“Northwest News: Plan for Oregon City Cabela's on the rocks?; Longer prison sentences for Washington johns and pimps”

Northwest News: Plan for Oregon City Cabela's on the rocks?; Longer prison sentences for Washington johns and pimps

Posted: 21 Jan 2011 08:03 AM PST

Published: Friday, January 21, 2011, 7:06 AM Updated: Friday, January 21, 2011, 8:00 AM

Good morning and welcome to a mid-winter edition of Northwest News, the place to find out what's in the headlines in the Pacific Northwest.

And then there's this potential blow for folks who love to shop and love the outdoors: Cabela's plans to open a store in Oregon City may be in peril.

A divided City Commission took the first step Wednesday toward giving voters power over urban renewal spending -- a move that opponents say will kill plans to break ground this year for a major mall anchored by Cabela's sporting goods.
"If this goes forward, it's goodbye Rivers," warned Mayor Doug Neeley.
It's no idle worry.
The president of CenterCal Properties, developer of the 650,000-square-foot mall, insisted Thursday that company will pull the plug if political opposition and delays continue.
The Rivers generated buzz in the metro area because of an anchor tenant -- Cabela's, a high-end sporting goods store that is like Disneyland for outdoor enthusiasts.
Would CenterCal -- and Cabela's -- walk away?
"In a heartbeat," said Fred Bruning, CenterCal president.
"We can't see putting a lot more dollars into it when the commission is tentative," Bruning said. "It's like going into a bad marriage. Why would you do that?"

Washington has stepped up punishment of people convicted of trafficking or promoting teen prostitution, this morning's Seattle Times reports. The new law, which makes commercial sex abuse of a minor a Class A felony, went into effect in June. Those convicted of the crime can get up to 10 years in prison, up from two, the paper reports. Johns, too, will see stiffer sentences.

"Our hammer got weightier," said Senior Deputy Prosecutor Sean O'Donnell, who estimatd that his office files roughly 40 case a year against alleged pimps who profit from the sale of women and girls.

With the enhanced penalties, Washington has become "a national leader when it comes to punishment for pimps and punishment for johns," O'Donnell said.

-- The Oregonian

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Friday, January 21, 2011