Connect with us

Oregon

Federal judge upholds Oregon gas tax argument submission deadline

Published

on

Federal judge upholds Oregon gas tax argument submission deadline


play

Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read will not have to accept arguments on the gas tax referendum that were not submitted by the state’s March 12 deadline, a federal judge decided.

U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon’s March 20 ruling is a second blow to the referendum’s chief petitioners: Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Ed Diehl, R-Scio, and Jason Williams, founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon, whose attempt to keep the vote in November was shot down in Marion County District Court.

Advertisement

The litigation by supporters of the gas tax referendum began after Democratic lawmakers passed, and Gov. Tina Kotek signed, Senate Bill 1599 to move the vote on the gas tax and other transportation costs from the November election to May.

Submitting arguments for the voters’ pamphlet required paying $1,200 or the collection of 500 signatures.

The gas tax referendum leaders’ federal suit, joined by four individuals and unidentified people whose signature submissions were not accepted for the ballot, argued Read violated the First and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution and the Americans with Disabilities Act by enforcing the deadline for voters’ pamphlet submissions.

The lawsuit mirrors another suit Simon heard March 11. In those arguments, ahead of the deadline, Simon found there was a potential ADA problem because someone without disabilities would have two pathways to submit signatures, where someone who could not physically collect signatures would only have one.

Advertisement

Simon allowed Mary Martin, a disabled and low-income woman, to submit her argument without the signatures or paying the fee, but noted she must still meet the deadline.

The ruling has no effect on the 35 arguments that are already included in the voters’ pamphlet.

Simon declined to allow the submissions that missed the deadline to be added to the pamphlet in part because only one plaintiff stated they were disabled and none, he said, clearly outlined the extent of their financial situations.

“The Legislature interfered with the referendum process, changed the rules midstream, and 52 Oregonians lost their voice. And today, the court sided with the political class over the people,” Diehl told the Statesman Journal.

Advertisement

In a statement, Read expressed appreciation for the speed of the decision and urged Oregon voters to be on the lookout for voters’ pamphlets and ballots in the mail.

Voters will weigh in on whether to increase the gas tax and other transportation costs in the May 19 election.

A written decision from Simon was expected later on March 20.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.



Source link

Advertisement

Oregon

Oregon Lottery Pick 4 results for April 30

Published

on


The Oregon Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at April 30, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 30 drawing

1PM: 7-1-4-0

4PM: 1-4-7-0

Advertisement

7PM: 7-0-6-4

10PM: 8-5-1-3

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

When are the Oregon Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 7:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 7:59 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 4: 1 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily.
  • Win for Life: 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
  • Megabucks: 7:29 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Oregon editor. You can send feedback using this form.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Oregon

Oregon man pleads guilty to 1979 Boston murder of young woman

Published

on

Oregon man pleads guilty to 1979 Boston murder of young woman


Crime

Susan Rose’s older sister presented a victim impact statement during Wednesday’s hearing and described her as adventurous, intelligent, and motivated, with dreams of becoming a lawyer. 

A man from Oregon pleaded guilty Wednesday to a 1979 murder in Back Bay, a crime he confessed to in 2023, authorities said. 

John Irmer, 71, was charged with first-degree murder of 24-year-old Susan Rose, whose body was found in an apartment at 285 Beacon St. on Oct. 30, 1979, according to a statement from Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden. 

Advertisement

In August 2023, Irmer confessed to the murder at an FBI field office in Portland, Oregon. He initially spoke with federal authorities twice, each time admitting to the crime, before Boston Police Homicide Unit detectives traveled to Oregon to interview him, according to a 2023 statement of facts filed with the court.

Irmer told detectives that his decision to confess stemmed from becoming sober and “finding Jesus” after serving a lengthy prison sentence for a separate murder conviction in California, the statement of facts noted. 

Headshot of Susan Marcia Rose, victim of a 1979 murder in the Back Bay. – Suffolk County District Attorney’s office

Irmer described meeting the victim, identified as Rose, in Boston around Halloween 1979 while she was arguing with her boyfriend, court records indicate. 

After visiting Rose’s basement apartment and walking around Back Bay, Irmer and Rose stopped at a house under construction. As Rose walked up a set of stairs inside the house, Irmer struck her in the head with a hammer “so hard that he believes that he killed her instantly,” according to court documents. 

Irmer also confessed to sexually assaulting Rose after killing her, authorities said. 

Advertisement

After the murder, Irmer admitted to stealing Rose’s wallet, taking the cash, and discarding the remainder of the wallet into the Charles River before traveling by bus to New York. 

Irmer additionally confessed to committing another murder in a southern state, which authorities from that state are investigating. He also admitted to shooting someone in a different southern state, though he was uncertain if that victim died, according to court documents. 

“Irmer repeatedly stated that he wanted to do what was right and cited his finding Jesus and feeling bad about what he had done for his reason for confessing and wanting to plead guilty immediately,” the statement of facts noted. 

