Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – At a dozen high schools in Portland and Hillsboro, class hours are longer than the students had in last year’s schedule. The Oregonian reports schools cut back on assemblies, trimmed some other activities and discontinued late starts for teacher planning. Schools are squeezing in extra minutes of class to comply with a state requirement that every high school course must meet for at least 130 hours.
BEND, Ore. (AP) – Investigators say an exploding lithium battery on an electric bicycle caused a house fire in Bend. Deputy Fire Marshal Dan Derlacki told KTVZ the charger either failed or overcharged the battery, causing the explosion. One person suffered burns in yesterday’s fire and damage to the house is estimated at $220,000. Derlacki says there have been five lithium battery fires in Bend in the past 16 months.
VALE, Ore. (AP) – Federal officials say it could take a few years to rehabilitate sage and grass lands burned this summer in Eastern Oregon. The Ontario Argus Observer reports that much of the land in two fires in Malheur and Harney counties was habitat for sage grouse, which are under consideration for protection on the endangered species list.
ILWACO, Wash. (AP) – A warm-water fish rarely seen in Washington waters washed ashore last week on a beach at Cape Disappointment State Park near the mouth of the Columbia River. The mola sunfish was nearly 7 feet long and weighed close to 300 pounds.