Flags to be lowered on Friday, February 2, 2007 in honor of Private First Class Ryan Hill (Salem, Oregon) – On Wednesday Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff on Friday, February 2, 2007, in memory of Private First Class Ryan J. Hill of Keizer. Hill, 20, died January 20 in Baghdad, Iraq. He was assigned to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division in ... [full story]

A new report released yesterday finds extensive undeveloped geothermal resources in fourteen Western states -- Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The new report, An Assessment of Geothermal Resource Development Needs in the Western United States, written by Dan Fleischmann for the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is the most in-depth study we've ever undertaken into the specific barriers and challenges to geothermal energy in the US. ... [full story]

Lawmakers will compete in walking contest to earn funds for local health-related school programs Salem, Oregon -- With the 2007 session underway, members of the Oregon State Legislature will face many new challenges intended to improve the state's healthcare system. One that doesn't involve drafting a bill is the Move It! Program, sponsored by Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon. Move It! offers legislators the chance to improve their own health and that of their ... [full story]

Written public comments accepted through Monday, Feb. 12;  public may also provide oral comments at Feb. 23 Environmental Quality Commission meeting The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has received a petition from a group of 11 industry associations asking DEQ and the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) to amend Oregon’s recycling and waste reduction rules, specifically regarding the recycling of rigid plastic containers.  DEQ is accepting written public comments on the amendments proposed in ... [full story]

Oregon high tech companies will impact technology debate in Congress This week, Oregon’s Gordon Smith (R-OR) was appointed by Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to be Chairman of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force.  The task force helps facilitate an exchange of views between the Senate and America’s job creators in high tech industries.    Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) was elected Chairman of the Senate Republican High Tech Task Force.“High tech companies are innovators driving the ... [full story]

Governor also awards seven housing projects for Oregonians with mental illness in five counties Salem, Oregon – Governor Ted Kulongoski this week announced more than $500,000 in grants to assist the development of seven community housing centers for Oregonians with serious mental illnesses. The announcement was made at a mental health rally with the National Alliance on Mental Illness on the steps of the state capitol.   “Providing quality, community-based services for people with mental illness is ... [full story]

Oregon Senator Gordon H. Smith is ready to filibuster a must-pass spending bill if Congress does not extend the county payments safety net, he informed Senate leaders yesterday.  A filibuster would essentially halt funding for the federal government.     Senator Gordon Smith threatens to filibuster, halting federal budget funding if Congress doesn’t extend the county payments safety net. “The Senate can fund county payments or I am going to put the brakes on this bill,” Smith said, ... [full story]

This month the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) joins a national campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of radon and the need for people to test their homes if radon is present at high levels in their area.  Elevated levels of radon can be found in about one of every seven homes in the greater Portland area. While other parts of the state are not as highly affected, it is present in certain ... [full story]

Fire gutted a Canby man’s multi-purpose outbuilding Monday evening, destroying a 1970 Chevelle SS he was restoring, several limited edition collectibles, years of business records, and many other family belongings. Twenty-four firefighters from Canby, Monitor, Molalla, and Clackamas Fire District were called to the scene of a 38-foot by 50-foot two-level multi-purpose building burning in Canby's rural southwest section. The homeowner reported the fire about 5:45 p.m. January 29.     Fire gutted a multi-purpose outbuilding ... [full story]

A woman who met three men while dining at a northeast Gresham restaurant was later assaulted by one of the men who allegedly punched her in the face several times and stole her car, Gresham Police reported. Police were alerted to the incident about 2:30 a.m. January 28 when the woman flagged down a passing motorist to report the assault and vehicle theft.   Roy Clark, photo provided by Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office The victim told police she met ... [full story]

Oregon State Police are asking for the public's help related to an investigation into the hit-and-run death of a Corvallis man killed Saturday night when he was struck by a vehicle on Highway 34 just east of Corvallis. Christopher Thomas Hough, 47, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident about 9:30 p.m. January 27, Oregon State Police (OSP) reported. Troopers were en route to the area in response to several reports of a person ... [full story]

Before the full House of Representatives, Congressman Walden delivers speech outlining what is at stake for Deschutes County Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) today addressed the House of Representatives to explain the dire consequences facing Deschutes County should funding for the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act be discontinued.   Congressman Greg Walden (R-Ore.) represents 20 counties in central, southern and eastern Oregon. Walden and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) introduced H.R. 17 on January 4, the first ... [full story]

(Salem, Oregon) – Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) proposes bold changes to the way Oregon’s disabled veterans receive health care. “We are now working with the Oregon War Veterans Association to draft a bill that would allow all disabled veterans access to the Oregon Health Plan (OHP),” Representative Nelson stated. “Many of our disabled veterans live in rural communities far removed from regional Veterans Administration (VA) medical centers. But because these brave men and women ... [full story]