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Silverton: Home of Nation`s First Transgender Mayor (VIDEO)

Stu Rasmussen won the election for mayor of this rural Oregon town by a landslide.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Another Oregon mayor is making headlines, but for some reason nobody is going after Stu Rasmussen for posing in a low cut top. America's first transgender mayor joins the former Mayor of Arlington, Oregon, Carmen Kontur Gronquist, who was blasted over bathing suit photos on MySpace earlier this year, in the ranks of unexpected and offbeat NW media celebrities.

A very familiar face around Silverton, Stu is no stranger to politics. The last time Mayor Rasmussen held office, he wore men's clothing. He won't be wearing a suit and tie to work though, this mayor is into ladies fashions and make up. Rasmussen says he is the candidate who will help Silverton keep its small town feel, even if his personal approach reflects the latest surgical technology.

Appearing on "Good Morning America", Rasmussen said that the town went through the transition with him, and it wasn't always easy. "Obviously, it was shocking to them," he told ABC.

Medical Marijuana Ignorance: Lobbyist Dan Harmon`s Advisor Wins First Prize

Phillip Leveque has spent his life as a Combat Infantryman, Physician Pharmacologist and Toxicologist.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - Whoever was Dan Harmon’s advisor, he did not know or understand anything about the State Medical Marijuana Program and especially the victims requiring the medicine.

The State of Oregon says IT IS MEDICINE. 12 other states have similar laws.

Every other medicine they can think of is more dangerous than Cannabis, morphine-like pain killers ARE VERY DANGEROUS. Alcohol and other dangerous brain depressants are rarely tested for --- why not?

Kitzhaber Shows Interest in Joining Obama Team (VIDEO)

It's only in the talking stages, but Kitzhaber could serve in one of two positions with Barack Obama's cabinet.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon's former Governor John Kitzhaber said today that is would like to be a part of the Obama Administration if he is asked. Kitzhaber could possibly serve as secretary for either of two departments: Health and Human Services or Interior, The Oregonian reported today. Either would be a top-level administration position.

Kitzhaber told The Associated Press today that he hasn't been contacted by Obama's transition team, but he says he would be open to either position if they were offered to him.

Kitzhaber's time in politics began with his service in the Oregon House of Representatives from 1979 to 1981. In 1980, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate, serving three terms from 1981 to 1993, and as President of the Senate from 1985 until 1993.

Truck Driver Arrested for Sleeping at the Wheel

Police say that after falling asleep, the semi-truck driver crashed near construction workers on Interstate 5

(ALBANY, Ore.) - Oregon State Police troopers arrested a commercial truck driver Thursday morning after he allegedly fell asleep driving southbound through an Interstate 5 construction work zone north of Brownsville and struck a concrete barrier near construction workers who were working on the opposite side of the barrier. No one was injured.

OSP Troopers responded to a crash involving a commercial truck pulling a flatbed trailer southbound Interstate 5 near milepost 221 at 9:30 AM.

They say the preliminary investigation indicates a 2005 Kenworth truck driven by 40-year old Steven M. Cook of Portland, was southbound in the Sodom Ditch bridge replacement work zone where nine construction workers were actively working on an adjacent bridge protected by a concrete barrier.

Oregonians Prepare to Protest California`s New Gay Marriage Ban

Oregon protests against Prop 8 at several locations Saturday.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Advocates for gay marriage are outraged over the passage of California's Proposition 8, which amends the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. Prop 8 overturns a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right.

On Saturday, people across the country will join together to raise their voices against the what Basic Rights Oregon calls the injustice of California’s Prop 8.

"Passage of Proposition 8 means that, for a little longer, families in California will be denied important security and respect, and will have to continue to fight against inequality and second-class status."

Portland`s First Independent International High School Accepting Applications

IHS Portland will hold its commencement ceremonies on September. 9th 2009 at 9:00 AM.

( PORTLAND, Ore.) - Amid the hustle and bustle of the urban epicenter that personifies the Portland State University (PSU) campus in downtown Portland, Ore., sits the metropolitan area’s newest footstep toward the future in terms of education. The first of its kind in the area, the International High School of Portland (IHS Portland) recently opened its doors and its admissions program for the founding 2009-2010 school year.

Located in PSU’s Science and Education Building, IHS Portland offers passionate, college-bound students in grades 9 through 12 a challenging and enriched four-year curriculum that prepares them to become lifelong learners and leaders in tomorrow’s world. Taught by multilingual, internationally experienced faculty, classes at IHS Portland include modern languages (the school will offer education in French, Spanish, Mandarin and German) as well as other courses that thoroughly prepare students for college. IHS Portland also hopes to be an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) school by the year 2011.

Aquariums Swap Harbor Seals and Hope for Pups

Mammalogists at Oregon Coast Aquarium and Seattle Aquarium collaborate.

(NEWPORT, Ore.) - The Oregon Coast Aquarium exchanged a female harbor seal for a male harbor seal from the Seattle Aquarium in hopes of producing pups. The Oregon Coast Aquarium exchanged 22 year old female, “Pinky,” for 9 1/2 year old male, “Q”, who is currently becoming acclimated to his holding pool.

In a few days, “Q” will be introduced to the Oregon Coast Aquarium’s four females, two of which, “Swap and “Boots” are potential mates. The breeding loan will last two years. If pups aren’t produced in that time the animals will return to their homes at their original aquariums.

“We’ll bring the other seals in after he’s calmed a bit,” said Judy Tuttle, Oregon Coast Aquarium Curator of Mammals. “Meanwhile, he can interact with them between the gates and the females have already been vocalizing to him.” Tuttle said the male will be with them all winter in hopes they will produce spring 2010 pups.

WOU Reports 10% Enrollment Growth Over Past Two Years

(MONMOUTH, Ore.) - Western Oregon University achieved an all-time-high enrollment of 5,349 students for the 2008-09 academic year, a growth of 6.2 percent or 312 students. This is an overall increase of nearly 10 percent since 2006-07.

Water Bureau Temporarily Turns Off Bull Run Water Supply‏

The Water Bureau will rely on the secondary source as long as weather conditions and water quality dictate.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Portland Water Bureau turned off the Bull Run water supply system this morning due to increased turbidity in the watershed. The bureau activated groundwater wells in the Columbia South Shore Well Field to temporarily serve water to Portland.

Recent heavy rains and increased stream flows in the Bull Run watershed have contributed to this rapid increase in turbidity. Turbidity is a measurement of the cloudiness of (drinking) water by suspended particles.

"Stream levels rose rapidly overnight resulting in a spike in turbidity at Headworks (treatment facility). Although stream levels have crested, turbidity levels continued to rise through the morning. We are taking this proactive step to ensure that we continue to serve the high quality water that we strive to provide." said Water Bureau Administrator David Shaff.

Roads Closed by Slides in Oregon Coast Range (VIDEOS)

Good weather should aid Oregon highway crews dispatched to clear the areas.

(TILLAMOOK, Ore.) - A mud slide has closed Oregon 6, the Wilson River Highway, at mile post 15. Crews are responding and working to clear the scene, according to Adam Torgerson with the Oregon Department of Transportation.

"Crews will continue to work from both sides of the slide area and hope to have at least one lane cleared today. Depending on the condition of the underlying road, crews will determine whether or not further repairs are needed before traffic can safely travel through the area," Torgerson said.

U.S. 101 remains closed from mile post 23 - 24, between its junction with U.S. 26 and Seaside, because standing water is creating a safety concern. Torgerson told Salem-News it is an idea the agency watches closely during periods of adverse weather.