1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 07/31/2013 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/248
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Japan has agreed to resume importing Northwest soft white wheat two months after a genetically modified rogue strain of the crop appeared in an Oregon farmer’s field. The Oregon Wheat Commission has maintained the rogue strain was limited to one field. According to Japan’s minister of agriculture, Japan will begin to accept U.S. Western wheat again tomorrow and soft white on Aug. 7.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Gov. John Kitzhaber has declared a state of emergency for Josephine and Douglas counties as firefighters tackle the Douglas Complex wildfires. The lightning-sparked blazes are threatening about 400 homes. Air quality remains a concern and the forecast calls for the possibility of lightning. The blazes have burned almost 21,400 acres and are 5 percent contained.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Oregon Republican Party Chairwoman Suzanne Gallagher could face a recall election. The Oregonian reports a recall petition says that if 19 of the state’s county Republican committees call for it, a vote could occur next month. The petition accuses Gallagher of mishandling the party’s finances, claiming credit for other people’s work and making inappropriate hiring decisions.

GOLD BEACH, Ore. (AP) -An Idaho man was electrocuted working at a Bonneville Power Administration substation north of Gold Beach. Curry County Sheriff John Bishop says 35-year-old Benjamin E. Cool of Lewiston was in a bucket lift yesterday morning working on a transfer box. KVAL-TV reports he died at a hospital in Curry County.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.