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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 19, 2017)
NORTHWEST East Oregonian Page 2A Thursday, January 19, 2017 Bill expands insurance mandate to cover abortions dubbed Obamacare, could intensify pressure to pass the bill. Republicans have made the repeal a first order of business this year. The bill is intended to reinforce and fill in gaps in reproductive health care coverage under Obamacare and to expand those who are eligible for the benefits, said Laurel Swerdlow, advocacy director of Planned Parent- hood Advocates of Oregon. “We remain deeply concerned with what is happening on the national level,” Swerdlow said in a phone interview Wednesday. “This legislation is on no way to be a remedy for political attacks on the Affordable Care Act. This is legislation to establish coverage for reproductive health care for all Oregonians.” For instance, abortion and vasec- tomies, services excluded from the Affordable Care Act mandate, would be covered under Oregon’s legisla- tion. Men, transgender individuals and undocumented immigrants By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau Oregon is joining several other states that are seeking to protect no-cost birth control in case the federal mandate is rolled back as part of a potential repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Most legislation in other states has focused on preserving mandatory insurance coverage of hormonal contraceptives without a patient copay, with some other moderate expansions on the federal act. Oregon’s legislation, however, reaches far beyond the federal law, to include abortions, vasectomies and other services. Oregon’s legislation — the Reproductive Health Equity Act — was in the works well before New York billionaire Donald Trump won the November presidential election. However, Trump’s vow to repeal and replace President Obama’s landmark health care law, popularly Family Forward Oregon, NARAL Pro Choice Oregon, Oregon Latino Health Coalition and Western States Center, Swerdlow said. Sen. Monnes Anderson intro- duced similar legislation in 2015, though it did not include coverage for men, transgender individuals and undocumented immigrants. Bipartisan opposition in the Senate, however, kept her bill from progressing to a vote, she said. Some senators felt covering abortions could be too controversial, Monnes Anderson said. Gayle Atteberry, executive director of Oregon Right to Life, said the anti-abortion organization would oppose the new legislation. “While Oregon Right to Life takes no position on true contracep- tives, we, of course, are opposed to abortion, which always takes the life of an innocent unborn child,” Atteberry said in an email. “Because of the abortion component, ORTL is opposed to (the bill).” would be eligible for the coverage. “All Oregonians need access to full reproductive health coverage for families to thrive, for a healthier state and for a stronger economy,” Swerdlow said. “Working families are under so much strain today, and oftentimes, they have a hard time making ends meet. “What this legislation does is it recognizes that a right without access is not a right at all,” she add, referring to the right to terminate pregnancies. “What we really want is to make sure that all persons have access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care that they need. We don’t always know a person’s circumstances. We aren’t in their shoes.” Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon was one of several advocacy groups that worked on the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, D-Gresham, and Rep. Phil Barker, D-Aloha. Others were the ACLU of Oregon, Asian-Pacific American Network of Oregon, BRIEFLY Ice storm paralyzes parts of Oregon TROUTDALE (AP) — An ice storm shut down major highways Wednesday in Oregon and Washington state and paralyzed towns in the Columbia River Gorge with up to 2 inches of ice at the same time rising tempera- tures in Portland raised the prospect of flooding after the largest snowstorm in years. As temperatures hovered around freezing, Interstate 84 was shut down for about 45 miles in an area north- east of Portland and again farther east due to blizzard conditions. Transportation officials had no immediate plans to reopen the highway connecting Oregon and Idaho. Officials warned Idaho motorists not to head west toward Oregon on the highway where dozens of semi-trucks with no place to go