Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead
Gov. Kate Brown ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff immediately until the day of interment in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on Feb. 13.
"Justice Scalia provided many years of dedicated service to one of the most consequential institutions of our nation," Gov. Brown said. "On behalf of the State of Oregon, I offer my sincere condolences to the Scalia family."
President Obama will select a replacement for Justice Scalia, as is his constitutional obligation. He has told the Senate he will not allow it to shirk its responsibility to confirm his nominee, and do so promptly, before the November elections. Justice Scalia was an outspoken conservative on the court.
Armed occupation at Malheur Refuge finally ends
February 11 marked the end of a 41-day occupation at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County. The FBI arrested the final four occupiers without incident. Occupants insisted prior to arrest that the residents of the community were in support of the occupation; however, many in the community would disagree. Laurie O'Connor is a librarian for the town and has lived in Harney County for almost three decades. The grandmother and involved citizen expressed the sentiments of many in Harney County by saying she is very relieved that the occupation is over.
The total cost of the event has yet to be totaled. Oregon District U.S. Attorney, Billy J. Williams announced that, "Much work is left to assess the crime scene and damage to the refuge and tribal artifacts. We are committed to seeing the job done and to pursue justice for the crimes committed during the illegal occupation."
