Here's a list of local issues that have been covered recently in the Gazette-Times and the status of those stories:

Amorous astronauts

THE ISSUE: OSU alumnus William Oefelein, a Naval commander and NASA astronaut, piloted the Discovery to the International Space Station in December. Now he's part of a love triangle in the national spotlight.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR: Last week, a fellow astronaut was charged with the attempted murder of a woman she believed was her rival for Oefelein's affection. NASA astronaut and Navy Capt. Lisa Nowak drove from Houston to Orlando to confront Air Force Capt. Colleen Shipman. Nowak told police both she and Shipman were involved in relationships with Oefelein, an unmarried father of two.

WHAT'S NEXT: Oefelein was scheduled to visit OSU later this month. He was going to give the university a College of Engineering baseball cap and two OSU seals he took into space, and present a signed banner to his fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

In light of recent events, his trip to Corvallis has been postponed. It will be rescheduled "when the smoke clears," OSU officials said.

Benton County DA

THE ISSUE: Benton County District Attorney Scott Heiser resigned Nov. 16, citing ongoing criticism of Circuit Court Judge Janet Holcomb.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR: Heiser asked Gov. Ted Kulongoski to name a successor by March. On Tuesday, the governor appointed Benton County's chief deputy district attorney John Haroldson. He is the first Mexican-American to become a district attorney in Oregon's history.

WHAT'S NEXT: Haroldson will be sworn in by Presiding Judge Locke Williams on

Feb. 26.

Big wave surfing

THE ISSUE: A 30-foot swell off Lincoln City was ridden by surfers who used jet skis to pull them into the waves.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR: The Nelscott Reef Tow-in Classic was held for the second year in December. While local surfers can shred at the spot, they said they were excluded and couldn't compete against some of the biggest names in the sport.

WHAT'S NEXT: Two Lincoln County surfers, Dan Hasselschwert and Ollie Richardson, will travel to Hawaii to compete in an open tow-surfing competition - and compete for a spot in a recently formed professional tow-surfing tour.

"Folks have gone out of their way to give us a chance to compete," said Hasselschwert, who owns Ossie's Surf Shop in Agate Beach. Sponsors have helped with plane tickets, lodging and other items. Organizers are waiting for big waves, and the window for the contest is between now and March 31.

Hit-and-run follow-up

THE ISSUE: Christopher Hough, 47, of Corvallis was run over and killed on Highway 34.

WHAT'S HAPPENED SO FAR: Hough was walking along Highway 34 east of Corvallis at about 9:30 p.m.

Jan. 27, when he was run over by two vehicles. Neither vehicle stopped. Witnesses described them as a white SUV, possibly a GMC Yukon, and a maroon van with tinted windows, possibly a Chevrolet Astro or similar van.

WHAT'S NEXT: Oregon State Police continue to investigate. Anyone with information on the incident or the vehicles can contact trooper Scott Hite at 800-452-7888.