Date: 12/17/2012 09:29 AM
OR–2nd NewsMinute/284
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A powerful winter storm moving through the Pacific Northwest is expected to linger today, delivering strong winds and rain in some places and heavy snowfall and whiteout conditions in others. Winds up to 85 mph and 30-foot seas on the north Oregon coast were possible overnight. A blizzard warning is in effect until this evening in the Cascade Mountains.
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The members of the Electoral College for Oregon are casting seven votes at noon today in the state Capitol for President Obama. The seven electors are Oregon Democratic Chairwoman Meredith Wood Smith, First Vice-Chairman Frank Dixon and the five Democratic chairs of each congressional district: Mike Bohan of Beaverton, Shirley Cairns of Oakland, Michael Miles of Grants Pass, Sam Sappington of Albany and Joe Smith of Portland.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Federal authorities are increasingly using asset-forfeiture laws to seize money and property from people they believe are exploiting Oregon’s medical marijuana program. A review of federal records by the Medford Mail Tribune newspaper shows that in 2010, prosecutors filed just one forfeiture case to seize money related to marijuana that was grown under the program. Last year, there were a dozen such cases. Civil forfeiture laws allow police to seize the proceeds of illegal activity without necessarily filing criminal charges.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon gun-control advocates have gained support among Oregon state lawmakers after calling for a ban on semi-automatic weapons on the same day as the Connecticut school massacre. The Oregonian reports members of a gun-control group circulated through the state Capitol Friday and gained 12 co-sponsors of a bill that would ban semi-automatic rifles classified as assault weapons.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
