WALDEN-HOUSE ENERGY COMMERCE
Walden chosen to chair House Energy and Commerce Committee
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Republican U.S. Rep. Greg Walden of Oregon has been elected to serve as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington, D.C.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the appointment will give Walden oversight of federal departments in charge of consumer protections, food and drug safety, public health, environmental quality and energy policy, among others.
The post also means Walden will be a key player in the debate over the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which President-elect Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans have said will be repealed and replaced in the next Congressional session.
Walden said in a statement he’ll “focus on what’s best for consumers, on creating better paying jobs and providing patient-centered health care” in his new role.
Walden represents Oregon’s expansive 2nd Congressional District, which includes much of the electorate east of the Cascades as well as much of Southern Oregon.
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TREE FALL-BOY’S DEATH
Mother sues for $5 million after tree causes son’s death
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The mother of an 11-year-old boy who died after a tree struck the car they were riding in is seeking $5 million for her physical and psychological injuries.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports Susan Graham filed a lawsuit Wednesday against two Portland property owners, alleging they failed to recognize that a large cedar tree on one or both properties was dead and a risk to public safety.
Graham and her son, Thomas, had been heading toward Lake Oswego in December 2014 when the tree fell on their vehicle, which continued for about 50 feet before crashing into another tree. The boy died at the scene.
Graham suffered serious injuries that required multiple surgeries and months of rehabilitation.
A $2.5 million lawsuit filed by Graham’s husband against the same property owners on behalf of their son’s estate is pending.
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SEXUAL ASSAULT-GUNPOINT-SENTENCE
Gresham man gets 13 years in prison for sexual assault
(Information from: KOIN-TV, http://www.koin.com/)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A 28-year-old man who Gresham police say sexually assaulted a woman at gunpoint has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.
KOIN-TV reports James West was sentenced Wednesday after being found guilty of sexual abuse, unlawful use of a weapon and sodomy.
West is accused of sexually assaulting a woman, who had been babysitting at his home, while holding a gun to her head in February.
Court records show Deputy District Attorney Jeff Auxier called West “an extreme risk to the safety of the community.”
West’s attorney disputed the state’s claim, saying his client was deemed as having a low to moderate chance of reoffending.
West is being held in a Multnomah County jail but will be transferred to a state prison to serve out his 13-year term.
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EUGENE RAPE-CHARGES
Eugene man accused of sexually assaulting disabled man
(Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com)
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A Eugene man has been arrested on suspicion of raping a disabled man at the victim’s home.
The Register-Guard reports that the 21-year-old suspect was charged in court Thursday with sodomy and sexual abuse.
Police say the rape occurred in Eugene on Nov. 22.
The suspect is accused of touching the victim inappropriately and forcing him to engage in sexual intercourse.
Court documents say the victim was incapable of consenting “by reason of mental defect, mental incapacity or physical helplessness.”
According to the suspect’s Facebook page, the 21-year-old claims to work for a Washington state disability services agency.
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OREGON BUDGET PROPOSAL
Governor’s budget proposes ways to fill a $1.7B shortfall
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown presented her budget proposal for the next biennium, aiming to address a $1.7 billion shortfall while maintaining funding for critical areas, including education and health care.
In her proposal Thursday, which goes to the Legislature, Brown proposes closing a loophole in so-called pass-through taxes, increasing a tobacco tax, and discarding the customary increases in budgets for state universities and community colleges. In addition, the proposed budget maintains current service level funding for early childhood and kindergarten through 12th grade. Brown’s budget will also look for efficiencies, including keeping vacant state jobs open for 60 days and eliminating non-mandatory travel for state employees.
The cuts and revenue increases together are expected to address the shortfall.
GERMAN BIKERS KILLED
Man pleads guilty in crash that killed 3 German bikers
(Information from: The Cody Enterprise, http://www.codyenterprise.com)
CODY, Wyo. (AP) — A man who crashed his pickup into a group of German motorcyclists heading to Yellowstone National Park, killing three, has pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of vehicular homicide.
The Cody Enterprise reports Manuel Defuentes, of Ontario, Oregon, entered his pleas Wednesday for the June 9 crash that killed 53-year-old Tino Cachey, 52-year-old Ute Cachey and 37-year-old Erik Brecht. Four other motorcyclists were injured.
The group was headed to Yellowstone from Cody when Defuentes’ truck crossed the center line at a curve.
Prosecutor Bryan Skoric says an investigation did not reveal any drug or alcohol use or mechanical issues with the truck, saying “there’s no explanation whatsoever.”
Defuentes apologized in court and said he thinks about the victims when he closes his eyes to sleep.
Prosecutors are calling for a year served consecutively for each count.
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STARBUCKS MUG-MISTAKE
Starbucks mislabels Oregon-themed travel mug
(Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com)
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Starbucks could be in for a new coffee cup-related brouhaha after mislabeling a landmark on an Oregon-themed travel mug.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the Seattle-based coffee chain has introduced a travel mug bearing sketches of notable Oregon landmarks, including Crater Lake National Park, food carts in Portland and Ashland’s Shakespeare Festival.
But there was also a waterfall design identified as “Klamath Falls” — and no such waterfall exists.
The simple line drawing of a falls topped by an arched bridge was likely meant to depict the majestic Multnomah Falls, a popular spot in the Columbia River Gorge.
Klamath Falls is a town in southern Oregon.
Starbucks apologized by email Thursday.
The coffee chain also sparked controversy last winter by choosing a simple red ombre for its holiday cup design.
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COAL EXPORT-LONGVIEW
EPA calls federal study of coal-export project ‘flawed’
LONGVIEW, Wash. (AP) — The Environmental Protection Agency has criticized as “inadequate” a draft study the Army Corps of Engineers did on a proposed coal-export project in Washington state.
The EPA says the corps’ draft environmental review is “flawed” because it fails to take a hard look at potential environmental impacts, such as air quality, rail traffic and climate change.
Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview is proposing a dock to handle up to 44 million metric tons of coal a year. Coal would arrive by train from Montana, Wyoming and other states to be loaded on to ships bound for Asia. The project requires permits from the corps, among others.
The EPA told the corps in a letter Tuesday that it adopted an inappropriately narrow scope for its review. The Daily News reports the EPA recommended the corps’ study be revised and resubmitted for public comment.
Millennium officials downplayed EPA’s comments as just another step in the process.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.