News Stories Wed., Mar. 21, 2018

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The backlog of sexual assault evidence kits in Oregon is within a year of being eliminated, and the state’s three largest cities expect to finish their own backlogs soon. The Oregon State Police and Multnomah County say that kits are being processed by state labs quickly and labs inside and out of the state are within months of completing testing on thousands of older, warehoused kits that had built up in police custody since 1983. Less than 2,000 are likely left statewide.

The IHS Dental Department at the Warm Springs Health & Wellness Center is planning a Spring Break Kid’s Day, for students of all ages to get exams and fluoride varnishes on a walk-in basis. The Kids’ Day will be on March 29^th 8am-11am and 1pm-3pm. No appointments will be needed. Just check kids in with patient registration, and then proceed to the dental window and check in again there.

On Saturday, Oregonians and people around the country are “marching for their lives” to protest gun violence. At least 17 marches are scheduled across the state in cities big and small, including Bend, Burns, Medford and Roseburg, where a 2015 shooting took place at Umpqua Community College. The largest “March for Our Lives” will take place in Washington D-C, where survivors of the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting will urge Congress to pass gun control measures.The D-C march is being organized in partnership with the group Everytown for Gun Safety. According to the March for Our Lives website, more than 800 sibling protests are scheduled worldwide.

SISTERS (Bend Bulletin) — Kanim Smith and Tyler Lockey combined for 12 strikeouts Tuesday, and Smith’s RBI in the top of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as Madras squeaked past Sisters for a 5-4 nonconference baseball win.

MADRAS (Bend Bulletin) Madras Softball defeated Sisters 14-3. An eight-run first inning propelled Madras to its first win of the season in a game that ended after 41⁄2 innings via the 10-run rule. The White Buffaloes got 10 hits from seven different batters, led by Lizzie Steuart with two hits and two RBIs. Arysta Pineda and Mary Olney also had two hits and each drove in a run for the Buffs (1-2). Jiana Smith Francis pitched all the way for Madras, striking out seven.