were lined up and double- parked along ramps near the point of the closure. “They just towed me out because they want to clear the road, but I don’t think I-84 is back open,” said Brad Cottle, a trucker who got stuck in the mess and spent the night in his cab. “I’m going to have to go back to the truck stop.” It was the latest weather drama in Oregon, which has days after the overflow ends because of increased bacteria in the water. Officials didn’t yet know how much sewage had over- flowed. Transportation officials also closed part of a Portland street Wednesday afternoon after a landslide. Bonneville, on the Washington state side of the Columbia River, had 2 inches of ice, and Hood River, on the Oregon side, got 1.5 inches, said Andy Bryant, a hydrologist at the National Weather Service office in Portland. Meteorologists compared the scene to severe storms in 1996 and 2004. “That kind of ice accu- mulation is pretty unusual,” Bryant said. “This is a big one.” Billy Graham, 57, was trying to visit friends and family after driving from Texas but was stranded at a Motel 6 along Interstate 84 in Troutdale. He hadn’t been able to get out of his room, even on foot, because of the slick pavement, he said in a telephone interview. “I haven’t eaten in a couple of days,” he said. “You can’t even walk. If you do, you fall down.” AP Photo/Don Ryan A traffic sign Wednesday alerts drivers on Interstate 84 in Troutdale of road closures. been pummeled in recent weeks by intense snowfall and uncharacteristically cold temperatures. Portland, a city more accustomed to mild, rainy winters, was hit last week by a storm that dumped more than a foot of snow in some areas — the third significant snowfall since December. The frigid spell — with temperatures plunging as low as 13 degrees — is the second-coldest since 1941. Temperatures are usually in high 30s and 40s in the winter. Four homeless people have died of exposure in Portland. Schools have been closed for days throughout the state and businesses shuttered. Portland’s streets remained coated with a thick layer of rutted ice for almost a week until Wednesday, when rain began to melt the snow. Portland generally doesn’t use salt on its roads during winter weather but exper- imented with it in specific locations after a storm last month left commuters trapped in their cars for hours. Melting snow and heavy rain caused sewage to overflow in several locations into the Willamette River on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services. People were urged to avoid the river for two Atteberry’s comment raises the question of whether including abortion could sink the bill and doom other benefits such as coverage of birth control without a copayment. “I believe that this year there will be much more pressure to pass this important bill,” said Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland. “I believe that events at the national level will add to that pressure.” The bill’s proponents, including Rep. Barker, said they believe a majority of Oregonians will support coverage of abortion. The Legisla- ture also has a Democratic majority. “This is a bill sponsored by two Democrats, and Democrats are in charge,” noted Rep. Sherrie Stenger, R-Scio, who sponsored an unsuccessful bill last year to ban sex-selective abortions. “That is probably the most salient point in this conversation.” Lawmakers will consider the proposal during their session, which kicks off Feb. 1. Keizer woman charged in son’s strangling death SALEM (AP) — A woman was charged Tuesday in the strangulation death of her 12-year-old son. Amy Marie Robertson was arraigned, charged with aggravated murder and ordered to be jailed without bail. Robertson, 38, was arrested Saturday at her Keizer home after a neighbor pulled back a blanket and found Robertson’s son Caden Berry unresponsive in the home, The Statesman Journal reported. Robertson’s neighbor, Brenda King, 65, told the newspaper she had just stepped out of the shower Saturday when one of her neighbors asked for help to calm down a panicked King said she tried to console Robertson, asking what was wrong. “She said ‘I’m just thinking about my son that died, and I thought she was talking about the one who died in 2011,” King said. One of Robertson’s sons, Colby, died by suicide in 2011 at age 12, the news- paper reported. Eventually, Robertson told King her son was inside the house with a blanket over his head. King entered, thinking maybe Caden was hiding under a blanket, but found him deceased. While King talked with 911 dispatchers, she said Robertson walked to a neighbor to ask for a cigarette. King said Robertson stood outside the apartment complex, smoking, until paramedics and police arrived. Corrections The Jan. 18 story “Hermiston to ask for a bigger slice of county transportation pie” incorrectly stated the city of Pendleton received $87,000 in special transportation funds from Umatilla County. The city of Pendleton received $78,300 and Clearview Mediation, located in Pendleton, received $8,700. The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake in the paper, please call 541-966-0818. Robertson in the yard. Subscriber services: For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255 Didn’t receive your paper? Call 1-800-522-0255 before noon Tuesday through Friday or before 10 a.m. Saturday for same-day redelivery — Founded Oct. 16, 1875 — 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton 541-276-2211 333 E. Main St., Hermiston 541-567-6211 Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed major holidays SUBSCRIPTION RATES Local home delivery Savings off cover price EZPay $14.50 41 percent 52 weeks $173.67 41 percent 26 weeks $91.86 38 percent 13 weeks $47.77 36 percent *EZ Pay = one-year rate with a monthly credit or debit card/check charge www.eastoregonian.com To subscribe, call 1-800-522-0255 or go online to www.eastoregonian.com and click on ‘Subscribe’ East Oregonian (USPS 164-980) is published daily except Sunday, Monday and Dec. 25, by the EO Media Group, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. Periodicals postage paid at Pendleton, OR. Postmaster: send address changes to East Oregonian, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801. Single copy price: $1 Tuesday through Friday, $1.50 Saturday Copyright © 2017, EO Media Group REGIONAL CITIES Forecast TODAY FRIDAY Mostly cloudy Cloudy with a snow shower 42° 29° 37° 28° SATURDAY Some sun, then turning cloudy SUNDAY A rain or snow shower in spots Cloudy and chilly PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 39° 29° 38° 24° 35° 23° HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST 36° 25° 40° 26° PENDLETON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH LOW 48° 21° 42° 28° 63° (2005) -20° (1922) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.19" 1.25" 0.93" 1.25" 0.95" 0.93" HERMISTON through 3 p.m. yesterday TEMPERATURE HIGH Yesterday Normals Records LOW 31° 20° 42° 29° 65° (1961) -11° (1930) PRECIPITATION 24 hours ending 3 p.m. Month to date Normal month to date Year to date Last year to date Normal year to date 0.18" 0.79" 0.75" 0.79" 0.51" 0.75" SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today Last New Jan 19 Jan 27 7:29 a.m. 4:43 p.m. none 11:21 a.m. First Full Feb 3 37° 22° 34° 27° Seattle 49/39 ALMANAC Yesterday Normals Records 36° 27° Feb 10 Today MONDAY Spokane Wenatchee 38/24 34/26 Tacoma Moses 50/35 Lake Pullman Aberdeen Olympia Yakima 35/24 38/26 48/41 49/35 39/25 Longview Kennewick Walla Walla 46/40 43/33 Lewiston 41/26 Astoria 41/28 51/41 Portland Enterprise Hermiston 49/37 Pendleton 35/21 The Dalles 40/26 42/29 41/30 La Grande Salem 36/26 51/39 Albany Corvallis 49/39 50/39 John Day 41/29 Ontario Eugene Bend 32/19 50/38 39/26 Caldwell Burns 34/21 32/9 Astoria Baker City Bend Brookings Burns Enterprise Eugene Heppner Hermiston John Day Klamath Falls La Grande Meacham Medford Newport North Bend Ontario Pasco Pendleton Portland Redmond Salem Spokane Ukiah Vancouver Walla Walla Yakima Hi 51 30 39 51 32 35 50 42 40 41 38 36 35 48 50 53 32 40 42 49 42 51 38 38 46 43 39 Lo 41 15 26 42 9 21 38 28 26 29 28 26 24 38 42 44 19 23 29 37 27 39 24 23 38 33 25 W r sn c r pc sn c pc pc pc c sn sn sh r r sn pc c r pc r c pc r pc pc Hi 48 28 36 48 30 32 49 37 36 37 37 33 33 48 50 52 32 39 37 42 40 49 38 36 43 37 38 Today Beijing Hong Kong Jerusalem London Mexico City Moscow Paris Rome Seoul Sydney Tokyo Lo 11 57 40 32 48 24 23 34 25 68 35 W s c s pc pc c s pc pc sh pc Lo 40 18 27 42 15 22 39 27 25 27 23 25 25 36 43 43 24 26 28 37 27 37 27 24 37 29 29 W r sn c sh sn c r r sf sn sn c c sh r r c sf sf r sn r c sn r c sf Lo 12 55 42 34 45 20 22 36 14 68 38 W s s s sh pc sn pc s sf t r WINDS Medford 48/38 Klamath Falls 38/28 (in mph) Today Friday Boardman Pendleton SW 4-8 S 6-12 NNE 4-8 ESE 4-8 UV INDEX TODAY Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. REGIONAL FORECAST Coastal Oregon: Mostly cloudy today with a little rain. Turning windier with heavier rain tonight. Eastern and Central Oregon: Partly sunny today; a bit of snow in the south and upper Treasure Valley. Western Washington: Cloudy today with a bit of rain. A passing shower tonight. A little rain tomorrow. Eastern Washington: Mostly cloudy today; a rain or snow shower in spots in the north. Cascades: A bit of snow with little or no accumulation today. More widespread snow tonight. Northern California: A little rain today; snow, accumulating 1-2 inches in the interior mountains. 