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BURNS, Ore. (AP) — The latest on an armed group that took over federal buildings at an Oregon wildlife refuge (all times local):
2:30 p.m.
An Oregon sheriff has called off plans to speak with the leader of an armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge.
Harney County Sheriff Dave Ward said Friday that he's shelving the meeting after Ammon Bundy rejected Ward's plea for the small group of anti-government activists to leave the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.
Ward also said via Twitter that he is keeping his options open.
Bundy said earlier Friday that they have no immediate plans to go home, reiterating that his group will leave when there's a plan to turn over federal lands to locals.
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11:45 a.m.
The leader of a small, armed group occupying a national wildlife refuge in Oregon says the activists have no immediate plans to leave.
Ammon Bundy spoke to reporters Friday, a day after meeting with a local sheriff who asked the group to go. Objecting to federal land policy, the activists seized buildings at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 2.
Authorities haven't removed the group of roughly two dozen people, some from as far away as Arizona and Michigan.
Bundy reiterated that his group will leave when there's a plan to turn over federal lands to locals. The group also opposes prison sentences for two area ranchers convicted of arson.
Harney County Sheriff David Ward met Thursday with Bundy. He has said the group needs to leave so locals can get back to their lives.
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