News Digest:
Wednesday, January 2, 2008 10:55 AM PST
OREGON — Toxic fungus moving into Oregon
EUGENE (AP) — It sounds like a bad B movie, a toxic fungus in the woods of the Pacific Northwest drifting into people’s lungs, causing illness and death.
But cryptococcus gattii is out there and has affected a handful of Oregonians, most recently a Junction City woman hospitalized for more than four months this fall.
In the Northwest it was first detected on Vancouver Island in 1999, where it has sickened about 180 residents and killed eight, said Karen Bartlett, associate professor of environmental health at the University of British Columbia. The disease is still rare. See story Page A2.
Biggs Junction bridge closes for construction
BIGGS JUNCTION, (AP) — The estimated 5,100 drivers who cross the Columbia River daily at Biggs Junction, a small crossroads in Eastern Oregon, will have to find a new route as of today.
Crews replacing the bridge deck will close the Biggs Rapids-Sam Hill Bridge carrying U.S. 97 between Oregon and Washington until Memorial Day.
The closure is expected to divert thousands of cars and trucks.
Oregon and Washington are splitting the $16 million tab to update the crumbling two-lane roadway. Completion is expected in 2009.
Health insurance now must cover birth
control in Oregon
PORTLAND (AP) — It was a long time getting here, but as of Tuesday, health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs in Oregon must cover birth control.
Nancy Bennett, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of the Columbia/Willamette, said her organization has fought for it since 1993.
‘‘We were pushing for it because we believe women should have access to birth control. It’s just basic health care for women,’’ Bennett said. Bennett said about half of the states have similar requirements. The law could affect about 1.4 million Oregonians.
