A log truck parks in front of Oregon’s capitol in June 2019 at a Timber Unity protest. Photo: Kevin Magwood SALEM – In the wee hours of the morning on Thursday, February 6, semi-trucks from around the state will form convoys and head to Salem for a Timber Unity rally[Read More…]
Salem
Dangerous use of a drone in Oregon could result in steep fines, jail time
A drone flies above Gales Creek. Photo: Chas Hundley SALEM – An Oregon law now in effect, passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2019, makes it a class A misdemeanor for intentionally exhibiting dangerous behavior with a drone. Specifically, Senate Bill 581 amends a 2016 law to read that any[Read More…]
Gas taxes will rise January 1
Gas prices in Forest Grove. File photo: Chas Hundley SALEM – Oregon’s gas tax is about to increase again under legislation passed by the Oregon Legislature in 2017. Prices will rise 2 cents on January 1, 2020. The last increase of 4 cents came in 2018, and two cents will[Read More…]
Timber Unity-backed effort to recall Tiffiny Mitchell fails
Various political mailers from groups supporting and groups opposing the recall. Photo: Chas Hundley ASTORIA – An effort by a political action committee (PAC) to recall Rep. Tiffiny Mitchell (D-Astoria) failed to obtain the necessary signatures required — 4,883 — to move forward with the effort and force a recall[Read More…]
Report: Oregon’s economic outlook
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley SALEM – The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis released its forecast for December 2019, and it also provided an overall outlook for the short term. The report shows the state’s economy remains strong with many workers in urban areas enjoying an[Read More…]
Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency will meet Dec. 6 in Salem
Members of the Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency partake in a strategic planning process at ODF headquarters in Salem on Feb. 1, 2019. Photo: Chas Hundley SALEM – The Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency (STIA) will hold a board meeting on Friday, December 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Tillamook Conference[Read More…]
State Dispatch: Two legislators leaving Salem, the I-5 bridge project is back, free fishing weekend
Left to right: Roger Millar, WSDOT Director, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, ODOT Director Kris Strickler. Photo: Kate Brown Governor’s Office State Rep. Caddy McKeown will not run again In Oregon political news, Rep. Caddy McKeown (D-Coos Bay) announced on November 19 that she will not seek[Read More…]
State news dispatch: Who’s running for office, ODOT traffic safety, and Metro dollars for trails
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley Election results: Metro bond passes With no terms up for fire and school board positions, no county-wide measures or levies, and nothing on the city docket within Banks, this newspaper had no elections to cover on Tuesday, November 5. However, in[Read More…]
Vehicle registration fees going up in 2020
A vehicle drives near Gales Creek on Highway 6. Photo: Brenda Schaffer SALEM – Starting January 1, 2020, some fees to register a new vehicle, title a vehicle and purchase a trip permit will increase. According to an Oregon Department of Transportation press release, the fee increases were passed by[Read More…]
Current Highway Division admin. chosen to lead Oregon Department of Transportation
Kris Strickler, current Oregon Highway Division administrator (right). Photo: ODOT SALEM – After a six month search, the Oregon Transportation Commission offered the position of Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Director to Kris Strickler, ODOT’s current Highway Division Administrator at their Tuesday, September 10 meeting. Pending contract negotiations and Oregon[Read More…]
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