OSU fossil researcher finds new species of cockroach
An Oregon State University scientist’s study of amber fossils has led to the discovery of a new ancient cockroach species. George Poinar Jr., an Oregon State professor emeritus, identified the species encased in a piece of amber from the Dominican Republic. It’s 30 million years old. “It is well preserved with a yellow cross bar across the wings and a central, vertical, yellow stripe that appears to divide the body into two parts,” he said in a press release issued Monday by the university. “It has long spines, used for defense, on its legs, especially the hind legs.” The finding was unique in part because it is the only cockroach specimen of its variety to be found in amber from the Dominican Republic or anywhere in that region of the Caribbean. (OPB staff)
Oregon forest officials to crack down on illegal tree cutting
Oregon forest officials are trying to crack down on illegal tree harvesting. Jeremy Fields is a protection officer with the Deschutes National Forest. He’s identified dozens of illegal cutting cases including freshly-cut live trees, exceeding the permitted limit of 24 inches in diameter, that were found lying on the forest floor. Some were around 400 years old. “I don’t know if there’s enough education to the general public as to the importance of those trees in our ecosystem,” Fields said. (Jasmine Lewin/KLCC)
Outreach workers fight ‘explosion’ of fentanyl in Clark County
Vancouver Homelessness Response Coordinator Jamie Spinelli said she saw fentanyl use “explode” on the city’s streets within the past year and-a-half. Though there is no official data, Spinelli estimates about one in four people experiencing chronic homelessness in Vancouver is struggling with fentanyl addiction based on her outreach experience with the city’s Homeless Assistance and Resources Team. “There are some encampments that we go to that historically had a high volume of discarded syringes,” Spinelli said. (Kelsey Turner/The Columbian)
City of Medford considers buying stalled project to convert hotel into shelter
The Medford City Council, on Thursday, will consider purchasing the Redwood Inn from the region’s largest homeless services provider, Rogue Retreat. Rogue retreat’s plan to turn the inn into a homeless shelter was stalled in March due to lack of funding. “Rogue Retreat is good at providing homeless services,” Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding said. “I think Project Turnkey — this Redwood Inn — was just a stretch for them in terms of being a capital facilities and renovation expert, which they’re not.” (Roman Battaglia/JPR)
Teen marijuana abuse increased more than doubled in 20 years, OHSU study finds
Calls to poison control centers in the United States related to intentional misuse and abuse of marijuana by school-age children have increased by 245% in 20 years, according to a recent study by researchers at OHSU. Additionally, the study showed that such calls have been more common than those for alcohol for years. Though it’s unlikely someone could fatally overdose on marijuana, doctors say high doses can lead to serious health problems including: anxiety and panic attacks, psychotic thinking and hallucinations. (Max Egener/Portland Tribune)
