OSU student missing for two weeks found dead on Marys Peak

January 1, 2023

A 22-year-old missing Oregon State University student was found dead on Marys Peak in Benton County on Sunday, the Corvallis Police Department said. Just before 5 p.m., volunteers helping with the search for Steven Mainwaring found a Ford Bronco the student was believed to be driving in a remote area of Marys Peak near Philomath. Police found Mainwaring‘s body nearby,

Oregon Supreme Court rules that hundreds of people convicted by non-unanimous juries deserve new trials

January 1, 2023

By RYAN HAAS and CONRAD WILSON/Oregon Public Broadcasting In a series of rulings Friday, the Oregon Supreme Court found that hundreds of people in the state’s prisons who were convicted by non-unanimous juries have a right to a new trial. The opinion offers clarity for people convicted in trials where not everyone on the jury agreed the convicted person was

Housing will be Oregon Legislature’s top focus in 2023, Democratic leader says

January 1, 2023

Oregon needs more construction and public sector workers to increase its housing stock. (Getty Images) By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle Housing will remain a top focus when the Oregon Legislature returns to work in January, a top Democratic lawmaker tells the Capital Chronicle. Rep. Julie Fahey, D-Eugene and the House majority leader, recently met with White House officials and more

Harney County judge’s order Tuesday will allow gun sales without completed background checks after 3 days

January 1, 2023

A Harney County judge decided Tuesday that the state cannot bar gun sales if a required background check is not completed within three days. (Connor Radnovich/Oregon Capital Chronicle) By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle A Harney County Circuit Court decision Tuesday will allow Oregonians to continue to buy firearms before completing a background check. Harney County Judge Robert Raschio issued his

Federal probe into Cowlitz tribe casino gives insights into Grand Ronde and Siletz tensions over Salem location

January 1, 2023

By JEFF MANNING/The Oregonian/OregonLive The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is handing over thousands of pages of documents to the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a preliminary probe into potential violations of federal antitrust laws. An attorney for the tribe briefed its governing Tribal Council on Dec. 2 about the records sought by the justice department earlier this month, according

Backers of commercial air service out of Salem Airport push city leaders to help resume flights by June

January 1, 2023

By WHITNEY WOODWORTH/Salem Statesman Journal SALEM — Commercial air service at Salem Airport is closer to becoming a reality for the first time in more than a decade. But much remains up in the air. Several key fixes need to be done before residents can book a flight out of McNary Field. The location currently serves as a general aviation

Oregon considers designating six rocky shoreline areas for marine conservation and long-term management

January 1, 2023

By DANA TIMS/YachatsNews Oregon’s beaches are enjoyed by countless tourists and locals every year, drawn by soft sand and seemingly endless vistas. Far less accessible, however, are the rocky crags and outcroppings that make up more than 40 percent of the state’s 363 miles of Pacific Ocean shoreline. Now, propelled by years of volunteer effort and planning, the state is

As Oregon’s population declines for first time in 30 years, state economist warns of revenue loss

January 1, 2023

By APRIL EHRLICH/Oregon Public Broadcasting New national estimates show Oregon is losing population, as deaths outpace births and fewer people move here from other states. The preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, released Thursday, are alarming state economists. “There’s not a single silver lining in the numbers …,” said Josh Lehner, an economist with the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis. “I’m

32-year-old raptor rehabilitation center in Eugene taking off again after pandemic setbacks

January 1, 2023

A barred owl designated 22-68 because it’s the 68th bird admitted to the Cascades Raptor Center in 2022, is held by volunteer Briana Deyling, before being examined ahead of its release earlier this year at Campbell Park. Brain Bull / KLCC Rehabilitator and trainer Victoria Willson (left) hold barred owl 22-68 scheduled for release as volunteer Briana Deyling (right) readies