Regional

ODOT completes battery of improvements to Cornelius Pass Road

Years of work to improve crash safety along Northwest Cornelius Pass Road took another step forward last month, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Read moreODOT completes battery of improvements to Cornelius Pass Road

Columbia County struggles for seat at tech manufacturing table

As Oregon looks to increase semiconductor manufacturing, rural parts of the state like Columbia County fear they’ll be left behind. Read moreColumbia County struggles for seat at tech manufacturing table

ODOT proposes $18 million projects for state funding

The Oregon Department of Transportation is proposing five highway improvement projects in Columbia County, the department announced Thursday, March 9. Read moreODOT proposes $18 million projects for state funding

Part of Fern Hill Road to close for two weeks for slide repair

Meissner Road is already closed as work continues to address damage caused by a historic rainstorm in 2015. Read morePart of Fern Hill Road to close for two weeks for slide repair

Portland-area air quality getting worse, annual report card shows

Despite a relatively mild wildfire season in 2022 for smoke in the Portland metro region, overall air quality decreased throughout the Pacific Northwest region co… Read morePortland-area air quality getting worse, annual report card shows

Bill Schonely remembered as larger-than-life voice at public memorial

There were bingos, bangos and bongos. There were a few lickety brindles, and wry references from former Portland Trail Blazers Chris Dudley and Terry Porter about… Read moreBill Schonely remembered as larger-than-life voice at public memorial

Lawmakers unveil energy-efficiency measures for buildings

Senate panel takes up four bills originating from a 2022 task force that seeks to curb carbon emissions from the residential and commercial sector. Read moreLawmakers unveil energy-efficiency measures for buildings

Lawmakers hope nation will look to Oregon on national security

Chris Miller, author of “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology,” warned a state legislative committee that the United States has fallen far behind in global computer chip research and production.

Homeless and housing money goes to legislative votes

Budget committee clears two bills with bipartisan support, although some Republicans dissented, in first big test for Gov. Kotek in her first two months.

Judge says Columbia 911 can't exclude Scappoose city councilor from meetings

A federal judge granted a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction Thursday, March 9, against the Columbia 911 Communications District after the agency barred a Scappoose city councilor from visiting district facilities or conta…

Marijuana is legal in Oregon — why do some still grow it illegally?

Federal regulations on cannabis put Oregon in a tough position. While marijuana is legal under state law, it is still illegal to grow or possess in large quantities without a special license.

Having slashed service to the bone, CC Rider finds itself in 'downward spiral'

CC Rider's director, John Dreeszen, is trying to find the equilibrium.

New home in works for Hillsboro Hops baseball team

The minor league baseball team and the Hillsboro city government originally planned to expand Ron Tonkin Field, which is just 10 years old, but they decided to build a new stadium to MLB’s standards instead.

Rep. Bonamici honored by national organization for child advocacy efforts

The Oregon Democrat was one of two members of Congress to receive the National Parent Teacher Association’s 2023 Congressional Voice for Children Award, alongside Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah.

Smaller school districts have bigger problems when snow falls in Columbia County

While all of Columbia County’s public school students got some unscheduled time off due to the Feb. 22-23 snowstorm, Scappoose and St. Helens lost less instructional time to the winter weather than Clatskanie, Rainier and Vernonia did.

Recreational liability reform likely dead in Oregon’s overstuffed legislative calendar

The bill has bipartisan support but ran into the headwinds of the governor’s and Democrats’ top priorities for 2023.

Oregonians support reducing prison sentences for youth who demonstrate rehabilitation

Decades after Oregonians approved Measure 11, instituting mandatory minimum sentences for some serious crimes, just under half of Oregonians think it’s fair to sentence adult offenders to the same time in custody regardless of age, a recent s…

Animal rescue cofounder sentenced in neglect case

A cofounder of multiple Oregon animal rescues pleaded guilty to multiple counts of animal neglect and forgery earlier this year, but other criminal cases against Woofin Palooza’s founders continue.

Rural farmers blast machinery taxes meant to fund Portland truck upgrades

Sales and rentals of off-road machinery would be taxed under House Bill 3158, as would tires and the dyed diesel fuel used to power such equipment

Lawmakers add to Kotek's request for housing money

Oregon lawmakers are closing in on mid-March votes on two big priorities for their 2023 session.

Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance backer challenges judge's ethics

Chris Brumbles, chief petitioner behind a measure to restrict gun control in Columbia County, says he has filed an ethics complaint against an Oregon Court of Appeals judge who said that the so-called Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance cann…

Scappoose city councilor trespassed from Columbia 911 over alleged harassment

Tyler Miller, who has a long history of clashing with the agency, denies the allegations and says Columbia 911 is attempting to silence him.

Columbia County digging out after last week's winter storm

A historic snowstorm last week dumped more than 10 inches of snow at Portland International Airport, and freezing overnight temperatures and wintry showers have persisted into this week.

Slowing the 'biological wildfire,' agencies roll out playbook to mitigate emerald ash borer effects

With spring fast approaching, agencies are readying all types of weapons to slow the spread of emerald ash borers before the invasive pest wipes out nearly all the ash trees in Washington County and spreads farther through the state.

Oregon DEQ says Intel failed to monitor unsafe emissions at Hillsboro facility

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says staff errors at Intel’s D1X facility in Hillsboro led to unhealthy air pollution for more than two months.

Oregon Department of Transportation working to 'untangle' treacherous road conditions

Officials’ primary concern had been ice and high winds, not heavy snow. But the storm’s snow totals Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 surpassed expectations.

Panel hears measures to lower voting age

One would require approval at statewide election; two others would limit participants to party primaries and school board elections,

All Columbia County roads remain open following heavy snowfall

Following heavy snowfall, Columbia County road crews have been out since early Wednesday, Feb. 22, and again Thursday, Feb, 23, plowing snow and sanding major roads across the county.

Land use dispute snags semiconductor plan

Governor would gain temporary authority to designate large industrial sites, which advocates say are needed, but critics argue would threaten farmland.

Not-so-easy rider: PCC instructor, student to lead veterans’ motorcycle adventure to Arctic

Jonathan Williams, an instructor in Portland Community College’s Diesel Service Technology school at the Rock Creek Campus, thinks more needs to be done to support veterans’ mental health and prevent suicide.

Columbia County won’t appeal after ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance’ struck down

Columbia County will not appeal the Oregon Court of Appeals’ recent opinion that the “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance” cannot be enforced.

Vernonia Fire adds ambulance as private service makes cuts

The Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District has purchased its own ambulance and hired a paramedic, after Metro West pulled paramedics from the ambulance it runs out of Vernonia.

Scappoose goes electric for Earth Day with new EV chargers

Four public charging points will be installed near the Scappoose Public Library.

Soldier struck, killed near Clatskanie while assisting stopped convoy

Police said 29-year-old Gonzalo Martinez III was in a Humvee that stopped in the eastbound passing lane of U.S. Highway 30 to assist a stalled convoy. After he got out of the Humvee, he was struck by an eastbound pickup truck.

Lawmakers consider state requirements to spur housing

Proposal wins support, but builders and cities press for detailed changes in a bill pending in a House committee.

Columbia County announces upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Collection events

These events will take place in St. Helens, Vernonia, Rainier and Clatskanie.

Union accuses Georgia-Pacific paper mill of unfair labor practices

United Steelworkers says Georgia-Pacific unilaterally changed the terms and conditions under which unionized employees work at the Wauna paper mill near Clatskanie.

Oregon's Adrienne C. Nelson confirmed for federal judgeship

She will be the first Black woman on the U.S. District Court in Oregon; Gov. Kotek will name her successor on the Oregon Supreme Court.

'Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance' is void, Oregon appeals court rules

The “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance” approved by Columbia County voters cannot be enforced, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Kayaks, camping, hunting: Pacific Northwest Sportsmen's Show fills Expo Center

Visitors to the Portland Expo Center for the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show will be able to fish, camp, enjoy kayaking and sit around and listen to people tell stories.

Update: Criminal investigation launched into OLCC 'Bourbongate' scandal

Allegation: Top officials at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission kept a rare and long-sought-after bourbon set aside for themselves.

Voter-approved gun restrictions still on hold

Supreme Court declines state's request to remove pending challenge from a trial court in Harney County, but says a new request can be filed in the future.

Legislation seeks ways to avert 'news deserts' in Oregon

House committee hears bill to authorize state grants to ensure local coverage as news organizations fold or cut back in a digital age.

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