A few weeks ago, when Democrats were scrambling to support the “occupy” protests and falsely likening them to the Tea Party movement, polls showed 54% of Americans supported the unruly mobs who said they were protesting corporate greed.   Then came word of mass arrests, tolerance for sex and drug criminals in their midst. Socialist agendas, street blockades, and demands for ‘get out of jail free’ cards.  Support for the ‘occupy’ movement dropped to 37% nationwide.  The latest CNN poll released yesterday shows support for the ‘occupy’ squatters at just 32% nationwide.  Another example of why: the Eugene City Council voted 5-3 to exempt the ‘occupy’ protesters from the city no-camping law–through December 15th.  But, councilors voted that protesters would have to get permission to move their encampment, and its legal status could be pulled if the city manager deems it a danger.  Unclear is whether the protesters, who started camping illegally, would comply with any city directive at any time.  ‘No’ voters on the council questioned the increasing numbers of homeless campers joining the mob (many of whom have violent criminal histories or drug and alc0hol problems) because the no-camping law is still being enforced against them elsewhere in the city.  Organizers expect Alton Baker Park will soon be a muddy mess–to cost taxpayers thousands of dollars to clean up.  They are asking for donations of food, clothing, blankets and tarps to continue the protest through the rainy season.

More and more evidence that the Tea Party rallies of 2009 were not at all like the ‘occupy’ encampments.  Portland Police arrested two people over the weekend at the Occupy Portland camp.  Both were convicted drug criminals.  A 28-year old man was arrested on an outstanding warrant.  A 34-year old woman was arrested on a methamphetamine-related parole violation.  She told police that she was the “resources director” for Occupy Portland.  Regulars said they had no such position–that they prefer no organized leadership at all.  In Eugene, the city council has been told by the city manager to legalize the illegal camp–to grant a waiver from the no-camping law to the ‘occupy’ protesters.  Because Eugene has not enforced the law uniformly, the ‘occupy’ encampment has been swollen by homeless campers, against whom the anti-camping law has still been enforced.  Police say homeless campers—many of whom have drug and violent crime records–have been joining the ‘occupy’ protests around the country for a free, no-hassle place to camp, do and sell drugs, and get free donated food.

Health departments around Oregon are advising people to get flu shots now.  Health officials say everyone except infants less than six months old should get a shot.  They say the same three strains of flu prevalent last year are expected to hit again this year.  Flu shots are available from health care providers and pharmacies.  Linn County says free flu shots may be available this week from Health agencies or soup kitchens in Albany, Lebanon, and Sweet Home.

The first flu case of the season requiring hospitalization has been confirmed by the Oregon Health Department.  A 61-year old Lincoln City woman was treated and has recovered.  The flu vaccine is now available at health care providers, at some local health departments, and at pharmacies.  Health officials recommend a flu shot if you’re a senior citizen, if you have a chronic medical condition, if you are pregnant, or if you live with an infant.  For more information call 1-800-978-3040 or go online to flu.oregon.gov.

A major financial newspaper reports that the price of peanuts has gone from $450 a ton to $1150 a ton in just one year.  Skippy, Jiff, Planters and Peter Pan peanut butter producers have announced wholesale price increases of 25%-to-40%, beginning at the end of the month or next month.  The peanut harvest is short this year, due to droughts in Texas and Georgia, and some farmers rotating out of peanuts due to a glut on the market last year.  Be prepared for hefty price increases for that PBJ.

A couple is being charged with  two murders after being nabbed in California…and there may be a third murder charge.  An alert CHP trooper noticed the 1999 Plymouth Breeze believed to have been stolen from missing 19-year old Lafayette, Oregon man Cody Myers.  It was parked beside I-5 north of Sacramento.  After confirming that the car was wanted out of Oregon, a felony traffic stop took down David Pederson and Holly Ann Grigsby without incident.  The two are wanted for the bloody killing of Pederson’s step-mom in Everett, Washington,  and for the killing of Myers, whose body was found near Corvallis two days ago.  A 2010 Jeep Patriot, and Pederson’s dad are still missing.  Neither have been seen since the Everett murder.

About 15 local, state, and federal agencies are still looking for two people suspected of an Everett, Washington murder, who are thought to have killed or harmed a missing Lafayette, Oregon teen.  19-year old Cody Myers was last seen Saturday, headed to Newport.  However, today, investigators said the body of a young adult male was found in an undisclosed mid-Willamette Valley wooded location. ID and cause of death are pending an autopsy and notification of the victim’s family. Murder suspects David Pederson and Holly Ann Grigsby are thought to be driving Meyers’ white 1999 Plymouth Breeze in the area. They have been reported in Linn, Benton, Polk, and Marion counties.  31-year old suspect Pederson is 5-10, 165, short red hair and hazel eyes, with numerous tattoos on his upper body, and one on his cheek.  He and Grigsby are wanted for the bloody killing of Pederson’s step mother in Washington State.  Additional new information released today indicates that they may have traveled to Oregon in a 2010 black Jeep Patriot with Washington tags, missing from the step mother’s residence.  If you see the suspects or either car, call any police agency.  UPDATE–UPDATE  California Highway Patrol officers located the 1999 Plymouth Breeze being sought and took Pederson and Grigsby into custody north of Sacramento.