COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency recommended Wednesday that a landfill said to be on fire be denied a license to operate, but provided an out to keep it in business. In a letter to William Franks, Stark County's health commissioner, Ohio EPA Director Chris Korleski said the Countywide Recycling and Disposal Facility "is not in substantial compliance with Ohio's environmental laws." The health board is expected to read the letter Thursday at ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court's review of a lawsuit next week challenging President Bush's faith-based initiative is more critical to the future of church-state relations than it would first appear, attorneys involved in the case said Wednesday. In the narrowest sense, the case - Hein vs. Freedom from Religion Foundation - is about whether taxpayers have the legal standing to sue the federal government over regional conferences sponsored by the Bush administration to promote its ... [full story]

A St. Helens woman whose driving privileges were suspended died Tuesday afternoon when her van crossed the centerline of Highway 30 near Deer Island and crashed head-on into a commercial truck and trailer.   Minutes before the accident, motorists in the area called police dispatch to report the van being driven erratically, authorities said.       Barbara A. Smith of St. Helens was killed in a head-on collision on Highway 30 Tuesday afternoon.  Her Chevy Astro van (top ... [full story]

A corrections deputy and 25-year veteran with the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was arrested Tuesday evening and is accused of official misconduct, custodial sexual misconduct, and possession of cocaine, authorities reported.   Erich Watson – MSCO photo 57-year old Erich Watson of Portland was taken into custody, placed on administrative leave, booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center, then transported to an undisclosed jail outside of the county, said Lt. Jason Gates. Watson is charged with first-degree ... [full story]

A 53-year old Prineville man was arrested following a raid on his home and vehicles that turned up 16 marijuana plants, growing equipment, and other evidence suggesting he was involved in the sales and manufacture of pot. Over the past several months, detectives with the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team received “creditable” information that Richard James Brenner was involved in the sales and manufacturing of marijuana, said Deschutes County Detective Sgt. Scott Shelton.   Richard ... [full story]

Oregon State Police arrested a La Pine man Tuesday afternoon on a Lake County felony sexual assault warrant related to alleged crimes against children, troopers reported.   Stephen Edward Cox – OSP photo Troopers were in the La Pine area on Tuesday about 3:30 p.m., on the lookout for Stephen Edward Cox, 55.  He was spotted driving a Dodge pickup on Highway 97, stopped, and arrested. The felony warrant from Lake County was issued following an investigation ... [full story]

Crook County Sheriff’s deputies raided a southeast Prineville home Tuesday and arrested a 55-year old man on drug, burglary, and theft charges.   Robert VanNorsdall, CCJ photo Execution of a search warrant at 2777 SE Indian Lane led to the arrest of Robert Terry VanNorsdall, Sgt. Travis Jurgens reported. VanNorsdall was taken into custody and lodged in the Crook County Jail with bail set at $70,000, the sergeant said.  He is charged with two counts of being a ... [full story]