AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/262
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The Northwest led the nation in wildfires this year. Citing federal statistics, The Oregonian reports that area burned in Oregon and Washington is higher than any other region of the country – a total of nearly 1.3 million acres. A Northwest Interagency Coordination Center spokeswoman says the region set a record with 43 days as the nation’s top firefighting priority.
LAKEVIEW, Ore. (AP) – Interior Secretary Sally Jewell visited Oregon to get a closer look at a habitat restoration project to help sage grouse, a candidate for Endangered Species Act protection. The Department of Interior says Jewell toured federal land outside Lakeview yesterday where juniper trees are being cut down. Cutting them down restores the landscape to a condition more beneficial to sage grouse and other species.
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Police in Medford shot and killed a bear that climbed a tree near a school and wouldn’t come down. The Mail Tribune reports that the bear had been rummaging through trash cans in a west Medford neighborhood near Washington Elementary School. Police say they contacted state wildlife biologists to see if they could tranquilize the bear and relocate it, but were told if they did, the bear would most likely just come back. The meat will be given to charity.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A former Clackamas County coach has been arrested in a sex abuse and child pornography investigation. The Oregonian reports 42-year-old Kenneth Carroll was arrested in Montana, and has been jailed in Clackamas County of charges of sexual abuse, sodomy and unlawful sexual penetration.