Oregon, Eugene | featured news

Southern Utah distance runner Cam Levins and LSU sprinter Kimberlyn Duncan were named the 2012 male and female winners of The Bowerman on Wednesday.

PORTLAND — Gov. John Kitzhaber and athletic-wear giant Nike Inc. agreed Wednesday to a 30-year deal that promises Nike will only be taxed on its in-state sales. Nike requested the deal while it plans a $150 million expansion and 500 or more jobs.

A Eugene man was sent to prison for eight years Wednesday for a string of theft and forgery crimes involving bad checks and phony car deals.

University of Oregon folklorist Daniel Wojcik is on the Yucatán peninsula to experience the end of the word, if it comes as predicted by a reading of the Mayan long-count calendar, at 3:11 Friday morning, Pacific Standard Time.

Oregon’s attempt to reach a plea agreement with the NCAA over possible violations committed by its football program has failed, according to a published report. Yahoo Sports reported Wednesday that the UO athletic department and the NCAA reached an impasse in negotiations related to potential violations committed by the Ducks.

PORTLAND — A spokesman for Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber says the governor “sees no reason for civilians to have assault weapons” and has asked his staff to bring forward a range of options to improve school security, expand access to mental health and address firearms regulations.

A judge sentenced a Saginaw man to 10 years in prison Wednesday for driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a Cottage Grove woman last April. Jeremy Christopher Henry, 33, was convicted of manslaughter, drunken driving and reckless driving in a trial that ended in guilty verdicts last week.

ASHLAND — After a divisive struggle with Southern Oregon University this year over leadership of Jefferson Public Radio, a foundation that supports the radio system is regrouping. The JPR Foundation has put on hold plans for a Medford headquarters for the sprawling broadcast operation.

ALBANY — Marion County has settled with most of the people it sued after an unauthorized outdoor rave in July, officials said. Sheriff’s deputies and Oregon State Police troopers responded to numerous complaints about loud music, traffic congestion, parking problems and rowdy participants during the event outside Jefferson.

State transportation officials today will consider whether to pump tens of millions of dollars more into the trouble-plagued Highway 20 Pioneer Mountain/Eddyville project. Officials will also consider scrapping the project and instead trying to straighten or widen the existing Highway 20 route.