GOVERNOR-UNITE AGAINST HATE
Gov. calls on Oregonians to unite against hate
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has released a statement calling for state residents to unite against hate, saying she will uphold laws that protect Oregonian’s human and civil rights.
Brown said in a video Monday evening that she’s heard and understands feelings of uncertainty expressed by people “in light of recent events.”
She says she refuses to let hate and discrimination divide the state and its people.
Brown said in the video, “We are at our best when we are focused on what we share in common, rather than what divides us.”
She also calls for Oregonians to join her to work together to build equitable communities.
Brown’s words come after days of protests in Portland and around the state against the election of Donald Trump to the White House. Since then, reports of racist incidents are emerging from the nation’s schools and universities.
TRUMP-PROTESTS-MAYOR RESPONSE
Portland mayor criticizes protests, encourages other steps
(Information from: KOPB-FM, http://news.opb.org)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mayor of Portland, Oregon, is criticizing the destructive protests that have swept the city after the election of Donald Trump. He is encouraging the protesters to instead get involved with local groups to promote change.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that some of the anti-Trump protests have turned violent, causing more than $1 million in property damage and the arrests of more than 100 people. One protester was also non-fatally shot.
Mayor Charlie Hales said Monday that protests aren’t a productive way to create change. He says demonstrations can be peaceful but believes those in Portland are being used as cover for “outrageous, bad, criminal behavior.”
Hales says the city will not crack down on all protesters but will continue to arrest people who break the law.
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FOREST SERVICE JOBS
Forest Service to hire 1,000 seasonal workers in northwest
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service says it will hire 1,000 temporary workers in the Pacific Northwest for spring and summer jobs.
The Statesman Journal reports that applications for the jobs in Oregon and Washington will be accepted from Nov. 15 to 21. Positions will be in recreation, natural resources, fire, timber, engineering, visitor services and archaeology.
Regional Forester Jim Pena says seasonal jobs with the forest service are a great way to give back to communities, learn new skills and perform meaningful work.
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TRUMP-PROTESTS-OREGON-THE LATEST
The Latest: Protesters march through Portland Sunday night
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Protesters marched through Portland again Sunday night following a gathering of anti-Donald Trump demonstrators earlier in the evening.
Television footage showed dozens of chanting but peaceful marchers moving through downtown streets.
KOIN-TV says the march began following the peaceful gathering at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
There, the protesters spoke to the crowd and had a moment of silence.
Sunday night’s protest comes after police say they arrested 71 people late Saturday and early Sunday during downtown protests.
APPRAISER SHORTAGE
Appraiser shortage in Clatsop County slows home purchases
(Information from: The Daily Astorian, http://www.dailyastorian.com)
ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — A shortage of appraisers in Clatsop County is causing long delays in the home-buying process.
The Daily Astorian reports that the county has eight appraisers, whose job is to determine home values, with active licenses, a number that is small compared to the county’s competitive housing market.
Clatsop Association of Realtors Executive Director Debbie Morrow says so many purchases are taking place that appraisers are facing a major backlog of work. She says transactions that would normally take a few weeks are now taking eight weeks or longer.
RE/MAX Coastal Advantage broker Alaina Giguiere says some sellers don’t want to wait for appraisals to take place, meaning deals are at risk of falling through.
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NAVY SONAR
Navy to expand sonar, other training off Northwest coast
SEATTLE (AP) — The U.S. Navy has finalized a plan to expand sonar testing and other warfare training off the coasts of Washington, Oregon and northern California.
The Navy decided Nov. 4 to implement its preferred plan after a lengthy review that included a determination from the National Marine Fisheries Service that the exercises would not have major impacts on endangered orcas and other marine mammals.
The Navy said in its decision that it will follow strict guidelines and employ measures to reduce effects on marine species.
Critics worry the military activities can kill and harm whales and disrupt their feeding and communications. They contend that the Navy isn’t doing enough to ease the impacts or restrict activities in areas that are biologically important for the animals.
GERMANY-SIEMENS-MENTOR GRAPHICS
Siemens agrees to buy Oregon-based Mentor Graphics for $4.5B
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German industrial equipment maker Siemens AG says it has agreed to buy U.S.-based software firm Mentor Graphics Corp. for $4.5 billion.
The companies said in a joint statement Monday that Mentor’s board recommended shareholders approve the deal.
Siemens said it would pay $37.25 a share in cash, or 21 percent more than Mentor’s closing price on Friday.
Mentor, based in Wilsonville, Oregon, specializes in software used to design computer chips. It has customers in industries ranging from aerospace to consumer electronics and 5,700 employees in 32 countries.
Siemens CEO Joe Kaeser said in a statement that Mentor was “an established technology leader with a talented employee base that will allow us to supplement our world-class industrial software portfolio.”
MISSING WOMAN-REMAINS IDENTIFIED
Remains of missing woman from Utah are positively identified
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Human remains found at the bottom of an Oregon cliff have been positively identified as those of a former Utah woman missing since last month.
Utah family members of 21-year-old Annie Schmidt say a medical examiner noted the cause of death as accidental.
She moved to Portland from Salt Lake City in July and was an avid hiker.
Schmidt was reported missing Oct. 19 after she didn’t return from a hike near the Columbia River Gorge.
Authorities say her car was found near Bonneville Dam, but the search for her was unsuccessful.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Friday that dog teams had found remains below Munra Point.
Schmidt’s family says they were able to identify the clothing and other items found with the body before it was positively identified.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
