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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Sawyer Paddles sues manufacturer, alleging breach of contract Mahar wins, Hillcrest loses in growth plan for Medford Feds go after Rogue River lawyer for failing to pay $125,000 in taxes Medford police search for suspect who robbed Flamingo's at gunpoint Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Feds go after Rogue River lawyer for failing to pay $125,000 in taxes Medford police search for suspect who robbed Flamingo's at gunpoint Man allegedly tried to burn Medford police officer with lighter Medford driver faces assault charge for hitting skateboarder Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Education SOU student's project tells story of devastating Weed fire South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Environment Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks Stopping fire in its tracks State News Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Wyden's gambit on trade deal pays off Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Oregon families should get $284 in tax rebates next year Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Nita Day Alan Leslie Robins Kathryn "Kay" Blanche White Eva Robarts Donald Kent Hoyt Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Challengers claim crown McIlroy sets course record with 61 Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Two down, one to go for American Pharoah Pirates strong at Skyline district meet Varsity 541 College Sports Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Beavers continue hot streak, trip Cardinal Committee urges switch to 30-second shot clock Even-par round keeps Wu in contention Wu off to fast start in NCAA regional Pro Sports McIlroy sets course record with 61 Two down, one to go for American Pharoah Warriors advance behind Curry Spectacular crashes at Indy raise concerns Brady, union threaten Goodell with lawsuit Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Letters to the Editor, May 15 Where would you put a new Costco? Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Granlund cartoon: Kim Jong Un and snoozing Editorials Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Our View: Abundant water no excuse for waste Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Letters to the Editor, May 12 Letters to the Editor, May 11 Columns Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Kathleen Parker: Defining deity down: Changing others' religion Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories New Arrival: Greta Scott Spangler Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side Anniversary: Leon and Gail Guss celebrate 60 years together 5 local fishing opportunities for summer visitors Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Food Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Page H. 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King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 ... Sawyer Paddles sues manufacturer, alleging breach of contract ... Mahar wins, Hillcrest loses in growth plan for Medford ... Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 ... Sawyer Paddles sues manufacturer, alleging breach of contract ... Mahar wins, Hillcrest loses in growth plan for Medford ... OREGON NATIONAL GUARD Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 14, 2015 at 4:35 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 14, 2015 at 4:35 PM » Social News PORTLAND — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an $85 million jury award to a dozen Oregon National Guard soldiers who said they were sickened from guarding a water treatment plant during the Iraq War. The military contractor Kellogg, Brown and Root successfully argued that Oregon was not the proper jurisdiction for the case. KBR is based in Houston, and similar cases filed by soldiers from Indiana, West Virginia and South Carolina are pending in federal court there. "We are thrilled with the result; it is the right result and we look forward to a successful conclusion to this and all the legacy tort claims that relate to KBR's work supporting the U.S. military in Iraq," KBR attorney Geoffrey Harrison said by phone Thursday. Attorneys representing the soldiers did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The three-judge panel heard oral arguments May 4 in Portland and came back with a surprisingly fast decision. The brief opinion only addressed the question of jurisdiction, and it found an insufficient link between KBR and Oregon. The opinion mentions two possibilities for what comes next, either the case is dismissed and then refiled in an appropriate venue, presumably Texas, or it's simply transferred there. A federal jury in Portland found KBR guilty of negligence following a three-week trial in late 2012. Each of the 12 soldiers was awarded $850,000 in noneconomic damages and $6.25 million in punitive damages. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Papak acknowledged before the trial that the losing side was likely to appeal. KBR reconstructed the water treatment center shortly after the March 2003 invasion while National Guardsmen defended the area. The soldiers said they had respiratory ailments after their exposure to sodium dichromate, a corrosive substance used to keep pipes at the water plant free of rust. Moreover, they feared the carcinogen could cause cancer later in life. KBR witnesses testified that the soldiers' maladies resulted from desert air and pre-existing conditions. And even if the soldiers were exposed to sodium dichromate, they weren't around enough of it, for long enough, to cause serious health problems. The military contractor has had more legal success in its home state than in Oregon. The Texas federal court granted KBR's request for summary judgment on several matters in the case involving Guard troops from other states, including whether KBR was negligent. That has left those soldiers with one pending claim, whether KBR intentionally inflicted emotional distress. "The Oregon plaintiffs should stand on the same shaky footing that their claims deserve and that the other plaintiffs have, based on their legally and factually meritless allegations," said Harrison, the KBR attorney. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted May. 14, 2015 at 4:35 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... 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