Commission Asks Congressional Delegation for Resolution; and Joins other Commissions Seeking Legal Review  SALEM, Ore. –The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is asking Oregon’s Congressional delegation to provide interim relief to the 1.2 million Oregon households and small farm customers that are getting hit with an unexpected 13% rate hike due to a wide reaching Federal Appeals court ruling. At the same time, the Oregon PUC also joined the Washington, Idaho and Montana Utility Commissions to ... [full story]

Crooked River Ranch Fire Demonstrates Vital Public Safety Need SALEM, Ore. – Rep. John Dallum (R-The Dalles) today filed priority legislation to expedite the planning and construction of a Crooked River bridge giving local residents an effective fire exit and improved access to Madras. HB 3560 directs the Oregon Transportation Commission to give precedence to the bridge as it develops transportation projects in Central Oregon. “Crooked River residents have needed a fire exit and better ... [full story]

Legislation will mean protection of the environment through new recycling centers for old computers and electronic devices SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Senate this week passed House Bill 2626, legislation that will provide for the proper disposal of old computers, televisions and other electronic devices that could have detrimental environmental impacts if not handled correctly. Because of the legislation, fewer electronic items will end up in Oregon landfills. “With more and more electronics becoming obsolete, ... [full story]

Ten people were arrested last Friday evening during a multi-agency saturation patrol of 19 liquor premises in Medford, Oregon -- the fifth in a series of similar sweeps in Jackson County in recent months. Eight were arrested for violating custody release terms at these licensed premises: the Office Gentlemen’s Club (2 persons), 3 S. Riverside; Time Out Sports Restaurant & Lounge (1), 1213 Stewart Ave.; Trophy Club Bar & Grill (1), 812 S. Central Ave.; ... [full story]

LISBON, Portugal - Investigators in Portugal say DNA found in the bedroom of a missing British girl does not match that of the only identified suspect in the case. The Instituto National de Medicina Legal compared samples from Madeleine McCann and her parents, brother and sister with one from Robert Murat, who lives with his mother near the McCanns' apartment, The Times of London reported. Portugal has no DNA database, but investigators plan to give ... [full story]

"Jack Kevorkian's decade-long assisted suicide campaign was never about compassion," says bioethicist and assisted suicide expert Wesley J. Smith. "It was about Kevorkian's obsession to engage in human vivisection." Smith, a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute and attorney for the International Task Force on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide, urges the media to report the story of Jack Kevorkian's release from prison accurately and not promote the false myth of "Jack the Martyr." Kevorkian admitted ... [full story]

Ten years ago—I remember clearly—I stood outside the fitting room at Macy’s wearing a new blazer. I turned to get an opinion on the matter and found a witch. I know she was witch because her words haunt me to this day: “Forget the blazer; you should worry about your shoes.”  I didn’t listen to her because, well, I don’t listen to anyone, but her words must have stuck: I have been on a shoe-buying binge ... [full story]

Until this May, the last time I had visited the Los Angeles metropolitan area was about 16 months ago. During that trip, I spent a night in Sherman Oaks and another night in Agoura Hills before heading back home to Chicago.Recently, I arrived for a conference and spent time again wandering around these two communities.The only things that seem to have changed are the home prices (which appear to be dropping slightly) and the amount ... [full story]

You're a wonderful person, kind reader, and I've really enjoyed our relationship, but if you are expecting any further attention from me, you'd better wise up. Starting today, you're off my radar and out of my life. I'd love to spend more time relating with you, but honestly, you're just no longer worthy of a place in my network. If this seems harsh, let me recommend a few minutes of virtual networking with David Nour, ... [full story]

You know the rule: Food dropped on the ground is safe to eat if you pick it up within five seconds. Kids have been citing it for years as justification for eating, well, anything they want to eat.   THE 5-SECOND RULE - New England Researchers found no bacteria present on food samples that remained on the floor for five, 10 or 30 seconds. CNS Photo.    MEDTRONICA - The Family Patient Web site at www.familypatient.com is a ... [full story]