Eugene, Lane County | featured news

COTTAGE GROVE — A man faces charges that include attempted murder after his gun went off during a struggle with a Cottage Grove police officer early this morning. Ronald O’Bannon, 24, is being held in the Lane County Jail in connection with the incident that occurred just after 1:30 a.m.

COOS BAY — A Coos County sheriff’s deputy pulled a Taser stun gun on three teens who allegedly damaged and stole property while in custody at a juvenile treatment center on Tuesday.

PRINEVILLE — Another Oregon sheriff says he would refuse to enforce any new federal gun law he believes is unconstitutional. Crook County Sheriff Jim Hensley said Tuesday he sent the same letter to Vice President Joe Biden that was sent Monday by Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller.

PORTLAND — Portland firefighters used an air bag to spread walls to free an Oregon woman who fell part of the way down a 20-foot wall and got herself stuck between two buildings. The woman spent about four hours in a space 8 to 10 inches wide Wednesday morning.

An Oregon sheriff has sent a letter to Vice President Joe Biden saying his department will not enforce any new gun laws it considers unconstitutional.

A former Bend police captain and his wife stood before a federal judge today and admitted taking part in a multi-million-dollar investment scam that fell apart when the Central Oregon housing market imploded. The guilty pleas by Kevin and Tamara Sawyer came just as their trial in U.S.

Former U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Hugo Black once said: “America has a system of taxation by confession.” Once again, confession season is approaching. To help low- and moderate-income residents with their annual divulgence, AARP Tax-Aide is ramping up its assistance programs.

At the urging of homeless people and activists, the Eugene City Council appears willing to review the city ordinance that makes it illegal for people to sleep in parks and on other city property.

The state is getting ready to set permanent rules for how seaplanes can use Waldo Lake, and Oregon Department of Aviation officials want public input. The department has set a public hearing in Springfield for Jan. 31.

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for December was 8.4 percent, unchanged from November and down from the December 2011 unemployment rate of 9 percent. Total non-farm jobs increased by 2,000 during the month, with the private sector adding 2,300 jobs and government cutting 300 jobs.