3rd Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 09/18/2013 10:59 AM

AP-OR–3rd NewsMinute/230
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A helicopter pilot killed earlier this week in an Oregon forest has been identified as a former cast member of the History Channel series “Ax Men.” KPTV reports 54-year-old William Colantuono (cal-uhn-TWAWN’-oh) appeared in season three of the show. He died Monday when his helicopter crashed while attempting to lift a pile of logs.

HERMISTON, Ore. (AP) – A Hermiston-area family escaped injury when a truck crashed onto their property. The East Oregonian reports the truck veered off Diagonal Road yesterday afternoon, plowing through two fences before striking the family’s SUV. A corner of the vehicle was pushed through the bathroom wall. The truck driver was arrested.

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Lane County commissioners voted to permanently ban overnight camping at Wayne Morse Free Speech Plaza in Eugene. The Register-Guard reports the curfew was imposed after homeless advocates set up a 24-hour protest. Commissioners also plan to change the name of the plaza to Wayne Morse Terrace.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon lawmakers are questioning a decision by state energy officials to give $30 million in tax credits to a wind farm in the Colombia River Gorge. The Oregonian reports that the Shepherds Flat wind farm was divided in three parts so it could get three times the usual tax credits. The state business energy tax credit has since been reformed.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.