Kitzhaber Europe trip — Gov. John Kitzhaber is traveling to Europe next month to promote Oregon as a tourism destination and meet with business leaders and government officials. Kitzhaber’s office announced Friday that he’ll travel to Amsterdam and Berlin, leaving March 3 and returning March 9. In the Netherlands, the governor will tour a Nike logistics center and discuss clean technology with industry executives. In Germany, Kitzhaber will meet with tourism officials, a Daimler executive and an official from the Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
Ashland thinning — The city of Ashland plans to thin a forest tract it owns and has approved a contract of up to $335,000 for a helicopter company to remove the timber. City officials say the time is right for the long-planned project: A federal grant came through and the improving economy has meant higher lumber prices. The Ashland Daily Tidings reports the city owns 160 acres amid U.S. Forest Service land. Columbia Helicopters is working on a multiyear effort to thin thousands of acres surrounding it.
Suspended chiropractor — A state board has recommended a two-year suspension for a Roseburg chiropractor after an investigation concluded that he inappropriately touched four female patients. The Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners alleges the incidents occurred over a seven-year period beginning in 2005, the Roseburg News-Review reported. One woman reported she sought professional counseling after Donald Reneau touched her inappropriately on more than one occasion. Reneau, 61, said he would fight the accusations and continue seeing patients while seeking a hearing.
Murderer released — A man convicted of murder in the 1993 slayings of two women in Portland was released from prison Friday. Scott William Cox, of Newberg, was sentenced to 25 years. With time off for good behavior and credit for time spent in jail, his term is up. The Oregonian reports the 49-year-old is being moved to the Yamhill County Jail and will live in subsidized housing while he looks for work.
No canine flu — The Willamette Humane Society is reporting there was no outbreak of canine influenza at its Salem shelter. A two-week quarantine took effect earlier this month after veterinarians found three suspected cases of canine influenza in a litter of puppies that arrived Feb. 1. However, tests performed by the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine found no sign of the virus. Veterinarian Jacqueline Harter says the quarantine will remain in effect for about another week as a precaution.
— From wire reports
