Statesman Journal

statesmanjournal.com — The Saxons' tension grows. For weeks, they have worked to learn four challenging a cappella pieces from varied eras. They've risen for extra 6:30 a.m. practices to master sight-reading, the test that can make or break state competitors. Will they win second prize? First? Or ... nothing?

statesmanjournal.com — DETROIT - Three days of off-and-on rain dampened the attendance at this year's Detroit Lake Fishing Derby, but not the enthusiasm of the 900 participants. "We were under the bridge staying dry," Jeff Marvin of Aurora said Sunday about a Saturday downpour that had forced him, along with "six or seven boats" under the Highway 22 bridge leading into Detroit.

statesmanjournal.com — When it comes to appraising antiques and collectors' items, the stories and memories are as varied as the products themselves. Whether it was a dragon head mask used in Chinese New Year celebrations or hand-painted Kama Sutra scenes on thin slices of ivory, appraiser Gary Germer carefully took into account various factors - history, market price, condition, materials - to give clients his best guess on the value.

statesmanjournal.com — Salem Hospital charged $23,057 more to treat patients with certain blood circulation problems than a Portland hospital providing the same medical procedure. On the flip side, Salem Hospital charged $22,131 less than another Portland hospital to treat patients for back problems. The different price tags attached to some of the most common hospital procedures has long baffled those who foot the bill.

statesmanjournal.com — Two years ago, Laurie Shaw, who for years has worked with youths, could not have predicted what a pair of good-fitting shoes could do for a kid. * That a pair of white Air Jordans could make an otherwise tough guy cry. * That some children go to school in shoes that are sizes too small.

community.statesmanjournal.com — Rich Bailey and the Capitol Auto Group Racing team showed off a new paint job on their alcohol dragster last week at ShowBiz. The Rocketeer was so cool that I asked if I could sit behind the wheel and have someone take a photo with my iPhone - for work purposes, of course.

statesmanjournal.com — WINNER: Willamette University President Steve Thorsett. He ordered an immediate review of how the university handles reports of sexual assaults, whether incidents are going unreported and how the university supports survivors of sexual assault. Thorsett's actions follow disclosure of a campus fraternity's degrading social-media comments about women, as well as statistical anomalies that suggest Willamette is under-reporting sexual assaults.