Date: 05/02/2016 09:20 AM
AP-OR–3rd Right Now/1137
SAGE GROUSE-NEVADA MUSTANGS
US agency’s Nevada boss urges roundup of 4,000 mustangs
RENO, Nev. (AP) – The U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Nevada director wants to free up more federal rangeland for livestock grazing this summer by rounding up 4,000 wild horses in Elko County.
That’s more mustangs than were gathered across 10 Western states combined last year.
BLM Nevada Director John Ruhs, Gov. Brian Sandoval and state wildlife officials say removing the horses from four herd management areas in Elko County near the Utah line would also benefit the greater sage grouse.
Conservationists say the call for more roundups is a misguided attempt to placate ranchers at the expense of horses and grouse.
They say cattle do far more damage than mustangs to the drought-stricken range and the imperiled bird.
HIKER FOUND DEAD
Hiker found dead after fall in Alaska’s Denali National Park
DENALI NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, Alaska (AP) – A hiker has been found dead in Alaska’s Denali National Park and Preserve, and authorities believe he fell and suffered a fatal head injury.
The National Park Service says a ground team found the body of 24-year-old Michael Purdy of Portland, Oregon, on Sunday near the north end of the Savage River Loop Trail.
The agency says in a release that clues indicate Purdy diverted from the riverside trail to explore higher terrain, and he fell and hit his head. Authorities believe the accident happened Tuesday based on Purdy’s cellphone activity and sightings of his vehicle.
Crews began looking for him Saturday evening after his employer notified park rangers he had missed work Friday and Saturday.
The Park Service says Purdy’s remains will be recovered by the park helicopter, then transferred to the state medical examiner.
MAY DAY-UNITED STATES-THE LATEST
The Latest: Police arrest protesters in Seattle
SEATTLE (AP) – Seattle police say they arrested nine people during anti-capitalist protests that injured five officers on May Day.
Authorities say eight males and one juvenile female were arrested Sunday evening. The charges included obstruction, assault and property destruction.
Police also said one officer suffered a head laceration after being struck by a rock, one was hit by a Molotv cocktail and hurt but not burned and another officer was bitten. Details on the other two injuries were not immediately available but Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole said there were no serious injuries.
The rowdy evening march followed a peaceful gathering in Seattle earlier by supporters of immigrants and workers.
Demonstrations also took place Sunday in Portland, Oregon, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Oakland, California.
TINY HOMES-EUGENE
City to review plans for Eugene’s second tiny homes project
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) – Officials say construction on Eugene’s second tiny house community for low-income residents could start as soon as this summer.
The Register-Guard reports that documents filed with the city’s planning department show that the nonprofit SquareOne Villages is looking to build the 22-dwelling community on a 1-acre lot. The group’s executive director, Dan Bryant, says construction will likely start sometime between July and September.
He says the start date will depend on whether the nonprofit can raise the remaining $40,000 to $50,000 it needs to fully develop the community.
Plans for the project include homes that are between 160 and 288 square feet as well as a garden, an office and parking space.
Eugene’s first tiny house community includes 29 tiny units spread across 2.6 acres of city land.
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WILDFIRE OUTLOOK-US
Hawaii, Alaska, Southwest face increased wildfire threat
Fire forecasters say Hawaii, Alaska and the Southwest will face an increased threat of wildfires this summer.
The National Interagency Fire Center released its outlook for the spring and summer on Sunday. It says most of the country will face normal or below-normal wildfire problems.
That’s welcome news after last year, when a record 15,800 square miles burned nationwide. The federal government spent more than $1.7 billion fighting fires.
The national fire center says Hawaii could face above-average wildfire potential from May through August after a drought intensified last month.
In the Southwest, an increased threat of wildfires is expected in Arizona and New Mexico early this season, later shifting north and west into California and Nevada.
The outlook says south-central Alaska will vulnerable in May, but conditions should improve after that.
INMATE DEATH
Oregon inmate found dead at state prison
(Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – Authorities say an Oregon inmate died Sunday morning at a state prison in Umatilla.
The Oregonian reports that officials found 76-year-old Tomas Velar-Garcia unresponsive at the Two River Correctional Institutional. The prison houses 1,800 men.
According to a news release, the death was unexpected. The Oregon Department of Corrections did not provide any other details.
Velar-Garcia had been in prison since June 2012 after being convicted in Washington County on two counts of first-degree sex abuse. He was scheduled for possible release in June.
The Oregon State Police is investigating, which is a common practice for all inmate deaths.
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MENTAL HEALTH-YOUTH CRISIS
County hospital struggling with youth mental health crisis
(Information from: The World, http://www.theworldlink.com)
COOS COUNTY, Oregon (AP) – Health officials in Coos County say suicide attempts and other mental health crises in children are increasing, but the local hospital is struggling to meet the need.
The World reports that Bay Area Hospital had more than 100 child psychology consultations and 62 admissions in 2014. That’s a sharp increase to the 27 consultations and six admissions the hospital experienced in 2011.
Kera Hood, hospital manager of psychiatric services says the hospital is not licensed to treat children with severe mental illnesses. When children suffering from mental health come to the hospital, staff can only isolate them for 24-hours until they can be transferred or discharged.
The crisis has forced the hospital to reach out to the hospitals for help. School districts are now training teachers and community members in mental health first aid.
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HOMELESS CAMP FIRE
Investigators seek cause of Portland homeless camp fire
(Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Investigators are searching for the cause of a Saturday morning fire at a Portland homeless camp. The fire was reported around 8 a.m. when propane tanks started exploding. Portland Fire & Rescue reports the fire was burning near the Portland International Raceway
The Oregonian/OregonLive.com reports a 25-foot by 25-foot area was on fire when firefighters arrived Saturday morning. None of the camp occupants were on the scene and no one was injured. The fire did not damage or threaten any buildings.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.