• Oregon's parkland grows
Near the California border, cone-shaped Eight Dollar Mountain is one of the most important botanical hot spots in Oregon.

• Judge angrily scolds court, and it responds
It was unusual enough when a high-level federal judge -- who is the brother of Sen. Gordon Smith -- blasted his own court for decimating the Northwest logging industry with "blunderbuss" rulings that went way too far.

• Mayor focuses on public amid personal turmoil
GRESHAM -- Mayor Shane Bemis greets U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith outside a popular coffee shop for a tour of Gresham's historic downtown. An entourage of cameramen and reporters crowd around.

• Rosary a gang sign? Some schools say so
ALBANY -- Never did Jaime Salazar imagine that wearing a rosarylike crucifix to school would provoke a national stir.

• NOAA has eye on Newport, Astoria
NEWPORT -- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is looking for the next home port for its Pacific fleet, and at least two Oregon communities are in the running.

• Away from food, 'closer to God'
At an age when eating with friends is a highlight of their school day, some teens are excited about their first sacred fast.