0 1 1 1 0 COMMERCIAL PRINTING Production Manager: Mike Jensen 541-215-0824 • mjensen@eastoregonian.com Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day. Fri. Hi 33 67 56 44 74 33 35 53 32 88 43 NEWS • To submit news tips and press releases: • call 541-966-0818 • fax 541-276-8314 • email news@eastoregonian.com • To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News: email community@eastoregonian.com or call Tammy Malgesini at 541-564-4539 or Renee Struthers in at 541-966-0818. • To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries: email rstruthers@eastoregonian.com or visit www.eastoregonian. com/community/announcements • To submit a Letter to the Editor: mail to Managing Editor Daniel Wattenburger, 211 S.E. Byers Ave. Pendleton, OR 97801 or email editor@eastoregonian.com. • To submit sports or outdoors information or tips: 541-966-0838 • sports@eastoregonian.com NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY Fri. WORLD CITIES Hi 33 71 56 44 75 27 35 53 38 77 50 Classified & Legal Advertising 1-800-962-2819 or 541-278-2678 classifieds@eastoregonian.com or legals@eastoregonian.com Advertising Director: Marissa Williams 541-278-2669 • addirector@eastoregonian.com Advertising Services: Laura Jensen 541-966-0806 • ljensen@eastoregonian.com Multimedia Consultants: • Terri Briggs 541-278-2678 • tbriggs@eastoregonian.com • Elizabeth Freemantle 541-278-2683 • efreemantle@eastoregonian.com • Jeanne Jewett 541-564-4531 • jjewett@eastoregonian.com • Chris McClellan 541-966-0827 • cmcclellan@eastoregonian.com • Stephanie Newsom 541-278-2687 • snewsom@eastoregonian.com • Dayle Stinson 541-278-2670 • dstinson@eastoregonian.com • Audra Workman 541-564-4538 • aworkman@eastoregonian.com 0 8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 0-2, Low 3-5, Moderate 6-7, High; 8-10, Very High; 11+, Extreme The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num- ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2017 -10s -0s showers t-storms 0s 10s rain 20s flurries 30s 40s snow ice 50s 60s cold front 70s 80s 90s 100s warm front stationary front 110s high low National Summary: A storm will bring rain and thunder from the lower Ohio Valley to the western Gulf Coast today. The first of three storms will produce drenching rain with moun- tain and inland snow in the West. Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states) High 85° in Marathon, Fla. Low -28° in Antero Reservoir, Colo. NATIONAL CITIES Today Albuquerque Atlanta Atlantic City Baltimore Billings Birmingham Boise Boston Charleston, SC Charleston, WV Chicago Cleveland Dallas Denver Detroit El Paso Fairbanks Fargo Honolulu Houston Indianapolis Jacksonville Kansas City Las Vegas Little Rock Los Angeles Hi 50 69 52 54 41 69 37 46 70 57 45 49 72 51 46 60 -31 39 81 70 50 76 50 54 58 61 Lo 30 60 38 34 32 60 25 32 54 46 38 38 47 30 34 42 -35 34 69 57 44 57 39 41 49 50 W pc c pc pc c t c pc pc pc r c pc s pc s pc s s r r pc c r c sh Fri. Hi 44 71 49 47 38 72 35 42 77 66 46 53 73 41 46 53 -12 39 81 77 57 79 54 50 66 59 Lo 32 60 41 40 25 61 27 34 60 51 41 46 49 23 41 45 -21 34 69 59 48 59 37 41 51 49 Today W pc pc r r c pc c s pc c c r s c r pc pc c pc c c pc c r pc r Louisville Memphis Miami Milwaukee Minneapolis Nashville New Orleans New York City Oklahoma City Omaha Philadelphia Phoenix Portland, ME Providence Raleigh Rapid City Reno Sacramento St. Louis Salt Lake City San Diego San Francisco Seattle Tucson Washington, DC Wichita Hi 53 64 83 45 42 64 74 50 62 48 53 59 40 47 61 39 42 56 50 35 64 57 49 60 57 54 Lo 50 55 64 36 35 57 61 36 38 35 35 48 24 29 45 19 30 47 44 27 55 49 39 46 38 36 W r r s r c r t pc pc c pc sh c pc s s sn sh sh sn r sh r pc pc c Fri. Hi 65 69 83 43 40 69 76 44 64 47 48 57 38 44 60 37 40 53 57 36 62 56 49 54 49 57 Lo 52 56 66 38 35 57 63 40 38 37 41 48 25 32 51 20 31 44 48 27 55 47 38 48 43 32 Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice. W c pc s r r pc pc pc pc c r r s s r c sn sh c sf r sh c r r c
