AP-OR–2nd Right Now/1200
SICK LEAVE LAWSUIT
9 counties sue Oregon over state’s paid sick-leave law
(Information from: KEZI-TV, http://www.kezi.com/)
ALBANY, Ore. (AP) – Nine counties are suing the state, claiming Oregon’s new paid sick-leave law is an unfunded government mandate.
KEZI-TV reports that Linn County commissioners filed the suit Friday in Linn County Circuit Court. They were joined by Douglas, Jefferson, Morrow, Malheur, Polk, Sherman, Wallowa and Yamhill counties.
Since January, Oregon law requires employers with at least ten employees to provide paid sick leave. Employers must provide one hour of sick time for every 30 hours an employee works, or 1 1/3 hours for every 40 hours worked.
The commissioners are asking the state court for its interpretation of the constitution, which states they may refuse to comply with any state law if they aren’t given funding from the state.
Linn County Commissioner Roger Nyquist said the county can’t afford any additional costs.
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CRATER LAKE RESCUE
2 hikers rescued from shoreline of Crater Lake
CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, Ore. (AP) – Parks officials say two hikers were rescued Monday after they were stranded overnight on the shoreline of Crater Lake in south-central Oregon.
Crater Lake National Park spokeswoman Marsha McCabe said one hiker sustained serious injuries when he tumbled while making the steep, rocky 1,100-foot descent into the caldera, the depression formed by the collapse of the volcano. He was taken to a hospital in Bend. Another hiker suffered minor hypothermia.
She says the hikers, both 30-year-old men from the Seattle area, were trying to get photographs. A third friend reported them missing Sunday afternoon.
Rescuers in a helicopter found them along the shore at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, but the rescue operation was temporarily suspended because of darkness and hazardous terrain.
A Jackson County Search and Rescue helicopter crew retrieved the hikers Monday morning.
The park says the rim of Crater Lake is especially dangerous this time of year because of large snowfields in many areas. Hiking in the caldera is prohibited.
FIRED CLERK-LAWSUIT
Fired Clatsop County clerk feels ‘vindicated’ by jury award
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) – A former Clatsop County clerk fired after two errors were discovered on the November 2014 ballot says she feels vindicated after a jury awarded her nearly $440,000 in damages in her lawsuit against the county.
Maeve Kennedy Grimes sued the county last year, claiming she was dismissed due to whistleblower retaliation.
The Daily Astorian reports that former County Manager Scott Somers called her insubordinate for pursuing a directive from the Secretary of State to issue corrected ballots without consulting him in the decision.
After a three-day trial, the jury unanimously agreed Friday that Kennedy Grimes was fired because she disclosed information she believed was evidence of the county violating the law, mismanagement, wasting funds and abusing authority.
The county’s lawyer, Karen Vickers, unsuccessfully asked a judge to dismiss the case earlier this month, saying the lawsuit did not reach whistleblower standards.
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TOXIC ALGAE-OCEAN ROBOT
Ocean ‘robot’ to help identity toxic algae off Washington
SEATTLE (AP) – After a massive toxic algae bloom closed lucrative shellfish fisheries off the West Coast last year, scientists are turning to a new tool that could provide an early warning of future problems.
Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Washington last week deployed the so-called ocean robot about 50 feet into waters off the coast of La Push, near a known hotspot for toxic algae blooms.
The tool, dubbed “a laboratory in a can,” will remain in the water until mid-July, providing real-time measurements about the concentrations of six species of microscopic algae and toxins they produce, including domoic acid.
Scientists also plan to put the instrument back out in the ocean in the fall.
HOOD RIVER ASSAULT
Man faces attempted murder charges in girlfriend’s assault
HOOD RIVER, Ore. (AP) – A 41-year-old California man is facing charges of attempted murder and assault, after a citizen reported seeing what appeared to be a badly beaten woman being loaded into the back of an SUV.
Hood River Police said late Sunday that officers responding to the citizen’s call Friday found Matthew Irvin’s girlfriend in the backseat of his SUV in the parking lot of McDonald’s restaurant. Kelly White was reported to be in critical condition with life-threatening injuries when she was taken to a local hospital.
Police said they believe the alleged assault took place Thursday evening in Cascade Locks.
Jail records show Irwin is being held on $1.25 million bond at the Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facilities.
HIGHWAY 47 CRASH
7 hurt in weekend crash on Highway 47 north of Gaston
(Information from: KOIN-TV, http://www.koin.com/)
GASTON, Ore. (AP) – The Washington County sheriff’s office says seven people were hurt in a Saturday night crash on Highway 47 north of Gaston. One woman was airlifted from the roadway after the collision between a pickup truck and an SUV.
KOIN-TV reports authorities believe all seven people will recover. Investigators are still looking into the cause of the crash.
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SALEM STABBING-ARREST
Man charged with stabbing friend at Buddhist temple in Salem
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Authorities say they have arrested a man suspected of stabbing his friend multiple times inside a Buddhist temple in Salem.
The Statesman Journal reports that 23-year-old Jose Murillo faces charges of attempted murder and assault in connection with the Friday incident.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says Murillo and his friend, Cynthia Veazey, had broken into the Buddhist Temple of Oregon and used methamphetamine. Authorities say Murillo began acting erratically and stabbed Veazey more than 10 times.
She was eventually able to escape and was found by monks from the temple in serious condition.
Murillo was arrested after Oregon State Police spotted him walking on Interstate 5. He was taken to a hospital and treated for a cut to his hand.
He is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.
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PORT OF VANCOUVER-OIL TERMINAL
Regulators to weigh proposed Vancouver oil terminal in June
(Information from: The Columbian, http://www.columbian.com)
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) – Both supporters and opponents of a proposed oil terminal in Vancouver are preparing to face off in June in front of state regulators tasked with deciding the fate of the project.
The Columbian reports that the Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council is set to enter a period of adjudication June 27, during which it will hear testimony before deciding whether to recommend the terminal be approved either outright or with conditions. Gov. Jay Inslee will make a final decision based on that recommendation.
Tesoro Corp. and Savage Cos., operating as Vancouver Energy, want to build a rail-to-marine oil transfer terminal along the Columbia River.
Since plans first surfaced in 2013 the project has faced vocal opposition. Vancouver Energy officials say the loud critics do not represent the majority.
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Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
