1st Oregon News Minute from the AP

Date: 09/26/2013 03:59 AM

AP-OR–1st NewsMinute/299
Here is the latest Oregon news from The Associated Press

 

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Critics are mobilizing against bills planned for a special legislative session aimed at cutting Oregon public-employee pensions, revising the tax code and limiting local regulation of genetically modified crops. Environmental groups, organic farmers and others who want tougher regulations of genetically modified foods say the agricultural rules have no place in a deal on pensions and taxes. Unions say the pension cuts would be illegal and would unfairly harm workers. Lawmakers convene Monday.

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) – The U.S. House has passed a bill that includes a one-year extension of federal subsidies for timber counties. Oregon counties would get about $100 million under the extension of the now expired Secure Rural Schools program. The money was attached to a must-pass bill that would avert an impending shutdown of the federal helium reserve. The House decision on Wednesday sends the measure back to the Senate.

OREGON CITY, Ore. (AP) – Searchers are trying to find a man who went mushroom picking on Monday and has not been seen since. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office says 53-year-old Boris Bondarchuk disappeared south of Molalla, off of South Family Camp Road. A deputy says Bondarchuk was last seen wearing black pants and a black jacket with white stripes.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – It turns out the $100 bills a handful of Salem shoppers reported finding in such unlikely places as a carton of eggs were placed by a Portland country music radio station as part of a contest. The Salem Statesman Journal reported on the bills Tuesday, saying seven had been reported found at a Fred Meyer store and one at a Wal-Mart store. Yesterday, the paper reported the music director for 98.7 The Bull confirmed that the station had been planting bills.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.