Regional

It's hard not to fall in love with 16-year-old Brandy Marie Starmer of Wallowa.

THE DALLES - The Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division is asking the public's help in identifying the person who shot five hawks last week in Sherman County.

A coalition of 30 Republicans and 1 Democrat in the state House of Representatives blocked approval of Oregon's health insurance exchange today, prompting concern that bills are being taken hostage to leverage other votes in the month-long 2012 Legislature.

A Tri-Cities hearing care practice that's operated more than three decades will expand next month with a new office in Walla Walla.

What better way to celebrate the opening of an indoor play center than by bouncing off the walls?

YAKIMA - For the salads that Don Copp sells at seven Papa Murphy's stores in the Yakima Valley, he opts to purchase romaine hearts and cut and clean them in-house.

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Nationally recognized musician Heidi Muller introduced more than 300 Wallowa County children and adults to the mountain dulcimer last week, spending time in classrooms and at an open house teaching the basics of playing the traditional folk instrument.

Hanford officials have settled on a plan to clean up what may be the most highly radioactive spill at the nuclear reservation.

BURNS - Oregon State Police arrested a Kuna, Idaho, man and his son on drug charges after finding 11 pounds of marijuana in their rented vehicle in Burns last Friday.

SALEM — The severity of state budget cuts comes into sharper focus this week, when economists tell the Legislature how much tax money they think Oregon will collect.

Tucked between the Wallowa and Elkhorn mountains are 650 acres of prime land known as the VP Ranch run by the Martin family; sixth and seventh generation Oregonians. Curtis Martin, the family’s patriarch, is a well-known figure across Oregon as both a rancher and an activist. In December he was appointed president of the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association.

Gov. John Kitzhaber wants sweeping changes in early childhood programs in Oregon to make them better coordinated, easier for the neediest families to access and more focused on preparing youngsters for kindergarten.

Hanford officials have settled on a plan to clean up what may be the most highly radioactive spill at the nuclear reservation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Two collaborative restoration projects on federal forests in eastern Oregon will gain $6 million in funding for 2012 as part of a sweeping strategy announced Thursday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Over 150 diners gathered at the annual Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce dinner and awards program Sunday evening to recognize just a few of the residents who add to the economy and quality of life of Wallowa County.

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Local artists in several different media have launched a new series of art classes for Joseph students in grades 7-12 as volunteers in the Charter Art Program (CAP).

Governor John Kitzhaber announced the nomination of Colette S. Peters to direct the Department of Corrections. The nomination is subject to Senate confirmation.

WALLA WALLA, Wash. — The state has discovered a new infestation of Douglas-fir tussock moths that occurred last summer in the Blue Mountains of Washington and Oregon.

SALEM -- The clock starts ticking Wednesday on the whirlwind 2012 Oregon Legislature and the usual lofty buildup has been replaced by a grimmer, let's-just-get-through-this determination.

English would be named the state's official language if Sen. Don Benton, R-Vancouver, has his way.

Banner Corp., the Walla Walla-based holding company of Banner Bank and Islanders Bank, reported a net income of $5.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to its latest earnings report.

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