1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 02/06/2013 03:59 AM

OR–1st NewsMinute/358
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

PALMER, Alaska (AP) – The National Weather Service says there is no threat of a tsunami in Hawaii, Alaska or the U.S. West Coast after a powerful earthquake struck in the South Pacific. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center says some areas of the West Coast may see changes in sea levels but it would not be damaging. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude-8.0 undersea quake struck near the Solomon Islands on Wednesday local time. A small tsunami damaged dozens of homes there.

GLENEDEN BEACH, Ore. (AP) – Scientists say a 30-foot boat that washed ashore on Gleneden Beach on the central Oregon coast appears to be debris from the March 2011 Japan tsunami. Oregon Fish and Wildlife Department spokesman Rick Boatner says it is believed to have been a support vessel for a commercial fishing boat. The boat was found yesterday, hull up, embedded in the sand with most of the hull exposed. Boatner says Oregon Parks and Recreation will deal with removing the boat.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – Oregon State Police say 40 pounds of marijuana have been seized in a Grants Pass-area motel parking lot. Detectives with the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team responded to assist city police Monday at the parking lot where the city officers had gone on an unrelated disturbance call. State Police say a vehicle associated with two men had a strong odor of pot coming from the trunk. Police say Alex Carabollo and Samuel Braun of Seattle were cited to appear in court.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Legislature is looking at making college students out of every Oregon high-school student. A bipartisan group of legislators has introduced a bill that would require college coursework as a condition of graduating from high school. The bill is likely to change, but the chief proponent says lawmakers are trying to substantially increase the number of students earning college credits in high school. Proponents hope the move would increase the number of students going to college, and to make degrees more affordable. Critics say students shouldn’t be forced to take college courses if they’re not interested.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.