February 2013

Study Says Medford Sewage Plant Hurts River

By Jim McCoy Wed 13th February News Medford Sewage Plant Rogue River

A study commissioned by fly-fishing groups contends the effluent released from Medford's wastewater treatment plant illegally harms insect life and promotes unwanted algae growth in the Rogue River. The study says the pollution could harm chinook salmon eggs laid in gravel downstream of the treatment plant near TouVelle State Park. One of the study's sponsors says state and localRead More »

Rep. Walden Responds to State of the Union

By Jim McCoy Wed 13th February News Politics Rep. Greg Walden State of the Union Address

Oregon Second District Representative Greg Walden expressed disappointment in President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night.Read More »

Liberal Groups Pushing For Government Efficiency Ideas

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February News AARP Oregon Students Association public employee unions

Several liberal organizations want Oregon to do a better job collecting taxes, and they're calling on the Legislature to beef up enforcement. The recommendation was one of several in a report on government efficiency released Tuesday by public-employee unions, the AARP, the Oregon Student Association and a number of other groups.Read More »

Wrestling's Governing Body Reacts To Sport Being Dropped From 2020

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February Sports Olympics wrestling

Wrestling officials called Tuesday's decision to drop the sport from the Olympic program an "aberration" against a founding event. Known by its French initials FILA, the sport's governing body said it was "greatly astonished" by the IOC executive board decision. Past and present Olympic champions in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling called the rejection "mind-boggling" and a "tRead More »

Mariners Pitcher Signs Record Deal

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February Sports Major League Baseball Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners have reached agreement on a $175 million, seven-year contract that will make him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball. The Mariners announced the sides had reached agreement on the deal Tuesday afternoon.Read More »

AAA: Gas Prices Driven By Speculation, Crude Prices, & Refinery Shutdowns

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February News AAA gas price

Higher crude prices, speculation and refinery shut downs are being seen as the culprits for the recent high gas prices. Unlike like 2011 with Libya, or 2012 with Iran, geopolitical unrest in not been a major contributing factor. According to Triple-A Oregon, the average for a gallon of unleaded regular in Oregon is $3.57, just below the national average of $3.60.Read More »

University of Oregon Holds Forum On Arming Campus Police

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February News gun police University of Oregon

At a Monday night forum on arming University of Oregon police, many students opposed bringing guns on campus, but law enforcement officials said guns are a needed tool. The Register-Guard reports students who spoke said they feel the campus is relatively safe, and guns aren't needed, given the nature of university crimes. Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner backed up univeRead More »

Bill Looks To Raise Fines For Cell Phone Use While Driving

By Jim McCoy Tue 12th February News cell phone use Oregon legislature

Motorists caught talking on their cell phones or texting while driving would face stiffer fines - up to $1,000 - under a bill that is being considered in the Oregon Legislature. The Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday approved the bill put forth by Senate President Peter Courtney.Read More »

Nadal is Back, But Not Quite The Same

By Jim McCoy Mon 11th February Sports Rafael Nadal Tennis

After seven months away treating a left knee injury, Rafael Nadal has left many questions unanswered in his comeback tournament. Nadal lost both the singles and doubles finals in the space of a few hours Sunday at the VTR Open in Chile. Horacio Zeballos beat Nadal in three sets for the first title of his career. Nadal says the loss was a reminder of what he already knew.Read More »

Former Beavs, 49ers Coach Erickson To Take The Helm at Utah

By Jim McCoy Mon 11th February Sports college football Dennis Erickson Utah

Dennis Erickson won a pair of national titles at Miami and has been a head coach at three Pac-12 schools. Now the 65-year-old is coming out of retirement to help transform Utah's offense, joining 26-year-old Brian Johnson as co-offensive coordinator. Head coach Kyle Whittingham made it clear during a Monday news conference, however, that Erickson would have final say as coordinatRead More »