Wyden and Merkley Announce Resolution Condemning Pardons of "Insurrectionists"

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon announced they have joined 47 of their Senate colleagues to introduce a resolution condemning the pardons of individuals found guilty of assaulting Capitol Police Officers on January 6, 2021. The resolution follows the move by President Donald Trump -- on the first day of his second term -- to grant full and unconditional pardons to more than 1,500 people charged with committing crimes in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol, and to commute the sentences of 14 others -- including leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers -- along with other far-right militia groups. Among those pardoned by Trump were 169 people who pled guilty to assaulting police officers on January 6th. During the siege of the Capital that day, more than 80 US Capitol Police Officers were assaulted along with 60 officers from the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department. Wyden said "Trump encouraged that assault four years ago and last week acted shamelessly to rewrite this bloody history by throwing open the prison gates and letting these violent criminals walk free out on the street." He said "Congress cannot let this unprecedented attack go unchecked." Merkley added that "these shameful pardons disrespect the rule of law, our democracy itself, and the brave men and women serving in law enforcement across America." ...Read more

Disability Rights Group Sues Grants Pass for Closing Largest Homeless Campsite

A disability rights advocacy group has filed a new lawsuit to halt the city of Grants Pass from closing one of two sanctioned homeless camps and restricting the hours of the other. The Oregonian reports the suit is the first major case following last summer's US Supreme Court ruling that found public camping restrictions in Grants Pass did not constitute "cruel and unusual punishment." Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregon Law Center joined to represent five people, ages 47 to 66, who live with disabilities, ranging from arthritis to vertigo. Since August, the Grants Pass City Council had required all homeless people to stay at one of two sites in the city. But on January 7th, the Council decided to restrict camping further, voting to close the larger of the two sites, known as the J Street site. City staff estimated that roughly 120 tents were at the location. At the same time, the council restricted the hours at the much smaller remaining camp on 7th Street to overnight camping only. The site holds roughly 30 tents and often is full, according to the suit. Disability Rights Oregon contends that the closure of one of two acceptable camping sites violates state law and is not "objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner." ...Read more

New Marine Board Boating Operation Rules for Upper Rogue River Start Saturday

The Oregon State Marine Board approved new rules for boat operations on the Upper Rogue River during its quarterly meeting last week and the new rules go into effect tomorrow, February 1st. The rules approved January 23rd state that motorized boats over 15 horsepower cannot be used above Dodge Bridge County Park on the main stem of the Rogue between Fishers Ferry County Park and Lost Creek Dam. Charter boats cannot operate upstream of the Table Rock Road Bridge and they may only operate between Table Rock Road Bridge and Fishers Ferry County Park between May 8th and September 10th. The rules include a recommendation from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife to restrict a motor over 15 horsepower during low water flows to protect spring Chinook salmon. Temporary signs are being installed today at several boating access sites. The Marine Board will ramp up education and outreach efforts during the first year of rule implementation. The board will review the new rules after one year. ...Read more