Beaver fossil — A fossilized skull fragment and teeth from a newly described species of beaver that lived 28 million years ago have been unearthed in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in Eastern Oregon. Monument paleontologist Joshua Samuels says the fossils worked their way out of the soil within a mile of the visitor center. He says the find is significant because unlike the other species of ancient beavers found to date on the monument, this one appears related to the modern beaver, a symbol of Oregon found on the state flag. The others all went extinct. Samuels says the animal was less than half the size of a modern beaver and was related to beavers in Asia that crossed the Bering land bridge.

Sea lions — The Port of Astoria is trying a more playful approach to keep sea lions off its docks: beach balls. A Cannery Lofts resident suggested the colorful balls as a deterrent. He says unlike seals, who like to play with the toys, sea lions are afraid of them. By Tuesday evening, beach balls were floating in the moorages of P Dock with only one or two sea lions remaining. Previously, the port used colorful surveying tape, foot traffic and electrified mats to keep the sea lions off docks. In another attempt to keep sea lions at bay, the port will begin using a 36-foot fiberglass orca whale. The whale is an advertisement for Island Mariner, which runs a whale-watching tour out of Bellingham, Washington.

Inmate dies — An inmate who’d been moved to a medical observation cell has died in the Yamhill County jail. The sheriff’s office said the inmate told jail workers of a medical problem Wednesday evening. Early Thursday, deputies saw the inmate in distress and then unresponsive. Emergency workers arrived and determined the inmate was dead. The sheriff’s office didn’t provide details of the inmate’s medical condition. An autopsy is scheduled, and an investigation is underway.

Body found — Authorities say a body has been recovered from Eugene’s sewage system. Police said Thursday the body was in a concrete underground well at a pump station that collects waste from south and west Eugene. Police said the gender hasn’t been determined, and there’s no information about how it got into the well. An autopsy is planned.