RHODES SCHOLARS
Rhodes scholars for Class of 2017 announced
VIENNA, Va. (AP) — The Rhodes Trust has named the 32 American men and women chosen as Rhodes Scholars who will pursue post-graduate studies at Oxford University.
The 2017 recipients announced early Sunday were chosen from 882 applicants who were endorsed by 311 colleges and universities.
The scholarships cover all expenses for two or three years of study at the prestigious university in England starting next October. In some instances, the scholarships may allow funding for four years.
The American students will join an international group of scholars chosen from 18 jurisdictions around the world. A total of 95 scholars will be selected worldwide this year.
The scholarships are worth about $68,000 per year.
The first class of American Rhodes Scholars entered Oxford in 1904.
OREGON RHODES SCHOLAR
Reed student who studied Buddhism wins Rhodes Scholarship
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A college graduate who grew up in a Tibetan Buddhist community in California plans to study the faith in more depth at Oxford University after he she won a Rhodes Scholarship from the venerable British institution.
Pema McLaughlin, 22, a graduate of Reed College in Portland, says she plans to pursue a two-year master’s degree in Buddhist Studies.
“I finished my degree in religious studies at Reed this past spring, and that gave me a realty broad base to consider the role of religion in modern society,” McLaughlin said. “My (college) thesis focused on Buddhism in America.”
At Oxford, she wants to student Sanskrit and the Tibetan language “to extend my study of religion across cultures back into the past,” McLaughlin said.
She grew up in a Tibetan Buddhist community in Junction City, California. Her mother was a longtime administrator there, McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin says she plans to study for a doctorate in religious studies once she completes her master’s degree at Oxford.
FATAL CRASH-MANSLAUGHTER
Man facing manslaughter charge for Washington County crash
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — An 18-year-old Hillsboro man has been indicted on manslaughter charges related to a crash last month that killed a passenger in the car he was driving.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Washington County investigators say Jake Pruett had been traveling at a high rate of speed on Oct. 19 when he failed to negotiate a turn, causing his Toyota Avalon to roll several times. The victim, 31-year-old Colin Fleming, was taken to a hospital and died a week later from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Authorities say witnesses reported that Fleming had been standing upright through the sunroof of the vehicle when the crash took place.
Pruett and three other teens in the Toyota sustained injuries that were not life threatening.
Pruett was jailed Saturday on more than $250,000 bail.
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OREGON INNOCENCE PROJECT
Oregon Innocence Project requests new DNA tests
(Information from: Statesman Journal, http://www.statesmanjournal.com)
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Innocence Project is requesting DNA testing and retesting of evidence involving a murder case that led to a man being sentenced to death.
The Statesman Journal reports that the group filed a motion in Marion County involving the case against 55-year-old Jesse Lee Johnson.
Johnson was sentenced to death in 2004 after being convicted of the 1998 killing of 28-year-old Harriet Lavern “Sunny” Thompson.
Authorities say Thompson died of multiple stab wounds.
Steven Wax of the Oregon Innocence Project says there’s physical evidence that either wasn’t tested or was tested using outdated technology.
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DETECTIVE HIRED
Ashland police hire retired detective to solve old killing
(Information from: Mail Tribune, http://www.mailtribune.com/)
ASHLAND, Ore. (AP) — Ashland officials have hired a retired detective to try to solve a 5-year-old killing in which the victim was nearly decapitated on a public bike path.
The Mail Tribune reports in a story on Sunday that the Ashland Police Department hired retired Jackson County sheriff’s detective Charlie Retzer to look over possible leads in the case.
Twenty-three-year-old David Michael Grubbs died at about 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2011, on the Central Ashland Bike Path near the Hunter Park tennis courts.
An autopsy determined the weapon used in the killing was a medium to large blade.
Ashland Police Chief Tighe O’Meara says he wants a fresh set of eyes on the case to see if anything was overlooked.
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INDUSTRIAL SPACE-BEND
Industrial space hard to come by in Bend
(Information from: The Bulletin, http://www.bendbulletin.com)
BEND, Ore. (AP) — Officials in central Oregon say the amount of industrial space available for lease in Bend has dropped about 90 percent in the last several years and what’s left has soared in price.
Brian Fratzke of Fratzke Commercial Real Estate tells The Bulletin that from his perspective it’s concerning when he sees people unable to find space for their businesses.
He says that as late as 2013 Bend had about 2.1 million square feet of industrial space. Officials say that’s dropped to about 171,000 square feet now.
Fratzke says the rising cost of land in Bend makes it difficult for developers to be able to build cheap enough to make money leasing a property.
Patrick “Packy” Deenihan of Bend Brewing Co. says he wants to expand the business but is having trouble finding space.
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INVASIVE MUSSEL
Invasive mussel larvae found for first time in Northwest
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Montana officials hope it’s not too late to contain invasive mussels found for the first time in the Northwest.
The Spokesman-Review reports state Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials announced Nov. 8 that larvae was discovered in the Tiber Reservoir.
Fisheries division administrator Eileen Ryce said the good news is that the detection system worked.
Northwestern states have been working to block quagga and zebra mussels from invading waterways.
The tiny mussels can spread quickly, clog pipes and obstruct beaches.
Officials from Northwestern states and three Canadian provinces discussed the issue at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region’s recent annual event.
The group took part in developing a plan in 2015 to help contain invasive mussels, which are typically spread by boats.
Officials are looking to get funding for prevention efforts.
FIREWORKS INJURIES
Authorities: 2 men injured after modified fireworks exploded
KLAMATH FALLS, Oregon (AP) — Authorities say two men were injured after a modified, high-power firework they were handling exploded at a home in southern Oregon.
Emergency workers went to the home about 2 miles south of Klamath Falls in response to a 911 call Friday morning. Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah said several people at the home had been dismantling larger mortar shell-style fireworks and then combined the explosive materials into a softball-sized ball.
Skrah said the men attempted to place a fuse in it and light it, but it exploded as they threw it into the air.
Two men were taken to area hospitals for treatment. A bomb squad was called in to remove the remaining explosives found at the scene.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.
