Date: 12/15/2015 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/278
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) – Pacific Power has restored electricity to most of the southwest Oregon residents who lost it during a weekend snowstorm that included strong winds. About 25,000 were without power at the peak of the outage. The utility says just about everyone should have their lights back by today. The Red Cross opened shelters in Josephine and Douglas counties for those seeking warmth.
BEND, Ore. (AP) – Special education funding in Oregon hasn’t kept up with a growing need for early childhood intervention for kids with disabilities or development delays. The Bulletin reports that nearly 12,000 children across the state qualify for regular at-home visits with a specialist or special preschool enrollment, and federal law says eligible children must receive that help immediately. Providers across Oregon are asking lawmakers for $5.4 million to avoid a shortfall in 2015-17 and an additional $15-20 million for long-term improvements to services.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon’s top state senator is calling for business, union and political leaders to negotiate a plan to withdraw a series of contentious ballot measures slated for next year’s election. Senate President Peter Courtney says compromise is needed. A group backed largely by public-employee unions has proposed ballot measures to significantly increase taxes for corporations. Meanwhile, business groups are considering a ballot measure to weaken union rights.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say Oregon’s oldest death row inmate has died of natural causes, two months after the governor denied him clemency. The Oregon Department of Corrections says 67-year-old Mark Allen Pinnell died at the Two Rivers Correctional Institution infirmary. Pinnell had severe chronic pulmonary disease.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.
