The public gets a look at six options to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Program released its first batch of visualizations for six replacement bridge options: four single-level bridges, one stacked bridge and one with a lift span. The renderings have been long-awaited by program critics and supporters alike. The visuals are not a final design and don’t reflect property impacts. “I almost feel like we should have a drumroll,” said program administrator Greg Johnson before showing the visualizations to the executive steering group at their meeting Thursday. Johnson said the program is limited in the type of bridge because designers don’t want the structure to protrude into Pearson Field and Portland International Airport’s airspace. That rules out cable-stayed bridges, like Tilikum Crossing, or suspension bridges, like the Golden Gate Bridge. (William Seekamp/The Columbian)
A proposal for ranked-choice voting in Oregon takes a step forward
Oregon voters may get to choose whether they want to use ranked-choice voting to elect their top federal and statewide officials. That system is proposed in House Bill 2004, which the Oregon House passed on a 35-24 vote on May 23 and sent to the Senate. While the bill’s fate is uncertain in the Senate, where the current Republican walkout continues, the measure hinges on voter approval in the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. If approved, the system would start in 2028. The Oregon measure would apply to elections for president, U.S. senators and representatives, as well as governor, secretary of state, state treasurer and attorney general. (Peter Wong/Portland Tribune)
Black bear euthanized after attacking man in La Grande who twice shot it
A black bear in northeastern Oregon attacked a man in La Grande on Wednesday shortly after the man shot it. Oregon wildlife officials said Craig Lankford shot a bear that had been harassing his chickens. He looked for the bear the next morning and shot it again. Then the bear attacked him. Officials had to close nearby roads as they searched for the bear, which they found and euthanized. Lankford suffered injuries to his arms and head but is expected to recover after being treated at a nearby hospital. Wildlife officials say bear attacks are rare but tend to occur when bears are wounded or threatened. (OPB Staff)
Federal government recovers $167K from Oregon farm for failing to pay workers overtime
The federal government has recovered more than $167,000 in back wages and damages for more than three dozen workers at Columbia Empire Farms Inc., a Sherwood farm that dodged paying its workers overtime and failed to pay some workers on time, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Columbia Empire Farms, which grows crops and makes and sells preserves, syrups and other products, misapplied an overtime pay exemption and withheld more than $100,000 from 43 employees, according to the department. Some of the employees worked up to 75 hours in a week without overtime pay. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires most employers to pay overtime wages for hours worked over 40 in a week. (Shannon Sollitt/Statesman Journal)
Josephine County will not hire new emergency manager
The Josephine County Board of Commissioners has reversed course and decided not to hire a new emergency management director. Instead, the board voted 3-0 to combine the emergency management director and the information technology director positions. They had conducted interviews with candidates for the emergency management position during the past couple of weeks. Commissioners also decided to change the part-time emergency management outreach and education position to full-time. The upcoming interviews for the IT director position will be limited to the commissioners and Scofield, the human resources director. No other department heads will participate. (Lisa Dunlap/Grants Pass Daily Courier)