Date: 02/12/2013 09:29 AM
OR–2nd NewsMinute/309
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Motorists caught talking on their cell phones or texting while driving would face far stiffer fines – up to $1,000 – under a bill that is being considered in the Oregon Legislature. The Senate Judiciary Committee starts hearings today on the bill proposed by Senate President Peter Courtney. The Salem Democrat says he would like to see distracted driving treated the same way as drinking and driving.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Police thought a man who was found lying on a southeast Portland street early today was a hit-and-run accident victim. But a gunshot wound was found after he was taken to a hospital. Police describe the injuries as traumatic but non-life-threatening. Police are asking the public for information about the shooting. The victim was found about 2 a.m. by a truck driver.
ST. HELENS, Ore. (AP) – Trial is getting under way today in St. Helens for a man accused of killing a mental-health worker last year. Brent Redd is expected to plead guilty except for insanity in the stabbing of Jennifer Warren. She was killed while making a medicine delivery to his apartment in St. Helens. Redd also pleaded guilty except for insanity in 2007 when he was accused of trying to kill his mother. He was released in 2010.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (AP) – Nike co-founder Phil Knight is blasting the Freeh report’s characterization of Penn State coach Joe Paterno in the child sex abuse scandal involving assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. Following the release last year of former FBI director Louis Freeh’s report, Knight issued a statement saying he was saddened that Paterno apparently made missteps. But Knight now says that he may have jumped to conclusions, after a new report by former U.S. Attorney General and Pennsylvania Gov. Dick Thornburgh that was commissioned by the Paterno family.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
