Relegated to the margins of power, the Oregon Republican Party will get a new leader next weekend to take a fresh stab at putting the party on a path back to relevance.
Oregon congressman Peter DeFazio was in town on Thursday. He dropped by to speak with the Roseburg Rotary Club at Kowloon's Restaurant over the lunch hour.
Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-Springfield, faced Republican Art Robinson in November 2010 and likely faces him against this year - if DeFazio beats Robinson's son Matthew for the Democratic nomination to Congress.
In addition to the Springfield facility - which the Postal Service refers to as the Eugene Processing & Distribution Facility - similar facilities in Bend, Pendleton and Salem will close.
On Monday, the Postmaster General proposed cuts that would save money, but affect services in rural areas. One business that could be hurt is weekly newspapers.
Hundreds of Democrats gathered in Canyonville this weekend for the annual Al Flegal dinner. Some big names in politics mingled with Douglas County residents at the event.