1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 09/15/2014 04:00 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/328
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

ESTACADA, Ore. (AP) – A wildfire burning in Mount Hood National Forest prompted the closure of a campground, a recreational vehicle park and a highway near Estacada. The 1.5-square-mile fire was burning in timber and grass about 10 miles southeast of Estacada along Highway 224 yesterday. Though the town was not threatened, the highway was closed at milepost 35 in both directions for the safety of firefighters and the public.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon has budgeted $2 million for its legal fight with software giant Oracle over the state’s failed health care exchange website. The state sued the Redwood City, California, company in Marion County Circuit Court last month, claiming that Oracle officials lied, breached contracts and engaged in “a pattern of racketeering activity.” Meanwhile, the company has sued the state in federal court alleging breach of contract. Oracle was the largest technology contractor working on Oregon’s health insurance enrollment website, known as Cover Oregon.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Nearly 900,000 Oregonians who have a driver’s license or state identification card but aren’t registered to vote will soon get a postcard reminding them to register. The secretary of state’s office says the postcards will go out today. Officials say they’re required to comply with the requirements of a multi-state consortium that seeks to clean up voter rolls and expand participation. John Lindback, the consortium’s executive director, says the success rate has ranged from 3 to 10 percent in states that have sent postcards.

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – A $4 million study will explore ways to beef up a critical transportation link in southern Oregon that could be wiped out in a major earthquake. The study commissioned by the Oregon Department of Transportation will consider methods of strengthening a 3,200-foot viaduct that carries Interstate 5 through the heart of Medford. The study also will look at other options for routing traffic in case it fails or requires upgrades.

 

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.