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Is ten enough? Oregon is one of two states that doesn't require unanimous jury verdicts for a conviction in criminal trials. That's about to get challenged by a case headed for the Supreme Court:
Scott D. Bowen, an Oregon man sentenced to 17 years in prison for sex offenses, is now asking the Supreme Court to have another look at the issue. The case against Mr. Bowen was based on statements from his 15-year-old daughter, who had run away from home. Mr. Bowen said his daughter had made up the accusations to gain her independence.
Prosecutors were able to convince only 10 jurors of Mr. Bowen's guilt. In Oregon, that was enough.
Oddly, Justices Thomas and Scalia--hardly strange bedfellows of convicted sex offenders--may be sympathetic to Bowen's case. Diehard fans of the doctrine of "original intent," Scalia and his Teller-like silent partner Thomas have argued previously that the Sixth Amendment, understood in the context of its original formulation, calls for unanimous verdicts.
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Hang up and drive. If you're a compulsive cell-phone user, it might be good to begin your withdrawal program now:
Oregon's law banning use of hand-held cell phones, which is awaiting the signature of Gov. Ted Kulongoski, will take effect Jan. 1.
I wish they'd included hands-free cell phone use too--it's not the one hand off the wheel that makes it dangerous, it's the driver's divided attention--but maybe baby steps are the way to go here.
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Pump prices: Last week we noted that Oregon gas prices seemed to have hit a plateau. In fact, the ever-optimistic AAA of Oregon predicts that we may have hit the price peak for the summer .
They [gas prices] often reach their summer highs close to the Independence Day holiday, and barring any unforeseen events, pump prices may slide in the coming weeks," said Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon.
The national average for regular unleaded dropped three cents this week to $2.60, while Oregon's average fell two cents to $2.78, Dodds said.
Meanwhile, oregongasprices.com put the average reported pump price in Oregon at $2.742/gal this weekend, down almost 3¢ from last weekend, with a narrower high/low spread than usual.
Cheapest reported pump price: $2.55/gal, at the 76 station, 1395 OR-99 N & Fairfield Ave, in Eugene.
Highest reported pump price: $2.89/gal, at the Shell station, 1395 OR-99 N & Fairfield Ave., in Ashland.
(By the way; Although I've gotten great service as a AAA member over the years, it's always bugged me that they throw their lobbying clout behind non-green causes. So I'm happy to note that they will soon offer roadside service for bicycles in addition to motor vehicles.
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The end of logging season came early: Last Monday, loggers on state-owned land near Reedsport found their logging road blocked by environmental protesters:
Loggers with Roseburg-based Scott Timber couldn't reach a timber sale on the Elliott State Forest because an overturned vehicle and at least 30 protesters blocked their way.
The group responsible, Cascadia Rising Tide, says it is seeking to block logging to protect threatened birds and fish, and to help fight climate change.
Spokeswoman Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky says the barricade isn't coming down any time soon.
Jasmine Zimmer-Stucky: "We have about 100 people out here, and we hope to sustain this blockade until the end of the logging season."
The last of the 27 protesters was arrested Friday.
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A tale of two cities: The websites for ABC affiliates KATU in Portland and KVAL in Eugene look nearly identical, but they featured stories this week that couldn't be headed in more different directions:
KATU:
Any local resident will tell you that Oregon has a "green" reputation.
However, that colorful tag isn't all due to the fields full of wind turbines and the legions of cyclists plying city streets.
Oregon is also known for people who grow lots of green leafy - and potent - pot plants.
It was a telling moment during President Barack Obama's online "town hall" Q&A meeting shortly after his inauguration that he mentioned off the top that one persistent question he received about solving the budget crisis was the legalization - and taxation - of marijuana.
While the President quickly dismissed the idea, politicians in cash-strapped states in the Western U.S. have not been so quick to write off legalizing pot, which has traditionally been a political non-starter and career killer.
California's top official, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said while he was not ready to make such a drastic move, he did say it was a topic that should be discussed.
Financial experts have calculated that taxes from marijuana sales could bring in billions of dollars in California, making it a tempting target for a state looking at a $40+ billion chasm of a budget deficit.
KVAL:
Police arrested two Washington state men during a traffic stop Tuesday morning after finding 7 pounds of marijuana in their car.
An Oregon State Police trooper stopped a 1995 ford Taurus with Washington plates on Interstate 5 south of Ashland Tuesday morning at 9:30 for a traffic violation.
During the stop, officers discovered 14 bags of marijuana in two coolers in the car's trunk, police said. Police estimated the value of the pot at $25,000.
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One more way in which Oregon has to grab the nasty end of the economy stick: Sad to say that Oregon, who's already #2 in unemployment among states, now has another dubious record:
Oregon added more homeless people to its population than any other state, according to a report released Thursday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. [...]
The count was conducted in January so it compares 2007 figures to 2008.
Researchers found that more than 3000 Oregonians joined the ranks of the homeless during that time. That's a 17 percent increase.
Other states, like Mississippi and Montana saw bigger percentage increases, but not as many people.
HUD secretary, Shaun Donovan, says the nation is making inroads into the chronically homeless population, but more and more families are being hit.
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StS True Animal Story: It's back-to-back elephant stories here at StS. Last week was an update on Samudru, the Oregon Zoo's newest Asian elephant calf and media star. This week, at Wildlife Safari, in Winston, it's . . . well, see for yourself (but roll up the windows first):
The newest addition to the wide range of activities offered at the drive-through park is an elephant car wash, where elephants do just that: Wash visitors' cars.
"Guaranteed not to get your car clean!" laughed Dinah Wilson, one of Wildlife Safari's full-time elephant trainers.
For a $20 donation, George, Tiki and Alice take turns interacting with guests, many of whom have never seen an elephant up close before.
"You'd be amazed," explained Katie Alayan, an elephant trainer. "People start crying when they see an elephant for the first time. It can have a powerful impact."
The car wash consists of two of the elephants sucking water into their long, slender trunks before showering it upon waiting vehicles as the guests inside squeal with delight.
The pachyderms' towering gray frames rise high above even the trucks that come through, and strong blasts of water from their trunks can be heard echoing through the trees.
On a recent day, Tiki and Alice, both 39 years old, are at work, while George, 28, relaxes in a nearby shaded area.
After the initial rinse, the elephants grip a small sponge in their snouts and scrub the windows. Tiki, the smaller of the two girls, is very enthusiastic, spraying her water and wielding her sponge without much thought.
Alice, however, is very deliberate. She sticks her snout right on the window - and then sprays water in all directions.
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Tune in to the (Thom Hartmann Show on KPOJ AM620 tomorrow morning between 7.30and 8.00 to hear Carl, Christine, and Paul match wits with TJ on the weekly Spanning the State Challenge!
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