Oregon Unit 1186 demobilization ceremony
The 125 members of the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1186 Military Police Company were welcomed home at a demobilization ceremony at Salem’s Chemeketa Community College on Saturday morning, reported The Oregonian.
The 1186 unit was one of the last deployed from Oregon to Afghanistan, protecting high-profile visitors and mentoring Afghan police.
Clark County jail to be improved
Clark County Sheriff Garry Lucas demanded changes to Clark County jail procedures after four prisoners hanged themselves and there were 19 suicide attempts, all in 2012, reported The Oregonian.
A supplemental budget is expected to be approved next month that will have $545,000 worth of modifications like improved fire sprinkler systems, new shower heads, and increased mental health service hours.
Missing teens near Molalla
Two West Linn male teenagers were reported missing since Saturday after failing to return from a hike at Table Rock, east of Molalla, reported The Oregonian.
Clackamas County Search and Rescue teams began searching for the two teenagers since Saturday night and were unable to find them or their gold 1999 Mazda pickup.
Oregon boating death toll may be highest yet
Oregon state officials fear boating safety as 17 people died in boating accidents this year, and the death toll could rise and break the 1998 and 2006 record of 20 casualties by the end of the year, reported the Statesman Journal.
The Oregon State Marine board mainly records boating casualties, but also includes others like inner tubes, rafts and sailboat incidents. Seventy-seven percent of the boating casualties of the past 15 years didn’t have a life jacket on.
Oregon’s new state Senator
Republican Betsy Close of Albany, Ore. was sworn in as Oregon’s new state Senator, reported the Statesman Journal.
Close will complete Sen. Frank Morse’s remaining two years in the term. By 2014, the seat will be up for election. Morse resigned in September, midway through his third term.
Close was a three-term state representative from Albany from 1999 to 2005.