Federal prosecutors dropping probe into how Heath Ledger got his painkillers
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal prosecutors have decided not to pursue a criminal case into how Heath Ledger obtained the powerful painkillers that contributed to his overdose death this year, a law enforcement official said Wednesday.

Police round up protesters
BEIJING — At least two women who have protested being evicted from their homes ahead of the Olympics were rounded up and taken to a police station, amid ramped up efforts today by activists to use the games to spotlight their causes.

Plane crash victims still hospitalized
PORTLAND (AP) — The mother and two children injured when a plane crashed into their rented beach house on the Oregon coast are expected to survive, according to a statement released Wednesday on behalf of their relatives.

McCain to discuss potential job losses in Ohio from corporate merger aided by campaign manager
MARION, Ohio (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John McCain is taking up the issue of possible job losses due to the closure of a DHL shipping site in Ohio, the result of a corporate merger aided by his campaign manager during his work as a lobbyist.

Ex-bin Laden driver likely seek leniency
GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba (AP) — Osama bin Laden’s former driver is expected to ask the Pentagon jury that convicted him of a war crime to spare him from life in prison today, his defense lawyers said.

Israel beefs up its mitilary capability
JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel is building up its strike capabilities amid growing anxiety over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and appears confident that a military attack would cripple Tehran’s atomic program, even if it can’t destroy it.

DNA, odd behavior key to FBI’s investigation
WASHINGTON (AP) — Advanced DNA testing led federal investigators to suspect a government scientist in the 2001 anthrax killings. The scientist’s odd behavior, suspicious e-mails and unusual work hours convinced them they had the right man.

Former Oregon bank robbery suspect faults FBI
PORTLAND — Like Stephen Hatfill and Brandon Mayfield, Robert Christie was an FBI suspect — and innocent.

New bill gives tobacco companies a production loophole
WASHINGTON  — A loophole in a sweeping tobacco regulation bill would give the industry a 21-month window to introduce certain new products without first getting federal approval.

Bandon council races contested
Bandon’s city elections may get a bit spicy leading up to the November election. At least three community members will challenge an equal number of incumbents for three council seats.

 NB councilors file for re-election
Half of North Bend’s city council positions, as well as its mayor, is up for re-election, but no one has filed against the four city leaders in the upcoming November election.

Coquille grad among missing firefighters
Edrik Gomez, a 2006 Coquille High School graduate, is one of seven firefighters who went missing in a helicopter crash Tuesday night near Junction City, Calif.

WWII Great Escape veteran dies at 92
LONDON  — Eric Dowling, nicknamed “Digger” for helping excavate tunnels used in the breakout from a World War II German prison camp that became known as the “Great Escape,” has died. He was 92.

One files for Powers City Council
Powers has long been a town for political debate. But when it comes to the November City Council election, there are few people readying for a race.

Candidates likely for four CB city council seats
COOS BAY — It isn’t official yet, but there is a good chance there will be a contested race this fall for the four seats on the Coos Bay City Council.

Plane crash victims still hospitalized
PORTLAND (AP) — The mother and two children injured when a plane crashed into their rented beach house on the Oregon coast are expected to survive, according to a statement released Wednesday on behalf of their relatives.

 Lakeside, Reedsport mayors file for reelection
Lakeside could have a busy race for it’s City Council election this November. That is if all the people who asked for paperwork actually file for candidacy for four open seats.

UO museum breaks ground for new wing
EUGENE (AP) — The University of Oregon’s Museum of Natural and Cultural History has broken ground on a new wing to house more than 500,000 artifacts unearthed by road and public works projects.

Groups seeks money for county WIC program
The Coos County Friends of Public Health are looking for donations for the Coins for Kids Campaign, specifically loose change.

Fish board to meet in Bay Area
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Restoration and Enhancement Board is coming to Reedsport.

Saturday walk to benefit Bay Area foster families
There are 150 children in foster homes in Coos County who have needs foster parents try to meet — both emotionally and financially.

Oregon firefighters presumed dead in crash
SAN FRANCISCO — As many as nine people were presumed dead in the crash of a helicopter that was carrying firefighters over the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, officials said Wednesday.

County jail levy will go to voters
Coos County voters who would like to see more criminals behind bars will have the opportunity to restore some jail space this November, but it will have a price tag.

Juvenile detention center reopens
 Coos County’s Juvenile Detention Center’s Youth Care Center soon will be back in business. The Oregon Youth Authority has agreed to once again place juvenile offenders in the program.

I want to know: Who is fixing the rail bridge?
Q: I saw a barge next to the Coos Bay railroad bridge in early July doing repairs of some sort. Is the Port of Coos Bay doing the work? I thought it decided to postpone repairs after Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad closed the rail line.

Filings trickle in for Coquille, Myrtle Point
The city of Coquille is fishing for candidates for City Council, but so far only incumbents are taking the bait.

Former Oregon bank robbery suspect faults FBI
PORTLAND — Like Stephen Hatfill and Brandon Mayfield, Robert Christie was an FBI suspect — and innocent.