Fatal car crash deaths rise

The number of people killed in fatal crashes in Oregon has risen by 13 percent from last year.

The Oregonian reported Thursday the total number of deaths on city streets, freeways and county highways was driven up by one of the deadliest crashes in recent state history.

Eight people died this August in a head-on crash in Harney County. Several other multiple-vehicle crashes also took place this summer.

Troy Costales with the state’s transportation safety division said there were 12 more fatal crashes than last year and the number of people killed increased by 37.

The fatality increase comes as more people are moving to Oregon while number of state troopers patrolling the highways remains lower than in 1980.

Momentum on I-5 bridge talks builds

Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek wants to sit down with Washington lawmakers before the end of the year to further discussions about replacing the interstate bridge.

The Portland Democrat said at a transportation forum this week she welcomes a renewed commitment from Washington legislators who appear ready to start talking about replacing the Interstate 5 bridge connecting the two states.

In 2013, Washington declined to pay for its share of the Columbia River Crossing Project. Lawmakers there recently supported a study to investigate what pieces of the project were salvageable. Kotek is the latest Oregon lawmaker to say she’s ready to work with Washington again.

In August, the Vancouver City Council threw unanimous support behind an effort to restart discussions about building a new bridge.

Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney said the two states “need to put the history on this project behind us and begin working together toward the future once again.”

Kotek also wants the I-5 bridge talks to be tied to another touchy big-picture transportation issue: Tolling sections of interstates 5 and 205. The span is the only drawbridge on the I-5 in Oregon, Washington and California.

Cougar search called off

Authorities in Oregon are ending a cougar hunt prompted by the fatal mauling of a hiker earlier this month.

Hunters killed a roughly 3-year-old female cougar on Sept. 14 after its image was captured on a remote camera set up at the spot where 55-year-old Diana Bober’s body was found four days earlier.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife carnivore coordinator Derek Broman said Friday that it’s “highly probable” the animal is the one that fatally attacked the hiker.