Chris M Lehman

The Oregon legislative session will likely last well into next week, according to House Speaker Tina Kotek. The Portland Democrat spoke to reporters during a virtual press conference Monday afternoon.

The wife of Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, passed away Friday morning.

Disposable wipes sold in Oregon will soon have to come with a label that says “Do Not Flush.”

The Oregon House voted Tuesday to delay the rollout of the state’s new paid family leave program.

Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, who chairs the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the U.S. House, rolled out his version of a massive infrastructure spending package Friday.

Oregon lawmakers have approved a bill that would allow the state’s Department of Environmental Quality to consider an applicant’s history when deciding whether to issue a permit.

The Oregon Senate Thursday voted down a bill that would have required homeowners associations to allow residents to grow gardens, raise hens, and keep bees.

Transit busses in Eugene and Springfield will soon run without advertisements on them. Lane Transit District is phasing out the use of exterior bus ads starting in July. The agency said with revenue falling, it costs more to run the ad program than it takes in. 

The Lebanon Fire District says life jackets are once again being stocked at three locations along the South Santiam River this summer. The agency says the jackets can be checked out at no charge by following the instructions at the kiosk.

Volunteers monitor the checkout stations twice a week to make sure the jackets are in good condition. The Fire District reminds users that returning a life jacket could save the life of the next person who uses it.

People in Florence have a new option to return bottles and cans for the deposit value. Oregon Bottle Drop has opened a location at the Florence Fred Meyer that allows residents to drop off specially-marked bags.

The contents are counted by staff and the amount is credited to the customer’s account within seven days. Customers can also designate their deposit returns to charitable organizations by using a different bag.

Bottle Drop says it’s the first such location in western Lane County.

With temperatures on the rise, Lincoln County officials say the county will enter a burn ban starting June 1. The restriction applies to debris burns. Recreational fires will still be allowed, although the Lincoln County Fire Defense Board said some areas may require a permit. The ban will be in effect "until further notice."

Last year, the Echo Mountain Complex fire destroyed hundreds of homes in Lincoln County during one of the worst wildfire seasons on record in Oregon.