Lebanon shooting

The story: Jonathan Christopher Arms, 28, faced charges of attempted murder and first-degree assault after he allegedly shot his friend following an argument in the early morning hours of Monday, July 27. Deputies from the Linn County Sheriff's Office responded to the Lebanon home where Ryan Patrick Savolt, 29, had sustained a gunshot wound to the neck. Savolt was treated at a local hospital and released. Arms said it was an accident.

The latest: Linn County Jail records show Arms was bailed out July 29. Security had been set at $100,000. Arms now faces a charge of second-degree assault, downgraded from the original charge of assault in the first degree. An attempted murder charge remains. Arms is next scheduled to appear in court Monday, Aug. 10.

AnneMarie Knepper

New Albany school

The story: Workers have completed a new school, Timber Ridge, for Greater Albany Public Schools that will serve third through eighth grade students in Millersburg and east Albany. The new school cost just over $22 million and was paid for by the $55 million school bond approved in 2006.

The latest: The ribbon cutting for Timber Ridge School will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at 373 Timber Ridge St., Albany. After the ribbon cutting, tours will be available to those interested. To get to the school from Knox Butte Road, turn north on Clover Ridge Road and drive 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Somerset Drive for about 0.3 miles. Somerset Drive becomes Timber Ridge Street.

Amanda Robbins

Digital TV bill flops

The story: This spring, Congressman Peter DeFazio, D-4th District, introduced a bill intended to help Americans who lost over-the-air television reception when broadcast stations switched to all digital signals in June, as required by an act of Congress. The bill would require cable systems to offer a minimal choice of channels for $10 a month. It also would offer people a subsidy for an upgraded antenna.

The latest: Nothing much has happened 0n the bill. Asked it it was likely dead in the water, a congressional staffer replied: "Yeah, the DTV didn't produce the mass problems the bill probably would have needed to garner major support."

Hasso Hering

Field burning

The story: The Oregon Legislature has banned grass seed field burning in all but a few special areas by the end of this year. For decades Oregon grass seed farmers have burned residue to control pests and disease issues. The ban comes after years of lobbying by groups concerned about the health effects associated with field burning.

The latest: Field burning season started about July 4 and runs through October, according to John Byers of the Oregon Department of Agriculture's smoke management program. Only 8,000 acres have been burned so far this summer. The largest single burn day was Aug. 4, when 2,600 acres were burned. Last year 38,000 acres were burned and this year, 35,000 acres are registered to be burned. Byers expects 50 to 70 percent of the registered acres to be burned over a four to six day period between now and September.

Alex Paul