First-degree murder carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. 

A different man was initially arrested for Rose’s murder but was ultimately found not guilty, according to Hayden. In 2005, a DNA profile was developed from sperm cells located on a broom that had been found inserted inside Rose’s body, and the person previously arrested was excluded as the source of the sperm found on the broomstick. 

Advertisement

Rose’s older sister presented a victim impact statement during Wednesday’s hearing, Hayden said. She held a photo of Rose from first grade, saying she wished to remember her that way.  

Rose was described by her sister as adventurous, intelligent, and motivated, with dreams of becoming a lawyer. 

Susan Rose’s body is removed from second story apartment after being discovered by a construction worker. – George Rizer

“All of this was taken from her … Susie never got to finish school, get married, or have her own children,” she said. “She never got to see all the places she wanted to visit, meet new friends, or have new adventures. Her life was cut short at the age of 24.” 

Rose’s sister explained how the murder profoundly impacted her family. 

“My parents were never the same after Susie’s murder,” she said. “Though they lived long lives, they were never truly happy or at peace.” 

Mourning the loss of her only sibling, Rose’s sister shared her personal grief, saddened by the fact that her daughter would never have the chance to meet her aunt. 

Advertisement

“I am relieved that there is some closure to this nightmare,” she said. “I truly hope that John Irmer understands what he did because I will never forget.” 

Following the hearing, Hayden commended the investigators on the case. He also addressed Rose’s family, saying “The answers for Susan Rose’s sister and friends finally came today, though after a very long and sad period of time. I hope other families affected by John Irmer’s murderous behavior find similar answers.” 

Sign up for the Today newsletter

Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading

Oregon

Texas teaching pro takes title at PGA Professional Championship in Oregon

Published

on

Texas teaching pro takes title at PGA Professional Championship in Oregon


BANDON, Ore. – It was the kind of beautiful shot golfers dream about. Pure contact, the ball soaring against a blue sky and sliding just a touch a right before touching down on the green near the flagstick on the closing stretch at iconic Bandon Dunes Golf Resort. And it was all propelled by a late bathroom break and a quick walk back into the fairway that left little time to overthink a pressure-packed situation.

This particular shot, an 8-iron from 173 yards, had significant meaning. Jesse Droemer, a teaching professional at Riverbend Country Club near Houston, was tied for the lead through 16 holes in Wednesday’s final round of the PGA Professional Championship. His lead had been as many as three during the back nine, but he had been run down by Ben Kern. Droemer needed to make something happen.

Advertisement

On No. 17 of the resort’s Bandon Dunes course, Droemer faced a challenging shot into the green with the flag tucked on the left behind a knob as strong winds blew off the left. He nailed that 8-iron to within birdie range. He missed the putt and settled for a par, but that proved to be enough. Kern, playing in the final group behind Droemer, soon after landed his approach on the right side of the putting surface and watched the ball slide off the green into the rough. Kern’s ensuing bogey gave Droemer a one-shot lead, and after both players parred the 18th, the title was Droemer’s.

Advertisement

Jesse Droemer won the 2026 PGA Professional Championship at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.

What were Droemer’s thoughts as he left the 17th tee on his way to what would prove to be the tournament-deciding shot? Probably not what you would think, as Droemer explained after receiving the trophy.

“Well, honestly, I had to use the restroom so bad, I had to run from the tee over to the Porta Potty that was like 200 yards away,” Droemer said with a smile. “[Caddie Carl Everts] got the number, and I said, ‘Give me a yardage,’ and he had it, and I just stepped up and hit the shot. No time to think, just react. I do think that was one of the shots of the tournament, for sure.”

Advertisement

After nearly holing a 77-yard approach shot into the par-5 18th that set up the winning par, Droemer finished with a 2-under 70 in the final round, good for a 4-under total of 283. Kern, of South Bloomfield, Ohio, shot 71 in the final round to finish in second place at 3-under. Michael Kartrude of Royal Palm Beach, Florida, was third after a closing 70 and a 2-under total. It was the second straight day of strong breezes that at times surpassed 20 mph, causing havoc for club selection and making it tough to hole putts of any length.

Advertisement

“I was just embracing the challenge,” said Droemer, 34. “I knew it was gonna be windy. I knew the conditions were gonna be tough, and I was just really was trying to embrace the elements. And, you know, I’m glad it was windy. I’m glad it was playing hard.”

Droemer, Kern, Kartrude and 17 other players now have a new challenge: the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14-17. The top 20 from the PGA Professional Championship qualified for the major in Pennsylvania. It will be Droemer’s third appearance in the PGA Championship, having first qualified via the PGA Professional Championship in 2023 and again in 2025. He missed the cut in both those tries, but the victory at Bandon Dunes inspired fresh confidence.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending