’-ul). The 37-year-old Nehl died earlier this month while conducting combat operations in southeastern Afghanistan. He was from Gardiner in Douglas County and had been based at Fort Riley, Kan.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
