Probe to look for ethics violations in Morrow County
One Morrow County commissioner, two Port of Morrow commissioners and the port’s former general manager are under investigation for ethical violations. The state’s Government Ethics Commission plans to examine the four officials to determine if they used their positions to benefit themselves as owners of the fiber optics company Windwave, which provides fiber-optic services to Amazon data centers in Morrow County. The commission voted to conduct the full investigation after a preliminary review of a complaint on Commissioner Don Russell, port Commissioners Marv Padberg and Jerry Healy and retired Port General Manager Gary Neal. The complaint alleges the four violated their ethical obligations to violate conflicts of interest and abstain from taking part in deals involving Amazon data centers. (Phil Wright/East Oregonian)
Temporary ban on new hemp growing licenses likely to continue in Jackson County
Jackson County’s moratorium on issuing new hemp growing licenses appears likely to continue through next year. On Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously declared a local state of emergency about cannabis Tuesday, paving the way for extending this year’s ban on such licenses. Under state law, county commissioners must annually declare a state of emergency in order to ask the state government not to issue new hemp-growing licenses within their counties for up to a year. An explosion of hemp and marijuana grows in Southern Oregon has overwhelmed regulatory agencies and law enforcement. Southern Oregon busts at illegal hemp and marijuana grows and criminal investigations have revealed assaults and murder, millions of gallons of water theft in a region hard-hit by drought and numerous other challenges in the region. (Vickie Aldous/Medford Tribune)
Lillard passes Drexler as Blazers all-time leading scorer
A free throw with 1:33 left in the third quarter of Monday night’s game against Oklahoma City propelled star point guard Damian Lillard to the top of the Portland Trail Blazers’ all-time scoring list. The 32-year-old guard surpassed Clyde Drexler, an All-Star guard and longtime fan favorite. Drexler scored 18,040 points in 11.5 seasons with Portland, Lillard is now at 18,042. This year is Lillard’s 11th season in the NBA, all with the Blazers. Lillard finished the game with 28 points, but the Thunder won 123-121. The Blazers are currently 17-13 and have won six of their past eight games thanks in part to Lillard’s recent hot shooting. The team plays two more road games before playing Charlotte at home on Monday, Dec. 26 at 7 p.m. (Austin White/Portland Tribune)
Baker County gas prices now highest in Oregon
Gas prices have been dropping at the state and national level this month, but that’s a small consolation for the folks in Baker County. According to AAA auto club’s latest gas price data, Baker County now has the highest average gasoline prices among the states’ 36 counties. The county moved up the list after sitting at number two for some time behind Curry County. The average gas price in the county is now $4.62 a gallon. In Oregon, the average price dipped by 81 cents over the past month from $4.64 to $3.83. In Baker County, the price only dropped by about 18 cents. (Jayson Jacoby/Baker City Herald)
John Day’s city manager position vacant once again
For the first time in over six years, John Day finds itself without a city manager. Interim City Manager Corum Ketchum submitted his resignation to the Eastern Oregon city on Wednesday, Dec. 14, ending a stint as interim city manager. Ketchum had been hired in early March as the city’s community development director. He became city manager after the resignation of former City Manager Nick Green who stepped down in the summer after serving in that role for more than 5 years. Mayor Ron Lundbom said that Ketchum’s resignation has left the city with a very limited number of people with the authority to sign checks in order to cover payroll and pay the city’s bills. (Justin Davis/Blue Mountain Eagle)