Marion County

Marion County judge warns she may start forcing public defenders to take more cases

Marion County's garbage went to the state’s only waste incinerator for decades. As of January, it’s going to the Coffin Butte Landfill, which is dealing with issues of capacity - and methane leaks.

On Wednesday, a state court ruled against a proposal for a new dam in rural Marion County has drawn criticism from wildlife advocates.

A group of public defenders from Marion County asked the Oregon Supreme Court whether trial court judges can force an attorney to take an indigent defendant’s case. The justices will have to balance the legal protections for a person charged with a crime against the ethical obligations of a public defender.

Wildfire victims and their advocates say the PacifiCorp ruling is a lifeline after nearly three years without enough insurance money, emergency funding or government support for people who lost everything and are struggling to start over.

In a preliminary ruling, the Oregon Supreme Court found a state court judge erred by forcing a public defender to take a new client, over the objections of the lawyer's employer.

Much of the Santiam Canyon wilderness areas have reopened after being heavily damaged by wildfires in recent years, but many access points remain closed.

In a matter of weeks, a wealthy Portlander named Aaron Boonshoft, largely unknown in progressive political circles, has become the largest financial backer to challengers hoping to unseat district attorneys in Washington and Marion counties. He's also backed a measure that would decriminalize sex work in Oregon.

As showers approach Oregon from the west, significant rain is predicted to start falling across the northern part of the state Friday night – and one emergency management office is asking its community to be extra prepared.

Home sales in the central Willamette Valley saw a remarkable jump in November.