AP-OR–2nd Right Now/1243
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PINATAS
Oregon class celebration has presidential candidate pinatas
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — An Oregon civics teacher is getting some unexpected attention because a presidential candidate pinata was part of a class celebration after the students completed their exams. Students brought the pinata filled with candy to class decorated with photos of the presumptive presidential nominees. Donald Trump was one side and Hillary Clinton on the other.
The Register-Guard newspaper reports students in the advanced placement government and politics class at Thurston High School took turns hitting the piñata with a bat.
Their blindfolded teacher also took a few swings, which was caught on video by at least one student. In the video, his bat appears to smack into the photo of Trump.
The video has drawn national attention a Portland conservative talk radio show host posted the video that was submitted to the show, along with a complaint, reportedly from a parent.
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PRIMARY-SANDERS
Bernie Sanders hoping for high voter turnout to win Oregon
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Sen. Bernie Sanders says he’s hoping for “a very large voter turnout” in Oregon this week to secure a win against Hillary Clinton in the state’s primary election.
Sanders told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Saturday that his agenda is one that Oregon residents “feel comfortable with” living in “one of the most progressive states” in the U.S.
The Vermont senator has not yet won in a state with a closed primary like Oregon’s, where only voters who are registered as Democrats or Republicans can pick a presidential nominee on their ballot.
But Sanders says “if voter turnout is high, we will win.”
In Oregon, roughly 160,000 voters proactively took steps this year to make themselves eligible to cast a presidential ballot during the closed primary on Tuesday.
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OREGON PRIMARY-THINGS TO KNOW
How Oregon’s primary works – things to know
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Voter turnout is usually tepid during primary season compared to the November general election. But this year’s wild presidential election has generated a surge of interest in the primaries, largely because of the unexpected popularity of Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Bernie Sanders.
In Oregon, roughly 160,000 voters proactively took steps this year to make themselves eligible to cast a presidential ballot during its closed primary on Tuesday.
But the heightened interest has also stirred some frustration over the primary system. The criticism varies but generally targets states such as Oregon where large groups of nonpartisan voters are excluded from the primary, and superdelegates who sometimes don’t have views aligned with their electorate.
About 30 percent of Oregon’s 2.3 million registered voters aren’t allowed to cast a presidential ballot, nor for other partisan races such as governor and secretary of state, during the primary.
DISTILLERY TRADEMARK TROUBLES
Astoria distillery changes name twice due to trademark woes
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — An Astoria distillery has had to change its name for the second time due to trademark troubles.
The Daily Astorian reports that Pilot House Spirits will become Pilot House Distilling as part of a settlement with House Spirits Distilling, a Portland-based distillery that filed suit against owner Larry Cary over trademark infringement.
Cary opened North Coast Distilling in 2014 but was forced to change the name after California-based North Coast Brewing filed suit in October. Cary says the first name change cost about $10,000.
House Spirits Distilling argued that Cary’s Pilot House Distilling violated trademarks they own including House Spirits” and “House Spirits Distillery.” Cary says it will cost him another $10,000 to $15,000 to again change the name on all his products and properties.
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SMOLT FLOW
Crooked River flows to increase in steelhead experiment
(Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — Crooked River will flow heavier as fish experts try to recreate historic conditions that brought steelhead smolt to Lake Billy Chinook and into the ocean.
The Bend Bulletin reports Bowman Dam will start releasing more water starting Monday night, with levels returning to normal by Friday morning.
State wildlife officials advised against fishing in the area during the experiment.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries spokesman Michael Milstein says the basic idea is to simulate the historic spring runoff.
Experts want to observe how the increased flows impact young steelhead.
Portland General Electric started reintroducing the fish in 2007 as part of its efforts to renew steelhead runs under a 2005 relicensing agreement and help the species pass Deschutes River dams.
The Endangered Species Act lists steelhead as threatened.
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OREGON PRIMARY-RURAL POT SALES
Legal marijuana sales sit on shifting ground in rural Oregon
REDMOND, Oregon (AP) — Oregon voters approved marijuana for recreational use in 2014, but the ground is still shifting for the state’s multi-million-dollar marijuana industry.
The Legislature allowed cities and counties to ban marijuana production and sales where at least 55 percent of voters opposed legalization. Gov. Kate Brown signed the bill, with misgivings. Over 100 cities and counties have since “opted out,” according to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.
Deschutes County in December banned the recreational marijuana business in unincorporated areas. On Wednesday, the commissioners, after holding public meetings, decided to allow marijuana cultivation, processing and sales.
Voters in Tuesday’s primary in Grant and Klamath counties will ponder shifts as they consider measures to overturn the bans.
SOCCER COACH-SEX STING
Ex-Banks coach gets jail for planning to meet teen for sex
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A former Banks youth soccer coach has been sentenced to 30 days in jail for arranging to meet a 14-year-old girl in Vancouver for sex.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that 49-year-old Sean Dotson pleaded guilty last month to communication with a minor for immoral purposes. On Thursday he was sentenced to 30 days in Clark County jail.
According to court documents, Dotson responded to a Craigslist add in January where the poster claimed to be a teen. He began texting the poster in a sexual manner and the two agreed to meet. The teen was actually an undercover police officer. When Dotson arrived at the arranged meeting spot with a condom in his pocket he was arrested.
He said he didn’t plan to have sex with the girl.
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DEPUTY SHOOTS MAN
Trial set for man shot by Washington County deputy
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A trial is expected to start next week for a man shot by a deputy.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports 54-year-old Greg Howard Moore is charged with menacing in the April 7 shooting at his home.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Sgt. Bob Ray says Deputy Wes Johnson fired at least one shot at Moore.
Laurie Dennis is Moore’s sister, and says her brother was shot while holding an object outside of the window.
Dennis says investigators found two hooks by the window.
Moore’s attorney could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Johnson was placed on administrative leave after shooting Moore and has since returned to work.
Moore served 30 days in jail for violating parole on previous convictions of methamphetamine possession and attempting to assault a public safety officer.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.