Precipitation lags across Oregon as drought lingers
Warm and dry weather persisted through mid-October, digging an early deficit for precipitation in most Oregon river basins — particularly those in central and southern parts of the state, where drought conditions are the worst. But climate experts say there is still plenty of time to catch up and La Nina could bring ample rain and mountain snow this winter to the Pacific Northwest. Every drop of moisture is needed, said Larry O’Neill, Oregon state climatologist. “We need at least an average amount of precipitation, and average temperatures,” O’Neill said. “We (also) desperately need the snowpack to be above-average, and we need that snowpack to stick around past April 1.” (George Plaven/Capital Press)
OSU researchers find overseas potential for Oregon food and beverage makers
Oregon’s food and beverage industry faces some big challenges in finding export opportunities, but it also holds a lot of promise, according to a new study by researchers at Oregon State University. Jeff Reimer, an OSU professor and co-author of the study, said those challenges include language, customs, safety standards and the metric system. One way to overcome them, he said, is for companies to dedicate a few employees to work exclusively on export markets. Reimer said Oregon’s wine and craft brew industries have great potential as foreign buyers continue to show interest in the industry’s “quality over quantity” approach. (Brian Bull/KLCC)
Klamath Falls teens face charges in reported baseball team hazing
Three teenagers are facing criminal charges in Washington over an alleged hazing and assault incident involving a teammate on the Klamath Falls Falcons baseball team during a tournament in August. The case centers around an alleged incident and assault at a hotel in Ephrata, Washington, where the three teens are accused of harassing and accosting their 15-year-old teammate during a summer baseball tournament. The younger teammate said the older teens, ages 17 and 18, tried to sexually humiliate and accost him in his hotel room during the tourney. (Mike Sunnucks/Herald and News)
Clark County certifies its election results, confirming Perez victory
Clark County says it has certified all its ballots from the midterm election — even as a Republican congressional candidate in Southwest Washington pushes ahead with an electoral challenge. The Columbian newspaper reports Clark County saw more than 5,500 ballots challenged over signature issues this election. Around 3,000 of those ballots were fixed. The county is the most populous in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, which saw Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez carry out a surprising win of the long-held Republican seat. Far right Republican Joe Kent lost that race, and has closely aligned himself with former President Trump, and questioned election integrity across the country. Kent says he plans to file for a recount of the 3rd District, even though he lost by more than 2,600 votes. The Columbian calculates that recount could cost Kent up to $80,000 to carry out. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)
Woman accused of threatening children, making racist remarks in Medford park
A woman faces felony bias crime and weapon-use charges after she allegedly wielded a large metal pipe and accosted three boys playing basketball in a Medford park, while also making statements about an 11-year-old child’s race during the confrontation. The father of two of the children, who’d brought the boys to the park, witnessed the altercation and called police. He told police he intervened before the woman could swing her pipe at the 11-year-old and his 5-year-old son. Once on scene, police found the metal pipe believed to be involved in the altercation, as well as the suspect at the park, according to a court affidavit. (Nick Morgan/Medford Tribune)