Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Obama Administration will make $25,000,370 available to Oregon for crucial health and human services programs that help to provide care for children and prevent disease. Oregon will receive $22,510,354 in Recovery Act funding to support child care for working families. The Administration also plans to make $2,490,016 in vaccines and grants available to Oregon to ensure more underserved Americans receive the vaccines they need.  Nationwide, $2 billion ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Senate approved a measure Thursday to help prevent hazing on college and K-12 school campuses in Oregon. Senate Bill 444 sponsored by Senate President Peter Courtney passed the Senate on a 26-2 vote. Hazing is ritualistic test or task involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into an athletic team, club or other group. “As a former coach and lifelong fan of team sports ... [full story]

ASHLAND, Ore. – A Woolley, Washington man was arrested Tuesday after more than ten pounds of marijuana and a loaded firearm were discovered in his SUV during a traffic stop by an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper on Interstate-5 near Ashland.   More than 10 pounds of marijuana was discovered in large bags -OSP photo. (Inset ) Kevin M. Mills – Jackson’s County Sheriff’s Office photo.  According to OSP Lt. Brian Powers, just before noon 29-year old ... [full story]

Attorney General Kroger Meets with US DOJ Officials and Oregon's Congressional Offices Attorney General John Kroger traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with Congressional and U.S. Department of Justice officials about getting federal stimulus money for Oregon law enforcement. "Fighting crime is my highest priority. This federal stimulus money is critical if we are going to keep our streets safe," Attorney General Kroger said. Kroger has taken a lead role in trying to ... [full story]

Electric Vehicle Bills Help Transition to Zero-Emission Cars, Attract Business PORTLAND, Ore. – Governor Ted Kulongoski on Wednesday test drove an electric vehicle made by Think, a Norwegian car maker looking to site a new manufacturing and technical center in North America. The test drive, the second this week, is evidence that car makers have taken notice of two bills before the Legislature to encourage the manufacture and sales of electric vehicles in Oregon. “Think is another ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 35-year old Gresham man was sentenced today to 50 years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to production of child pornography in U.S. District Court. Mark Allyn Hoffman was part of a ring of fathers throughout the country who were sexually abusing children in their care and sharing images and videos online, the FBI said. Some of the pornography portrayed Hoffman’s then two- and ten-year-old daughters either nude or engaged ... [full story]

PORTLAND, Ore. — A published children’s author from Portland has been charged with a variety of child pornography offenses. Kevin Patrick Bath, 50, who writes under the name K.P. Bath, was arraigned Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court on an indictment charging him with one count each of distributing, transferring, and receiving child pornography, and two counts of possessing child pornography. He entered pleas of not guilty to each count. Trial is set for June ... [full story]

SB 311 Raises Liability Limits for State and Local Government over Seven Years SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon House yesterday voted to pass SB 311, which would raise caps on tort claims brought against the state and local governments.   “This is a good bill that sets adequate limits for public liability claims,” said Representative Jeff Barker (D-Aloha), Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, which heard the bill.  “SB 311 provides stability and certainty so all ... [full story]

Nonprofit Counselors will be Available for One-On-One Meetings PORTLAND, Ore.  — Oregonians concerned about losing their home to foreclosure can receive help at an upcoming event in Portland organized by several government agencies, nonprofits, and lending organizations. The Home Ownership Preservation Event will be held Saturday, May 2, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Portland Memorial Coliseum. At the event, homeowners can learn about the options available to help them save their homes, ... [full story]

GRESHAM, Ore. – An eight-year veteran of the Gresham Police Department died Sunday along with his sister-in-law when they fell to their death while climbing Horsethief Butte in Columbia Hills State Park in Klickitat County, Washington, police reported.   Horsethief Butte, Columbia Hills State Park – photo by joannestamplis.wordpress.com Detective Tony (T.C.) Silva was assigned as a detective within the East Multnomah County Gang Enforcement Team, and had also served as a SWAT member, field training officer ... [full story]

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Originally believed to be a missing persons case, Juanita Rosales-Garcia was not thought to be endangered when she disappeared March 9. Later developments with the discovery of a body prompted police to reclassify the case as murder, and on Friday they arrested her live-in boyfriend after he admitted to beating and stabbing her to death when she threatened to leave him.   Delfino Hurtado-Navarette (HPD photo) and his alleged victim, Juanita Rosales-Garcia  Rosales-Garcia, 40, was reported ... [full story]

TUALATIN, Ore. – Two California men were arrested Saturday night at a local gas station in connection with the alleged sale of marijuana from their vehicle. Officers discovered over six pounds of pot inside, some in plain view and all with an overwhelming odor.   Over six pounds of marijuana was discovered – Tualatin PD photo  A Tualatin Police officer was dispatched to the Shell Gas Station at 7090 Nyberg Street shortly after 10 p.m., April 4, ... [full story]

Southern Oregon Health Clinic Misrepresented Experimental Treatments to Patients and Insurers MEDFORD, Ore. -- Attorney General John Kroger today announced a settlement that shuts down a Medford health clinic that endangered Oregon women by misrepresenting a breast cancer detection procedure. "Putting the lives of women at risk is unconscionable," said Attorney General Kroger. "Given the lethal consequences of delaying detection of such a deadly cancer, I am giving medical imposters fair notice that these types ... [full story]