Date: 01/07/2016 03:59 AM
AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/277
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press
BURNS, Ore. (AP) – Cheers erupted at a community meeting in Oregon when a sheriff said it was time for a small, armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge to “pick up and go home.” The group objecting to federal land policy seized buildings at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in eastern Oregon’s high desert country on Saturday. Authorities have not yet moved to remove the group of roughly two dozen people, some from as far away as Arizona and Michigan.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Gov. Kate Brown has replaced the director of the state’s Employment Department days after a state audit detailing security lapses and tax troubles involving the department’s aging computer systems. The Oregonian reports that Brown says Lisa Nisenfeld is being replaced by the state’s budget manager, Kay Erickson, while Brown’s office looks for a permanent hire.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The city of Portland has adopted a new standard to help increase diversity among its top employee ranks. The standard will require commissioners to interview at least one qualified minority candidate, female candidate and candidate with a disability for bureau director and other top positions. It will become binding city policy.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) – A former Catholic high school teacher and coach who pleaded guilty to child pornography charges has been sentenced in Louisville to 42 years in prison. The Courier-Journal reports Assistant U.S. Attorney Jo Lawless said in court papers she would have asked for a harsher sentence if 33-year-old Patrick Newman hadn’t pleaded guilty. Prosecutors say the charges involved 16 boys ages 12 to 17 from nine states including Oregon and the United Kingdom.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.