News Digest

Wednesday, August 29, 2007 10:09 AM PDT

OREGON - Shippers sue to get rail service resumed on Oregon branch line

CORVALLIS (AP) — Farm and lumber companies that ship their goods on a 23-mile branch line south from Corvallis have sued to get the railroad operators to continue to provide service on it.

The Willamette & Pacific Railroad halted service on the Bailey Branch stretch of track in south Benton County two months ago, citing five derailments in five weeks.

Bruce Carswell, president of the shortline railroad, said it was a first step toward asking federal authorities for approval to abandon the line.

The lawsuit in Benton County Circuit Court asks for up to $425,000 in damages.

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Oregon SAT scores dip slightly, still beat

national average

PORTLAND (AP) — The Oregon class of 2007 dipped slightly in math, reading and writing SAT scores, the College Board reported Tuesday, but still beat national averages by a healthy margin.

Oregon students averaged 522 out of a possible 800 points on the reading section of the test, 526 points on the math portion, and just 502 on the writing section, a recently added component of the standardized college-entrance exam.

Last year, Oregon students posted scores of 523 in reading, 529 in math and 503 in writing. In reading and math, Oregon students lagged behind only Washington state among states where 40 percent or more graduates took the SAT.

THE NATION

Former astronaut Lisa Nowak files notice to use insanity defense in

romantic rival case

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Former astronaut Lisa Nowak is pursuing a temporary insanity defense on charges that she assaulted and tried to kidnap a romantic rival, according to a court document released Tuesday.

Nowak suffered from major depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, insomnia and ‘‘brief psychotic disorder with marked stressors,’’ defense attorney Donald Lykkebak wrote in his notice of intent to rely on the insanity defense.