News Digest:
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 10:16 AM PDT
Good afternoon
Oregon
Counties need aid to bridge timber gap
SALEM (AP) — A governor’s task force says the funding crisis triggered by the loss of federal timber revenues goes far beyond rural counties, and will hurt every school in Oregon and other programs, as well. The top recommendation handed over to Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Monday was to get Congress to renew temporarily the long-standing program that has brought more than $200 million a year to Oregon so that the state and counties will have time to find new sources of revenue — including new taxes. See full story, Page A3.
Marine reserve
schedule scaled back
FLORENCE (AP) — After months of criticism Gov. Ted Kulongoski has revamped his plan to create a series of ocean areas declared off-limits to fishing and other impact activities. His initial schedule would have had the reserves dedicated by this spring. But many coastal communities objected to the fishing restrictions because of hard times in the industry.
Idaho
Supreme Court won’t hear Idaho developer’s appeal
BOISE (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court Monday refused to hear an appeal by an eastern Idaho developer who ignored federal government warnings to stop bulldozing a streambed, clearing the way for him to serve an 18-month prison sentence. In 2005, Charles Lynn Moses was found guilty in U.S. District Court of felony violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
High gas prices drive surge in scooter use
TWIN FALLS (AP) — More Idahohans are turning to scooters to help ease the pinch of high fuel prices.
The Idaho Department of Transportation reports that sales of motorized scooters increased 24 percent during the first quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. With gas prices soaring above the $4 per gallon mark, scooter dealers say it’s no surprise that more people are looking for cheaper alternatives to getting around town.
