KWSO News for 12/3/19

Marion County has rejected an application for a $15.5 million hemp drying and oil-processing facility proposed for a 37-acre farm in Turner, Oregon. The Statesman-Journal reports that Jupiter Pharma, an Illinois company registered in Delaware, had asked the county for a conditional-use permit to build the factory on property zoned for exclusive farm use.

A newly developed “Sophisticated scanning technique” by researchers at Oregon State University bring them one step closer to curbing osteoarthritis by providing the first ever complete look at what’s happening to joints with the condition at the cellular level. Osteoarthritis is a condition where the joints deteriorate and affects more than 50 million American Adults. According to the Bend Bulletin the imaging for arthritic joints and the ability to quantify any change was restricted because of factors such as damage to samples being scanned with methods that relied on high levels of radiation. But now, with their new imaging method, the researchers can see complete, deep tissue layers. The group has been studying the changes in mice, but they hope the new ability to see osteoarthritis at the cellular level will lead to potential therapies for osteoarthritis to help people avoid joint replacement.

A small southern Oregon town plans to enhance its diminished police presence by installing eight security cameras that a group of vigilant volunteers will monitor. City Recorder Rebecca Patton told The Oregonian/OregonLive Monday that Cave Junction’s mayor and City Council recently approved the public safety proposal and are awaiting final authorization from Josephine County, which would provide the bulk of the project’s funding. Declining timber revenues in the county and other parts of rural Oregon have triggered dramatic budget cuts in recent years, including in local law enforcement agencies. Voters have repeatedly rejected ballot measures that would increase taxes to fund police. Sheriff’s deputies currently patrol Cave Junction during the day Monday through Friday. For several years the town has relied on a watch group made up of volunteers who haven’t had any type of background check to help thwart crime at night. Patton says the town would likely require background checks for any citizen who monitors the cameras.

In Sports: In Primetime Monday Night NFL Action, Rashaad Penny scored one touchdown rushing and one receiving, Russell Wilson hit David Moore for a 60-yard TD pass, and the Seattle Seahawks built a big second-half lead before holding off the Minnesota Vikings for a 37-30 win. Seattle moved into a tie with San Francisco atop of the NFC West but holds the tiebreaker pushing San Francisco down to a wild card spot for now. It has the inside track to the division title with four games left. Minnesota fell one game behind Green Bay in the NFC North. Local Sports: the Warm Springs K-8 Boys basketball will be in Sisters today, games starting at 4pm.