Low-elevation snow arrived in western Oregon mostly as expected Tuesday morning, bringing a dusting to a half inch of snow in Salem, Eugene and other Mid-Willamette Valley cities while dropping considerably more in the foothills and mountains.

Most roads remained warm enough to avoid sticking snow and traffic is largely not impacted in the Portland, Salem and Eugene corridor on Interstate 5. South Salem gained about a half-inch of snow and there is some roadside snow along I-5.

Wet flurries are forecast in the higher elevations of Willamette Valley cities and the foothills until about 10…

Eugene passed a bill to restrict natural gas in new residential construction. Learn more here.

By Nathan Wilk (KLCC)

Natural gas infrastructure will be banned in new low-rise residential buildings in Eugene.

City Council passed the surprise resolution 5-3 Monday night, during a discussion on whether to send the issue to the ballot.

Developers will have to use electric appliances and power when building new residences of three stories or less. The ordinance applies to building permits submitted on or after June 30, and it does not affect existing buildings.

Eugene will be the first city in Oregon with…

Oregon is launching an abortion hotline that will offer free legal advice. Learn more here.

By Claire Rush of AP News

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon is launching a new abortion hotline offering free legal advice to callers, moving to further defend abortion access after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last summer and eliminated federal protections for the procedure.

The state’s Department of Justice announced the initiative Monday. It is modeled on similar hotlines launched by the attorneys general of New York and Delaware, as states where abortion remains legal have seen an increase in the number of patients traveling from areas where the procedure has been banned…

Gov. Kate Brown forgives $1.8 million in traffic fines and fees. Learn more here.

By Central Oregon Daily News Sources

Gov. Kate Brown is forgiving some 7,000 Oregonians of their uncollected traffic fines and fees.

The governor issued the order Wednesday for court fines and fees that are associated with certain traffic violations that result in debt-based license suspensions. That’s about $1.8 million in fees.

Impacted drivers may soon seek reinstatement of their suspended license through the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Here is the full announcement from Gov. Brown’s office:

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today issued an order that remitted uncollected court fines and fees associated with certain traffic violation cases…

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Oregon early Friday morning. Find out more here.

By Hailey Dunn of KOIN

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — An earthquake measuring 4.5 magnitude hit off the Oregon coast early Friday morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake struck about 120.6 miles west of Coos Bay shortly before 7:45 a.m. USGS recorded it’s depth at at 10 kilometers — or just over 6 miles.

No tsunami warnings have been issued.

SEE THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE