Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Our View: Learning to survive ... Techtoberfest event was a rousing success ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Our View: Learning to survive ... Techtoberfest event was a rousing success ... UPDATED: Obama comforts grieving family members of UCC victims Comment By The Associated Press and local reports DailyTidings.com By The Associated Press and local reports Posted Oct. 9, 2015 at 12:50 PM Updated Oct 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM By The Associated Press and local reports Posted Oct. 9, 2015 at 12:50 PM Updated Oct 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Gun-rights activists protest Obama visit » Social News The latest on President Barack Obama's visit to Roseburg, Oregon, following the deadly shooting rampage at Umpqua Community College (all times local): 3:40 p.m. President Barack Obama has departed from Roseburg after meeting for almost an hour with family members of victims of last week's deadly shooting at Umpqua Community College. The presidential helicopter flew from Roseburg to Eugene, where he boarded Air Force One for a flight to Seattle. The White House has not said how many people the president met with at Roseburg High School. Obama told reporters that the public must "come together" to prevent mass shootings, but he said "today is about the families." Obama did not make any public appearances during his short stay in the southwest Oregon town of 22,000. 1:05 p.m. ROSEBURG — President Barack Obama is bringing words of comfort and sympathy to grieving families of victims of the shooting rampage in Roseburg, muting his message about the need for new laws to stem gun violence as he visits an area where firearms are popular. Obama is talking with family members today at the start of a four-day West Coast trip. Eight community college students and a teacher were killed Oct. 1 at Umpqua Community College before the gunman fatally shot himself in front of his victims after he was wounded by police. Dozens of demonstrators had gathered near the local airport to protest Obama's call for strict gun laws. Staunchly conservative Douglas County is bristling with gun owners who use their firearms for hunting, target shooting and self-protection. A commonly held opinion in the area is that the solution to mass killings is more people carrying guns, not fewer. "The fact that the college didn't permit guards to carry guns, there was no one there to stop this man," said Craig Schlesinger, pastor at the Garden Valley Church. Referring to potential protesters, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said: "Those individuals have nothing to fear. The fact is the president has made clear that the goal of his visit is to spend time with the families of those who are so deeply affected by this terrible tragedy." A visibly angry Obama said after the shooting that thoughts and prayers are no longer enough and that the nation's gun laws needed to be changed. Some of the most poignant moments of Obama's presidency have occurred in his role as consoler in chief. He led the grieving in Charleston, S.C., in singing "Amazing Grace." He read the first names of the 20 elementary school students killed in Newtown, Conn., and asked how the nation can honestly say it's doing enough to keep its children safe from harm. This time, the White House says, the meeting is private. Obama was already scheduled to travel to the West Coast when the shooting occurred, and the White House adjusted his schedule to include Roseburg. The shooting has sparked new talk about gun violence, though history suggests that prospects for enacting legislation are highly unlikely. Republican lawmakers are talking about the need to take up legislation designed to improve mental health care. Democrats are pitching the formation of a special committee to investigate gun violence, similar to what the GOP-led House established to investigate Planned Parenthood and the 2012 attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans. "No proposal is going to stop every shooting, but we can come up with solutions that stop some tragedies," said Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of California, the leader of the proposal for a special committee. Earnest has cited requiring background checks for all firearms purchases at gun shows "as the kind of obvious thing that we believe that Congress should do." 12:50 p.m. President Barack Obama has arrived in Roseburg to meet privately with family members and surviving victims of last week's deadly shooting at a community college. The presidential helicopter touched down at the Roseburg airport and a motorcade whisked him to a meeting site. Dozens of demonstrators were gathered near the airport to protest the president's call for strict gun laws. 12:30 p.m. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has released a statement urging caution for those planning to line the streets in Roseburg: "Local public safety and health officials have learned that members of the public plan to line the streets and roads leading to Umpqua Community College in support of the campus and its community in the days leading up to the start of classes on Monday, Oct 12. "The Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon State Police and Community Health Alliance urge the public to stay away from city streets and state highways, especially Umpqua College Road. The shoulders on this narrow road provide essential pedestrian access for residents in the area. Public gatherings and noise near the college are strongly discouraged. "We urge members of the public to not interfere with traffic. Please keep a safe distance from travel lanes on city streets and state highways and consider gathering on private property, with land owner permission, for any public activity." Noon President Barack Obama has arrived in Oregon where he will meet privately with family members and surviving victims of last week's deadly shooting at a community college in Roseburg. Air Force One landed in Eugene shortly before noon. Obama got on the presidential helicopter for a short flight to Roseburg, about 70 miles south of Eugene. Dozens of demonstrators have gathered near the Roseburg airport to protest the president's call for strict gun laws. Obama plans to deliver words of comfort and sympathy to grieving families of victims of the attack that killed nine people and injured nine others before the gunman took his own life. Obama was expected to mute his message about the need for new laws to stem gun violence. Associated Press writers Jonathan J. Cooper and Gosia Wozniacka in Oregon contributed to this report. By The Associated Press and local reports DailyTidings.com By The Associated Press and local reports Posted Oct. 9, 2015 at 12:50 PM Updated Oct 9, 2015 at 3:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501