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Panel Discussion Tonight on Measure 37 And Land Use Planning

Measure 37 requires governments to pay landowners for property value losses caused by regulation, or to forgo regulations.

(SALEM) - The League of Women Voters of Marion & Polk Counties has arranged a panel of speakers to help citizens sort through the complicated issue of land use planning in Oregon and the impact of Measure 37.

Other questions to be addressed are the issues of "transferability" and "regionalization" and what direction land use law will likely take during this legislative session?

Roz Shirack, a former economist at the state legislature and former Salem Planning Commission member will present the League's position on land use and measure 37 issues.

FLASHBACK: White Out Conditions Complicate Journey in Afghanistan`s High Country (VIDEO)

DISPATCHES FROM AFGHANISTAN
A fair share of challenges face every military convoy moving through Afghanistan's high country during a winter storm. When it comes time to chain up a Humvee, you know it’s serious.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - It has been a cold winter for Oregon Guard troops in Afghanistan and as Tim King tells us in this next report, travel through the country's mountains on Christmas day nearly ground to a standstill.

Our group of nine U.S. and Afghan Army trucks was on day two providing security for officers who were visiting a number of remote mountain forward operating bases.

SNOW WATCH: Snow Showers Will Be Light, if Any, For The Salem-Area Overnight

Stay With Salem-News.com For All The Latest Weather Information As Soon As It Comes In.

(SALEM) - Thursday School Information:
Amity Sch. Dist.: Buses on snow routes.
Yamhill-Carlton Sch. Dist.: 2 hour delay. No AM kind.
Newberg: 2 hrs late, no AM kind, all buses on snow rt, no service to Viewmont in Dundee.
Willamina Sch. Dist.: Buses on snow routes AM & PM.
Estacada Sch. Dist.: CLOSED
North Marion Sch. Dist. 2 hour delay; no AM kind or Pre kind. Aurora, snow route to Main; Deer Creek, snow route to Boones Ferry.
St. Paul Sch. Dist. 2hrs late, no AM preschool
Colton: CLOSED
Molalla River: 2 hrs late
Dallas: Buses on snow rts
Spirit Mountain Casino: Morning Shuttles Canceled, evening buses running as scheduled.

Op Ed:
The Oregon Game Goes ON...
And ON...And ON...
With NO Consequence

Great Opportunity May Be Sacrificed For Funds-Deposited

(SALEM) - “Historic occasion” very seldom occurs in rapid-repeat for most political parties. We are seeing that occur constantly right now in regular-order for the Democrats declaring their own “new directions” for Oregon.

This political-drama is playing out right before our eyes, in “the Salem Arena”, with performing parties center-stage enacting anew the bloody dramaturgy of this Ethics Commission remedy-or-renewal.

Oregon Legislature Moves Closer to Annual Sessions

Oregon is currently one of only six states whose legislatures do not meet annually.

(SALEM) - Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley (D-Portland) Wednesday hailed the passage of a resolution that sets a strict deadlines on legislative business and calls for a special one-month legislative session to be held in February of 2008.

The resolution, SCR 1, passed the House with broad bipartisan support on a 46-11 vote.

The resolution expresses the Legislature’s intent to call itself into a special session early in 2008.

Oregon Department of Education to Review Public Survey Results on New High School Graduation Requirements

ODE says response to changes in state high school diploma requirements was positive.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education will present the findings of an unprecedented public engagement process at the State Board meeting on Thursday.

The results cover more than 5,000 responses from 300+ school and community meetings across the state on the details of the Board’s proposal to increase Oregon’s high school graduation requirements.

The report also includes comments from more than 1,000 surveys filled out on the ODE website.

Oregon Bill Would Ban Sale or Transfer of Dangerous Items to Intoxicated Individuals

The bill was drafted in response to an incident in Ontario, where an intoxicated man purchased a gun and took a woman hostage.

(SALEM) - Oregon State Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario) has introduced House Bill 2415 which would ban the sale or transfer of guns, explosives and vehicles to visibly intoxicated individuals.

The measure also prohibits fuel stations from selling fuel to inebriated customers.

Oregon Lawmaker Introduces Bill That Would Make English Oregon’s Official Language

Twenty-eight other states have passed similar legislation.

(SALEM) - Oregon State Representative Donna Nelson (R-McMinnville) introduced HB 2459 Wednesday on the House floor, that would make English the official language of Oregon.

According to the most recent U.S. Census report, there are 138 different languages spoken in the state.

If passed, state, city, and county governments would not be required to provide services or information, such as voter pamphlets, in any other language other than English.

Salem-Keizer School District Launches Career-Related Learning Program

Ready to Learn – Ready to Work is a partnership with local Chambers and the School District that helps prepare high school students for success in college and work.

(SALEM) - A new career-related program aimed at supporting high school students has been developed in partnership with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and the Keizer Chamber of Commerce, the Salem-Keizer School District, and E3: Employers for Education Excellence.

Ready to Learn – Ready to Work, which launches this month, will help students understand why academic success and career skills are important and relevant to their future through a wide range of work-based learning experiences.

Be Aware! Northbound I-5 Exit 282 to Close For Four Months

ODOT plans to hold an open house in April to inform the public about the paving work on the project.

(WILSONVILLE) - The Oregon Department of Transportation will close northbound Interstate 5 Charbonneau District Exit 282 for four months beginning in mid- to late January through late May.

ODOT will post a detour route, directing northbound traffic headed to the Charbonneau area to use the Donald-Aurora Exit 278.

The closure of Exit 282 is part of a project that began in September to remove and replace the two I-5 bridges over Route 551, located just south of Exit 282 between the Charbonneau District and the Baldock Rest Area.