Salem bridge — The group choosing a design for a proposed third bridge across the Willamette River in Salem has gone with concrete instead of steel. The Statesman Journal newspaper reports the concrete design is more expensive than a steel girder bridge, but the Salem River Crossing Oversight Team said it would require less maintenance. The design consists of two side-by-side bridges, providing for two lanes of traffic in each direction north of downtown. The newspaper reports that a plan to finance the project is among the issues to be resolved. The cost of the river crossing project is expected to exceed $300 million.

Lakeview biofuels — The federal government has announced that a biomass plant to be built in Oregon will produce fuel for the U.S. Navy and Marines. The Capital Press reports Red Rock Biofuels will use debris from logging or thinning operations to produce fuel at the facility in Lakeview. It was one of three firms selected for the project, which is intended to produce a combined total of 100 million gallons annually at an average cost of less than $3.50 a gallon. It is also expect to generate 50 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fuel. The Bend Bulletin newspaper reported earlier this year that Red Rock Biofuels had received a $4.1 million Defense Department grant for a plant engineering and design study. Dan Shoun, chairman of the Lake County Board of Commissioners, told the Capital Press he’s cautiously excited about the project that would create jobs in the rural county.

Wolves attack — The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says wolves killed eight sheep and injured two flock protection dogs in northeast Oregon. The agency told the Capital Press newspaper in a statement that it’s the first time protection dogs have been hurt by wolves. The attacks occurred Monday night and Tuesday night on public land. The wolves were from the Mt. Emily pack, one of eight documented packs in Oregon. The sheep producer has not been identified. The agency says it’s working with the producer to prevent further attacks and will coordinate with other area livestock owners.

Willamette algae — State health officials have confirmed the presence of toxic blue-green algae in the Willamette River near downtown Portland. The Oregon Health Authority says an advisory recommending that people and pets stay out of the water stretches from Ross Island to the south end of Sauvie Island. No public drinking water comes from the portion of the river affected by the algae blooms. Accidental swallowing of the water might cause diarrhea, nausea and cramps. There’s no estimate for how long the health advisory will remain in effect. Late summer is the peak time for algae bloom advisories, and six have been issued in Oregon so far this season. The record is 22, set in 2010.