The same corpse flower, now with 4 times the stink
The corpse flower on Washington State University’s Vancouver campus is blooming for the third time in the past four years. The plant — which has a name, Titan VanCoug — has three clones in the same pot due to an overwatering incident years ago. During this bloom, all four stages of the rare plant’s life cycle will be on display at once. (Griffin Reilly/The Columbian)
Corvallis and Albany newspapers will soon reduce print editions
Readers of the Corvallis and Albany daily newspapers will now get editions on their doorsteps just three days a week. In a recent column, publisher Penny Rosenberg said the Corvallis Gazette-Times and the Albany Democrat-Herald, both started in the 1860s, will be published Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and delivered by U.S. mail rather than traditional carriers. The change began this week. Rosenberg cited variations in news consumption habits, advertising trends, increased newsprint costs and the job market as reasons for the shifts. (Tiffany Eckert/KLCC)
Washington state plans to close Larch Corrections Center in Clark County
Washington state’s Department of Corrections announced Monday it plans to close a minimum-security prison in Clark County. Larch Corrections Center houses up to 240 inmates and employs 115 people. Corrections officials say incarceration levels are on the decline throughout Washington. A spokesperson says the facility is also in need of upgrades and has a difficult location near the extinct volcano Larch Mountain. Corrections officials say they will help workers find new jobs. That could mean going to a facility near Olympia or crossing into Oregon. (Troy Brynelson/OPB)
When to call 911 about fireworks this July 4th weekend
Every July 4th holiday, emergency responders across Oregon and the nation are inundated with calls complaining about fireworks. Any firework that leaves the ground or shoots flames is considered illegal in Oregon without a permit. Many residents take to celebrating the holiday weekend late into the night with legal and illegal fireworks, waking babies and spooking dogs in the process. To help prevent 911 call centers and first responders in Salem from becoming overwhelmed, officials are encouraging people to refrain from calling 911 to report fireworks and instead call either 503-588-6111, ext. 1 for fire, and 503-588-6123 for police. (Whitney Woodworth/Salem Statesman Journal)
OSU-Cascades comes up empty-handed as legislative session ends
Oregon State University-Cascades had plans to build a $60 million health and recreation center at its campus in Bend, which a university VP said would make the school “a true four-year campus.” But the Oregon Legislature gaveled out last week without approving $45 million in state bonds to help pay for it. (Gary A. Warner/Bend Bulletin)