Bill Would Close Loophole, Prohibit Unlicensed Providers From Caring For Children SALEM, Ore. – The house passed today HB 2206, which would close a loophole in existing statute that allows a childcare provider who has lost their license or been removed from the Criminal History Registry to continue care for children in some circumstances.  The bill was carried on the floor by Representative Suzanne VanOrman (D-Hood River). “Our child care laws should, above all else, ... [full story]

SALEM, Ore. -- The 2007-2009 budget rebalancing plan passed by the Senate Tuesday represents a remarkable effort – by lawmakers, state agencies and schools across Oregon – of shared sacrifice and shared solutions, Senate President Peter Courtney and Ways and Means Co-Chair Margaret Carter said. “The budget cuts in this plan will affect real people in a very profound way, but thanks to the efforts of people both inside and outside the Legislature, this plan represents ... [full story]

HILLSBORO, Ore. – Although an investigation is continuing and no citations have been issued, police say that dense fog and limited visibility may have factored into the death of a 46-year old pedestrian who died after being struck by an SUV this morning. Names of the deceased man and the male driver, 50, are being withheld pending proper notifications, a Hillsboro Police Department news release stated. The accident occurred about 7:20 a.m. in the 20600 ... [full story]

The increase in the number of people receiving food stamps in Oregon during the past year is greater than the population of Medford; workers continue to scramble to help struggling Oregonians. January 2009 brought the biggest increase of the recession in the demand for temporary cash assistance and food stamps in Oregon - - and the need continues at record levels, the Oregon Department of Human Resources recently reported. The number of families receiving cash ... [full story]

A coalition of federal and local law enforcement agencies in Oregon targeted those who sexually exploit children through human trafficking as part of a nationwide crackdown this past weekend. During an overnight sting operation Thursday, February 19, 2009, dozens of agents, officers and deputies worked to rescue child victims of sex crimes while identifying the adults involved in the trafficking. Both enforcement actions are aimed at disrupting the cycle of victimization by getting the children ... [full story]

Technology Transfer Plan: State University Research & Tech to Transfer to Private Sector Businesses Effective Immediately Oregon Attorney General John Kroger today announced steps to accelerate the transfer of state university research and technology to private sector businesses, fulfilling a pledge to help create more good-paying jobs in the state. The reforms are effective immediately. "When I took office in January, I said I wanted to remove barriers between Oregon's universities and the entrepreneurs who ... [full story]

Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Attorney General John Kroger announced yesterday that Oregon will seek to join a lawsuit against the federal government over the longstanding failure to clean up the Hanford Nuclear Reservation on the Columbia River. "This suit is about compelling the federal government to uphold its commitment to protect fully our environment and our citizens," Governor Ted Kulongoski said. "Further delay is unacceptable.  The federal government must make this clean up a priority and ... [full story]

U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio, representing the 4th Congressional District of Oregon, issued the following statement on President Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget, which was released this morning. "Overall, I was pleased with President Obama’s 10-year budget outline.  The budget is an honest assessment of the challenges facing our nation, no longer hiding costs like the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and fixing the Alternative Minimum Tax each year.  Years of fiscal irresponsibility under the Bush ... [full story]

The Oregon Military Department has added an additional seven projects to the 18 already approved by the Oregon legislature by obtaining additional federal stimulus monies from the National Guard Bureau. "This is a fantastic way to combine both state and federal dollars to assist with our facilities maintenance back log at other installations throughout Oregon," said Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell, Deputy Director Oregon Military Department. The projects were selected based on priorities that would reduce ... [full story]

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – The five children of a McMinnville couple were taken into protective custody Wednesday after their parents were arrested on multiple charges for reckless endangerment, possession of methamphetamine, and endangering the welfare of a minor, police reported.   (left) William James Duncan, (right) Tracy Ann Duncan – YCCF photos  According to a news release issued by the McMinnville Police Department, while on traffic duty Officer Mike LaRue noticed that five children, ranging in age from ... [full story]

SHERWOOD, Ore. – Neighborhood complaints prompted an investigation and drug raid at a southwest Sherwood home today, and culminated in the arrest of a 19-year-old man accused of selling heroin, police reported. According to a news release prepared by the Sherwood Police Department, officers had received repeated complaints about the suspect's residence at 22756 SW Kathy Street, and about 1 p.m. today officers, members of the Westside Interagency Narcotics Team, and deputies with the Washington County ... [full story]

DEQ Issues $3,137 Penalty to Mt. Hood Forest Products LLC for Stormwater Runoff Permit Violation at its Hood River Facility HOOD RIVER, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $3,137 penalty to Mt. Hood Forest Products, LLC, for failing to collect and analyze samples of stormwater runoff at its facility at 4865 State Highway 35 in Hood River.  Mt. Hood’s failure to conduct the monitoring violates its stormwater discharge permit. On ... [full story]

McMINNVILLE, Ore. – A 24-year old McMinneville man who police describe as a transient was arrested Tuesday after a teenage girl reportedly admitted she had a sexual relationship with him, detectives reported.   Terry Lee Wilmeth, Jr. – YCCF photo  McMinnville Police Detective Sgt. Matt Scales said an investigation against Terry Lee Wilmeth, Jr. began when a 15-year-old girl disclosed the relationship. Wilmeth was considered a friend of the family, and allegedly gave her alcohol. Wilmeth was ... [full story]