Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is holding four meetings this week to take public comment on plans to ban outdoor smoking at state parks. The Statesman Journal reports the proposed ban would stop smoking on hiking trails, picnic areas, waysides and common areas of state campgrounds. People could still smoke in their cars, RVs or tents.
SEASIDE, Ore. (AP) – A waitress at a Seaside restaurant got an unusual tip – an envelope full of methamphetamine. The Daily Astorian reports the waitress called police Friday after a couple included the envelope while paying for their drinks. An officer identified the substance, and arrested Ryan Bensen of Beaverton and Erica Manley of Cascade Locks.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s problem-plagued health insurance exchange says it has enrolled about 20,000 people in private coverage, far below original projections. The new numbers were released by Cover Oregon yesterday, the day after the deadline to enroll for January coverage. The low enrollment numbers are largely due to the online enrollment system failing to go live.
GLADSTONE, Ore. (AP) – The Gladstone City Council has voted to allow Patrick Clark to keep his Siberian lynx until June while a state senator pushes to change Oregon law on exotic pets. The Oregonian reports Clark has had the 16-year-old cat since it was a kitten. Clark’s wife, Molly, told councilors that Sosha helps with her husband’s post-traumatic stress disorder. Clark is a Marine veteran who served in Somalia and Desert Storm.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
