1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 08/29/2013 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/294
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A 40-mile backpacking trail through the Rogue River Canyon has been reopened, another sign fire crews are gaining ground in southwestern Oregon. The national recreation trail from Grave Creek to Illahe (IL’-uh-hee) was closed as crews worked the Big Windy fire. Fire managers said yesterday that hikers could get back on it. At the Whiskey Complex in the Umpqua National Forest, three campgrounds are to reopen for the Labor Day Weekend: Ash Flat, South Umpqua Falls and Cover.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. John Kitzhaber is asking state lawyers and transportation officials to evaluate a proposal to build a new bridge linking Portland and Vancouver without funding from Washington state. Kitzhaber says in a letter to House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney that he’ll make the research available by Sept. 15 so they can promptly decide whether to move forward. Oregon approved $450 million for the project, but lawmakers said the money could only be spent if Washington also approved funding. The spending bill died in Olympia.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon health officials say higher-than-normal bacterial counts have been detected in the waters off three beach areas along the northern Oregon coast: Cannon and Tolovana in Clatsop County and Short Sand in Tillamook County. The Oregon Health Authority says beachgoers shouldn’t come into contact with the water.

TOLEDO, Ore. (AP) – A Lincoln County sheriff’s detective says kayakers found the body of a missing Toledo, Ore., man in Olalla Lake. Detective Trish Miller said Wednesday that the body of 55-year-old Quinton Selvog was spotted and retrieved Tuesday evening. Selvog had been reported missing and was last seen near the lake on Aug. 19. A search failed to find him then.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.