LA GRANDE, Ore. (AP) Construction has begun on the new Oregon State Police crime lab in Pendleton.
The Observer reports Fortis Construction Inc. has started work on the foundation of the nearly $1.25 million project.
The city issued a building permit for the 9,500-sq.-ft. (880-sq-m) facility in August.
The state Forensic Services Division operates labs in Bend, Central Point, Pendleton, Portland and Springfield. State Police started planning for a new facility in Pendleton in 2014, but the project faced pushback in the state Legislature over budget concerns.
State Sen. Bill Hansell said State Police did not want to lose a lab in Pendleton, and area lawmakers and prosecutors fought for the lab to stay in the city.
For more information, visit lagrandeobserver.com/.
